TC-Helicon - Mixer Setup, Gain Staging and Vocal Processors

[@spontaneousgroovincombusti2902]

As a lifelong musician, I've never come up with anything more clever to say when soundchecking than "Check, Check 1, Check 1, 2." Thanks to Craig, I can now add "Hey, Hey-Hey" to my repertoire! ;-)

[@shawnebrown]

Craig, if you ever see this, just know you are still appreciated!

[@Pick-a-finger]

Hi Craig, ....well better (7yrs) late than never ! I just want to say that this video has ABC .... Alcarity, Brevity, and Clarity .... so thank you for such a comprehensive and well presented run-through for connecting up the TC to an audio interface . :)

[@cirommmm]

I've discovered a whole new world right now... Never knew the difference between the trim and the channel levels. Thanks for your dedication , Craig.

[@tchelicon]

Woot! Glad to help :) I have learned a ton on the fly from working here so I'm really happy to share anything I can that will help.

[@ghostpicker]

Thx Craig! Finally a video that explains this in simple terms. I've watched dozens of videos "explaining" gain staging and yours is the first one that makes it easy to understand. Good job. Side note: Can't wait to get my hands on the new Play Acoustic from TC-H.

[@tchelicon]

Thanks Ghost Picker! Glad to help :)

[@wil69kar]

Thx Craig..It helped me a lot to understand why I didnt get enough volume on my PA because I connected only 1 cable from my Tc. helicon to the Mixer. Soon I will be trying to connect the way u showed in your video.... will update u after I m once done..

[@moristar]

"Good luck with getting the band turned down" Liked immediately just for this phrase :)

[@kaywoodparsons5307]

So happy tonight! I ordered the play GTX tru sherwood systems in kitchener. It arrived today with a bigger surprise.I guess the GTX is not made anymore so they sent me the voicelive play electric instead. So basically got the GTX with added features! lovin it!

[@willing2live]

This is a good, useful video. Thanks for including the PA from start to finish.

[@tchelicon]

Thanks for watching Mary Ann!

[@somefuckinguy7107]

This guy has a good way of explaining things.

[@rickkalil4669]

Feedback is not the issue for me. Getting a blended harmony through a PA is/was my issue. It takes a lot of experimenting to get it right especially with my wireless Sennheiser. I would typically "red light" the Voice Live Play with its gain turned almost all of the way down so I had to go into the wireless receiver and back the AF down to -12 or -18. I then go into my output on the TC unit and boost it to low or medium depending on the board. (usually Mackie ). At that point get my harmony at a nice level. I can then adjust the gain on the board adjust the sliders on both channels to get a natural sounding harmony out front. Hopefully this helps some of you. Since some sound engineers throw a hissy fit about using my Voice Live Play or even any mic other than a Shure 58, I often find myself tethered to a 58 without additional doubling or effect of my choosing. They would never tell a guitar player that he has to play "Eruption" with the house's Fender Mustang and no effect pedals but unless the sound engineer is a singer, he doesn't quite get it.

[@CassioHungria85]

Hi please! I need so much to understand what have you done to achieve good results live. I got a TC helicon voice live play but when I use it, I have to turn gain on the mixer way up.

[@tchelicon]

@Oğuzhan It's possible to "post-process" using Play. You'll need to set up your dry vocal track to send to the USB Left output. Then, on the Play, set your INPUT to USB. Next, create a NEW track in your DAW with the Play's USB as the source. Record it as you normally would. If you want the track to be effects only and no lead vocal, go into the Play Setup menu and turn LEAD MUTE: ON.

[@mrdiamond7778]

im trying to record with out the music on my pc can go into drtils about this

[@mrdiamond7778]

can i record separately dry voice from the music on a track

[@mrdiamond7778]

O i got the voicelive play

[@useeatruplaya]

appreciate the video my mixer has pres that needed to be to hot to get the proper levels and I was losing quality. This helped me to get the levels I wanted without having my gain so hot

[@robertailman5092]

Just listened to this for the first time...,the stereo idea is intriguing...,I take it that stereo is primarily done for the Efx in the VLPlay, you want a wide sound stage but you also have chorus, etc to consider and that, to my mind always sounds better in stereo....,obviously you need a stereo mixer and then stereo into your DAW channel/track. (BTW - I've heard it's not good to hot-wire your inputs into the mixer, it harms the pre-amps)

[@WilliamKitchens]

Nicely done video and great teaching style. You should however add that it’s better to set the master fader at unity allowing headroom on each channel for mixing... if all individual channels are set at unity then you’re not mixing anything but the master volume.

[@davidapgar3036]

Thanks for the video. I'm about to add a Duplicator to my Mackie ProFX12v3 and was looking for this info. I was wondering about experimenting with the Duplicator through an INSERT on the mixer just to see, but this makes sense.

[@mongocalvin]

Fantastic! Great information and well explained. This answered a lot of questions for me I greatly appreciate it.

[@tchelicon]

You're most welcome!

[@UnKnownGK]

Hello Craig, just a quick question. assuming that my guitar and vocal levels on the pedal have been set and are ok what is the correct way to use the output level knob on voicelive 2? if for example i have it on -20db and the signal going to the mixer is weak, is it better to raise the output of the pedal or raise the gain knob of the console? thanks in advance

[@tchelicon]

Hi Shanya, Yep, you want to use Dual Mono mode, which you configure in the setup menu. It'll send all of your effected vocals out one XLR and the guitar out the other. Since most PA's are mono, the loss of stereo usually isn't a big deal.

[@Cameron-gx9ds]

Awesome video thanks mate! (even though I'm 2 years out of the loop)

[@thebostonbrawler1]

GOLDEN RULE! To be sure that all equipment is off or volumes & gains are turned down-hyou should verbalize that

[@cpr2450]

Great presentation! Can you do a ver.2 of this video by adding the ‘usb mixer to recorder connection’ into the signal chain. Thanks!

[@tchelicon]

Sanya Blender I'd definitely plug the mic into the TC-H unit and then go to the mixer. Otherwise, you're very likely to overload the TC-H mic input.

[@coversongs5284]

A very thorough & excellent demo. Thanks ! Can I use TV Helican in between Mic and JBL Eon All in One Line Array PA system? Or JBL Eon PA is better off without it ?

[@tchelicon]

HanlonBrothers Unfortunately, the Aux information will always travel with the vocals. You can control the Aux level within the TC-H unit though, so I'd do your track vs. vocal mixing there.

[@pennyeachusmusic8714]

Hi! I'm trying to use my VLP to cover Cannonball. It has a medium reverb on the main part and heavy distortion on the HIT button. I'm having a hard time once I get to rehearsal and we plug it into the mixer. The main part is really loud and the distortion part is too quiet. Maybe what's happening there is what you're talking about in this video. Any suggestions? Also, in general, is there a song setting that is similar to Cannonball?

[@rickbendel]

Very nicely done...explained well, and hardly any unnecessary fluff. I did have one question...I recently bought a "powered" dynamic mic (Blue enCORE200 w/phantom), and I use the TC Helicon Harmony G. Is there something special i'll need to do because after plugging it in as I normally would with my typical dynamic..I get nothing. Thanks..

[@tchelicon]

+Rick Bendel On Harmony-G I believe you need to press the Manual + Double buttons together to turn on and off Phantom Power.

[@rickbendel]

+TC-Helicon Thank you for the quick response. I did a bit of looking around after i'd sent my question here, and was able to figure it out, regardless.. I thank you. If I may..my pa/mixer has global phantom, and 1 other member of my band is using the same mic I use that needs the 48v phantom so it will have to be turned on at the board for him..will this be okay? I'm concerned that i'll be doubling the 48v by turning it on at the pedal, and cannot omit my channel from the global phantom once its on. Again, I thank you for the response, and for the record I love my Harmony G! :)

[@tchelicon]

+Rick Bendel Yep, you'll be fine. We protect our mic inputs from phantom coming in. It's good to be wary of though. I've blown up several audio interfaces by forgetting to turn phantom off in our devices before connecting an output to our mic input during testing. D'oh!

[@ytfbms]

Thank you for your prompt response. When you talk about setting up the input correctly....are you meaning to set the gain up correctly? Ie: hold the reverb button down and sing your loudest to set it up? Just want to clarify. Thanking you.

[@tchelicon]

ytfbms Yep, that's it. :)

[@alexchubbymclynn6060]

Craig Hi! Thanks a lot for another great video of yours! All of them are of great help! I have just one question with regard to how to connect VL3X to a mixer. Just to make sure that I am not doing anything wrong. I did manage, frankly, to read the manual but still have some doubts. The question is pretty simple: where do the outputs from VL3X go? To mixer line inputs or mic inputs? Using Mic Mechanic and Harmony Singer I plug them into the mic inputs and it works fine. Sorry for a stupid question but, still, it is better to check it seven times rather than to burn down some circuits.))) Lots of regards and thanks/ Alex (Russia)

[@tchelicon]

Not a stupid question at all! Mixer line inputs are what you'll want to connect your VL3X to! That way, whoever is mixing will have control over how your VL3X is balancing with other Inputs on the mixer!

[@ИванЛитров]

Александр и как в результате вы подключили? Ничего не спалили? У меня vl3ex beringer flow8.

[@cirommmm]

Excellent tutorial. But, unfortunately it doesn't help with the poor EQ options available in the Play Acoustic. I usually get to much 'high medium' and the operators hate the pedal for it. A simple five-band EQ would take it to another level, Craig... Please, ask for an update.

[@francoismostert7130]

Is there a video how to process pre recorded tracks with VL3X + Scarlett 6I6 + Macbook Pro - setup etc. ? Thx for all your nice videos!

[@tchelicon]

Hey Francois! Unfortunately no, we aren't able to make tutorial videos for all possible gear setups. I would encourage you to head over to our website forum to explore how other users have setup their systems using pre-recorded tracks! forum.musictribe.com/search.php?searchid=1990385

[@LoveVibrationNation]

Craig, I have been trying to figure out which TC Helicon to purchase. I make electronic/dance music with R and B flavor vocals. I want to use the TC in my recording and live performances for consistency's sake. I'm using Ableton Live 10 Suite so can I use the TC as an external EFX plug-in type of thing and record the audio into LIve and moreover, can I route the TC so it becomes an external Efx plug into vocals I have already recorded? Sorry, this sounds confusing but we are just doing our own vocals for the first time in 8 years as we don't want to fight with sample packs and be stuck in the remix world all the time. Tried communicating with Sweetwater and American Musical (we buy gear from both) but they really didn't have people properly trained enough on your line to get me real answers. I just don't want to buy the wrong unit. Thanks in Advance-Marco

[@alimacpherson7745]

Hi, really enjoyed your video. Couldn’t find many videos explaining set up. I have a question though wondering whether you know what to do? Ive just bought a Voicelive extreme 3 and want to play my Taylor guitar and shure 57beta through the VL3X. Do I need to buy a mixer and a set of speakers to use it properly. Originally I thought I could play it through my Fishman loudbox performer but it doesn’t work for some reason. Any advice on equipment mid to low price that would help me?

[@leonidkivulon2038]

I bought this . I received it today . I remember asking someone who did a video on it and I asked a question of what is everything that is needed for me to be able to use it. And I was told the voiceliveplay and a mic (and I got the mp-75 mic) and I don’t know but I’m trying to use it and it’s not working for me.. what am I missing . All I have is the voiceliveplay and the mic and the wire connector for mic to the pedal. And the power cord that’s all . What am I missing please help

[@skippy4246]

Leonid, you also have to have some type of amplified speaker. Whether that's a powered mixer to speakers, unpowered mixer to powered speakers, Analog/Digital interface to computer with powered monitors, or an amp or headphones.

[@ginza63]

Hey thank you for that, I was getting clipping on my own rig... Cheers!

[@kai6424]

I can't believe you put the Mackie right on top of the PreSonus! I would love to have that PreSonus. Treat it like that....somebody must have access to much better equipment.

[@TheOne-dc8bo]

Great video thanks, I have been getting the red light on the play when I usr my Neuman live condenser mic? might have to use SM58. any help would be appreciated

[@mainaknandy6636]

Hi Craig, I am planning to buy vl3 extreme very soon. Just let me know how I can route my backing vocals through an individual output so that my reverb and delays don’t come out on the harmonies. I need effects on the main vocals only and the harmonies need to be dry . And I want to send harmonies and main vocals to separate channels to PA so that I can have little diff eq settings. Waiting for a response from you and tchelicon.

[@PokiBG]

Aren't you supposed to connect the VoiceLive outputs into the mixer JACK inputs, in order to bypass the mic preamps on the mixer, since the signal is already at line level?

[@MatthewChambersMusic]

Hey Craig, I discovered you while reading my Play Acoustic manual and you seem to be the right guy to ask this question. Can you give specific information on setting up the Play Acoustic with a Bose L1 Model 2 p.a. with the Tonematch mixer? I have mine hooked up...however I want to be sure that I'm correctly set up. Any information you might provide would be greatly appreciated by me and the folks at the Bose forum as well.

[@tchelicon]

Matthew Chambers Sure thing. Turn tone match off on the Play Acoustic channels. Any of the Tone and Bodyrez processing done in Play Acoustic doesn't need further processing by ToneMatch. Just connect direct in stereo or vocal/DI (PA's default output mode) and set the gains at the Bose so that you're not overloading the inputs. You're all set.

[@sineadbales2801]

Hi Craig, why do you need to input two xlrs into the mixer if you're only using one mic and one pedal? Thanks

[@iyievent1439]

hello ı have a few questions will the pitch correction and hardtune functions work better if i connect tc helicon stereo and why do we pan the channels.thanks for your time

[@EddyDean]

Hello Craig, When playing MP3's/Music/Tracks etc. Which is the best way to do it? Run 1/8 plug from your player ie Laptop, Cellphone etc through the TC-H or my Soundboard/Mixer? Great explanation of a lot of things by the way!! Thanks!!

[@tchelicon]

If you want the TCH product to ever use the music signal for key/scale for harmony/hardtune, you'd want to run music into the Aux so it can be analyzed by the chord detection algorithm. It's also handy if you're using the headphone output for in-ears or otherwise wanting the TCH product to have control over the relative mix between your voice/guitar and tracks. If you just want to send tracks to front-of-house and don't need the other stuff I mentioned, you can just go direct and then get some track back in your monitors.

[@greendrinkguy1882]

At the end when U "SLOWLY TURN UP YOUR MAIN" were u aiming the microphone into the speakers on purpose? R we supposed to aim the mic at the speakers while we slowly turn up the main to determine maximum volume? or.. was that serious mistake?

[@ernanipacana7525]

Is it possible to still run thru a “Shark”, if so how to connect. Thanks. 2-month TCVLP experimenter here😎

[@sharonlenoreanderson]

Small room and I’m just going into a little fender amp that accommodates vocals too- I can only turn amp volume up to one and a half- wouldn’t it be better to have more amp sound.. what should I do??

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

when you adjusting the input -> "mic gain", if you give a voice without harmony, everything is great. but with the same "mic gain" if you specially enable the harmony -> high+higher, then the signal starts to give pick with a red sign. should i make the test with when "harmony on" ?

[@tchelicon]

If you're getting a red peaking signal, you should reduce mic gain until it returns to green. You want to make sure you don't go red even at your loudest to ensure best quality.

@@tchelicon in Setup -> Input -> Mic Gain is just 9 dB. When i open the harmony, the picking with red light starts. Probably, when I was learning "harmony settings" i messed up the subsettings. can you help me where, from which video i can learn all the details of the harmony preferences? what i found so far is this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIfdiXR7Yrdlnq8 is there any other resource, or video that you can suggest? probably just because of this problem i may return back to factory settings of voicelive 3 extreme.

[@HanlonBrothers]

Thanks for your video you are very helpful... I have one question, I am running my mp3 backing tracks through the TC helicon (via the aux in) In order to get the key for harmonies, but I find it a pain that both vocals and track are running through the same channel and I want to be able to have this in two separate channels in my mixer one for vocals the other for the tracks so that i can have separate control. Please tell me there is a way of doing this? Thanking you!!!

[@kingstonkeys]

hi one more important question. I know H1 can be used with piano as well. but my doubt is im using yamaha psr s 910 keyboard to play in my church. i use the in built rythms during worship. Will i be able to assist my pastor with H1's harmony while im still using the keyboard's rythm. i mean will H1 do harmonies by detecting the chord from accompaniment section of my rythm in keyboard. Hope u understand my question. Pls reply i'm very much looking forward to buy this thing for my church. regards from India ....

[@dmet5810]

Thank you for the excellent video-live application seems pretty straight forward. How would one go about setting up a Voiceworks plus in a studio setting? Would you position the TC Helicon between the mic and interface or would you set it up through an aux channel on the interface?

[@tchelicon]

+Derek Met I'd go direct from mic to VW and then into an interface. It's the simplest way to get going.

[@derikcorl3245]

+TC-Helicon Hey, so I have the AKG c214 coming in the mail soon and been thinking of turning to the voicetone create and the correct for live and hopefully recording use. This answers my question on it's accessibility as far as a means to use it through an interface (mine being the Scarlett 8i8) . Can these TC products serve to "pre-amp" the mic or cleaning boost the signal?

[@derikcorl3245]

+Derik Corl cleanly*

[@sonimanicmusic4026]

Now show plugging in to the pedal from a wireless mic receiver, you need to turn the gain on the pedal down as well

[@jeremyjamesmusic]

Really like this vid! And I get how you put the mic at Unity it Zero and increase the Mains. What I don’t understand is how do you do that with multiple inputs? You can’t put drums, guitars, bass, all at unity then turn up the Mains, right? Or is that the idea behind the trim, to allow you to get the inputs all to unity then just up the Mains? Please help!

[@topdazzle]

I know your question is 2 years old but I only just saw it when I was reading the comments, saw that you had no response and thought I'd try and help you out. This video assumes that all you are putting through the PA is the vocals. If you are putting other instruments, etc. through the PA then yes - you are right, you wouldn't put them all to unity on their individual faders / level knobs - you would adjust these to get a pleasing mix so that nothing is too dominant or, if it is, that it's meant to be (such as your vocals) and then control the overall level (or volume / loudness) with the master fader / master level knob. The gain or trim knob is to ensure a good strong signal through the desk without clipping and has nothing to do with loudness or volume (although higher gain will increase the volume) - once the gain is set correctly you leave it be and adjust volume from either the individual channel faders (for each input) or the master fader (for the overall volume of the entire mix). It makes me cringe when I see people messing with the gain / trim knobs after they have been set because they want things louder! I hope this makes sense but if you need extra help then check out the video on my channel - "Mixing Desks for Noobs" and this should help with the explanation. It's not great video quality but it might help you out. Best wishes, Darren

[@jeremyjamesmusic]

@@topdazzle thank you so much! I’ve actually learned a bit in the 2 years since I’ve posted my question, it I truly appreciate you getting back to me! And I will check out the recommended video! Thank you again! -Jay

[@musicjameskavanagh1690]

Hey Craig, great video. I use the tc Play Acoustic directly into an RCF EVOX 12 speaker. I was considering getting the Presonus AR12 to add to my setup and and open more versatility for others to join in during sessions. Would the AR12 improve my sound quality and would I need to switch off the tone and fx of the Play Acoustic in order to avoid doubling up on reverb etc.? Cheers 👍

[@lcpowell]

Craig is awesome. Did I hear an "out" and "not" Canadian accent?

[@sghlefty]

I have a singer who uses a wireless mic, and in ear monitors. She wants to use the vocal effects pedal but does not want to hear the effects in her in ear monitor.. how do I go about hooking that up?

[@takamineepiphone]

Hey Craig, I discovered you while reading my Play Acoustic manual and you seem to be the right guy to ask this question. Can you give specific information on setting up the Play Acoustic with my Jbl Eon One Column PA. I don t have any aditional mixer .however I want to connect directly and be sure that I'm correctly set up. Any information you might provide would be greatly appreciated by me ,thanks

[@tchelicon]

Hey Mircea! Great question. The basic setup should be exactly the same as in this video, but using your JBL instead of Craig's mixer. Using one XLR into the Play Acoustic for your mic, and one XLR out of the Play Acoustic to connect to your PA system, you can control your levels and mix on your play acoustic. You can also use a USB connection to include a computer in your setup, and of course your guitar will connect via TRX to the Play Acoustic. Edit: Sorry for the double response Mircea!

[@takamineepiphone]

@@tchelicon Thank You for the answer,i wish you a good year also

[@monicamomney8756]

What up Craig. I have a Focusrite Scarlett hooked up to tc helicon. It sounds beautiful but at certain points I get very powerful clipping in streaming services and DAW. Wondering if you have any advice? Cheers!

[@metalmale]

Do both outputs have to be used? Why are there 2 when your smaller pedals have 1?

[@vilecorrupt]

Is a mixer needed for both live performances and home recording/experimenting ?

[@SHAYNAxmusic]

Thanks for the video. Just wondering if there's a way to separate the guitar and vocals to different channels at your mixing desk when using the Voicelive 2 so that you can adjust the levels separately at your desk? i.e. turn up the guitar on your mixing desk rather than through the voicelive 2 to adjust the levels between guitar and vocals?

[@BARNDOO]

Excellent -thanks Pal .

[@sanjeez103]

awesome !!! Thanks for the tips

[@clarkoh]

where do you plug the tc-helicon if the mixer board is not on the stage with you at the venue?

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

why not any comparisons of this vs the Boss sy-300 guitar synth; different or same sounds on what they can do; or nOT ?

[@JoeOrsak]

@TC HELICON ok. I feel like an idiot for having to ask this but... I hooked up my TC Helicon C1 (Mic in to the in and XLR out to the snake which runs to my board.). I hear the pitch corrected vocal and the out of pitch vocal simultaneously. I only want to hear the correct pitch. How do I accomplish that?

[@musicmantrainstitute1449]

I need some help 1] how to use Tc helicon voice live 2 as harmonizing by using the Yamaha PSR series keyboard / Roland FA 06 model as a midi controller in Cubase 8 2] If I use MTK 12 mixer, then how to use Tc helicon voice live 2, with the keyboard as a midi controller to get harmony?

[@jakshacksdiys7919]

I have the TC Helicon play acoustic As far as guitar effects go can I have a different guitar effect on every preset or is the guitar effects Global and I would have to change it it's time I want a different effect

[@kendallartworks8786]

I use the same Mackie mixer in the video. One question I still have is do you always set the channel faders to Unity or is there a way to know what the right level for this is, similar to the way you know what the right level is for the trim and master based on the meter and feedback?

[@tchelicon]

+Kendall Artworks I set the channel faders to unity at first, but then adjust as necessary when mixing the actual show. The main thing is getting the gain correct at the trim knob so that you're not clipping the input. The fader can then be manipulated knowing that your incoming level is clean.

[@KeremPARLAKGUMUS-uc4xb]

it was awesome, useful for me, thank you very much

[@aaroneinhorn380]

why do you have two cabels coming out of voice live , is that a must is one cable not enough????

[@SoulStationOz]

I've recently puchased a VL3 and I'm wondering if there is are thoughts about adding a master 31 band eq to the firmware? What prompts my question is when you said turn the master up til feedback then turn back. I've worked as a live engineer for over 20yrs and as we all know there are good ones and others not so good so it would be nice to be able to address the frequencies that feedback other than just turning down. Generally speaking you will get a better sound addressing them even if there is no feedback

[@tchelicon]

SoulStationOz Heya, an EQ that expansive is a bit more than we want to offer. We're more likely to look at anti-feedback in future products than a very fine band EQ.

[@noelbulls8628]

I believe the Outputs on tc helicon are line level it would work better if you go line in.

[@oguzhanakgul3874]

Hi , I bougt voicelive play and i want to use in my studio not live performance . I mean , when i'm recording with cubase and mix a track . After that , Can i give echo or any effect on my vocal with voicelive play ? Please answer me ..

[@stormcat7]

Craig, this is a great video. while i've followed it to a T, i still can't get rid of the feedback in live settings. i'm using a wireless mic that requires phantom power and have made sure that the gain is below the line. i've used on different systems with different sound folks and still weird squealing. any ideas?

[@danielawilliams7911]

Did you ever sort this out? Same issues here although I don’t use a wireless mic. Super frustrating and hard to find answers for!

[@stormcat7]

@@danielawilliams7911 nope... I sold it

[@danielawilliams7911]

@@stormcat7 good to know ha.. thanks! Mind me asking if you replaced it with anything?

[@compassioncures6074]

Hello! How and what kind of plugs fo i need to plug in the TC Helicon VoiceLive Play Vocal Effects Pedal into a speaker. I am new to this and might sound very silly !

[@AussieOutlaw]

Thank you for your help

[@IndigoProd]

I know this is old, but I'll take a shot. If I'm between getting the new Voicelive play OR both the Correct XT & Create XT, what would give me a more "professional" sound and a better anti feedback response? Also, is the Tone button "effect" the same in both devices?

[@tchelicon]

Jonathan Luisi The Correct XT is the only unit that will give you anti-feedback. In terms of professional sound, the algorithms are very similar between Create and Play. That said, Play is MUCH easier to edit than Create XT. If you're looking to have lots of presets for your songs, I'd certainly go with Play. You could run Correct into Play, but Play has pitch correction and Tone. You just wouldn't get the anti-feedback. To be perfectly honest, getting rid of feedback is something you can do on your own with speaker/mic placement, levels etc. Here's a vid on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJ2xYoWAacyWd9E

[@СергейСевастенков]

Tell us why VoiceSupport 2 does not start? Writes no internet connection?

[@andreshermosillo7465]

quick question, i just ordered the TC Helicon Voicelive Play and was wondering I am able to record with it. Am i able to plug into my laptop and record a vocal track?

[@bbqgravy5195]

I am a drummer who just purchased this product. I don't know if I can use it in a live situation tho. The problem is that when we were playing live it sounded great in the room but listening to the playback we could here the sound of my snare bouncing (we were trying to do a live demo) so I went back took all the delay out of the channel I was in turned down the gain and tried it still there. What do I need to do ? Give it to my bass player ? Please give me some input.

[@tchelicon]

Vol Hillbilly It sounds like you might benefit from a mic with a tighter polar pattern, like a super or hyper cardiod variety. It will help reject audio from the back/sides of the mic and can reduce "bleed" from your kit. Our MP-70/75 is great at it, as are some of the Audix offerings like OM5.

[@AlatheaReese]

Hi! I'm have this vocal pedal and usually just use the left channel for singing live but I am wondering if there is a way to send a dry mix (right channel?) to my monitor while sending the wet to the house?

[@tchelicon]

If you have a unit with 2 XLR outs, there's typically a "MONO" output mode that sends Dry/Wet (full mix mono) from one XLR out and DRY from the other. I think you could achieve what you're looking for in that case.

[@johnnyweep59]

Hi,probably asking a dumb question but here goes- Im looking at purchasing a TC Helicon Mic Mechanic 2, and and was wonderin,once set up to a PA Mixer, does the MM2 take control over PA mixer settings? ie EQ, compression, de-essing and gating so all settings on mixer which I would normally use are just turned completely down/off? hope this makes sense.

[@tchelicon]

Totally makes sense. I'd start by removing every effect and flattening the EQ completely. Treat the signal coming from the Mic Mechanic as closer to a mixed track or other "complete" source. Ideally, the MM2 does the work and you just ride the channel fader to mix it into the rest of the music.

[@nortru]

Thank you so much , you are helping us a lot

[@jrrdmoore]

First, thanks for the great video! Second, to make harmonies more reliable in live use without depending on guitar, I'd like to pipe output from the mixer into both my VLT2 and Play Acoustic. The simplest option for mt is to split off a monitor signal into the aux in. I know splitting can present complications, but my main concern is that the monitor signal is coming from the amp. Can these units hand a powered input like that, or will it fry the units? I know im not acknowledging all of obstacles depending which unit I'm working on, but I think I can sort that all out. I just dont want to damage these awesome tools in an unfortunate round of trial and error. Thanks!

[@tchelicon]

+jrrdmoore The Aux input can handle a line level input but not the powered type electrical signal you'd connect directly to a speaker. Is it an Aux send from the board or the actual speaker output from an amplifier?

[@jrrdmoore]

+TC-Helicon This kind of customer service why I have quickly become loyal to you guys! Yes the feed I was hoping to use would be coming from the amp. common sense told me it probably wouldnt work. I just didn't want to underestimate you or your products. I will have to work on an alternative setup. Does it matter if the input is balanced or unbalanced? I can probably grab the signal before the amp, but the signal from the board to the monitor is a balanced signal. If that messes with things, I will probably have to pick up a hub to run things through before it leaves the stage and hits the mixer.

[@tchelicon]

+jrrdmoore Thanks for checking! I think a powered signal would probably have created some unwanted pyro for your show. ;) It's a stereo TRSS input, which I believe are typically unbalanced, but there won't be any harm sending a balanced signal. It may just come in on "one side" of the stereo input.

[@colinwade2423]

Hi Craig, I have just bought aVL3. I play a lot of the Shadows songs, and i wondered if i can get Hank Marvins guitar sound from my VoiceLive3. If i can could you please tell me how to achieve it. I hope you can help me, many thanks Colin.

[@tchelicon]

+colin wade Heya Colin, I'd suggest heading over to the forums. There's a fair number of users there who have been messing with guitar sounds and might be able to chime in. If you give some audio examples/links to what you want to sound like and some examples of where you are currently with the VL3 sounds, we/they can probably give some pointers. support.tc-helicon.com/categories/20073491-User-Forum

[@Stevesoffthecouch]

Craig is there a video on setting the out put gain for the vocals and guitar on the Play Acoustic.Also I’m interested in any info you can give me or direct me to regarding Connecting my Play Acoustic to my Bose L1 sys2 with Tonematch?

[@tchelicon]

I'd turn off all the tone match stuff on the channel(s) that the play acoustic is coming into. Set the output level on the play acoustic to max and then turn down the inputs on the L1 until they are just below clipping. That'd give you the best signal-to-noise.

[@Stevesoffthecouch]

TC HELICON ok thx Craig..

[@simonwilliams2109]

Thanks Craig

[@lflynn82]

Why wouldn’t you just use an aux send for the presonus board so you can have more control for blend from the board?

[@hilariocosta1615]

Hi!! Can you do one video "How to connect VL3 to FX150"? There's more than one way, right? I want to use a eletric guitar or semi-acoustic guitar, and a mic.. I know that i'll need to connect them to VL3.. but i'm not sure what cables should i buy to the best conncting way from VL3 to FX150...

[@tchelicon]

The simplest way to get everything into FX150 is with an 1/8" stereo cable from the headphone out of VL3 into the Aux input on FX150. That allows you to use both the other FX150 channels if you need them. You'd control the mix of what comes into the FX150 from the VL3's headphone mix. Alternatively, connect both the XLR outs from VL3 into the FX150's 2 XLR ins. Put the VL3 in Mono output mode. You'll get separate vocal/guitar at the FX150 that way. Just be sure to turn off all the effects/EQ/Tone on the FX150.

[@boltonwanderersremembrance903]

Hi Craig could you kindly help me with a preset i am looking for a ub40 / ska sound can extra presets be purchased as well as the onesthat come with box

[@colinbrown9564]

how do I send my backing tracks to the guitar outputs. the manual tells me but does not show me. it's as clear as mud

[@tchelicon]

Make sure you update your VL3X to the latest version via VoiceSupport. You can get it here: www.tc-helicon.com/en/products/voicesupport-2/ Then, on the "OUTPUT" tab in the setup menu, you'll see XLR out settings and a "Guitar Jacks Mode". You'd change the "Guitar Jacks Mode" to "Backing Track".

[@niallosullivan3483]

Hiya. I've just ordered the Extreme 3. I have a high quality RCF powered/active PA system. Currently I'm using a Yamaha 01v96 digital mixer for live use but it's too heavy, and so I've opted for the Extreme to replace it. I also have an API 3124MB 4 channel mic pre and mixer in one. The API is superb and I was wondering if I should run the Extreme's outputs into the API and then into PA, or if I should run them into API and then into the Helicon, and run Helicon outputs into PA? I'll try both options, but I'm curious as to what you may think on this yourself.

[@tchelicon]

Hmm, tricky. I think I might try going into the API first, then go into the VL3 as TRS as a line input so our pre gets out of the way of the API a bit more.

[@niallosullivan3483]

Thanks for that - I'll be sure to try all options available and report back to you at some point. I gigged the Vl3 live last night for 2.5 hours and it's commendable. Very useful for cutting out lots of additional equipment I'd normally have to bring and set up. One of the main reasons I bought it is because I play about 5 nights a week in different venues as a one man band. Vocal, guitar, tracks and I recently found myself getting a back problem from all of the gear I was bringing. The Vl3 has reduced my set up time and load carrying by a large margin. No matter what way I bring the API into the chain it will improve things sonically, it's a superb piece of kit and I've done what you suggested in the past with other gear - tried to bypass internal pres. Can you explain to me how you think I should do it please. the API is 4 Channel. I would normally run Vocal into 1, acoustic gtr into input 2, and backing tracks in stereo connected to input 3+4. I can taken those individual outputs on API of Vocal and Guitar and run them straight in the Helcion on the vocal and guitar inputs. And I could take the guitar jack outputs, set to backing track outputs, and run them through 3+4 on the API. Or I could simply take the outputs of the Vl3, as it has very good routing options available, and into API as I was saying. Either way it will help matters. When you say you'd try going in as TRS, do you simply mean going into the same inputs but using instead of an XLR, a TRS instead? If not, could you expand a little for me please, and as long as I'll still be able to avail of all of th Helicons effects on vocals and guitar I'd be happy to try anything you suggest,Thanks in advance. The ability to 'cue' the next track/preset while playing a song is a great inclusion and I found it immensely useful last night when people were dancing. I could keep playing with minimum pausing between songs - a mere second. Brilliant.

[@tchelicon]

Yep, just go into the VL3's mic input via TRS, since it's expecting a line level signal. If you're preamping at the API, you'll get a slightly better SNR that way. Just be sure to do the auto mic gain setup on VL3 to make sure you're hitting it at the optimal level. Glad to hear it's both lightened your load and made your shows smoother!

[@mollym4616]

Question: Using a condenser microphone and the mixer has a separate 'phantom power' button.. Will the mixer's 'phantom power' button need to be pushed, or will my TCLive3 Extreme do the work?

[@tchelicon]

Hi Molly, if you are running the Mic through the VL3X first and VL3x has phantom power enabled, then the mixer shouldn't need it.

[@SisterSandoz]

Question we have a small practice space. Ive just received some EV ZLX 15P 1000 watt powered speakers. In reheasal we dont mic anything. Our singer uses the Voicelive play. We have always just run in mono left out to the stage snake. But in our small rehearsal space could I just run the VLP stereo directly to the powered EVs? Want to make rehearsals simple.

[@tchelicon]

6l6rock Yep, sure could! Just put it into stereo mode and run an XLR to each powered speaker.

[@Unplugged704]

I recently bought the GTX. I'll only use it for singing and acoustic guitar (no electric) on stage. I read somewhere that for my use it's best to upgrade the "No Amp" presets of the 500 megapack. Is that correct? If so will I have settings like chorus/delays/reverb for those presets? Not sure how many presets there are for acoustic guitar.

[@tchelicon]

Hi Yakman NC, the No Amp pack simply sets all of the Amp Type controls to No Amp, so you don't have to do it manually in each preset. All of the other EQ, Delay, uMod and Reverb settings are still the same and totally configurable. It was just a convenience pack, since it's a lot of manual labor to go through every preset and change that single setting.

[@michael_leclezio]

love how you just plonk the mackie on top of the other mixer!! 😂😂😂

[@leanbrazy3907]

Can I plug one into a audio interface for studio recording some of the helicon pedals seem great for that like reverb and harminizer

[@EvolvedCognition]

So for those of us that want to simply plug our Tascam LD-74 into your processor and then connect to a Zoom LiveTrak L-12 and have the signal heard, what kind of machinations does one have to go through with your effects processor to make that happen? It's apparently not a simple plug and play device. What''s your QC fail rate? Really frustrating to finally have the time to integrate the device into my studio and have it not deliver. I followed the direct to mixer check and validated the the mic works when connected directly to the mixer and adjusted the gain on the side of your processor. Nothing.

[@saxrem]

Hi Can you also adjust the volume on the TC Helicon, so while playing on stage you can add or reduce the total output volume? Example if you want to sound louder(not by clipping). And do you have instructions playing is by saxophone?

[@tchelicon]

Are you inquiring specifically about the VoiceLive Play?

[@saxrem]

Yes please

[@tchelicon]

Typically, our products are intended to set the vocal level and keep it consistent throughout the performance. The Play does have a master output level in the Mix menu, but generally you're not going to touch that if you're going to a mixer/PA. You'd make your adjustments at the mixer. If you're going from the Play directly to some powered speakers, then the output level control could be handy. One trick I've helped people use for a volume boost is to use the "Transducer" block, set to one of the guitar amp styles. Set the Control parameter to HIT, drive to 0 and the filter to 100. Then, press/hold one of the buttons around the screen to get to the advanced settings page. When you're there, you can adjust the "gain" parameter to give you a bit more level when the effect is active. Experiment with the values till you find a "boost" that you like. Since the amp style etc was all set to "no drive and no filter" it'll not mess with the tone of the sound much at all, while still giving you the boost. For a Sax, I often recommend people turn "Lead Mute ON" in the setup menu. Unless you're on a big stage, the Sax can be quite loud in the room by iteself, so turning lead mute on will just send the effects to the mixer/PA. Then, for "section" creation, use the harmony effect and pick a voice or two that you want to add in. Often, users will create several presets with various voicings "up and down" "1 up" "1 down" etc. and then change key/scale on the fly using the footswitches. (if memory serves it's "Press the Preset Up and Down buttons at the same time to enter key/scale set mode", but it could be preset Up and Hit. Check the manual :) Hopefully that helps a bit!

[@daprincehwc]

hellllooooo!!!!!!! you are the best best best best i've been looking for someone to do A to Z setup like you did on the video, i love you man, please you have just improve my experience about audio setup, please i will like you to do video on the best or most efficient way of hocking up .. Ananlog mixer (Mackie) to dbx rack mount and eq. .. i work as a volunteer audio engineer for a local church. thanks.