Launched at MusikMesse in Frankfurt this year, three new TC Helicon VoiceTone Singles pedals have been added to the series of revolutionary vocal and processing effect pedals from the company. The new pedals added to the line-up are H1, E1 and X1, all made of die-cast steel with a rubberised base to make them sturdy and reliable on stage. For singers wanting to put a different vibe on their vocals, be it a classic, dance hall echo or a modern distortion in the vein of The Black Eyed Peas, these are the tools to have.
Whilst all of the pedals are amazing enough on their own, it is their optional combination with TC Helicon's MP-75 Modern Performance Vocal microphone that makes them truly unique and revolutionary. Used with any other mic the pedals are all easily switched on and off by the foot switch, making every vocalist just one toe-tap away from a fantastic performance. But used in conjunction with the MP-75 microphone, the pedals can then also be controlled by a switch on the mic, giving singers even more flexibility on stage and leaving them free to concentrate on their all-important stage presence.
The H1 pedal is a two-part vocal harmony processor combining NaturalPlay guitar control and key-scale operation to give all vocalists access to good background vocals. The intelligent harmony pedal has a guitar-sensing element that aids tuneful harmonies and for non-guitarists the H1 has a key selector and can be switched on and off via TC-Helicon's MP-75 microphone. Simple to use, singers can choose from eight voicing combinations and set a harmony mix. They can then choose a guitar control using the guitar pass-through input or select a key and scale. For that big band choral backing sound the H1 will step up to the job.
For access to delays and echos the E1 pedal provides options for adding a classic vibe to vocals. Twelve echos and delay are all easily selected and then tuned with the use of Feedback and Analogue controls. As with the H1 pedal, the E1 can also be operated by the foot switch or by using the switch on the TC-Helicon MP-75 microphone.
X1 borrows technology from TC Helicon's Transducer block to imitate sounds of telephones, megaphones, distortion and amps, creating a unique opportunity to put a modern, edgy quality to vocal performances. Tuning is achieved through Drive and Filter controls and, once again, the pedal is easily under the vocalist's control either with the foot switch or the switch on the MP-75 microphone.
Revolutionary enough on their own, but when teamed with TC Helicon's MP-75 Modern Performance Vocal microphone the VoiceTone singles become an amazing innovation. Not only that, but up to four of the pedals can be daisy-chained together using an accessory kit also available in the TC-Helicon range. This allows singers to combine the effects for a multitude of vocal possibilities.
Click here to learn more about the potential your vocals could achieve with TC-Helicon's Voicetone Singles pedals.
As part of Andrew's work, he has an on-going personal and professional involvement in the music industry. In addition to advising several companies involved in the sector, such as Soundslive and Let's Do Music, his gigging roots go back to the club and pub circuit in the English Midlands of the late 80's and early '90's. These days he's more likely to be found working on online marketing for music industry businesses or lending his sound deck experience (and gear!) to local music groups.
