TC-Helicon VoicePro - Manual (Page 35)

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Section 5: Live Performance Applications
Introduction
While VoicePro is an excellent tool for the studio, it can
also be used for creating memorable voice effects in a live
performance setting. Every musical group that features the
human voice can benefit from using VoicePro including
single acts or duos, touring pop acts and, live theatre
performers.
This section is more of an introduction to live vocal
processing applications as opposed to detailed feature
discussions. Further parameter detail is found in the
Detailed Parameters Description Section.
In this section we cover:
• Live hookups
• Some features applicable to live performance.
• Finding presets
• Optimizing latency
• Using MIDI
Hookup:
VoicePro does not feature a microphone preamp so this
must be handled externally by an onstage or house
console. In a live show it's best to run VoicePro as a mono-
send stereo-return channel insert with routing of the dry
signal handled by VoicePro's internal mixer. This allows the
onstage performer the use of VoicePro’s voice
transformation capabilites as well as dynamics and EQ.
Also, some effects, such as uMod, often sound best fully
wet. VoicePro has an analog hardware bypass when power
is removed which adds a good measure of security in high-
pressure live shows. Also, the auxilliary input allows use of
VoicePro's non-pitch shifting effects for other instruments
and singers in bands that have their audio mixer onstage.
Notes on VoicePro features in live
performance:
Pitch correction, harmony, dynamics and EQ, vocal
transformation, distortion, and Classic FX can all be
used effectively when performing live.
• Pitch correction will help deliver a more polished vocal in
live performance. One thing to note is that a singer hearing
their corrected voice in the monitor may be distracted at
first. If this is the case, the signal from the mic can be split
so that the monitor produces the unprocessed vocal and
the main house mix contains the corrected vocal. Also,
each song usually requires different key and scale settings
which can be saved as unique presets, and recalled by the
onstage performer or sound crew.
• Using the four additional voices within VoicePro for
harmony and doubling in live performance can produce
succesful results. Whether the harmonies are controlled by
a MIDI keyboard or by recalling user-specified key and
scale presets for each song, even a single harmony voice
produced by VoicePro will seriously improve vocals.
• Dynamics and EQ are usually handled by a front-of-
house sound mixer because he or she is responsible for
fitting vocals into the whole mix. This doesn't mean they
shouldn't be used by the performer with an onstage
VoicePro. Also be aware that these effects can increase
the risk of monitor feedback.
• Vocal transformation can create memorable vocal effects
live, compensate for a thin sounding voice, and even add
extra breathiness where it's required.
• Distortion and band-limited megaphone effects are
frequently used in pop songs and these can now be easily
generated live with VoicePro. The same caveat regarding
feedback with dynamics and EQ applies here.
• Reverb, modulation effects, and delay fit perfectly in live
performance and give the onstage performer more control
of effects, but its important to be aware of the balance of
dry and effect in the mix the audience hears.