TC Helicon Voicelive3

Started by BackDAWman, February 05, 2014, 01:27:22 PM

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BackDAWman

While Youtubing NAMM 2014 this got my attention!

http://www.tc-helicon.com/tc-helicon-news-roundup-jan-13-2014/

The voicebox effect alone on this machine is awesome....I can feel some GAS coming on!

supernicd

That does look extremely cool.  I have the VL2, and it is a top notch piece of gear.  Wonder how the amp models in the VL3 sound.  Helicon's effects are typically outstanding but I'm not sure I've ever heard them do amp modeling.
Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

Elantric

#2
QuoteHelicon's effects are typically outstanding but I'm not sure I've ever heard them do amp modeling.

Im Impressed ~!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmtJ_lEZKgo&index=4&list=RDfPkprb6D1ko





Read TC Helicon Voicelive3 Owners Manual
http://www.tc-helicon.com/download/manuals/voicelive-3/tc-helicon_voicelive_3_reference_manual_english.pdf


http://www.tc-helicon.com/products/voicelive-3/feature-overview/


New Features in VoiceLive 3
A complete list of all the new features (+ some old ones) in VoiceLive 3 – when compared to VoiceLive 2 – including vocal effects, guitar effects, looper, UI, I/O, and platform:

Vocal
Feature                       FX Block    Description
3 New Harmony Modes   Harmony   Create brand new harmony sounds: Pedal, Fixed, and Mixed
Harmony Fixed Mode   Harmony   Harmony voice that sings the note you want regardless of chord
Harmony Pedal Mode   Harmony   Harmony voice that sings an interval from each chord
Harmony Mixed Mode   Harmony   Blend Fixed, Pedal, NaturalPlay, Scale and Shift harmonies for never-before-heard harmony suspensions
Improved Harmony Hold   Harmony   More accurate Harmony Hold
Improved Portamento (humanization)   Harmony   Harmony voices sound more realistic
Increased Shifter Range   Harmony/Hardtune   +/- 3 oct shift range
RoomSense for NaturalPlay   Harmony/HardTune   Use the onboard RoomSense mics to determine key/scale automatically. Acoustic piano/guitar or even a band can guide Harmony and HardTune effects
Polyphonic Vocal Synth   Vocoder   Multi-note synthesized vocal sound. Includes onboard synthesizer waveforms
Vocoder   Vocoder   True vocoder sounds, including talking robot, guitar talkbox, onboard waves
Improved HardTune   HardTune   HardTune is both more and less noticeable, depending on the Style
New HardTune Styles   HardTune   More HardTune styles to choose from
Separate Transducer and HardTune Buttons   Transducer/HardTune   Direct control over each effect, instead of previously shared button
Improved Transducer Style Transitions   Transducer   Transducer transitions sound smoother
Doubling Improvements (humanize etc.)   Double   More accurate and better sounding doubling
New 1/2 Note Delay Division   Delay   Added choice for Delay division
New Delay Filters   Delay   More choices for the way your echoes sound
Choir FX Block   Choir   Brand new effects block with more controls and parameters. Choir can now be added to lead voice
Rhythmic FX Block   Rhythmic   Brand new effect styles and sounds
Improved Reverb   Reverb   Better sounding vocal reverbs, with more Styles
New Styles Across FX Blocks   All   Added new Styles in every Effects block
Vocal HIT   All   Turn on/off multiple vocal effects with one button
EQ – Improved Filter Design and Control   Tone   Expanded EQ range and precision

Guitar
Feature                                              FX Block   Description
Delay – with styles from TC Electronic   Delay         All the classic Delay types, including styles from TC Electronic's Flashback Delay
Reverb – with styles from TC Electronic   Reverb   Slaps, plates, springs, and rooms galore, including styles from TC Electronic's Hall of Fame Reverb
Chorus – with styles from TC Electronic   uMod   Lush chorus FX and silky detunes, including styles from TC Electronic's Corona Chorus
Flanger – with styles from TC Electronic   uMod   Soft/hard/mono flanges, rotors, including styles from TC Electronic's Vortex Flanger
Octaves and pitch shifts   Octaver   Play bass! +/- 2 octaves in semitone increments. Choose between shifted only or mixed with dry guitar
Drive FX   Drive/Amp   Boost, distortions, grunts, overdrives. Push your amp to the max with the dedicated DRIVE footswitch to boost or increase drive and distortion on your chosen amp model. Including settings from TC Electronic's Dark Matter Distortion
Talkbox Via Vocoder   Vocoder (vocal FX)   The awesome Talkbox effect. Includes dry mix-in and other completely novel FX
Wah Wah   Wah Wah   Recreations of classic wah and new filter-based pedal effects
Tremolo   Rhythmic   Recreates classic sounds from early "blackface" amps
Rhythmic Effects   Rhythmic   Full Rhythmic effects for guitar. Chopper, panner etc. Linked with global delay and looper tempo
Guitar HIT   All   Turn on/off any or all guitar effects with one button
Compressor Effect   Compressor   Compressor pedal effect controls for every preset – with dedicated on/off footswitch
Amp Simulations   Amp   Dozens of handcrafted amp simulations, British and American, with unparalleled parameter control for complete customization
Pan Guitar Per Preset   Preset   Pan your guitar to create brand new sounds
Complete EQ Control   Preset   Change your guitar EQ for each preset – or globally
Acoustic Mode   System Menu   Quickly set the entire VL3 box for acoustic guitar use
Hard Gate   System Menu   Fast response, quick release gate to eliminate guitar noise and use as an effect
Guitar Tuner   Preset UP/DOWN   Customizable tuner with easy access via UP/DOWN footswitches. Also engages TALK MODE when pressed
Multiple Guitar Out Paths   System Menu   Choose your output type based on where you want VoiceLive 3 to send your guitar sounds

Loop
Feature                      FX Block                    Description
3-Phrase Loops (Verse, Chorus, Bridge)      Song building style looper with 3 independent phrases
LoopAssist™      Helps put your loop button presses on time for seamless loops
Store Loops      Save your loops in up to 10 independent loop sessions. Loop sessions contain all performance settings and each store up to 3 loop tracks, for a total of 30 available loop tracks
Independent Stereo Looping of Vocal and Guitar   Output   Vocal loops outputs to stereo/mono XLR while guitar loops outputs to separate stereo/mono TRS
Loops Per Preset      Associate a loop with a preset, so it loads with it
45 Minutes of Non-Volatile Loop Storage      Use all of it for one loop or distribute it across all available loop tracks.
Variable Loop Lengths      Record a short 1st loop, then record a longer loop over it, or vice versa. Loop tracks can be of any length and can synchronize with each other automatically
Serial Mode      Queue up to 3 phrases which can play end to end when you switch them.
Swap      Swap between B and C loop phrases while "A" loop plays
New Metronome Sounds      Kickdrum, Stick, Shaker, Tambourine, Cowbell
Auto Metronome Mute      Listen to the click only until your first loop is recorded
Input Select On The Fly      Change your loop input (Guitar, Voice, Aux or combinations) from a standing position
Loop Level Control   Mix Screen   Control the loop output level
Easy Access to Main Loop Controls      Direct loop control via dedicated footswitches in Loop Layer mode

User Interface
Feature                      Description
3 Layers UI Philosophy   Completely independent Vocal, Guitar and Loop controls/modes
Remappable Buttons   Customize your unit like never before! Map ANY effects button to ANY of the 6 footswitches on the right
Mixed Layers   Move buttons from one "layer" to another for custom control. E.g. Put guitar "Drive" on a "vocal layer" footswitch
Easy Graphical Top Level Editing   Simple graphical controls for effects with most used controls right at the top, while retaining massive edit capability
Per Preset Volume   If a preset is too loud or quiet, you can adjust the overall effects level per preset
Auto Vocal and Guitar Level Set   Set both your levels at the same time automatically
Genre/Favorite Preset Categories   Sort and organize presets by type, sound, or genre. Create a custom playlist of your favorite presets
All HIT or Guitar/Vocal HIT   Turn on/off any or all effects – across layers – with one button press
Overall Reverb Level Mix   Turn up/down all reverb levels across all presets with one control
Talk Volume Trim   Boost or cut your talk/bypass volume
System Wide Tempo   One tempo to rule them all. Syncs guitar and vocal delays plus rhythmic and looper
Global Sounds   Lock down your favorite effects and use them on any preset
All Mute   Mute your guitar and vocal output for breaks etc.
More Preset Room   100 more preset slots than VoiceLive 2
Global Presets   Special presets containing effect settings you want to stay consistent from preset to preset
Access to All Presets via VoiceSupport   Access our back catalog of presets (1000+ presets for free download)
More Mic Control Options   Extra Mic Control options, e.g. preset/step
MIDI CC Excludes for CC7 and CC88   Exclude both Volume and Hi Res Pitch Bend info from CC's
System Info Tab   Press and hold "GENRE" to easily see your firmware version, serial number etc.

Inputs/Outputs
Feature                                              Description
4 Channel Stereo Out (Vocal + Guitar)   Great for recording stereo vocals and guitar separately. Guitar OUT features correct impedance etc. for connection directly to a guitar amp
Guitar THRU   Send an unprocessed guitar signal thru to your amp and FX chain – while still controlling vocal Harmony/HardTune effects
Combo Jack for Main In   No separate Line In. Both XLR and TRS on same jack
Input sensing (Aux/Mon)   Plugging in Aux or Monitors will set levels appropriately
Output sensing (guitar)   Plugging in Guitar Out will remove guitar signal from XLR outputs automatically
Fixed or Variable Guitar Output   Fixed output for sending to guitar amp, variable for FRFR amplification or recording
Monitor IN/THRU   Input for a monitor mix and pass-through for other monitors. Headphone only
Independent Headphone Mix   Completely different mix in your IEM's or headphones
Use Included Guitar & Headphone Cable for IEM's   Combine guitar and headphone cables into one easy-to-use setup
RoomSense™ for Ambient Monitoring   Add some of the surrounding room sounds to your headphone/IEM mix
Switch-3   Add our assignable 3-button external footswitch to the control setup for VL3
Expression Pedal x2   You can use 2 different expression/volume pedals at the same time. Per preset assignment possible
Mute Aux to Main   Decide whether your Aux signal (e.g. backing tracks) goes out the main outputs

Platform
Feature                                                      Description
100% Re-Designed Analog and Digital I/O   The electronic and software platform for VoiceLive 3 was completely redesigned from the ground up
3iC Processing   3 independent processor cores dedicated solely to vocals, guitar and looping. More than double the processing power of VoiceLive 2
Capacitive Touch Buttons   Easy touch interface for main menu buttons
Push Button Control Knob   Push the control knob to quickly set a favorite preset
Multi-Color Foot Switch LEDs   See which effects/controls you're accessing at a glance
Power Cable Strain Relief   Prevent cable from pulling out during a show
Kensington Lock   Keep your VL3 safe in both retail and traveling situations



http://www.tc-helicon.com/products/voicelive-3/

Discover all the new features in VoiceLive 3
Ultimate Gets an Upgrade
Imagine the perfect sound engineer taking your vocals to awe-inspiring heights. Imagine the rich tones of a premium stomp box collection. Imagine a songwriting tool setting your creativity on fire, both when writing and performing. Now stop imagining.
With VoiceLive® 3 you get the ultimate 3-in-1 professional performance system for vocals, guitar and phrase looping – and it will rock your world!
A complete vocal sound with next generation harmony processing, effects and tonal quality.
TC Electronic stomp box effects, Amp Tones and dedicated stereo amp outputs to integrate fully with your guitar rig.
Powerful 3-phrase looping lets you create and store entire songs on-the-fly.
Your Voice, Front and Center
Vocals are what we live for, and VoiceLive 3 is a true labor of love. With a mind-blowing vocal effects path more comprehensive than anything created before – featuring 11 independent effects blocks, over 180 different styles, and more than 250 factory presets available right out of the box (and more available for free download) – VoiceLive 3 represents the absolute pinnacle of singer's technology and the perfect partner for your voice.

NEW! Exciting new Harmony modes – Pedal, Fixed, and Mixed-Mode – for expanded voicing and musical possibilities.
NEW! Authentic Vocoder with voice-controlled polyphonic synth and robot modes allow you play your voice like an instrument.
Automatically and professionally produced vocal sound with enhanced Adaptive Tone™.
Improved suite of our renowned vocal effects, e.g. Doubling, Harmony, Echo, Reverb, HardTune, Flanger, Chopper, Choir, and more. Upgrades include new delay filters, new HardTune styles, better sounding doublings and even more realistic harmonies.
250+ factory presets, with onboard storage for 500 presets in total. Download and manage more presets via our free VoiceSupport app.
Styles from TC Electronic TonePrint pedals inside!

No-Compromise Guitar FX and Amp Tones
Our sister company is legendary guitar FX maker, TC Electronic, and by including some of the most popular sounds from their TonePrint pedals like Flashback Delay, Hall of Fame Reverb, Corona Chorus, and Vortex Flanger we've designed the Guitar section of VoiceLive 3 to rival even the most pristine pedal boards. Add to that the full gamut of great tone classics such as wah, octave, tremolo, and drive, and you've got an unbeatable guitar road kit.
TC Electronic TonePrint FX styles from Flashback Delay, Hall of Fame Reverb, Corona Chorus and others.
New Talk box, Chopper, Bass, Wah, and Drive guitar effects.
A wide choice of amp emulations from vintage British to classic American, when bringing your own amp isn't practical.
Acoustic Mode allows for quick set up of VoiceLive 3 for acoustic guitar.
Guitar chords automatically guide vocal Harmony, HardTune, Synth and Vocoder effects.

Sound Examples
http://www.tc-helicon.com/products/voicelive-3/Separate stereo outputs for vocals and guitar


Dedicated Vocal PA and Guitar Out
What makes VoiceLive 3 stand out is the dedicated stereo vocal and stereo guitar amp outputs. Send your guitar sound directly to your favorite amp, completely independent of the vocal output going to the PA.
The killer feature is that this also works if you're looping; the stereo vocal loops go to the PA while the stereo guitar loops go separately to the amps.
VoiceLive 3 - multi-track looping

Building Better Songs with Loops

VoiceLive 3's looping allows you to experiment with real-time song creation or exciting loop jams. Arrange and re-arrange backing tracks with flexible verse-chorus-bridge switching. The LoopAssist™ function helps you make tighter loops effortlessly and auto-expands loops to allow different lengths. 45 minutes of looping time and infinite overdubs let you create entire sets of songs – and store them for instant recall.
Powerful multi-track looper with intuitive control layout and infinite overdubs.
3-phrase looping with 4 selectable layering and serial techniques help you create intricate songs and on-the-spot re-arrangements.
LoopAssist™ with multi-purpose metronome and quantize for perfectly synced loops.
Auto expansion of loop length allows you to create long loops on top of short ones, and vice versa, without having to set up timing beforehand.
Loops can be stored onboard and recalled together with presets.


Next Generation 3iC Power Platform
VoiceLive 3 - 3iC Processing While the form factor of VoiceLive 3 continues the tradition for VoiceLive 2 and VoiceLive Rack, look under the hood and you'll discover an entirely different kind of beast. Sporting our new 3iC processing, VoiceLive 3 features cutting-edge hardware with 3 independent cores dedicated solely to vocals, guitar and looping. Match these with increased memory and lightning fast access and you're looking at more than double the processing power of our previous benchmark, VoiceLive 2.
Portable Command Center
We spent a lot of time figuring out the most effective I/O options to make VoiceLive 3 a flexible and extremely portable command center for your performance. On top of dedicated stereo PA and Guitar outputs you get separate monitor and headphone mix outputs, with a monitor mix input. Also included are our RoomSense™ microphones for controlling harmony and adding ambience to your monitor mix, as well as two control inputs for expression pedals or Switch-3.
4-channel stereo outputs with dedicated vocal and guitar channels.
Independent headphone and monitor mix.
Combo Jack for Main inputs and automatic input/output sensing.
Monitor mix input and pass-through to other monitors.
VoiceLive 3 - Performance Control


Total Performance Control

VoiceLive 3 is designed to empower you and your performance, giving you easy access to presets, sounds and switching between them, while providing complete customization of switch functions and deep edit control. Use the LAYER button to change between the vocals, guitar and loop control layers. Each mode gives you instant access to layer-specific functions via the footswitches, with the LCD display showing a clear view of which footswitch controls what effect.
Consistent 3-layer UI philosophy. Vocals, Guitar and Looping each have their own 6-button layout.
Stompbox-style access to individual effects and loop controls.
LCD display shows current footswitch labels.
Complete customization of footswitch assignments across layers to suit your personal style and requirements.
But Wait... There's More!
VoiceLive 3 literally has hundreds of additional features to make you stand out as a singer, guitar player and performer. And if you're upgrading from VoiceLive 2, there are dozens of new functions to discover and an army of upgrades and improvements.
Discover EVERYTHING new VoiceLive 3 has to offer by visiting the Features Overview page.

Details
VoiceLive 3 - Guitar & Headphone Combo Cable
Guitar & Headphone Cable

VoiceLive 3 comes with a specially designed combination Guitar & Headphone Cable that facilitates in-ear monitoring and allows you to practice without an amp – and gives you ample freedom to move while you rock out.
Endless Styles and Genres
The GENRE feature allows you to easily browse hundreds of presets by style, effects type and artists. Choose a genre that suits you and VoiceLive 3 will list the presets that fit your preference. Perfect for when you're looking for that specific sound or need inspiration for your next song.
Make It a HIT
The HIT button turns on multiple effects at once to add effect layers or to create quick A/B scenes for each preset. Use it to add dazzling vocal effects for the chorus, or strip down a guitar part for the verse, or even a combination of both vocal and guitar effects changes – you decide!
Get Loud, No Clipping
The automatic Mic Gain feature takes the guesswork out

Elantric

#3




Here are the effects that are assignable to MIDI CC# control.
MIDI CC List
For effects that can be switched on or off: Value 1-63 = off, 64-127 = on
CC No.
1
Harmony Vibrato Boost
16
Guitar – Rhythmic
17
Guitar – Delay
19
Guitar – Compressor
21
Guitar – ?Mod
23
Guitar – Octaver
25
Guitar – Amp
27
Guitar – Wah
29
Guitar – Boost
30
Vocal Harmony – Key (C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A, A#, B) – values 0-11 respectively
31
Vocal Harmony – Scale (MAJ1, MAJ2, MAJ3, MIN1, MIN2, MIN3, CUST) – values 0-7 respectively
46
Guitar – Reverb
47
Guitar – HIT
50
Vocal – Vocoder/Synth
51
Vocal – Rhythmic
56
Vocal – HIT
104
Vocal – Choir
110
Vocal – Harmony
111
Vocal – Double
112
Vocal – Reverb
113
Vocal – HardTune
115
Step – value represents Step Number, i.e. 1 = Step 1, 2= Step 2 etc.
116
Vocal – ?Mod
117
Vocal – Delay
118
Vocal – Transducer
119
Harmony Hold
123
ALL NOTES OFF


And it supports the TC "SWITCH 3" - which is identical to the Digitech Fs3x three button footswitch via 1/4" TRS jack.


SW3-1 / SW3-2 / SW3-3 parameters These parameters are only available when the Footswitch jack parameter has been set to Switch-3.
Each Switch-3 footswitch can be assigned to one of the following controls:
– Step
– Pitch Corr(ection)
– All Mute (Guitar and Vocal mute) – ?Mod
– Delay
– Reverb
– Vocal HIT
– Double
– Harmony
– Transducer
– HardTune
– Rhythmic
– Stutter
– Choir
– Synth
– Harm(ony) Hold*
– Set Key
– Tap Tempo
– Bypass
– G ?Mod
– G Delay
– G Reverb
– G HIT
– G Comp
– G Drive
– G Amp
– G Rhythm
– G Octaver
– G Wah
– G Mute
– All HIT
– Looper**


And there is an Expression Pedal Jack for 2nd Expression Pedal.

Expr(ession) Pedal
Function parameter
If you have connected a second expression ped- al to the Footswitch jack, use the Expr(ession) Pedal Function parameter to assign a function to this expression pedal.
The second expression pedal can be assigned to one of the following controls:
– Off
– Lead Octave Down
– Lead Octave Up
– Harmony Octave Down
– Harmony Octave Up
– Harmony + DoubleLevel
– Delay + Reverb Level
– Harmony Level
– Double Level
– Vocals ?Mod Level
– Vocals Delay Level
– Vocals Reverb Level
– Synth Level
– Lead Level
– Vocal ?Mod + Delay + Reverb Level – Vocal Level
– Aux Level
– Vocal Delay Sends
– Vocal Reverb Sends
– Rhythm Depth
– Rhythm Division
– Stutter Division
– Guitar ?Mod Level
– Guitar Delay Level
– Guitar Reverb Level
– Guitar Delay + Reverb Level
– Guitar Rhythmic Depth
– Guitar Rhythmic Division – Guitar Amp Post Gain
– Guitar Amp Pre Gain
– Guitar Level
– Guitar Pan
– Looper Level
– Headphone Level
– Guitar Delay Send – Guitar Reverb Send

bbob

I feel a $800 GAS attack coming on.   ::)


thebrushwithin

This might be a really nice "all in one" solution for a solo guitarist/vocalist, with backing tracks. Plug in some IEMs, send all of it to the mains system, and that is a very compact system. Really tempting!
I hope their reliability has improved over the previous models, as I have had some reoccurring issues with the original, and have read of some issues with the Voice Live Touch. That really would be my only concern, as their quality of function and sound is wonderful, but if it goes down, and you are using it as an all in one solution, you are screwed, unless you live nearby. Still it would be great to carry a backpack and a guitar, and have a full band sound. Still leaning toward a small IOS, or MacBook system, though!

mbenigni

First I've heard of this.  Um... wow!

big_jan


Vade

+1 on the group buy. Here's a bit of info on the usb's from the VoiceLive forums. There's also some questions being raised about the looper over there that might be relevant.

VoiceLive 3 usb
Q.  I want to control my new VL3 from my iPod Touch 5 (Lightning port, IOS7).  Do I need a piece of hardware in the middle, such as the iRig MIDI, and then go from there via MIDI in/out cables to the VL3, or can I just go from the 8-pin Lightning connector of the iPod directly to the USB port of the VL3?
A.  You'd need to be able to send MIDI over the Lightning cable to a USB Mini jack, not the host port.
Q.  So is it safe to assume that I can go into either one of the VL3's two USB ports?
A.  As far as I am aware the Mini USB Port is the USB port used for MIDI etc.
The Larger USB Port is a USB Host port for the VoiceLive 3, that is it does not send any midi out it currently is used for firmware updates vis USB DATA Stick, and may have extra storage facilities and functions in future firmwares.

http://support.tc-helicon.com/forums/21570831-VoiceLive-1-2-3
Drachen; Fender FTP Strat w/internal GK-3, Godin xtSA w/FTP, Boss GP-10, VoiceLive 3, Scarlett 18i8, ZBox IQ01, On-Lap 1502i, D:fine 4088, 4E Dual Axis Exp Pedal, VoiceSolo FX-150, Yamaha DXR 10, Gem. M2 Flute, Special 20 Harmonicas. Fender Deluxe Reverb Mahogany Cane.

https://soundcloud.com/vadie

supernicd

For what it's worth, from my experience with the VL2, TC Helicon has been one of those companies that is generous with firmware updates.  With the VL2, anyway, they not only fixed bugs but added new features over its lifetime.  Of course that is no guarantee they'll continue this tradition, but thought it was worth mentioning.  I do take that into consideration with new music tech purchases.

Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

mbenigni

#11
QuoteStore Loops      Save your loops in up to 10 independent loop sessions. Loop sessions contain all performance settings and each store up to 3 loop tracks, for a total of 30 available loop tracks
Independent Stereo Looping of Vocal and Guitar   Output   Vocal loops outputs to stereo/mono XLR while guitar loops outputs to separate stereo/mono TRS
Loops Per Preset      Associate a loop with a preset, so it loads with it
45 Minutes of Non-Volatile Loop Storage      Use all of it for one loop or distribute it across all available loop tracks.
Variable Loop Lengths      Record a short 1st loop, then record a longer loop over it, or vice versa. Loop tracks can be of any length and can synchronize with each other automatically
Serial Mode      Queue up to 3 phrases which can play end to end when you switch them.
Swap      Swap between B and C loop phrases while "A" loop plays
New Metronome Sounds      Kickdrum, Stick, Shaker, Tambourine, Cowbell
Auto Metronome Mute      Listen to the click only until your first loop is recorded

This sounds like an absolutely AMAZING looper!!!  I'm eagerly awaiting news of a group buy.  And if it turns out that can't happen, I'll probably just order one at the going street price.  I might even consider selling my Kemper to make room for this.  It just sounds like an amazing amount of fun in one box.

Re: "Record a short 1st loop, then record a longer loop over it"... what in the world took so long?!?

Absolute GAS attack.  Just when I thought I was done for a while.   ::)

mbenigni

#12
Quote from: SuperNiCd on February 05, 2014, 02:15:04 PM
Wonder how the amp models in the VL3 sound.  Helicon's effects are typically outstanding but I'm not sure I've ever heard them do amp modeling.

Agreed, this is the only wildcard here.  The vocal effects are excellent, and I'm absolutely drooling over the integrated looper.  I think it's a safe bet that the stompbox effects will be great as well.  The claim that the VoiceLive 3 offers "unprecedented control" of amp settings is not supported by the user's manual IMO.  It basically comes down to parametric EQ and the ability to dial in more/less gain.  But, if the included models sound decent out of the box, that might be fine.  Either way, the whole package looks like a steal at $800 street.

BackDAWman

I have the GTX Play. I haven't used the guitar modelling for quite a while. I'll revisit them tonight and let you know. From memory the stomp boxes were very good but the amp modelling was just okay. That's not to say that they haven't improved them though. They sound quite usable on the demo clips.

mbenigni

In stock today at Sweetwater.  Trying hard to resist the early-adopter pull.  This thing went from "never heard of it" to "available right now" in the course of a couple of days.  I expected a couple of months of vapor-ware waiting.  The last time I was jonesing for a new looper was the Pigtronix Infinity, and that took ages... and then I thought the functionality was a little disappointing anyway.  (And that thing cost $600, just for the looper.)

supernicd

Pretty sure they had them in stock at Sweetwater before.  They were including a free TC microphone and carrying bag, I think, as an early adopter bonus.  Guessing they sold out of those super quick; wish I'd jumped on it. :)

Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

mbenigni

Yeah, it's entirely possible they were just temporarily sold out when I first noticed this thread, and I assumed they hadn't been released yet.

I've been obsessed with this thing for the past few days.   :o

supernicd

It does look awesome.  I can tell you the VL2 is awesome, as I have one.  The looper on it is actually pretty great, and they've improved that plus added a whole guitar suite.  The only thing I don't like is that they took away the S/PDIF port.  Guess you can't have everything.  It's definitely on my watch list, though I'm GAS poor at the moment from a recent VG-99 acquisition. :)  Probably for the best, it will take all my cycles for a while, learning that.
Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

Elantric

Also know that TC Helicon has released a new version of this same pedal every 18 months - so if you can wait until summer 2015  - the Voicelive 3 can be had for under $500 by then.

Of course you will instead prefer the  latest 2015 era Voicelive4, that is sure to follow.   

mbenigni

QuoteOf course you will instead prefer the  latest 2015 era Voicelive4, that is sure to follow.

And so it goes... :)

I've been doing some research on the older VL's, to see whether any of them might fit the bill.  But this is the first with this crazy looper.  As for the inevitable VL4, I guess it would depend on what was improved (i.e. guitar enhancements are more tempting than vocal enhancements for me.)  But in general, yes, I do tend to gravitate to latest and greatest, for better or for worse.  I figure if you're going to pony up the cost of entry, you may as well spend what it takes to put a smile on your face.

Anyway, I won't be able to justify this expense unless I sell something else of equal or greater value.  I've got a couple of guitars potentially on the block; maybe one them will turn into a Voicelive.

If you manage to come through with a group buy between now and then, all the better.  But of course I respect your "no promises" comment above.

FreeTime

I've tried several brands of vocal effects, the TC units sound the least 'sterile' to me. Even just hitting the 'tone' button does de-essing, gating, comp and eq making for a markedly improved tone; the doubling and harmonies are just a great bonus, not to mention the standard effects. I usually ask for a dry/flat input into the board, 9 times out of 10 it sounds very good when I get to add my own reverb and things I'm used to.

A couple of caveats: The editor/librarian sucks. Unless you have highspeed internet expect to wait a few minutes while things load before you can edit/save/load your patches. Maybe this was fixed for the VL3 but I doubt it; Voicesupport checks for updated content for every TC product every time it starts. Just as a test I'm starting the program right now, its  been loading for over 3 minutes (its downloading VL3 firmware as I type), I blame expectation that everyone has a great internet connection.

The second is the CC assignments. I use a FC-300 with a programmed momentary footswitch to bring the harmonies in and out quickly without tapdancing, TC uses CC#110 for that  and sadly the FC300 only sends up to CC#95. The solution is to use something like MIDI-OX to translate, not too much of a bother since the laptop is with me but it is another thing to potentially go wrong ( I have lost the translation table before for no reason and it takes a bit to rebuild, I now have a piece of paper with the #'s on it in my gigbag).

This box is just a natural companion for a FTP/VG99/GR55 and  anyone that sings. If you don't sing you should, its good for the soul. I'm excited to see if this will make the group buy.

supernicd

You bring up some great points, Freetime - some that I didn't know about and one that I forgot about.  The editor for the VL2 does in fact suck, in the sense that it is nonexistent.  Unless they've released something I don't know about, it is purely a librarian.  Editing patches on the VL2 is a very similar experience to editing patches on the GR-55 prior to gumtown putting his wizard's hat on and fixing that for all of us.  You edit on the unit itself, changing numbers on a bright blue backlit LCD display.  It's not quite as crazy with submenus as the GR-55.  While this doesn't bother me all that much, it does seem like a fully functional computer editor should come included with an $800 piece of hardware.

I honestly never did any MIDI control of the unit.  Just used an M-Audio expression pedal into the 1/4" jack in the back.  It's a little disappointing to hear that the VL2 is hardcoded to a partidular CC#, and even more disappointing to hear that the FC-300 does not go above CC 95.  I only recently acquired an FC-300 and assumed it would be the end all be all of MIDI foot controllers (priced accordingly :)).  Stopping at CC 95 seems like a strange and artificial limitation that didn't need to be implemented...

But back to the good stuff.  I really like that it can follow MIDI notes for harmony.  E.g hook up a keyboard and play a C7 chord, sing a C note, and a C7 comes out.  I also really like the transducer effect.  You can get some really wild and different stuff out of it.

I have't used the VL2 live for a while, mostly because I'm in a band with 4 good vocalists, so it seems kind of superfluous.  I do still use it for processing recorded vocals, and it can really put the pro polish on them.

A group buy is enticing.  Wonder what VL2s are going for on eBay...
Strat w/ GK-3, Godin LGXT
VG-99, GR-55, GP-10
---------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmyward

This thing sounds real cool. But now i only play for fun. $800 won't pass the wife test. I'm thinking of selling my GR-55, Fender RR Strat, digitech vocalist live 3 and Ditto looper. to get one. I'll have to think on that some. I'm Getting itchy.

gumtown

Quote from: Jimmyward on February 13, 2014, 04:12:03 PM
This thing sounds real cool. But now i only play for fun. $800 won't pass the wife test. I'm thinking of selling my GR-55, Fender RR Strat, digitech vocalist live 3 and Ditto looper. to get one. I'll have to think on that some. I'm Getting itchy.
Just sell the wife -problem solved  ;D
Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

Jimmyward

Quote from: gumtown on February 13, 2014, 04:17:29 PM
Just sell the wife -problem solved  ;D

Had her for 32yrs, depreciating values not a good idea