TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 - Huw's Reviews

[@nickpridding3435]

Felt washers under the dials stops them spinning so freely 😉

[@jakevintson4786]

You just changed my life

[@bjl1000]

There's actually a little person in the box.

[@matoni69]

😂

[@bwekebud271]

😄😄😄

[@dgmike1]

99% Perspiration Hahaha!

[@ottofurst4063]

That is what I was wondering about when I was a kid. I asked myself how all those little people fit in the radio receiver to deliver the various programs...

[@brucerawsthorne1338]

I believe you ,honestly

[@luxocamper1]

I've used one for a couple of years now. You've got to be careful of those knobs twisting out of place - best to take a last look at them before starting a song. A VERY special little-known effect happens when you sing a HARMONY PART and have it harmonize to that part: it comes up with a really-sweet-but-odd harmony. I often use this feature when singing my harmony part in a duo with another person singing 'lead'.

[@frankoconnor8141]

At last, a nice sensible non hysterical review of a product, clearly & calmly explained, at a normal pace. I`ve had my eye on one of these for a while now, but I really needed to see a review like this one first, and now that I have, I`ll probably buy one now. Thanks Hew. 😎🎸

[@scottyg222]

I use a harmonizor with a keyboard and I used to have the same issue of it singing a major harmony when I was playing a minor chord. What I figured out was if I played less notes on the keyboard when I played a minor key, it would sing perfect minor harmony every time! (example) If I played a Dm - d, f, and a - with my right hand it would sing an f# harmony note trying to force the chord to D major. But if I only played d and f notes with my right hand, it would sing a perfect D minor harmony! 100% of the time! The same can be done on the guitar by muting notes. Takes a little practice, but it works!

[@davidhilderman]

Fantastic review! Auto gain in these pedals is actually 2 mic pre-amps each going into their own Analog to Digital Converter (ADC). One of these pres is high gain, the other is low gain. The DSP in the product selects between the two digital streams depending on which is optimal. The first product that I know of to first use this input scheme is a $9000 Neumann Digital microphone. It results in about 126dB input SNR.

[@davestarns]

UPDATE: The distortion issue was fixed by a firmware update. I applied it to mine, and did a gig with it last week. So far, so good!

[@kevincosgrove948]

Dave Starns Ditto. I sent mine back to the company and they did the firmware update. Used it for 2 gigs and so far so good

[@richardstade2907]

I use mine to make my three piece band sound big. I am the only singer but with this I can have backup at the push of a button. Use mostly with 3rd above. I am on my second unit. Wore the switch out on my first one.

[@tomf9292]

I have the acoustic live pedal that I use in our 3 pc band. It is a game changer. I’ve had people literally come up no sy how we sing like angels. It’s got us so many gigs. Worth every penny.

[@bigtorrisi]

This guy has a nice voice, nice guitar too, mellow, and crisp. Well played.

[@pullthereins]

It should be noted that this pedal also works without having to plug a guitar into it. Just a microphone in and out. The tone button brightens it up a bit.

[@RiffMusic1970]

But then it won’t know what harmonies to use. A lot of notes will be wrong and not fit the song.

[@aphrodence02]

@@RiffMusic1970 pls show how exactly.... plsss

[@RiffMusic1970]

@@aphrodence02 I don’t have this pedal but I have a Digitech Vocalist Live 4 that works the same way. From the mic, use an XLR into the pedal, then an XLR out to a mixer and speakers. Then, from a guitar, use a 1/4” instrument cable into the 1/4” input of the pedal, then a 1/4” instrument cable out of the pedal to an amp or mixer and speakers. The pedal uses the notes you play on the guitar to know what harmonies to add to the vocal notes. For example, if you play a A major chord and sing an A note, the pedal will add a C# if it’s set to a third up. Then play a A minor and sing the same note, the pedal will add a C note automatically. Without the guitar plugged in to the pedal, there’s no way for the pedal to know which harmony to add. Was this what you were asking?

[@aphrodence02]

@@RiffMusic1970 is there a cheaper version of something that does harmony even without guitar for ktv. lets say.

[@RiffMusic1970]

@@aphrodence02 this one’s one of the cheapest. I believe the Flamma Corrector is about $20 cheaper.

[@vaporman442]

It should actually be fairly easy to add a circuit to remove the guitar bleed since the guitar signal is fed into the pedal. You could just create a ‘noise print’ from that signal and remove it from the mix. Similar to the way noise canceling headphones work.

[@Hooverdarnit]

I'm going to buy one of these but I can see the temptation to over use it. The last thing I want to do is sound like the Gatlin brothers in every song I play. I'll be using the ON/OFF button a lot.

[@MarkMireles007]

5:08 what's song ?

[@grupofuerzam]

Is there a pedal anywhere out there that only adds One more voice as a harmomy? All of them seem to do like 2 more voices.

[@MUSICAMARCADIABLO]

This one does that ! (Like a duet) but I have a bad experience with it it breaks easily but when it works is great

[@Rachels123]

I had to hot glue all the knobs in place on the full size harmony. Stupid that the selector switch is so close to the volume.. I also kept stomping on the manual button, bad things happened...

[@PMJugwunth]

A really fantastic harmonizer. It would have been much more convenient if the instrument had 3 foot pedal controls.

[@5va]

Does this work with a keyboard 🎹 ??? Or only guitar? And are there harmonizers out there that can be used with keyboards? 🎹?

[@petertompkins7664]

You’re very talented with your feet. Lol

[@Dozereyes]

Here the question? Can I use this live with my rock cover band on stage? I'm hearing that it is very iffy with loud volume on stage.

[@SonnetGomes]

Does it work without a guitar plugged in? I just need something that would allow Octave high and low?

[@usandcompanymusic]

What is the name of the song at 3:48??

[@doktorjfeelgood]

"Thanks for that review.. I have the Harmony Singer 1.. & was looking @ upgrading to HS 2..because of the battery component ..but after your review..I'll stay with the 1..& when I do upgrade..I will buy the "Voicelive 3".. As you suggested.. There are a few more tricks on the "Voicelive 3".. I use the HS 1 exclusively for busking..& use the TC Helicon "Voicetone Harmony GX-T".. On stage for my solo act..& find this harmony pedal suits my needs..I found it very hard to use to begin with..as there are so many settings on the GX-T.. & of course.. Performing solo in busy pub bars & full on clubs.. It was difficult to arrange a rep with harmonies..but after time spent on winking on the GX-T.. Finally came to grips with it..& I did learn the hard way with harmonisers.. The trick is.."Less..is better than more"..& I was ok after this.. I mainly use this in cafe..Beach club gigs & smaller quiter functions where. Can use it during my "Eagles set"..& ELVIS.. Jimmy Buffett etc..& do not use it much when I'm hammering out ACDC & Guns n Roses rock..as my pub crowd is singing the lyrics with me.. Many thanks for your demo.. That was great.."Keep On Rockin".. Doc J Feelgood.. Surfers Paradise..Gold Coast.. Australia..😊🎸🎙🎩😎

[@jasongray2431]

doktorjfeelgood Since you have experience using this with rock music, how does it handle a distorted guitar? Does it throw the pedal off if you're playing hard rock and singing forcefully?

[@byromtaylor6482]

@@jasongray2431 you can preset all songs and store them ready on a usb card thingy voicelive 3 so you dont need to press a sausage but its a ball ache to carry around sold my bread bin ...got me a simple peddle as i could not be bothered with everythiing on it. only used my fav setting

[@leafbelly]

Late response, but that reverb knob should be notched at the beginning of each effect. Seems like that would make much more sense.

[@chrishodgsonacoustic1854]

The level should never be set to the right of 12 o'clock. Between 10 and 10 and a half tucks those harmonies under your voice and makes them sound less robotic.

[@mrgolem2044]

I like it in spite of the fact that I miss delay options and other effects like chorous or flanger✌🏼

[@trayj57]

I can't my guitar to come through my unit? Do you have to the trough to a separate ch?

[@bucknuts6762]

does it come with the shoe?

[@manthonyiovine]

spike duval great video but the shoe is ugly

[@patrickbuzzo1970]

Maybe with the Beatles 45 " Old brown shoe", as you can see in the video the shoe is brown!! 😃😃

[@m5ragasajo935]

I bought two of these but my 5 guitars did not work. When I plugged my guitars directly to my Amos it worked. My mic working well. Thoughts!

[@davestarns]

I bought one of these a year ago. After about six months, it became too unpredictable to use--randomly, when engaged, it adds severe clipping distortion to the vocal, with a pulsing effect, as though I've run my harmonies through a fuzz pedal and a tremolo. If I power it down (by pulling out the AC adapter) then back up, the effect goes away, but comes back intermittently. After it happened five times in one gig, I just stopped using it.

[@kevincosgrove948]

Dave Starns many people including myself have had the same thing happen. The problem is that when volume coming in through the mic line increases, it overloads the input and software. TC Helicon has put out a firmware update you can download from their website under “support”.

[@davestarns]

Kevin Cosgrove yes, I saw that while researching the issue. They recommend that everybody with a Harmony Singer 2 do it (even if they I haven’t experienced the problem, because all the units are susceptible to it). I applied to mine, and it hasn’t given me a problem yet.

[@kevincosgrove948]

Dave Starns good to hear. I sent mine back to the company for them to update it so its done correctly and they check it. Waiting

[@borselle]

@@kevincosgrove948 Did they send it back to you fixed and has the problem come back?

[@kevincosgrove948]

EJ Borsellino Yep. I received the pedal and has been fine since and use it regularly. It was a software update

[@JTB--]

Harmonic Vocals sound pretty natural compared to some other pedals which sound kind of Robotic/Un-Natural

[@SeptemberChild]

Is it possible to use it for studio recording? Like so: I plug a pre recorded instrument instead of the guitar (so it can "read" the chords and create harmonies) and record vocal harmonies in my DAW?

[@Equalshares]

That sounds really good. I think I might get this pedal

[@YODA68]

Your Singing is Great! I have several of the TC Helicon vocal products and really feel they still can’t duplicate the human voice with their Harmony features... It doesn’t sound “normal” or “natural” Sounds more like Chipmunks 🐿 or Gulps of air from Helium 🎈 - They should at least delay the harmonies so they don’t ride on top of each other... Still waiting for a product that duplicates my singing with backup... 👎🏻🎤 - ✌🏻🌺 ALOHA 😎

[@liveshotsvideoproductions]

Got mine today. Effective if you stick to regular majors and minors, but it gets confused by others. I set the harmony to slight raise (position 3), played a Dsus2, sang a D continuously, but rather than getting a Dsus2 harmony (E), it gives me a major (F#). That is VERY lame.

[@corneliubucaciuc3791]

Tell me how can I register with him can I connect him to the computer? Thank’s

[@jadestewart3519]

But will it work if you use a rock electric guitar with lead

[@theviolinkat6146]

Do you think I could use this pedal with backing tracks, to harmonize my violin? I don’t sing, but I am looking to harmonize the melody on my violin as I play over backing tracks.

[@dnumde69]

How about if you are only using this for vocal harmony effects WITHOUT any instruments. Only with backing tracks. Would it still be useful? I'm debating between the duplicator or harmony singer. Im a vocalist and I don't play any instrument.

[@musoman6754]

Why no comment on the controls on the side of the unit which can affect the sound produced? Have used this for a considerable time now and if you do not use these controls correctly it can give you the opposite of the desired effect.

[@kevincosgrove948]

Saw your comment. Ive been having some low-end distortion out of my PA speakers, but the speakers are fine as i had them checked. Are you referring to the ground on the side? Any of your comments would be helpful....

[@mrb4894]

Would this for a guitarist in a live band singing backing vox ? I'd have to be playing chords

[@deoremifasolatido2399]

Does it need an instrument (guitar/keyboard) to activate the harmonies?

[@thepiperofsimms9974]

Thank you. I bet you are a real good performer. Good Luck from Yuma, Arizona.

[@bordertown6445]

Hey same! Small world.

[@salvomolica9823]

come faccio ad iserire il reverbero quando suono la chitarra?

[@leonardolosacco8537]

if instead of the guitar, I put in any sound source that has a harmony, will the choruses of the pedal still recognize the right notes to play?

[@DragonSlayer-hw8wl]

The Harmonizer - a small choir for everyone!

[@Zarfilms2007]

I had two of these and in the middle of gigs after leaving the stage for a break when you come back after not singing the vocals stutter like crazy on both units it has to do with auto gain shutoff the only solution is to power off and back on. the original Harmony singer with the gain control knob on the side is a better unit and does not have this inherent issue i returned both new ones and bought a used 1st generation, difficult to deal with mid song at a packed club.

[@SLTTVBR]

Hi.. It works for human voice only with a harmony instrument connected? Thanks...

[@rogstamarayjr1809]

Hi..can i use this vocal pedal without guitar?

[@KLRCAT]

I'm thinking of getting this for my pedal board and putting it before my volume pedal so I can play my electric to control the harmonies without the electric going through the system. My one question is how well do the harmonies work with a clean (No effects, pre amp, compressor etc) electric guitar signal?

[@danmosses2010]

Can anyone help me find the song 05:08

[@phongskonwisiphan1130]

tc harmony singer vs tc helicon h1 which one is better? 😅😅

[@5493ryanboyce]

Do you have a setup video for this? I have an acoustic guitar and an acoustic amp but I don't know what else I need to buy it to be able to use this

[@sean-xm9661]

Tho I am a Vocalist ( w/mindset, ears of a bassist, Gtrst,drummer, keysman )...I use a older harmonic pedal slaved to a digitech vx300...I Love it...I have 4 settings for PROPER characterization needed for Rock songs where I Do Not suffer from vocal blow out...The singer pedal ( above ) is very Cold & has little Analog feel...where as my rig is Very near analog & not a cold digital reproduction of a vocal track from a rock, pop album... you get the idea...The band I play with alas does Not share in my creative application ideas tho...and are slow to try to land a gig.

[@EtherealUKMusic]

Ever since I purchased mine I need to hold down the middle button for harmonies which is awkward. Anyway I can fix it so that I can just press it once for harmony ON harmony OFF?

[@seanfried5583]

Yes, Hold the tone button down while powering on the unit it will switch it between a latching switch or a momentary switch.

[@EtherealUKMusic]

@@seanfried5583 thanks Sean!

[@KupovicsOutdoors]

Does this still work without using the guitar plugged in?

[@sosanglkr2552]

@ 1:47 think Someone's shoe needs reapair..lol

[@angelcastellanosmartinez2412]

It havent got doble voice?

[@มะแหง๋ว]

Can I use keyboard for control harmonize (I’m not play guitar)

[@MrFirerobb]

Can this be used for vocals only or does it have to have a guitar plugged in?

[@GarethBell]

The TC Helicon guy (in another video) said you need an instrument plugged in to know what chord the harmonies should belong to. But it doesn't have to be guitar - it can be a bass or a keyboard etc. (Bass may not always tell the difference between major and minor chords though). Probably wouldn't work with Electronic drums plugged in as the instrument😉.

[@byromtaylor6482]

@@GarethBell I dont think this is quite correct - maybe for just a mic if singing without music because it needs to dicscover the key BUT in theory then if you used a backing track and took a line from a mixer eg the monitor out it would recognise the key of the song and work the same way as it would by pluging in a gutar ...should it not?

[@byromtaylor6482]

I cant see why it would not work with a backing track like a guitar if you took a line from a mixer and plugged it in from the line out (monitor or headphones out to the tc helicon the same way as a guitar ...good question . I was wondering the same thing. will try this out myself

[@jadestewart3519]

What if U plug into a guitar that is playing heavy Power chords and lead

[@theblondelions9894]

This pedal adds a lot of noise to your pedalboard. How to avoid it?

[@warrenhammonds1093]

Hey brother a question for you. Can our drummer use this pedal running off the guitar player's pedal board? I hope I worded that question where you can understand what I'm trying to ask.

[@eddyvall]

Can you use this pedal to harmonize a Violin for example ?

[@jadestewart3519]

Are they only for accoustic guitar or for band as well

[@dannyharville9059]

Do you have to use the Insturment plug in. Can I just use the vocal part.

[@malayawan]

Hi sir. Can i know which power can support this? 9v ?A

[@young_dan_kee]

Wait, so you can’t separate guitar/vocal volume. Like I couldn’t eq my vocals separately from my guitar via my soundboard ?

[@moseslombe3936]

Hello, Sir. In what sequence would you connect this with say the Ditto x2 and both the mic and guitar to the Bose S1 pro? Thank you

[@dolak1919]

Nice shoe review

[@salsabiah]

The sound effect is very good, such as recording voice. Better then system mixer easy to carry. I like it.

[@christianstanleychaconbarquero]

thanks for your review quick question. what happens if you use it without the guitar with the armonizer? what tune will it get. or is it required to work with a guitar chord all the time ?

[@rovincebelasco3128]

How about if i use keyboards?

[@BrendanYoungMusic]

On the Voicetone H1, the harmony pedal from them that I've been using for several years, you have the option to set it to use a certain key, or your guitar through-put to determine keys. On this, it seems to be missing that option, so I'd assume they just made it where it is simply ALWAYS pulling the key from the chords played? That would only make sense...

[@byromtaylor6482]

if you took a feed from your backing trax from your monitor out on desk and used that instead of guitar it would in theory work the same way ...but not just from a mic ...

[@nedmodelo1988]

What a great review and video. I've watched a few vids on this pedal looking for specific info and finally, you knocked it out of the park. The eloquence of speech delivered with the British accent was spot on mate. (Haha) Last but not least, the song performances were quite good. If those are your tunes, I'm thoroughly impressed. Hell I'm impressed regardless. Later dude.

[@jamesmilton8765]

The mark one version does have an input control and that works well. I don't know why they deleted it. I have mine on a pedal board and the guitar input comes off a doubled reverb pedal output, the other socket hooked into the next guitar pedal. This means you can do anything on the guitar regarding tone and the HC still gets a clean input.

[@Apoll022]

So can you use this without a guitar plugged in?

[@Jason_Drew]

I have the TC Helicon singer 2 but I don't hear much if a pitch correction, or Harmony, working with whatever guitar chords I'm playing. I have it in the 2nd position of my pedal chain after the guitar tuner. Could this be affecting it's ability to process what key I'm in?

[@marnikennedy2271]

Nice review. Its a great pedal. Im hoping H.S 3 they make it where you can make all the changes with your feet. Instead of having to go to the ground to make a change. And like u said its easy to bump a knob and change the setting. Think it is about time for them to come out with the H.S. 3. Good vid.

[@paulandregosselin6731]

Great review! Thanks a lot.

[@BradBrewerMusic]

Who wrote the tune at 5:13, “She’s gunning for me”? If it’s you, please comment what it’s actually called and where I can download it! I’ve had it as an ear worm all morning!!

[@IvanSDizon460]

I have tc harmony singer 1 , and its great, almost perfect, i should wish if has additional knob for panning if knob turn left natural voice , on center balance natural voice and harmony and turn right only the harmomy voice ..it will be great instructional how to sing perfect harmony placement ..

[@borselle]

hey is this pedal still working for you? I am considering buying but seeing lots of reviews where it crapped out after a few months of use.

[@IvanSDizon460]

@@borselle if you have a lot of money buy the Play Acoustic .but if your money is way below s200. buy it .the harmony wont let you down.. those people dont play any chords on guitar of course they will say its a crap, because the harmonies rely on the construction of your chords..

[@mikthe2004]

I've got this pedal, it's fantastic.

[@Aa-wv4gh]

Be nice if you could show us how you got it hooked up.

[@jamesmilton8765]

The ports are marked. The mic goes in the XLR socket and you plug an XLR into the output then into the PA. Guitar jacks are in and out. all marked!

[@n.f.lcobra6878]

i have the c 1 and i want them all cus i cant decide on what i need for my life and theres a fact bout me lol o im takin little steps... i have had the c1 for years but it feel like sumtin is missin so im takin time to go thru all of them

[@thelolguy007]

Does it work without guitar? Can you use it for vocals alone?

[@johnmiller7682]

Rather than using an instrument, could you run vocals through, to get the right key?

[@spiritualcramp8000]

this douche ever answers questions?

[@sean-xm9661]

No...it does not listen.

[@bobainsworth9571]

As I understand, no. It uses the guitar chord to select the harmony. Having said that, I have never tried that myself! It's what I was told.

[@petertompkins7664]

No, it reads what chords your playing to determine the correct key and harmonies.

[@MrSqugs]

If you run backing tracks through it will that work?

[@DaveDG]

Hey mate! Nice songs, can you post the links to listen to them? :D

[@davidlambert7725]

Question. Singing unaccompanied - no instrument connected - will it harmonise? For example, I might want to use the 3rd above harmony for a whole song. Thanks!

[@preciousfew68]

I'm pretty sure that it won't do that. The Boss VE2 will do both. That's what I'm using.

[@pipkin1865]

@@preciousfew68 Thanks for that. Apologies for late reply... email alert problems!

[@byromtaylor6482]

well not with just the mic but if you use a backing trax and have a desk take the lead line from monitor or headphones out and plug it into the guitar input n in theory that should be the same - I use the boss ve 2 and do this works well

[@ianchinn6586]

Im a bass player in a rock band doing backing vox. This looks ideal. Basic thirds is all i need, but do i have to have an instrument plugged in? And if so, can i send a di signal from my bass amp, or plug the bass into it? Or would i have to nick a signal from the guitarist to make this work? Thanks. Ian.

[@kiskadar69]

A bass guitar is no good, because you need to send in chords to harmonise. The guitarist's dry (no effect) chords may be suitable. If the Harmony Singer has to harmonize to a minor chord, the guitarist must play the third (chords without a third are interpreted as major).

[@darlenelabador2576]

How does this compare to the boss acoustic amp?

[@joeshmoe7967]

I have the boss Acoustic Singer amp and the harmonizer works great. It was the feature that moved me to buy. At the time buying a cheaper amp plus this pedal was the same $$$ so I thought why not buy the Boss. Busking on the street I just got a Fender Acoustic Junior Go which is rechargeable battery powered but sooo miss the harmonizer in the Boss, so now looking at this pedal. It seems pretty good, expensive $300+ in Canada, but the fender, pedal plus this harmonizer will be paid off by end of summer, based on what i have made in just 4 days busking. The Boss is a great little amp if you are gigging with power available.

[@NoCoverCharge]

do they have a pedal for us non singers......????? that is what i need

[@forgettingthefutureuk]

Yo what’s the second song tho?

[@russstaze4230]

Can you use this with bass guitar?

[@joyapenny]

Awesome review! Thank you for that! I'm looking for a good Harmony Pedal...Have you used the TC Helicon Play Acoustic? Which one would you recommend?

[@gavrieljascy7159]

How can I have It?

[@manodiego]

work with a keyboard ? instead on guitar

[@MrFender64]

Just curious how much the rest of a band on stage bleeds into the vocal mix on stage.

[@MrFender64]

@@HuwRees Thank You for the reply Huw, in a 4 piece band at the moment, we had a fifth but hes no more we are only 2 singing now, so hoping to buy the right TC for the job and not be disappointed.

[@justchris1909]

Can a solo singer using backing track use one of these or so when im busking using backing tracks

[@davidlambert7725]

Nobody seems to be able to answer this question "Can I use this as a NOT instrument controlled harmoniser?" "Will the harmoniser work without a guitar or keyboard connected?"

[@khankrum1]

Mine sounds like a bag of shite, constantly buzzing and humming! I have sent it back. But Thomann says there is nothing wrong with it. It is unusable!

[@jamesmilton8765]

I had some similar trouble and cured it by changing the XLR leads which worked fine with everything else but not the pedal. In the Mark 1 version there is also a set up procedure which is shown in the instructions.

[@jadeleatherby6478]

Does it have an octave up and down vocal?

[@jamesdeeofficial]

Where to order sir?

[@fredcoombs9870]

Hello Huw, Thanks for the review I have now purchased one of these units, Could you tell me please if its ok to use the same 9v power supply that I have for the TC Helicon duplicator?