My TOP 10 Presets for TC-Helicon Voicelive Play Acoustic

[@tomf9292]

This unit is the secret sauce in our 3 pc (acoustic, electric bass, and drums) rock band. We’ve been told “you sing like angels”! Shhhhhhh

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Love that! Awesome!

[@dannyboylan2342]

Thank you JP. I've just pulled my Play Acoustic out of hibernation and found this really helpful!!!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Cool. I’m glad. Watch this one next - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@jacksonderekmartin]

Excellent overview JP! We have a Halloween jam session coming up - what would you set up for a Monster Mash vocal like Bobby Picket on the recording. Many thanks.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Have a look at this: kzbin.infoXId0P-48-Bg?si=TaUyRkabv8gM9UFw

[@countcliff6079]

I've got this and struggle with all the tech stuff. But I do my best with it.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Everything is learnable. 👍🏻

[@Pulse2AM]

Thanks for the review! The reveerbs sound pretty good compared to other voice pedals I listened to, the harmonies are always the weak link, these are okay not great.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thanks 🙏 I think, looking at all t companies who make them, the harmonies are always the hardest thing for any company to replicate on a pedal I suppose as it’s down to so many factors. Also depends on the kind of harmonies you want too.

[@_eddiecole]

My favorite. Are number 24. 70. For auto tune. I want to know what's the best for rapping clear. No auto tune

[@okieobw]

I’m a bit confused (if you knew me you’d not be at all surprised). I see how you turn on global guitar effect, but how do I set the reverb, etc. the global is what made me switch from fishman loudbox mini charge. I didn’t want to have the same effects for both guitar and vocal. So I’m stoked about this tc helicon. I’m putting my guitar and mic in the box, the box to a mackie profx10 mixer to a mackie thump go. I busk full time and I’m hoping this will cover all my needs for a while. Thank you for your series, it is very helpful.

[@mattclancy2583]

Cheers JP my name is Matt Clancy I currently live in the states but will be moving to Ireland this year. I will be performing a tribute to The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem while there. I have the Play Acoustic to enhance my vocal harmonies while I play guitar and sing the CB&TM have at times 3-4part harmonies. The crux of the songs I will be performing have a single vocal on the verses with harmonies on the choruses . As the lions share of the tunes I'll be doing will employ this can you steer me in the right direction for a set it and forget it with tap on/off ? BTW I loved your tutorial on using the Boss RC-5 for backing tracks it literally saved my sanity. Thanks', Matt Clancy.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey Matt 👋 Great to hear from you and that my RC-5 backing track video helped you. Oooh sounds like very exciting times for you! Have a look at this deep dive video which will help and I can always do 121 video call help if you need it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@petepeter6891]

One of the most and clearly explained video .Thank you so much iv just learned so easiely to use this instrument...thank you sir ..

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

More than welcome 🙏 The next video is a deeper dive and will really help you when I comes to making your own presets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@mchugh48]

Great video, really takes alot experience to utilize this device , I only use Norwegian wood, and a couple of other presets , big learning curve for me , but fun and a great enhancement, 👍

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Glad you like it.. did a more recent one here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@shellypage]

Hello! Thanks for the lovely video. I see it's been around for a few years so hopefully you're still able to answer my question. I've used this for live gigs but basically only used it for subtle harmonies and reverb. Not even by choice! It's just almost impossible for me to get the effects to come through the mains. I keep watching videos and it seems as though I'm doing everything right, but in my headphones or using a condenser mic I hear the effects perfectly, but even setting it to "dynamic mic" when using my dynamic mic, the effects are sooooo quiet that they're almost imperceptible. I'm over here experimenting with EVERYTHING trying to troubleshoot (I'm sure it's something obvious but...) anyway, if anyone can help I'd be extremely grateful. Thanks!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Have you adjusted the mic volume on the left hand side of the unit for the input. You should have a green input light when you sing to make sure the unit is getting a good signal. Then go to mix and make sure the output mix is up.

[@shellypage]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thank you! Yes that's what I've been doing but maybe I need to mess with it more. To be fair, I think it was green due to the guitar only and maybe not registering the vocals as strongly. I'll check that.

[@GusRodriguezhere]

Just what I needed, thks! Just bought the same gear, the TC-HELICON and the BOSS RC-300. Saw the nice arrangement, in one of your pics, of how you arranged them to fit them all neatly in a box case. Can you tell me more on where can I get one and size? Keep those videos coming. Thanks again

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey Gus. So I looked high and low for a single case and ending up finding a flight case company that makes long pedalboards. It’s a ‘swan flight case pedalboard. Here is the link : www.swanflight.com/guitarist-flight-cases/guitar-pedal-board-flight-cases/multi-pedal-boards.html Mine is the size 4 which is Huge and wish I had put wheels on it! 😂 Hope that helps and many thanks 🙏

[@GusRodriguezhere]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks a mil for the quick response. Will do and keep the good work of keeping us all more informed. That info is gold! Thks again JP!!

[@MrGerhow]

I do not play guitar all the time while singing. Will this thing follow a backing track and do the voice harmonizing in a karaoke set up ? thanks for replying .

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

It might do. Putting whole backing tracks through it might confuse the harmony system but it’s worth trying. It’s meant to pickup one instrument and listen to that, which it does really well.. but you could see if it figures out the chords with a track cause technically it could listen to anything! 👍🏻

[@alejandroschejola258]

Is there any settings to make my vocals brighter and cleaner more crisp on this unit besides just regular reverb?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Certainly are. Have a look at this - kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@tonnylans3132]

Hi man, great video! I got 2 questions. I'm really bad looking for a voice pedal for playing with our band. I need a pedal witch got a reverb an delay etc, but also a distorted sound and megaphone sound(want to cover the Black Keys) . It seems like this pedal has this all in once isn't it? And can I just use it only for vocal effects? In the band I'm playing electric so I guess this pedal isn't made for electric guitar. The TC helicon voicelive was a perfect option for me but they're all sold out. Wonder if this one's a option for me. Thanks.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

It just needs an input to understand the chords. The Voicelive Play (white one) is angled for electric. I’d recommend that.

[@musicmanjerryphillips6429]

I’m a local musician in Fort Collins Colorado I have a quick question for you I’m legally blind and I just bought this TC helicon acoustic play I love it but what microphone do you recommend I use with it

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hi Jerry. Thanks for reaching out. In this video I actually use a very cheap microphone called the Fifine K8. I have a review of it on my channel. The reason I use this is because I am also a gigging musicians and it’s very good at reducing the background noise in pubs and clubs, has an on / off switch on the mic which is useful for looping and when you don’t want it to be used and it’s seriously cheap at around $30, which means if I bust it or someone else breaks it, it hasn’t cost me a fortune. I actually have 3 of them for spares and take 2 out on gigs with me just in case because they are so cheap and the sounds is good. If I was in a studio I would use a different microphone and usually a Shure SM57 or SM58 depending on your voice. I hope that helps.

[@finndling]

Hello JP, thank you very much for your youtube videos. Your explanations bring me real forward. Are these settings for the Play Acoustic also available for reading or maybe as a download. In the video, everything happens very quickly, almost too quickly for me. Thank you for spending your time and you support. Greetings from Germany, Hanns

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hello Herr. Glad my videos help but sorry they are a bit fast. You know you can actually watch KZbin videos in different speeds. Have a look at that on your browser. Good news thou is, yes. The presets I use are tweaked versions of the stock ones and they are available via the Voicesupport computer app where you can upload and download and arrange your presets. Have a look here: www.tc-helicon.com/product.html?modelCode=P0CMP

[@adrianmulvey2592]

Thanks JP for the great review .. Cannot decide between this and the Boss VE 8 Acoustic Singer .. Which would you more highly recommend ? Keep up the good work :-)

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

The VE-8 is a great device and is an all-in-one solution for singer songwriters who want a bit of looping. They had KT Tunstall promoting it at one point. Although it does have a couple of vocal effects and a 1 phrase looper like the Voicelive Play acoustic, the TC-Helicon has over 200-300 different effects and they are very varied. It’s totally depends on what you need. I want bass sounds, radio sounds, octave ups, hall, max ‘out-there’ sounds as well so the TC-Helicon is the winner for me. I would say look at what kind of stuff you are doing or want to do and the VE-8 or VLPA might be better suited. Up to you.

[@mijomatic]

TC HALICON ACOUSTIC: guitar effects How can I set GLOBAL and SPECIFIC effects separately?

[@boorad1ey]

What mixer would you use for the tc voicelive for like a gig/small budget show? Looking for good mixers that don’t cost an arm n a leg but sum thing that will do tha job for the voicelive! lemme know plz and Thank you 🙏

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

I have an use a Behringer Xenyx 802USB. That way i can send to a speaker or PA as well as live stream! 👍🏻 Shown here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJjGZ32mm8dkftU

[@okieobw]

Sorry, one last question on the preset megaphone. Why is there such a noticeable delay where my voice isn’t going and then boom it’s there. Seems as though something is off. Thoughts?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Go into the preset of megaphone and play with the delay. There is one there to simulate the sound of a megaphone in a big hall. Might be that.

[@mathewsimondesroches4392]

It’s the noise gate… you can set the threshold so it lets everything through

[@homeautomation8682]

So there is no way to lower the Hard Tune effect?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yes you can personalise it in the settings have a look at this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@czarjhern]

Do I need special mic to have this vocals?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

No.

[@AlexAnthonyBand]

Thank you for this, man. So much better TC's tutorial.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Glad you think so! Here’s the next one for you to watch : kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@Soccernz007]

Great video.....Just purchased this unit (hasn't arrived yet - bloody Covid!!)... but your tutorial has given me great hope that this unit will be very useful!!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hope you enjoy it. I love mine and it’s soo versatile because of the way the effects are set up. Think I might need to do more tutorials on this pedal. Lots of people interested in it. Hehe.

[@Soccernz007]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Good idea.... I was looking for a video that would show the basic presets.....using the same song e.g. Free Fallin.... that way I could see what the basic starting point is. I have the Boss VE20.... but don't use it!! Look forward to more vids

[@cottercottercotter]

Hi , JP , thank you for the Video , I'm about to get one and can you store prrsets if you alter them please , Jimmy C !

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

You certainly can Jimmy yes. 👍🏻 You can even have the ones you want in any order or store them as favourites too. Pick one up here: geni.us/VVefu

[@johneem]

Thanks JP just dug out my VL Play after a few years, thing is I'm finding is when I go from FX to Talk mode to speak to the audience my mic level goes up quite a few DBs and is sometimes inconvenient, can you think of anything I'm doing wrong.. many thanks

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Ahhh just seen your message on my other video. Have a look at the main settings and if you have anything boosted when talk or HIT is not active.

[@ironmandelboy]

Hiya , quick question do you put your looper after the play acoustic or before ?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

After. My looper is always the last thing in the chain. Always. 👍🏻

[@vincentnussbaumer3749]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK have you made a video on setting up the accoustic live and your looper?

[@hasseegelundnielsen2405]

can you tell me if its possible to connect a play accousitc before a voice live 3 because it has som presets i would like to use but i will ofcource play line on the one im not using Does that means any sence to you ???

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey 👋 So.. if you have a Voicelive 3, you should be able to make the presets that the acoustic has as the acoustic is from the VL3. Have you tried the software you connect with the VL3 on Pc or Mac? Voice Support 2 can load presets up from TC-Helicon and you can load them into the VL3, therefore not needing the Acoustic, saving you space. Hope that makes sense. 👍🏻

[@BenDaleTV]

Love it... tell me more about using an expression pedal with this... could you fade in a tape echo with an expression pedal?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

So, you can connect a 3 pedal add on (tc-helicon’s official pedal is called ‘Switch-3’ or ‘Switch-6’) which expands the functionality and gives you separate access to the built in looper or more effects. I’ve actually never tried or plugged in an expression pedal but I don’t think it is assignable. Will try it and get back to you. 👍🏻

[@BenDaleTV]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK much appreciated.

[@weakdaze215]

Can this be used without a guitar. Just for vocals nothing else plugged in but a mic

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yes it can. It has a built in mic on the device to listen for surrounding sounds for pitch if you want or you can program it to select the key. 👍🏻

[@garywest1795]

massively helpful , thankyou

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

More than welcome. If you want a deep dive, then watch this video next! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@neruda12345]

Hello, thanks for the nice video, i have a question, what kind of active box i can buy for the tc helicon play acoustic, ma use is often at home but also in a liddle pubs, it could be a good choise a FRFR box like a Headrush 108 or better something else? Thanks a lot.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

The Headrush 108 is a GREAT choice as its really quite a good sound. I have a Mackie Reach for my pub gigs. its discontinued now but I trust Mackie all the way! its a one speaker system but has a brilliant throw and originally came out for £999 and I picked one up BRAND NEW for just under £400! You might be able to pick up a second hand one at a good bargain. mackie.com/products/reach or have a look at the SRM or Thump range. they ROCK!

[@neruda12345]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks a lot:)

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Welcome 🙏

[@TabletGoodmans]

Great tutorial, Do you have any performances we can watch where you are using the effects? Greetings from New Zealand. Mike.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Greeting Mike. Ahhhh New Zealand - would LOVE to visit! On my list. So my Performances Playlist is the best place for this - not every performance has be looping or using effects but most of them I utilise the TC-Helicon. Have a look here and enjoy.kzbin.info/aero/PLE144D6DEA85E3E72 Let me know if you have any more questions. 👍🏻

[@TabletGoodmans]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK just watched a few vids, fantastic. I have the Voicelive Play GTX and have just purchased a Voicelive play electric which has more controllable guitar effects which is what I need. I use them live in a rock band and in a duo with my daughter so she can control her own harmonies. Nice units, but require tweaking so tutorials like yours are awesome. Thanks again. Mike.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

That’s cool and nice use with the daughter. Yeah the presets are good starting points but then I would encourage anyone to start backwards - think about what kind of sounds you want, then find a preset that is close and tweak it. 👍🏻

[@vinnykeys8146]

Can I route this through the main board so all the vocal mics can get the vox effects?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Technically yes. 👍🏻

[@tomrider1976able]

Can you add a separate pedal with presets for each button? like the tc 3 switch

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

With the Voicelive Play Acoustic you can use the switch 3 or switch 6 to add functionality and there are a few things you can do like have dedicated looper buttons or have preset up and down or turn on/off certain aspects of a preset. Have a look at the manual here www.manualslib.com/manual/868037/Tc-Helicon-Play-Acoustic.html The only way you could do what you want to is probably with midi and a midi foot pedal but I have never tried it.

[@tomrider1976able]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks

[@clemensmaguire2953]

Hi JP, this machine is so cool. I struggle with the guitar sound though. You don't have presets for the acoustic guitar sound you use by any chance? And how do you route guitar and vocals to your mixer? Do you separate the channels or make it stereo on one channel?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hi Clemens 👋 So my acoustic guitar is the same sound throughout - you can have the guitar as a globe]al sound instead of changing it with each preset. Send me your email (or email me - details in my about on here) and I will send you screenshots of mine for you to copy. I have mine routed mine with dual mono mode - watch this video - it will REALLY help you! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnbVpWyrdrimhtU

[@micktmusic]

I’d be interested in knowing what guitar settings you use, as I’ve almost given up on this pedal despite almost everyone I know using them and telling me to persevere.

[@matstokesmusic]

Hey mate. I have a question. I currently use a VL3 and RC600z I use acoustic guitar and vocals like you. Will the VL3 do the same job as the TC ACOUSTIC? I’m thinking of buying one and getting rid of my VL3. You thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for the video. 👍🏽😃🙏🏽

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Think of the Play acoustic as the ‘greatest hits’ of VL3 but cut down. 2 voices for harmonies not 4, lower spec’s guitar effects (that I never used and that was a big one). It’s just preset, click, on, off. Of course you can go into the presets and rebuild them but I don’t miss the VL3.. except the 4 harmony voices and the slicer patterns. I miss the touch 2 more if I’m honest. Here you go if you wanna take the plunge - thmn.to/thoprod/341075?partner_id=46515

[@matstokesmusic]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK THANK YOU mate. Very helpful. I’m buying an Acoustic/Play. It’s simple and a quick solution for what I need. Exactly like your set up. Cheers

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Video coming next week (hopefully) where I’m gonna do an even deeper dive of my Voicelive Play Acoustic. Stay tuned. 👍🏻

[@matstokesmusic]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK looking forward to it. Thanks 👍🏽😃

[@matstokesmusic]

Great. Can’t wait to watch! 👍🏽😃

[@donnar278]

Hi, hopefully you can respond. The main reason I'm considering this, is because I sing in key, but have a male voice. I'd like to sound like a natural female, but not with harmony, and not where it sounds robotic nor childlike. Just a beautiful, slightly higher voice without harmony. Is there an option for this? I searched tons of videos, and no one covers this. If so, I can finally solo! Please reply. Thank you.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yes there is. Watch this ‘Deep dive’ version of the video and go to preset 5 (around 12 mins in). kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@toneranger]

Hi, thanks for the review 👍🏻 I bought one yesterday, could you share whether you can mute the guitar output as I want to split the guitar before it hits the Voicelive and send it to an amp, so don't want to hear the guitar in the output. Thanks for the additional insight !! 👍🏻👍🏻 I think the guitar sounds great, nice and warm much better than it sounds through my ui24r, at least in the headphones, haven't tested it through speakers

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

No worries. Yeah it’s lovely and especially when you get into dealing in the body Rez. Splitting the audio, you could do this with a great little device like this www.loopipedals.com.au/product/microphone-a-b-press-to-talk-pedal/ Hope that’s what you mean?

[@toneranger]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks for the reply and suggestion. What I mean is it possible to just use the guitar to feed the harmony and mute the guitar output within the VL ? So the guitar's jack out would run into a splitter with one side going to the muted VL and the other to an amp? This would give me more control as an independent stereo channel guitar on the mixer.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

The alternative is to use the input as a through, which wouldn’t add any effects to the VL and then the out goes to your amp, untreated. You can do that. Hope that makes sense.

[@toneranger]

Keep coming back to this video, a great help cheers. I figured out that if I send all guitars through an A/B/C/Y pedal I can simply mute the acoustic Play channel in the mixer and the electric will still feed the harmonies but it feeds the Play switch pedal from a tuner out jack

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey 👋 Thanks so much. Did you see the updated video I did? Have a look at this one and I go even deeper I to the sounds I use. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@rorycubaking9572]

Very good in depth review. Thanks

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thank you very much 🙏

[@niltonfranca9309]

After saw your video i've decided to got one. I go one Boss V2 but i'm not happy with it, but something tells me that this one can be more funny. Thank you.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

hope you fully enjoy the TC - lots of presets to get you going. which one did you go for? Play acoustic or a different one?

[@niltonfranca9309]

So i already got my play acoustic, very cool, no words to show how im happy. Thank you

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

You are more than welcome. Get into the settings and start messing with the presets - that’s the great thing. There are more presets available to download when you connect it to a computer as well. 👍🏻

[@vidsby9]

Hi , I certainly hope you can help me with this issue. I have TC Helicon Play Acoustic for a year or more. It was a great device! Just recently, the unit acts strange. It turn on OK, but suddenly it just HANG/ FREEZE. Display is ON, but all buttons and knobs not working. Unit can not detect input sound, no output either. I tried to RESET, also updated the unit with latest firmware via VoiceSupport. The problem still happens after a couple of minutes.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

hi. never heard of this before. maybe ive been lucky with mine. Sounds like you've done what I would have by updating hte firmware and resetting it. my advice would be to head on over to TC-Helicon's support page. www.tc-helicon.com/service.html

[@vidsby9]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thanks a lot for your reply. I have been asking around just in case there is a solution to my case, as it seems to be more on the "software" side, and not the "hardware" part. Contacting TC Helicon via the new "music tribe portal" is just useless. I have tried. It's complicated system, and once I am in, left message, and not even one reply for weeks.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

I see. Hummm.. last time I messaged them, they weren’t part of MusicTribe (which you can imagine is some time ago). Have you tried them on socials (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)?

[@scottmonthony726]

Good luck thisisjust9...mine had the same problem. Ended up sending it in to be fixed. They sent me another one. Though I'm sure it is refurbished....it also has issues, but different. Never did hear what the cause of the freezing was from...they tried to say it was the power source....🙄 When these work...they aren't bad...though over priced.... My new one, the harmonies are really loose...no matter the setting...and can't record anything using it. The white/noise floor is hideous....🤷‍♂️

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

This white noise problem I’ve never heard of and I’m sure you have played with the internal settings of the harmonies? You can do things like define and make them tighter or loose. It’s certainly a company that has changed since joining Music Tribe if you look at what it brings out now.

[@americanjeepguy5664]

I have had Play Acoustic for two years. I understand all the interface. However i have been using voice support as well. I understand 80% of how it works. I would love to see a video on voice support and how to create separate sets without duplicating the same preset seems to be a challenge. i have watched every tuturial i can find several times. This platform still seems to be a challenge. Moving and swapping seems to sometime duplicate a second preset. It's my intention within my "WORK SPACE" to have only one preset for each of my songs. I basically have 50 songs that i want to re-arrange, into three sets, aranged differently that i can pull up at any given time and send that to my unit, so that i have a different order, when i play out. The moving and swapping everytime takes too long. The problem i have is it keeps wanting to duplicate stuff, then you have the same song twice within your presets, and the attachents to them might be differen. The software is confusing, even after using it for almost two years. should not be so confusing. When you make a set and send to the left side, if you make adjustments to that particular preset, it changes that preset, but not the preset within your "WORK Space". then you have two presets of the same song, and they are different. I need help understanding this software better, and TC Helicon, does not seem to help.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey 👋 First of all, I hear you. It’s not the greatest software. Leave it with me and let me have a look at what I can come up with to help you. 👍🏻

[@americanjeepguy5664]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Totally Agree, the software seems to be grime the 90’s. Should be much simpler to understand. I get 100% of the unit. And about 80% of Voice support. My problem lies with the unknown 20% with voice support that I don’t understand. maybe we could zoom sometime. Lmk your thoughts. Thanks!

[@clemensmaguire2953]

Hi JP, the more I watch your videos the more I love your channel. For me it is definitely the best looping source. Anyway one question I have: have you come across the Boss VE-8? And if you have why did you choose the Helicon if you don't mind me asking. Cheers and thanks for all your support here.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey 👋 Firstly thank you very much, that’s a lovely lovely comment. Glad I’m doing the right thing. 👍🏻 The boss VE-8, yeah I nearly bought one! The reason I chose the TC-Helicon is cause I had already had quite a few of their products in the past. I wanted more than harmonies. I wanted a bass octave sound, an octave up, a radio style sound and a few others. The harmonies on Boss pedals have been great thou (think they learnt their lesson with the VE-20.. DONT get the VE-20.. it’s a nightmare pedal!!) you have to dictate the key, there is no Auto feature.. urgh.. But if you want a pedal that’s a looper and harmonies in one nice tight package. The VE-8 is it. If KT Tunstall approves it, I’m happy. 😂 But yeah, I wanted more effects as well as harmonies. That’s why. But the VE-8 is a good pedal!

[@clemensmaguire2953]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thank you for your quick response. I thought the harmonies might be better or more flexible on the Helicon. For the looping I got an RC500. So I'm focused on guitar effects and harmonies. I think I go for the Helicon. I'm a complete newbie and just getting my gear together. Have a good day. Cheers.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

That’s cool. The RC-500 is so customisable. That combined with the TC-Helicon is a great setup. 👍🏻 Here’s my playlist on the RC-5 / 500 kzbin.info/aero/PLO36LpORUSaa2hQEKtoW-FyuhOBCwlfRs Hope you are enjoying it. 👍🏻

[@lisaolsen8857]

I own both, and the Boss VE-8 can run on batteries, where as the TC-Helicon would need a separate inverter to allow it to be plugged into a power bank.

[@ruthanngreenberg49]

John, I have thus device but under genres there aren’t any Alternative Rock presets under genres. Does TC Helicon add presets you must download?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yes. Go to TC-Helicon’s website and download ‘voice support 2’ which is the software that will talk to the play acoustic to add, edit and swap patches. There are a few expansions there. All free.

[@ruthanngreenberg49]

Thank you. One more question . When you have the gorgeous Hall setting, a reverb setting, which button do you press to edit it?

[@WareBare]

Great review thank you. I’ve just bought one, because of your review. TC should give you some freebies, thanks

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thanks. I have contacted them in the last. We’ll see if they want to or not. Enjoy it!

[@franciscoignaciobravocerro5160]

so useful! thank u a lot, hugs from Chile

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

You are more than welcome 🙏

[@HaydenPatrick]

Does it have compression?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yes. There is compression. 👍🏻

[@PatrickHaydenandtheWhist-ry1zi]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Thanks for your response. Is this in the background with a fixed setting. When I check the manual it doesn't mention compression but I see that some sellers saying its has compression. Appreciate any insight you can provide. I've gone though presets to get some compression on the acoustic reggae guitar I play but have failed. Same goes for vocals. Thanks Patrick

[@IsmailIsmail-su1dy]

Do they have PB&J YOUNGSTRS effect also on tc helicon voicelive play? (non acoustic version)

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

That’s a really good question. To answer your question, yes you can. it’s a voice effect which is basically a patch which you can grab from tc-helicon’s software on pc & Mac and download it to it. grab VoiceSupport 2 for PC & Mac here: www.tc-helicon.com/downloads.html

[@IsmailIsmail-su1dy]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks for your help I was able to figured it out 👍🏼

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Awesome 👏 Great news.

[@bandaizidora4996]

Hello, can i adjust the Level of each preset individually?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Hey 👋 Yes you can. When you go into a preset via the voice fx button, there are 7 pages and each effect has its own level. So you can adjust the harmonic level and delay level for example independently, and that is per preset so you can really dial in what you want. 👍🏻

[@WareBare]

Hi I’ve just received my play acoustic And every preset sounds the same, any idea what I’m doing wrong, ?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

have you pressed the HIT button to turn the preset on? sounds silly I know but just asking? Next would be making sure your signal isnt bypassed.

[@WareBare]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Hi mate Thanks for your help It makes no difference if I use the hit button Just the same echo reverb sound, I haven’t connected my guitar yet I’m waiting for a lead, Mike in, Mike out to my Marshall as30 amp, I’m not sure what signal bypassed means

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Go into the setup button and tab over to page 2. Tops left hand corner is output. Are you stereo, mono, or vocal/guitar DI? When you say you are mic in mic out, are you stereo out or just coming out of voice out (L) or guitar out (R)?

[@WareBare]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK I’m at work at min I’ll have a look when I get home, As you’ve probably guessed I’m shit with technical stuff, thanks again for your help I owe you a 🍺🍺

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

No worries Antony 👍🏼 www.buymeacoffee.com/johnpaulmusicuk

[@juantheron1058]

Thanks for the review. Very helpful.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Welcome 🙏

[@vitorhugoyoutube]

hi :) Can use with sm7b?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Sure can. Might still need a cloud lifter with it thou.

[@vitorhugoyoutube]

Ok...but with the sm7b we have 2 problems de gain cloud lifter and the 48v. correct? Sorry im a beginner... And thx for tour answer :)

[@_eddiecole]

Yes. And use a cloud lifter for it

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

48v isn’t a problem. It’s the signal. You can boost the signal in the unit in the settings so worth a try but if it’s still weak then a cloud lifter is the answer.

[@Gramrye]

Very informative, thank you

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

You are very welcome 🙏

[@lillerosin2915]

great video man. But i am a bit confused here. I have for years been rocking the voicelive play GTX. There was no such thing as voicelive play acoustic or electric when i did my research and looked for what i needed for my use many years ago. There was only the GTX. or -though it to me seems highly unlikely - i could have missed it even though i spent weeks researching and those two other version, acoustic and electric should have had showed up during my research ... Anyways- i am a bit confused now because whats the difference between what i got and acoustic and electric? i have no clue aha. since mine , the gtx is for basically any guitar and for vocals. it is amazing though i love it.

[@tridadthlete]

Sounds pretty great, unfortunately, it’s seems like mine at least, really struggles with 5 chords. It’s always trying to make it dominant.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Oh really? That interesting. You could always have a dedicated patch for a song and dictate the key.. problem if it changes but then you could just go memory up and have a different key.

[@tridadthlete]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks John. Even with that, all 5 chords still come out dominant, even feeding it a non dominant chord via guitar.

[@benqmate7554]

Hey JP, thanks for the video! Is it easy to tap the BPM into the unit?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Yeah. Better with a switch-3.

[@TroyNaumu808]

brilliant

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thanks - here’s the next one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLM

[@RandyBuckle]

Excellent, thanks

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Welcome

[@markchazal877]

thank you very much!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

More than welcome 🙏

[@Hoggipirini]

I’m having trouble with the harmonies being in tune automatically

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Is it picking up the instrument at a sufficient level making sure it can hear the chord? You should see a little ‘NP’ logo pop up when a new chord is made to indicate it’s got the chord. Also make sure you tune your guitar to the tuner if the TCHVLPA as this really helps with the harmonies.

[@stevemay8443]

Aargh I only went and bought one ! Problem now is that I can’t seem to get it work with the rc500 , got xlr to jack leads going out of the play acoustic into the rc500 , get sound out of both units independently but not when connected. Any advice ?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Check your input / output routing on the RC-500 as these can be changed per memory or system wide.

[@jrtmanmd]

For a bit there you were sounding like the Borg! LOL

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

😂 brilliant!

[@kevinmoulton2480]

Given that it’s designed for acoustic guitar, the review would’ve been much more effective had you used the device with an acoustic guitar.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

So for mine, I have the acoustic guitar set to the same effect globally on the device as my effects that I use with the tc-helicon voice live play acoustic are all for vocal loops that I put into another loop pedal as well as harmonies. TC-Helicon is mainly focused on vocals whilst TC-Electronics is mainly focused for guitar but i do hear you, there are some lovely pedals built into the Voicelive Play Acousitc that are taken from the TC-Electronics range. I am just one of those people who use it for a single nice guitar tone and focus of vocal fx.

[@sgtmajorburtontruxel1497]

I can not hear you ...

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

I have checked the video and sound is there

[@livefromthepsy-op1170]

Part 2!!!!!!!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Good idea. 👍🏻

[@livefromthepsy-op1170]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK Voicelive play = 2 voice harmony Voicelive 3 extreme = 8 voice?

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Just be aware that Voicelive 3 is 4 voices that can be doubled.

[@kevinmoulton2480]

It’s “Barry” White

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

I know it is.

[@JohnnyHurbonConnections]

Too much talking brother

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Have a look at this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLMsi=MFUohjSVtcfwhCXH

[@brianhendrix8330]

WARNING! YOU WILL GET NO SUPPORT FROM TC-HELICON NOR MUSIC TRIBE. THEY DO NOT ANSWER THEIR PHONES AND ONLY CORRESPOND VIA VERY SLOW E-MAILS, SENDING YOU TO A COMMUNITY HELP FORUM. NO HELP. FIND ANOTHER PRODUCT!!!!

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

That’s such a shame. They have changed as a company since becoming part of the Music-Tribe clan. 😞

[@assessoroffice7212]

SING a song dude dude dude sing sing sing

[@ahahahah3344]

Bad sound low

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Try this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJOaqnRqYpmIqLMsi=ndy4XtHwt_s-VRSI

[@davidpearsall9322]

Too much talk. Too little demonstration.

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Fair comment. Noted. 👍🏻

[@markchazal877]

shut up he was great

[@micktmusic]

It’s an informative walk through about the modes etc, there are plenty of demos on here and not enough of this !

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

Thanks Mick 🙏

[@matstokesmusic]

Hey mate. I have a question. I currently use a VL3 and RC600z I use acoustic guitar and vocals like you. Will the VL3 do the same job as the TC ACOUSTIC? I’m thinking of buying one and getting rid of my VL3. You thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for the video. 👍🏽😃🙏🏽

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

It’s a good question. The real question is what are you missing from the VL3 that’s you don’t get in the Play Acoustic? What are you using that you need in the VL3. The main one for me is VL3 does upto 4 harmony voices and Play Acoustic does 2. But there are other features too. Down to what you need I suppose.

[@matstokesmusic]

@@JohnPaulMusicUK thanks mate. I purchased the TC Acoustic Play and it has everything I need for acoustic and vocals. And is easier to operate on the go. Thanks

[@JohnPaulMusicUK]

More than welcome. You are going to find Friday’s video quite interesting! 👍🏻 a deep dive into my own presets on the Play Acoustic. 👍🏻