Vocal Harmonizers

[alanbakewell]

Does anyone have any experiences they'd like to share with Vocal Harmonizers?

I've watched a number of You Tube demos and am tempted to indulge myself.
But which one?
Are they a worthwhile investment or a five minute fad?

I inherited my late Father's hairstyle, and sense of humour amongst other qualities.
However his excellent singing voice I did not.
I read that these devices incorporate a "Pitch Correction" facility. OOH!!

Any comments / advice gratefully received.

Cheers, Alan

[dave robinson]

Hi Alan, I now have the Digitech Vocalist 4 having previously owned the original model from the early nineties. Great tools for a soloist making tracks in the studio or even adding a third or fifth harmony in a live performance, but I prefer the real thing which of course I enjoy because of four other band members who can sing quite well. I do benefit from it occasionally though.

On the down side, if the harmonies don't 'trigger' correctly (because your chord fingering has to be perfect), it can sound horrendous. As for pitch correction - always remember that old saying 'you can't polish a turd'.

[roger bayliss]

They often do correct pitch Alan and mny modern acts are known to use that function !
TC Helicon are perhaps the best out these but others like Digitech and Roland/Boss too.
Bit like a guitar effects processor for vocals mate.

[alanbakewell]

Hi Alan, I now have the Digitech Vocalist 4 having previously owned the original model from the early nineties. Great tools for a soloist making tracks in the studio or even adding a third or fifth harmony in a live performance, but I prefer the real thing which of course I enjoy because of four other band members who can sing quite well. I do benefit from it occasionally though.

On the down side, if the harmonies don't 'trigger' correctly (because your chord fingering has to be perfect), it can sound horrendous. As for pitch correction - always remember that old saying 'you can't polish a turd'.

Thanks Dave, I was just drinking my coffee as I got to your last line.

What's the best thing for getting coffee out of a keyboard?

[bazmusicman]

Hi Alan,

I too have a singing voice that is more than a bit suspect!!

So I invested in a "Vocalist Live Four" harmonizer. This is a brilliant piece of kit and I highly recommend it.
Like you say it does have "pitch correction" but you have to be a bit near to start with!!

You can also do four or five part harmony's with yourself which, if you are a "one man band" or "duo" or even more, will fill your sound out enormously.
You plug your guitar into the Harmonizer before anything else, then into your effects etc.
You have to go into the Harmonizer first because it "reads" your chords for the correct pitch without any "color" added from effects etc.

Best regards,
Baz.

[dave robinson]

Sorry Alan, but is was meant to make you laugh and it did ! Sorry about your coffee . . . .

[alanbakewell]

Roger and Baz. Thanks for your replies I'm sorely tempted.

What's that sweetheart? More Coffee? I'll come downstairs for it thankyou.

Cheers, Alan.

[roger bayliss]

Look on Utube Al

http://youtu.be/aRB98dibQ6c

Robbo made me laugh too choke !

[Nels]

Hi Alan, here is a tune I did with the original vocalist VHM-5

Cheers
Nels






http://www.4shared.com/mp3/_cSsrsVt/Jukebox.html

[roger bayliss]

Here's one might be about right Alan as can use guitar (and effects) plus mp3 and voice cancellation on recorded songs so can sing over the record so to speak . Plug your gultar and mic into it and over 200 presets for under £300 . Or the Digitech vocalist

http://www.tc-helicon.com/products/voicelive-play-gtx/

Some are just for vocals and some do guitar as well ... soon have you sounding like the Fab Four !