Helicon Headquarters || Critical Mass Quickstart Guide

This episode of Helicon Headquarters, we cover everything you need to know about the Critical Mass stompbox to get you started!
Don't have Critical Mass yet? This video will answer any questions you may have AND demonstrate how the different effects sound so you can hear it in action before buying it.
Firmware Update on a Mac Video ➡️ bit.ly/FirmwareupdateMac
Firmware Update on a PC Video ➡️ bit.ly/FirmwareUpdatePC
VoiceSupport2 Download ➡️ bit.ly/VoiceSupport2Download
Topics Covered:
- Firmware Update
- Power Options: 9V vs Battery
- Inputs/Outputs
- Adaptive Tone
- Pitch Correction
- Reverb: Room, Club, Hall
- Mix Levels
- Crowd Vocals
- Phantom Power +24V
- Latched and Momentary Modes
- Talk Mode
- MP-75 Integration
Hosted by Elli Hart, TC Helicon Storyteller
SUBSCRIBE to TC Helicon: bit.ly/TCHeliconSub
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Critical Mass
WHERE TO BUY: bit.ly/SWCriticalMass
- A simple-to-use vocal stompbox lets you easily create stunning group-sound vocal effects
- Powerful melodic and gang styles give you large group vocals using your voice alone
- No key or scale to set - just sing
- Simple three-knob control gets you up and running in seconds
- High-quality, low-noise mic preamp for pristine vocals
- On/off foot switch for quick performance control
- Rugged, road-worthy construction for years of dependable use
- 3-Year Warranty Program
- Designed and engineered in Canada
--- --- --- --- ---
FOLLOW TC HELICON
bit.ly/TCHeliconFB
bit.ly/TCHeliconIG
bit.ly/TCHeliconTwitter
www.tc-helicon.com
WE EMPOWER YOUR VOICE, YOU INSPIRE THE WORLD
TC HELICON is the only pro audio company that is 100% dedicated to the performance needs of singers. Based in Victoria, Canada, our company is known worldwide for its team of musicians and developers who spend every moment of their working lives listening, talking, singing and interacting with singers and those who share the passion for the singing voice. We are a dedicated group of specialists convinced that the voice is the most beautiful instrument in the world. With a range of innovative products, we inspire, respect and empower modern vocalists.
WHERE TO BUY TC HELICON
USA: www.sweetwater.com www.guitarcenter.com
CANADA: www.long-mcquade.com tomleemusic.ca/
WW: www.amazon.ca/

[@neilsmith9473]

By far the best demo. Clear and comprehensive without a load of unnecessary nonsense. Thank you.

[@joyboricua3721]

Simple but thorough review. Good job!

[@rattmann3170]

It uses up the AA batteries after 3 ~one hour sets. Consider getting the AC adapter if you plan on using it live. When it dies so do your vocals.

[@TroyNaumu808]

or a rechargeable power brick.

[@alecesar9676]

Video very very good! Thanks for this clip

[@Garryjonesmusic]

Great video! Very helpful. Thank you. ☀️Shine on...

[@abcenglishclassesbyanganam9689]

Hello. I got the critical mass new. For the first time I plug all connections with AC current. But the red light meant for the batteries glows, and I get no sound in my speaker. What could be the solution?

[@lewissharpe3072]

Thanks for the great demo. Can you daisy chain these new pedals together ? Are they true bypass ?

[@jadestewart3519]

Great demo. And will the pedal operate with the wireless microphone plug ins one plugs into the end of the mic the other into the pa. Or coming out of the dedal

[@HallofLor]

Definitely going to get this.

[@tchelicon]

Yay! Hope you love it!

[@sandorgyorgy6445]

Could you help me? This one is giving 24 volts, but my mic needs 48, will it harm if i plug my mic first to an external power supply and from that its connected to this pedal? So the chain: Any48V mic -> 48v Powersupply --> tc helicon --> audio interface --> pc Thanks for your help

[@darthclone2002]

Great job

[@divadnyc]

Did anyone's unit introduce line noise? It's not too loud, but it can be heard when the pedal powers on. I have 3 other tc helicon vocal pedals, they are very quiet.

[@xXTorgoXx]

If you have the pedal in momentary press mode, how do you disengage the reverb?

[@blb2388]

I have the (older, 12v power) Voice Tone H1. Would the harmonies come out muddy, or would they sound like a proper harmonizing choir?

[@robfriedrich2822]

I never would feed the Voice Tone H1 with a signal from Critical Mass or otherwise. I would use a XLR split cable, feed the microphone in both units, would decide, on what of both devices I use my leadvoice and where not. If the main vocal needs reverb, I would take it from the Critical Mass. In realitiy, the audience sing along the melody line, not harmonies. You could set the Critical Mass on in the chorus and the H1 on, when there's a part, that needs some choir.

[@salvatoreluca1184]

Can I add on my voicelive 3 for have many choirs?

[@wanndann4592]

... The Mass Effekt is similar to the old voicetone double?... There is also a group function!

[@robertdusemund1045]

Hi @TCH I wonder what happens if I put that Critical Mass thing after a Harmony Singer. Will it pimp the HS to a big choir or will it produce some mess?

[@RobertoCampoliOfficial]

Critical mess

[@marlaplunk2833]

@@RobertoCampoliOfficial LOL

[@DLNY64]

Hi Elli, nice tutorial thanks. Does the reverb style effect the melodic/gang sound?

[@tchelicon]

Great question! Yes it does - the same reverb style you choose for your singular voice is the same as the one that will be applied to the melodic or gang sounds you choose!

[@robfriedrich2822]

@@tchelicon So the reverb will be twice? Because the melodic/gang sound includes reverb.

[@bhedardflorentino6290]

What a nice harmony maam

[@TumitProduction]

Is it possible to shut of the reverb somehow? Cause you said that the reverb is always on. And it would be cool if the reverb only got on when you press the effects button along with the other effects. Can it do that?

[@robfriedrich2822]

The reverb itself can be turned to zero by turning the knob counterwise. But the echo/reverb in the melodic/gang sound is part of the sound. You can't imitate a crowd standing in a cinema type room.

[@robfriedrich2822]

But when you hold the metal button some seconds, you set everything bypass, but keep the "Tone" button.

[@PyntchHarass]

Try watching the whole video.

[@BillLarkinmusic]

@@PyntchHarass Yep. lol

[@devilworshippers666]

Why does my red light that shows the footswitch is on flash then go off again?

[@cerealkiller8237]

For those who fire their sound guy. lol The Donnor strip is what I use. It has overdrive, delay, and chorus. It is cheap and does the trick. Something that accents what a vocalist already has is what is needed from a pedal, not something to make someone who can not sing sound half way pleasant.

[@TroyNaumu808]

great pedal

[@chrisgilsonmusicchannel7144]

Can you have the mix turned way down and just use as a reverb effect??

[@kiskadar69]

Yes.

[@TheWilmer1227]

Can't find the free firmware update for the duplicator on the site?

[@loua1663]

can I use this with my harmony singer pedal and how would I do it.

[@mimoochodom2684]

Great question. Pity they're not interested in answering. Maybe they like to lose potential customers.

[@DaleRobertSzyms]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXjLeHRmqr2Lq6s

[@RedRain1968]

So there isn’t a gain control on this device?

[@bctee2956]

Default phantom power is 24v always on for Critical Mass. What do I do I do not want Phantom power or my mic requires 48v instead?

[@kiskadar69]

1. "I do not want Phantom power": If the mic has a balanced output, and is wired correctly, even if the mic is a dynamic or ribbon type, phantom will not hurt the mic. So technically as long as you're not connecting microphones with TS jacks, you should be good. For doing that you would need adapters anyways because the in and out of this pedal is exclusively XLR cannon balanced, so in short, any standard microphone should be fine with this. 2. "my mic requires 48V": 24V phantom (P24) was added to the DIN standard (now DIN EN 61938) in 1979 - joining the earlier P12 and P48. It was added because it allows better power transfer which was thought to be an advantage with more-complex mics. It was actually recommended for new designs in 1996. Really only true condenser mics need 48V for polarization. Many mics that use pre-polarized electret capsules will work cheerfully down to 9V. I imagine the designers of these pedals had not thought it likely that they would be used with studio-grade condenser mics.

[@sandorgyorgy6445]

@@kiskadar69 but it does work with power supply? So mic to PU to Helion to audio interface is a thing correct?

[@kiskadar69]

@@sandorgyorgy6445 Do you mean this chain: condenser microphone -> external phantom power supply -> TC-Helicon Critical Mass. I don't know if it would be safe. The Critical Mass’s own phantom power supply or the external phantom power supply or condenser microphone could be ruined.

[@kiskadar69]

@@sandorgyorgy6445 The TC-Helicon single pedals do in fact have 24V phantom power that is always on. I would prefer a micro-switch to disable it.

[@sandorgyorgy6445]

@@kiskadar69 sad, i couldnt find anything on internet if the external power supply will or will not ruin anything with pedals like this :(

[@mr_hppd348]

Does the adaptive tone effect change the sound of the gang effect?

[@southlanfilmsusa]

I'd like to hear it minus so much reverb

[@nahonafriends2704]

ストリートライブします。 ボーカル専用エフェクトが必要かもと感じ、色々と製品の動画を見てます😃

[@Bassman1969]

Hi. In fact at 3:55 min there is no difference in the sound if tone is on or off. Strange... even with a headphone I do not hear any difference. I checked it in real, there is a big difference. Sound is clearer and brighter.

[@todwilliams4362]

I noticed that too.... It's almost like she didn't click the button. There was NO DIFFERENCE at all. But in real life... that button is HUGE. It makes you sound alive instead of flat.

[@Rhett-Christopher]

Yeah, listening in headphones there is no difference! I noticed that too!

[@mcmotohistory8770]

can't hear thru all the REVERB

[@goaheady1306]

i did not notice any difference between tone on and off :|

[@Bassman1969]

Hi. You are right. There is in indeed no difference. I think like you do. But I checked it, the sound gets brighter an clearer.

[@marcelocoip7275]

In the Mechanic pedal demo they test that function better. I think it's a big difference in a mix context, upper frecuencies are pushed foward a lot.

[@neilsnow7973]

It would be nice if the added vocals didn't have to be an octave. I mean, I guess on a design standpoint it's a lot easier and cheaper to do...but it would sound better if it was not an octave. It's sometimes a bit extreme on both ends at times.

[@actiontw6653]

Nice Nice.

[@elclubdewallace3770]

Si it is a pedal to sing We will rock you 😄

[@bhedardflorentino6290]

Can,you tell me more all about

[@chimneychuck]

Sorry, I didnt hear any extra flavor when you pushed the tone button.

[@adiosamig2238]

What did the pimp say on street corner?.........Hey...............

[@serhattorun7406]

Gereksiz ve işe yaramaz. Ama Diğer tc helicon modelleri super.

[@berkdurmaz538]

Neden öyle dedin?

[@A-simple-man85]

Вот, вот что я искал, а именно тест всех функций и возможности, спасибо тебе девушка

[@STEVEFINNERTY]

Tone ~ on / off sounded thecsame the millisecond we where allowed to hear..?.

[@STEVEFINNERTY]

This is soul destroying ..make a fkn sound😅

[@STEVEFINNERTY]

This is for people who don't know what electricity is...ffs show us the pedal