New discussion for Inna Rude Mood

TC-Helicon VoiceLive2

Moved Reply:

Just bought one Friday and then used it for two small club gigs over the weekend. Didn't explore all of it's capabilities but even just the basic parameters of "Tone" and "Pitch" proved excellent for use with the Bose system. The Tone's Adaptive Noise Gate allowed me to finally crank my vocals high enough to be heard above a loud crowd once they filled the space immediately in front of the band in a tight club during the third set. My voice doesn't have much natural presence and maybe I could never program the ToneMatch's noise gate well enough, but I'd grown accustomed to turning up the volume and then always having to stand between the Bose unit and my mic to deter feedback even when using an Audix OM5 and OM7. This time, I just put the ToneMatch flat and let the Voicelive 2 do the rest. It's adaptive shape EQ, adaptive compression, de-ess and adaptive gate worked great on the default settings. Only thing I changed was to increase the shape EQ from 50% to 60% so my vocals cut through the mix better. I couldn't believe how much volume I was getting without feedback and noticed that the noise gate automatically adjusted as necessary to shut off my mic whenever I wasn't singing (ie, blank trim signal LED), leaving me free to move around more when I played guitar leads. Also, the default "pitch" control setting got me in more accurate tune on the lowest vocal notes where I can drift off like on La Grange. I may never even read the manual for all the harmony and doubling stuff, but I'm wondering now whether it can control feedback as well with my favorite mic (Neumann KMS105) that I've given up using except for outdoor gigs when I can get far enough away from my Bose unit. This evening I did delve into the delay and reverb effects a little and was pleased with each's ducking parameter that made the lead vocal retain clarity even with the effect engaged, as that has always been the saving grace of singing through the Bose system as compared to a traditional system. The Voicelive 2 unit is a bit pricey but maybe Bose engineers can eventually program some of this adaptive control capability into the ToneMatch as well. The older I get, the more I appreciate things that just work excellently with simple control.

Hi Inna Rude Mood,

Thanks for your insights into this new vocal processor. I am intrigued by your comments about the KMS 105. This has been my main microphone for nearly five years with the L1® and I have not found it to be any more prone to feedback than anything else I have used. But I am always right on top of it when I set the gain structure. If I do that then I have no issues with feedback. Anyway - I hope that you'll be able to get back into using yours the way you want indoors as well as out.

I have some challenges when, on occasion, I have to reach way down to sing at the bottom of my range. I do this mainly for special effects when singing with others doing mock bass harmonies. That is where I really need the help with pitch. Do you think the VoiceLive2 could help with that?

quote:

Originally posted by ST:
.....I have some challenges when, on occasion, I have to reach way down to sing at the bottom of my range. I do this mainly for special effects when singing with others doing mock bass harmonies. That is where I really need the help with pitch. Do you think the VoiceLive2 could help with that?.....

Hi ST,

The VoiceLive 2 would be excellent for this it's definatley the best vocal processor out there at the moment for the gigging musician, the guitar effects are also excellent.

I've used TC products for my vocals for years now and just replaced my rack units (Voiceworks Plus and Voice Doubler) with the new VoiceLive 2 and although I don't use a lot of it's features it's still worth the money for it's sonic quality.

Hi ST,

I've been gigging with the Bose equipment since first release and upgraded as new developments have occurred. I've read much of your advice on this forum over the years about avoiding feedback, trying all recommended mics and strategies.

My problem has always been when we play a small rock club with almost no stage and venue expectation of high volume. We end up pushing the limits of the system when trying to get the vocals above the overall din despite close proximity between mic and tower. It's amazing how loud the same size crowd can get once they've gotten a few hours of alcohol into their system and decided it's time to fill the dance floor. I set the gain structure as best I can, always sing with my lips touching the mic screen, and also adjust the ToneMatch's noise gate throughout the gig to avoid feedback as we compete with the increasing crowd noise. I've never been able to get the 105 at the same volume as the OM5 and then been able to leave the mic on while playing and not standing directly in front of the mic. At that volume, I always get feedback unless I mute the channel when not standing in front of mic. The strange thing about using the Voicelive 2 this past weekend was that I actually got my vocals so much louder than normal without any feedback, that everytime I sang near the end of the gig, my guitar's output from the same tower was attenuated in a very noticeable way. I'd never had that happen before.

I'm more of a guitar player who sings rather than a talented lead singer and found that a Voicetone Correct pedal helped my pitch tremendously, so the Voicelive 2 has the same capability plus alot more. It's definitely helped my pitch accuracy in lower registers. You could also get the same bass harmony result you seek by singing a note in your normal range and then have the octave below (or two) Harmony effect engaged with the "lead vocal mute" option selected (you would then only hear the lower bass note through the Bose). You seem like a person who can get the most out of technology, so I'm guessing you'd find ways to use the Voicelive 2 that would improve upon your current signal chain for vocals if you are only using the ToneMatch. The only question would be whether you thought the $800 price was worth it and that's a subjective question to be answered by individuals.