opinions please on Digitech Vocalist live 3

I do a little one man thing, just me and guitar. The guitar looper has been a magical thing for me to be able to put in a rhythm verse then play lead along with it. What about the Vocalist 3? Is it all they say it is? Does it actually correct pitch by listening to a guitar then blending the voice with it? That sounds too good to be true.

I can sing on key but my voice is lacks body and rich tone. I'm wondering if I can doctor it up like they do on recordings by using this Digitech device.

I wonder if it will sing along with you without harmonizing. That is do an instant dubbing of your voice with a tiny bit of delay to thicken up the sound as so many singers do on recordings.

Anybody got any opinions on this little box of tricks called the Vocalist Live 3?

Great thread on the VL3 I am writing a review of my experience in the live sound forum. I also have my experience with live sound units under my thread of "trade secrets" so far many people aren't willing to share just comment on my experiences

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2594781

I am not satisfied with the "body and rich tone" of my voice also. I notice that if I sing softly with the microphone close to my lips, pitch about the same as my speaking voice, and I move my mouth more than I usually do then I record "richer" vocals. This "richer" voice comes more from the back of my throat, it is not the more nasal face higher pitch sound that I use for lots of pop songs.

Hi folks!

I've owned and have been using the DigiTech Vocalist Live Pro for almost two years. I researched harmonizers very deeply, did a lot of in-store tests and the VLPro is the top end for my modest budget.

I used the VLPro on our most recent band CD release and it worked waaaay better than I had hoped. A few months ago, I started using it on my solo acoustic gigs and it sounded great and I received a lot of compliments.

Then one night, it wouldn't boot past the initial screen readout. Uh-oh. I had to cancel gigs because of this and it was out of warranty. The DigiTech tech support promptly responded to try and help but to no avail. I sent it to an authorized repair facility and they couldn't fix it, they had to send it back to the factory for a refurb - seems the flash memory failed... My recording and performing came to a screeeeeching halt. It is still in the shop and it looks like it will be close to $150 to fix it when all is said and done.

I use my VLPro with my Ovation Balladeer and my Godin Freeway SA, it even works well with my Dean Boca 12 and my YouRockGuitar. I use both the MIDI and MusicIQ methods. My main mic is an ATM headset mic, I also use an SM57 with it. While it took me a looong time to fully learn how to program and set it up, the effort was well worth it. When it failed, I seriously considered getting a 2nd unit for backup - but then I started to check into the Vocalist Live 3 vs. the TC Helicon G-XT because it would be nice to have a unit I can use on the small shows and reserve the VLPro (with its SKB rack and converted amp stand) for bigger gigs.

Doing my research, I was leaning towards the TC G-XT for these reasons:

1. USB - backups of patches are crucial to me

2. Doubling the lead voice doesn't use up one of the two harmony voices

3. Smaller footprint

4. Ability to save vocal effects in the User patches

5. 10 patch locations instead of 5 on the VL3

6. $50 cheaper

7. Footswitches are not as loud on the TC as on the VL3

So, I was ready to buy the TC but I decided to run a comparison of the TC G-XT and the VL3 at Guitar Center. I am sooooo glad I did that because I will not be buying the TC G-XT and I will be buying the Vocalist Live 3. Why?

1. Tracking is obviously more accurate on the Vocalist Live 3 than the G-XT

2. The G-XT harmonies sound thinner, on the VL3 they sound more real

3. The G-XT doesn't make 'intelligent guesses' as well as the VL3, in other words, when I sang songs that I had been using with the VLPro, the VL3 'guessed' better. The VL3 'guessed' in tune, the TC did weird things when it had to guess.

4. Turning the Harmony level knob on the VL3 to the far right actually cancels the lead vocal, a feature that I use on my VLPro when recording harmonies - the TC Harmony level knob doesn't affect the lead voice level.

5. Although I rarely use the Gate functions because my ATM73a headset mic practically negates needing it in live settings, the VL3 Gate is adjustable whereas the TC G-XT Gate (a downloadable update) is a single-setting Gate.

6. I decided that these factors (tracking & sound quality) were more important to me than the initial reasons that made me want to favor the TC.

So, although I own the Vocalist Live Pro and this second purchase will be for a 'back-up' to the VLPro (I'm anxious now since it failed on me once and must have some kind of backup) - the in-store test was well worth it. Hearing, feeling, playing them both made me change my mind and go for the VL3. I will try to follow up when it arrives and I've had a few days to play around with it.

I would advise any who purchase this type of gear to get extended warranty if available, I didn't and I am sorry now. I will be buying the extended warranty on the VL3 however.

I own a DigiTech GNX4 and a JamMan looper too, these are both critical pieces of my rig - so I am becoming quite the DigiTech unpaid pitch-girl. I searched but couldn't find anyone else who had a similar problem with their Vocalist Live Pro, so that rests my anxiety a bit that the failure of mine isn't common. The factory refurb comes with some kind of warranty as well.

The important things are: You must spend time practicing with any harmonizer, if you are driving it with a guitar, you will simply HAVE to adjust what you are playing to help keep any harmonizer from getting confused. If you use it with MIDI that isn't a problem, but I rarely use it that way. If you can afford it and you don't need the smaller, portability of the floor models, I would encourage the extra money on the VL Pro. It is WAY more customizable, I never ran out of presets, it backs up to USB and has basic interface functions in the software app.

Although the vids I have posted so far are not the bext examples (some of the harmonies slip a tad), you can search either 'Rejyna' or 'Citadelsongs' on YouTube to see me using the JamMan looper and the Vocalist Live Pro on stage as a soloist.

I know how hard it is to make a decision when it comes to this type of gear, so I wanted to help any in the same boat as me. Of course, I thought I was done researching harmonizers when I got my VL Pro, but because of my VL Pro breakdown, I'm re-doing my harmonizer homework, since technology has changed a lot since my VL Pro purchase. I also got my VL Pro new for around $450 - don't pay list for it. And PLEASE consider getting an extended warranty.

You can take my opinion, or the opinion of others, but my best advice is to get into a store where you can try them out side by side. That is the BEST way to decide.

Bottom line is you will have to adjust your singing, your guitar must be in tune, you must sing on key and you have to rehearse with it to get used to the 'intelligent guesses' it will make.

Hope this is of some help to those trying to decide. This is an exciting time for advances in technology for musicians, take your time, choose carefully and consider purchasing from a place that has 30 or 45 day return options - just in case. And get into a store and TEST these sweet toys before you invest.

Rejyna

The very words you wrote about learning to use the V pro are very similar to what I've explained to fellow musicians about my VL3. It is like learning to play with a real human group. I find the unit likes a solid continuous strum but does fine with no guitar feed at all.

You mentioned gate. Is that the compression knob? I have found the compression useful in getting punch and projection of my voice over the guitar but just a tad or it goes crazy.

Like you, I have adjusted and adjusted this device trying to find the sweet spots.

1. Effects are doing a good enough job to not need an effect unit between it and the PA

2. Compression seems to allow you to raise vocal level without raising guitar level. (maybe that's a feature I didn't catch in the manual)

3. I don't know about the pitch correction. All I get from it is a reduction in the clarity of sound output. I tried purposely to go a little flat..I went a little flat even with it wide open.

4. Not sure about the warmth thing either. May be my bad ears, but I would call it muddy instead of warmth.

5. The male settings are useless for me. I am male baritone and if I try to add a male harmony to my voice it sounds like Darth Vader or some weird sound effect, not a real harmony. I stick with female only even with doubling.

6. I did not know turning the harmony pot all the way to the right cancels the lead singer. I'll have to try that. All my musician friends keep telling me to use the VL3 sparingly and as back up humanized harmony only not full harmony...but it sounds really cool on some songs meant for equal parts.

7. Over all I can't imagine a better unit for a single act. It has brought great fun to watch eyes light up when the harmony comes on. Even have people looking for the other singers.

The purist are freaking out about this sort of thing. I'm sorry for them..it is too much fun and has made my little show so much more dynamic. It truly is some digi magic and has impressed a lot of people.

nice review Rejyna!... I wonder if you had tried the Vocalist 4 and 5 and how can you compare them to the vocalist 3. Also, I wonder about the TC Helicon Voicelive 2, have you tried it out? Higher price of course, but it seems to be the most versatile of them all. I own the voicelive 4 and Im really happy with it, but is starting to act weird on me and theres no one around here who can fix it, so I might have to start looking for a replacement

Thanks for reading the review; glad it may be of some help.

@ejbpesca:

As far as the Noise Gate on the VL3 (mine will arrive tomorrow) the manual says:

The Vocalist Live 3 also has fixed low-cut filter and a noise gate that can be adjusted from within the Setup Menu.

Then on Page 23 of the VL3 manual (I always download and study manuals before I actually buy gear - geek is me :-) it says:

Press Setup until n appears in the Display. This is the Noise Gate setup menu where you can adjust the Noise Gate Threshold. After a moment the n will disappear and the display will show the current Noise Gate Threshold. The threshold can be adjusted from OF (noise gate is off), 1 - 20. Higher numbers raise the threshold so you have to sing louder to open the gate and have your voice heard.

From what I read about the TC G-XT, the noise gate is non-adjustable (it seems to be one of the things added to solve problems with garble and extraneous noise that plagued many users of the TC G) and the reason I don't need it when using the VLPro is because the headset mic I use is really good at keeping background noise from getting into the harmonizer, I do however have to breathe out of the side of my mouth sometimes to keep the 'breath sounds' from getting harmonized. I do use the compression on my VLPro however because it stabilizes warmth, punch, presence and clarity.

I've read many criticisms about headset mics but aside from the isolation benefits, the headset mic also allows:

1. freedom to speak or sing when I'm bending down to adjust a pedal

2. allows me to be more accurate with my looper & harmonizer pedal switches, it is quite a challenge to consistently punch the right pedal if I'm stuck to a pole mic singing and looking straight ahead trying to sneak in glances down towards my feet.

3. it has it's own phantom power (Audio Technica ATM73a)

4. it picks up even the softest singing

5. I can pretty much walk around anywhere without feedback or false triggering because the headset mic is right at my mouth and my skull acts as a block against feedback (most handhelds feedback when they are away from the mouth due to bleed thru)

Sure, you can 'work' a stand mic better, i.e. pull away when you've got to belt, or get real close when you sing soft. I also realize that many see the pole mic as a 'home base', a security zone (such as when some folks close their eyes during a song), it works good if one sits and plays, and even as a sort-of prop. Sure, if I was only singing, and not playing an axe at the same time, I'd prefer using my SM57 - so I understand the pros & cons of both. I wouldn't want anyone to change what works best for them but I adore the functionality of my headset mic and the way it works with harmonizers. Sorry to go on a bit about the headset mic...

As for the 'purists' that may be critical of harmonizer use, well - I dunno how to help them get over that. They probably also wouldn't like the fact that I use a looper or the that my band's most recent CD is mostly midi guitar. Why? Because I can't afford the money or time to hire a full orchestra or backup band but I want all those sounds on my songs. It may be 'cheating' if I actually had the option to have singers follow me around to all my gigs and sessions but since I don't have that option, the choice becomes: play a set that is boring to me or, use technology to make it more fun and full sounding. Honestly, I've gotten a lot of compliments and only a few folks seem put off by it - and those few who seem 'put off' by it are often secretly coveting my gear anyway :-)

As far as a real in-depth response on your points regarding the actual value of settings on the VL3, I'll have to wait 'til it gets here (UPS says tomorrow) because I only briefly tested them at GC, I got a much better deal online from Musician's Friend - they have the 45-day test-drive option and I've had good luck with their extended warranties, return policy, price matching and even straight out telling them I'll buy an item but they need to give me 10-20% off.

@amx13:

I have not tested the Vocalist 4 since I chose the Vocalist Live Pro instead of it based on flexibility and I don't trust plastic footswitches to last long. I use a GNFX (optional) footswitch with my VLPro. The VLPro sounds simply amazing (and I am critical) although I have to admit there is a steep learning curve as far as programming, setups, etc. Since the TC Helicon Voice Live 2 has a higher price, and since I love my VLPro, I would spend that money on another VLPro before going with the TC. As with the reasons I almost bought the G-XT instead of the VL3 (listed in my previous post), there are lots of factors to consider when investing this much $ and time on a piece of gear, so each has it's strengths and weaknesses. Actually hearing, touching and testing them is the best way to decide.

The Vocalist 4 is the older style (like the now discontinued VL2) whereas the Vocalist 5 is the newer style (like the VL3) - I toyed with the idea of getting a VL5 instead of the VL3 but then I'd be spending as much as it would cost to just get a 2nd VLPro (remember, I paid $450 for my VLPro new from Jim's Music in Irvine - Musician's Friend wouldn't/couldn't match that price) But then I kinda wanted a simpler harmonizer for the small gig, parties, auditions etc. Taking the VLPro in it's case with the stand feels like a bit of overkill unless I'm playing an extended set and have a legitimate PA to use. Some places I play have very small PA's (like a powered head with a couple 1/4" inputs and one small speaker cab)

I can take my Roland Cube Street (battery powered stereo micro-pa) or a small amplifier and use the headset mic, my Ovation, the JamMan Solo looper and the VL3 - that's one trip from the car. Logistics are such that I often have to park far from where I'm playing and two trips to the car are not feasible, nor is leaving one load of gear unattended whilst I would be going back for the rest of my rig.

Overall, I would give both DigiTech and TC Helicon thumbs up for what they are attempting with these units! Wow, has it re-ignited my appreciation of doing solo gigs. I remember considering the VoiceLive2 and 4 but again, the price I got on the VLPro ended up being the deal-maker. Prior to that purchase, I had never used anything like that before and therefore didn't understand each and every feature of the respective units.

I will tell you that I would have preferred back then to go with TC, as my early memories of DigiTech gear being cheesy-sounding and fragile looking had made me a Roland/Boss loyalist. However, having also tried their loopers against the Boss loopers, I have chosen DigiTech because of sound/features. The amazing (and extremely complex) DigiTech GNX4 has also highly impressed me - now my Boss GT multi-effects pedals are in a storage room because the GNX4 smokes them. So, I guess I became a DigiTech user against my own stubborn will and after actually using their newer gear. I've head some artists perform with both units, and both can sound good or bad, and it really comes down to how they use it, how steady is their pitch and how often they use it in a set - it is very obvious when they haven't rehearsed enough with either :-)

I try to use harmonizers very sparingly, even though my inclination would be to use it a lot because it is truly ear candy to a soloist. The song structure, and my single singing voice has to be the main magic - audiences may get a 'plastic' feeling from the experience if I used it as much as I would like to.

Wow, did I really go on that long? *blush*

Today my DigiTech Vocalist Live 3 arrived from MF and I just finished a 5 hour run rehearsal with it. As I have posted at length on Harmony Central, this is to be the backup unit for my Vocalist Live Pro, which is currently getting a factory refurb – it just stopped booting and it was past factory warranty.

I had the VL3 plugged in and set for sound in minutes. My Ovation into the guitar input, and the guitar thru to a channel on my mixer. Then my headset mic into the VL3 and the VL3 XLR out’s to the mixer. This all goes to a stereo Crown amp into to two 15+horn Peavey cabs.

To be succinct, it sounds excellent! Of course the VLPro is better hands down and I will continue to rely on it for my longer shows, but for smaller gigs, rehearsals and writing, the Vocalist Live 3 is what I was looking for. I already posted my research pros and cons of the VL3 against the TC Helicon G-XT on Harmony Central. I had originally wanted the TC G-XT because of the additional features, but when I tried them side-by-side at GC, the DigiTech won me over because it sounded more real and full, and it was better at ‘guessing’ where the harmonies should go during chord changes and fingerpicking..

After this first workout with it, I am happy that I picked the Vocalist Live 3. It was very easy to get up and running (especially compared to the learning curve I had with the VLPro) and it sounds really good. CAUTION: You need to sing on steady pitch, you will have to adjust your lead vocal lines to compensate for the scalic limitations of the unit, you will have to play simpler guitar parts during harmony sections so you don’t confuse it

If the weather allows, I may try it out tomorrow night and post some vids of it.

It seems built tough enough to last and the buttons aren’t as loud as I expected. I would like USB, headphone out and more presets, but that is what DigiTech has put into the Vocalist Live 5. For the price of the VL5, I would still go for the VLPro but for the good deal I got on the VL3, it will be more than just a backup. Well worth the price.

I started doing some solo stuff a while back so picked up a Live 3. wow, what a great and easy to use unit. Seems to follow what I'm playing with no problem. Now I sometimes use it in the band also... what I say to the other band members is "step up and sing these harmonies ...consistantly.. and I wont bring it!"

Anyone experienced the following problem? at one particular venue (a really old building) the unit works initially and then wont pass vocals at all. The light indicates it's getting input...but nothing out. Get it home and it's fine. I was thinking a ground issue, but Digitech says it's likely low voltage and to try a different outlet. I dont know...it must be really sensitive...as nothing else seems to care about the voltage at the wall. Anyone experience this?

damnit dude, buy a voltage ohm-meter and test it on the outlet that's giving you trouble. if you're cheap you can return the ohm-meter the next day. they're only like 15 bucks anyway for a cheapie.

damnit dude, buy a voltage ohm-meter and test it on the outlet that's giving you trouble. if you're cheap you can return the ohm-meter the next day. they're only like 15 bucks anyway for a cheapie. [/i is that Duke of Broom?

Oh I have lot's of toys, build and repair amps, I could use my Variac I suppose...but the reality is I play there once a month and would rather not carry all that crap. I plan to take my Fluke multimeter next time...but testing the wall wont make the unit work! BTW, DO NOT buy a $15- or $25 VOM... they are not even remotely accurate... for Resistance or Ma anyway...

What I AM looking for is if anyone has had the same issue...

my lowe's special works just as well as my fluke III

I guess you are luckier than me. Tried two cheap ones, they were way off on resistance and milliamps compared with the Fluke. Ishudder to think if that was my only one and I was biasing or adjusting things with it!

I was reading your vocalist post and was curious how you liked the roland cube street with the vocalist.

I just received a vocalist 4 and love it.

Now what to do for a small venue amp? I would like to keep it to one piece if possible, but will go to a real pa if it is not a decent sound.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I usually play acoustic electric, but would like to play my solid body a little.

Thanks

I,ve just used one or two 12" PA floor monitors and a PA mixer combo with acoustic electric. It seems to work out well in a small venue. I dont know anything about the cube street. Nows I've got a couple of pwered 10" JBL Eon's and a lightweight mixer.

Sorry it took so long to answer you.

I like the Roland Cube Street for outside stuff, small in home 'concerts' - it is quick, easy, and sounds okay for it's size. I don't like the 'Aux In' not having a dedicated volume control, and since it is stereo, I would have liked also if it had Left and Right 1/4" inputs, instead of one 1/4" - for my stereo pedals. Funny thing is, the cheaper unit (Mobile Cube) does have two 1/4" inputs - although it only has 1/4" microphone input, not the 1/4"/XLR combo on the STREET. Tradeoffs.

Thing is, I would like to trade up to the AC33 because I like that it has an internal 40-second looper (footswitchable) because my Jamman looper only runs on AC. Yeah, it's only 40 seconds, but it is a nice option for remote playing. But wow, is it pricey...it sounds sweet though :-)

Peace!

I heard that you share a joke:Just happened ... ... dinner, a man drank too much, reach for a glass of wine full of carefully blowing a few times, drink, shouted: "so hot so hot! "

Yes, the vocalist live 3 has a " unison " button, if you turn the harmony mix all the way to the right it will reproduce your voice without your own voice in the output, if the pitch correct is enabled that should do the trick

Been quite a while since I started this thread. Since then I've used the vl3 quite a bit successfully but also find it quite finicky. I was attempting a new song for my list and getting not so good results from the vl3 on this song that has to be done in harmony.

I found the problem..3 part (2 backups) harmony and minor chords do not get along when the song is in a major key but has a minor chord in the verse. I could hear the vl3 jumping around trying to figure out what note to sing. Kinda bizarre sounding. Switched to just two part harmony...fixed it.

Ok I'm still not understanding the last post. What does the pitch corrector have to do with eliminating your voice? And..let me get this straight. You say turning the harmony pot all the way right takes out the singer's voice and only gives the harmonizing voices? Not my unit. Had it wide open yesterday and with this knob slap to the right..three part harmony almost equal volume of all three voices. Am I just not understanding what you are saying or maybe I have an older vl3 without that feature.