DigiTech VOCALISTWEX User Manual
VERSION EX 1.2
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
ManufacturerÕs Name: IVL Technologies Ltd.
per DigiTech specifications
ManufacturerÕs Address: 6710 Bertram Place
Victoria, B.C.
Canada V8M 1Z6
declares that the products:
DigiTech Vocalist Performer
conform to the following product specifications:
EMC: EN 55022 (1987):
CISPR 22 (1993) Class B
EN 50082-1 (1992)
Supplementary Information:
The product herewith complies with the requirements of the EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC (1989) as amended by the CE Marking
Directive 93/68/EEC (1993).
IVL Technologies Ltd.
6710 Bertram Place
Victoria, B.C.
Canada V8M 1Z6
February 19, 1997
Peter George, Vice President of Engineering
European Contact: Your local DigiTech Sales and Service Office
or
International Sales Office
3 Overlook Drive Unit #4
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031, USA Tel (603) 672-4244 Fax
(603) 672 4246
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Program List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Setup Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Audio Connection Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
MIDI Connection Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Performance Setting Levels, Generating a Good Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Loading Programs from the Front Panel,The LCD Display Window .12
The Harmony Controls, Understanding the Five Harmony Types: . . .13
Chordal, Scalic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Vocoder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Chromatic, Pitch Correct, Changing Harmonies with the Softkeys . .16
Editing Using Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Gender . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Detune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Vibrato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Reverb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Harmony Editing, Changing Softkey Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Editing Individual Harmony Styles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Customizing A Harmony, Naming Programs and Styles . . . . . . . . . . 30
Storing Your Edits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Utilities MIDI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
MIDI Selection of Key and Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
MIDI Keyboard Split Point, MIDI Song Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
MIDI Program Dump Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Initialization Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Footswitch Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
User Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Synthesizer Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Audio Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Song Mode Playing, Creating, Editing, Naming, Arranging Songs . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Basic Harmony Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Appendix 1 Specifications
Appendix 2 - MIDI MIDI Implementation chart
MIDI Messages
MIDI SysEx Dump Formats
MIDI SysEx Parameters
Decimal / Binary / Hex equivalents
# Program Name Program Type
1 Silky Thickener Auto Doubling
2 Stereo Doubler
3 Mono Doubler
4 Group Doubler
5 Octave Down
6 Octave Up
7 Up and Down
8 Blow Me Down Special Effects
9 Cher A Like
10 Cyberian One
11 Cyberian Two
12 Cyberian Three
13 I Can't Sing
14 Ethyl Merman
15 Barry Tone
16 Oakridge Chordal Harmony
17 Steve ÔNÕ Edie
18 Heavenly
19 One Up On Ya
20 Midgrade
21 Take Six
22 Barber Pole
23 Fill ÔEr Up
24 Deep Choir
25 Double Up
26 Keyboard:Notes Vocoder
27 Keyboard: Male
28 Keyboard: Female
29 Keyboard: Mixed
30 Keyboard: Scoops
31 Keyboard: Layer
32 Keyboard: Stereo
33 Keyboard: Plain
34 Keyboard: 4 chan
35 Keyboard: Auto Trans
36 Everlys Scalic Harmony
37 Eagles
38 Manhattan
39 Doobies
40 Thirds Below
41 Nashville
42 Cluster Six
43 Deep Six
44 Suite Judy
45 Third & Gender
46 PCorr 1 hit note Pitch Correction
47 PCorr 2 Maj scale
48 PCorr 3 Min scale
49 PCorr 4 Nearest semi
50 PCorr 5 2 semi bend
Control Hints
Sing or play a vocal track. No front panel or MIDI
input required
Sing or play a vocal track. No front panel or MIDI
input required
Play chords on a MIDI keyboard or the front panel
while you sing. The harmony voices will move with
your voice.
Play individual notes or chords on a MIDI keyboard
while you sing. The harmony voices will not move
automatically with your voice.
Play one note only for thick effect
Requires 4 MIDI channels to work
Select the key and scale of your song from the front
panel. Once you have set the key and scale there is
no more button pushing required beyond activating
Bypass. Experiment with different Major and Minor
scales by pressing the softkeys under the LCD.
Hit a note from the front panel or a MIDI keyboard
Select the key from the front panel keyboard
Select the key from the front panel keyboard
Sing - all notes will be corrected
Use the pitch wheel on a MIDI keyboard
Vocalist Workstation EX Program List
3
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations and thank you for purchasing the DigiTech Vocalist
Workstation EX. This product incorporates a high quality, editable reverberation effect with the innovative vocal harmony technology that has
made DigiTech a world leader in vocal harmony processing. We are confident you will be satisfied with its ease of use, elegant ergonomic design
and sound quality whether your application is live performance or studio
recording.
The Vocalist Workstation EXÕs features include:
❷ up to 5 part harmony generation including input vocal
❷ harmony voice ÒgenderÓ feature
❷ extensive ÒhumanizingÓ options
❷ front panel mixing for quick access during performance
❷ built-in digital reverb
❷ transmits and receives single program dumps from Studio Vocalist
and/or another Vocalist Workstation
❷ bright LCD display
❷ 8 softkeys for additional harmony options and to simplify editing
❷ one octave front panel keyboard for key and chord entry
❷ song mode for harmonies without MIDI
❷ comprehensive MIDI SysEx implementation: many parameters are
accessible via MIDI
4
AC & GROUNDING INFORMATION
The Vocalist Workstation EX is equipped with an AC adapter.
Use only the 9.75V AC, 820mA adapter supplied with the
Vocalist Workstation EX (Harmon Pro Group PS750). Any other
adapter may cause damage to the Vocalist Workstation EX.
The Vocalist Workstation EX, like any piece of computer hardware, is sensitive to voltage drops, spikes and surges. Interference
such as lightning or power ÒbrownoutsÓ can erase your program
memory, or even permanently damage the circuitry inside the unit.
Here are some suggestions to help protect your Vocalist
Workstation EX from such a fate:
¥ Turn it off when not in use: Make a habit of turning off all of
your gear when it is not in use. If there is a lightning or severe
windstorm, unplug all of your equipment: A surge from a nearby lightning strike or downed power line can destroy electronic
equipment even if the switch is off.
¥ Use Spike and Surge Protectors: An inexpensive solution to all
but the most severe of AC line conditions. Surge protected
power strips are usually only slightly more expensive than
unprotected strips, and higher quality multi-stage surge suppressors are usually under $50 Ð a worthy investment for the
protection of all your valuable electronic equipment.
¥ Use AC Line Conditioners: This is the best and most expensive
way to protect your Vocalist Workstation EX from line voltage
fluctuations. Line conditioners constantly monitor the incoming voltage for excessive peaks and dips and make adjustments
accordingly, thereby delivering consistent power levels. For
very expensive equipment, AC line conditioners are an
absolute requirement.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The symbols shown below are internationally accepted symbols
that warn of potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning flash with arrowpoint in a equilateral triangle means that
there are dangerous voltages present within the unit. The exclamation point in an equilateral triangle indicates that it is necessary for
the user to refer to the ownerÕs manual,
These symbols warn that there are no user serviceable parts inside
the unit. Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to service the unit
yourself. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the
chassis for any reason will void the manufacturerÕs warranty. Do
not get the Vocalist Workstation EX wet. If liquid is spilled on the
unit, unplug it immediately and take it to a dealer for service.
Disconnect the equipment during storms to prevent damage.
WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION, PLEASE
READ THE FOLLOWING:
Water and Moisture: Appliance should not be used near water
(e.g. near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet
basement, or near a swimming pool, etc). Care should be taken so
that objects do not fall and liquids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a
power supply only of the type described in the operating
instructions or as marked on the appliance.
POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be
routed so that they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by
items placed upon or against them, paying particular attention
to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where
they exit from the appliance.
SERVICING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, the user
should not attempt to service the appliance beyond that
described in the operating instructions. All other servicing
should be referred to qualified service personnel.
LITHIUM BATTERY WARNING
CAUTION! This product contains a lithium battery. There is danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only
with an Sony CR2032 or equivalent. Make sure the battery is
installed with the correct polarity. Discard used batteries according to manufacturerÕs instructions.
ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosjonsfare. Ved utskifting
benyttes kun batteri som anbefalt (Sony CR2032) av apparatfabrikanten. Brukt batteri returneres apparatleverand¿ren.
ADVARSEL! Lithiumbatteri - Eksplosjonsfare ved fejlagtig
hŒndtering. Udskiftning mŒ kun ske med batteri av samme fabrik(Sony CR2032) at og type. LevŽr det brugte batteri tilbage til
leverand¿ren.
VAROITUS! Paristo voi rŠfŠhtŠŠ, jos se on virheellisesti asennettu. Vaihda paristo ainoastaan laitevalmistajan suosittelemaan
tyyppin (Sony CR2032). HŠvitŠ kŠytetty paristovalmistajan ohjeiden mukaisesti.
VARNING! Explosionsfar vid felaktigt batteribyte. AnvŠnd
samma batterityp eller en ekvivalent typ (Sony CR2032) som rekommenderas av apparattillverkaren. Kassera anvŠnt batteri enligt
fabrikantens instruktion.
ATTENTION! Il y a danger dÕexplsion sÕil y a remplacement
incorrect de la batterie. Remplacer uniquement avec une batterie
du m•me type (Sony CR2032) ou dÕun type Žquivalent recommandŽ par le constructeur. Mettre au rebut les batteries usagŽes
conformŽment aux instructions du fabricant.
ELECTROMAGNETIC COMPATIBILITY
This unit conforms to the Product Specifications noted on the
Declaration of Conformity. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
¥ this device may not cause harmful interference, and
¥ this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired operation. Operation of
this unit within significant electromagnetic fields should be
avoided.
¥ use only shielded interconnecting cables.
CAUTION
RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK
DO NOT OPEN
ATTENTION:RISQUE DE CHOC ELECTRIQUE - NE PAS OUVRIR
WARNING:TOREDUCETHE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRIC
SHOCK DO NOT EXPOSE THIS EQUIPMENTTO RAIN OR MOISTURE
5
FCC COMPLIANCE
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy
and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in
a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged
to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
¥ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
¥ Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
that may cause undesired operation.
¥ Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different
from that to which the receiver is connected
¥ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
1) This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numŽrique de la class B respecte toutes les exigences du R•glement sur le matŽriel brouilleur du Canada.
2) Complies with Canadian ICES-003 Class B
Conforme au R•glement Canadien NMB0003 Classe B
MANUAL
The information contained in this manual is subject to change at
any time without notification. Some information contained in this
manual may also be inaccurate due to undocumented changes in
the product or operating system since this version of the manual
was completed. The manual version status is printed on the front
cover. The information contained in this version of the ownerÕs
manual supercedes all previous versions.
6
SETUP
Front Panel
1234
567 8
1) LCD display Provides visual feedback of all operating modes including performance, edit-
ing and utility modes.
2) LED displays The Input LED monitors the incoming signal from the Mic and Line inputs.
The 0dB LED lights 3 dB before the onset of clipping.
The MIDI LED indicates that the Vocalist Workstation EX is receiving MIDI.
The Overflow LED indicates an overload of the digital signal processor. If it
lights, reduce the input gain or front panel mixer faders.
The Lock LED shows that the pitch detection circuitry has recognized the
input pitch.
3) Mode/Bypass button group The Factory button selects the factory-designed program bank for perfor-
mance or editing.
The User button selects the user-programmable bank for performance and
editing.
The Bypass button mutes the Harmony components from the mix, leaving the
Lead Vocal and Reverb. Note that if the Lead level is set to zero, Bypass will
mute all sound.
Utility mode allows access to system, MIDI, footswitch and user preference
configurations.
7
Song mode is for editing and performance of ÒsongsÓ which are sequences
of chord changes, key types and variations triggered by MIDI, the front
panel, or a footswitch.
4) Data Wheel In Factory, User and Song modes, the Data Wheel selects and loads programs. In Edit mode, it increases or decreases the value of the selected parameter.
5) The Softkeys These keys perform different functions in each different mode; They select
harmony variations in the Programs mode and configuration parameters in
the Program or Song Edit and Utilities modes. For further information on
how these relate to different Programs, see pages 13, 16 & 18.
The Left and the Right Arrow button become active when the ♦and ∅char-
acters are seen in the top corners of the LCD within Edit or Utility mode.
Pressing either of the page buttons will present the next or previous editing
screen.
6) Keyboard This one-octave keyboard allows you to input musical information such as
Key and Chord root note. The keyboard can also be used to select a cue-in
note, which is selectable from the Utilities menu.
7) Edit mode group The Edit button presents the parameter editing screens from within Factory,
User and Song modes.
The Exit button backtracks through successive menu layers in all editing and
programming modes.
The Store button offers the option of saving an edited program in the User
bank. For more information on editing Programs, see the Editing chapter.
8) Front Panel Mixer section These faders allow you to modify mix levels quickly. They are ÒglobalÓ
controls in that they affect all programs. They are also relative to the mixer
settings within each program. To allow you room to Ònudge the level up a
bitÓ and to reproduce the factory programs as they were mixed, you should
align the Lead, Harmony and Reverb faders with the raised bump placed at
70% of each faderÕs travel, which is called the Ònominal level".
The Lead level fader controls the amount of your dry, unprocessed voice in
the mix. If the Lead voice is turned off in any particular program, this control
will have no effect, and there will be no dry, unprocessed voice output from
the Workstation regardless of the Bypass position.
The Harmony level fader controls the level of the harmony voices in the
mix. If the Harmony voice is turned off in a particular program, this control
will have no effect
The Reverb Level fader controls the amount of reverb added to the combined lead and harmony voice mix. Each Program allows you to store unique
lead and harmony reverb levels.
The Input control varies the input level for the microphone and line inputs.
The raised bump in the control corresponds to 0 dB.
The Output control varies the output level for both left and right outputs
and the Headphone jack. The raised bump in the control corresponds to 0
dB at +4 dBu nominal, the professional standard for signal levels. If your
mixer accepts semi-pro signal levels (-10 dBu) you should reduce this
fader.
8
Back Panel
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1) Power Switch Turns the Vocalist Workstation EX on and off.
2) Power Input Use only the Harmon Pro Group PS750 9.75V AC, 820 mA power adapter
supplied with this unit.
3) MIDI section The MIDI input receives MIDI control and program information from
external MIDI devices such as keyboards and sequencers.
The MIDI output transmits system, specific button pushes and program
information which can be recorded and played back externally from a
sequencer. It also can transmit bulk system exclusive data to allow backup of user data on a MIDI sequencer or voice librarian.
The MIDI Thru jack transmits an exact copy of any MIDI information
received at the MIDI input.
4) Footswitch input This is for connection to a DigiTech FS-300 footswitch to provide
remote control of Bypass, Program and Song functions.
5) Headphone output 1/4" stereo jack for headphones.
6) Left and Right outputs These are the main mix outputs. They are TRS (tip, ring, sleeve) type to
send balanced or unbalanced signals, depending on the number of conductors in the connecting cable. These produce a nominal +4 dBu signal
level when the Lead, Harmony, Reverb and Output level faders are set at
their respective nominal bumps. For devices that operate at -10 dBu,
reduce the output level with the Output level fader.
A jack connected to the Left output only will receive a mono sum of the
stereo mix.
7) Line input This jack accepts mono line level audio from an external source. The
connector is TRS to accept balanced or unbalanced signals. This jack
overrides the mic input jack.
The +4/-10 switch matches the Vocalist Workstation EXÕs line input
level to the output level of your mixer. Consult your mixer manual to
determine itÕs output level. This is important to match correctly as excess
noise or distortion can result.
8) Mic input Balanced XLR jack for microphone-level signals. A cardoid, 1 kOhmimpedance type microphone is preferred.
9
Audio Connection Examples
Effect Processor
Mixing Console
Mixing Console
Audio Setup
The drawing at left represents the basic Vocalist Workstation
EX audio setup. You would most likely use this in live performance or if you are recording with a mixer that has a limited
number of inputs.
Connect as follows:
¥ Connect the microphone to the Mic input.
¥ Connect the Left and Right audio outputs to the inputs of
your mixer. For mono operation, connect the Left output
only.
The drawing at left represents a Vocalist Workstation EX
audio setup that gives additional control over the dry and
effect signal paths. You would most likely use this in recording or if you have a live performance mixer with enough
effects channels. This allows you to use separate processing
on the Lead and Harmony voices, i.e. EQ, compression, or an
external mic preamp such as the DigiTech VTP-1.
Connect as follows:
¥ Connect the microphone to an input channel of your mixer.
¥ Connect the effects send of your mixer to the Line input of
the Vocalist Workstation EX.
¥ Connect audio outputs Left and Right to either the effects
returns or the inputs of your mixer.
¥ Pull the Lead level fader on the Vocalist Workstation EX
down to zero. Note that this also removes any Lead voice
from the reverb. If you want the Vocalist Workstation EX to
provide reverb on the lead but no dry lead, leave the Lead
level fader up and set the Mix parameter, Lead Reverb
Wet/Dry mix to 100% wet. See page 23 for more details on
Mix parameters.
FX Send
FX Return or Line Input
10
Vocalist
Workstation
MIDI
Jacks
Synth Module(s)
Synth Module(s)
MIDI Keyboard
MIDI Keyboard
Sequencer
Sequencer
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
THRU
MIDI
IN
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
THRU
MIDI
IN
MIDI
OUT
MIDI
THRU
MIDI
IN
Audio
Recorder
with Vocal
Performance
sync
Vocalist
Workstation
MIDI
Jacks
Vocalist
Workstation
MIDI
Jacks
Basic MIDI Setup
This setup could be used for a live performance or live recording
situation. The Vocalist Workstation EX can recognize the chords
you play and output the appropriate harmony or you could use a
Vocoder preset to play the exact harmony notes you need. These
concepts are explained in greater detail later on in this manual.
Connect as follows:
¥ Connect the output of your controller keyboard to the MIDI in
of the Vocalist Workstation EX.
¥ Set your keyboard's MIDI transmit channel to 1 (the Vocalist
Workstation EX's default channel) or change the Vocalist
Workstation EX's MIDI receive channel to match your keyboard. See page 33 in the Utilities section for further details.
¥ Connect any MIDI sound modules to the MIDI thru jack.
Intermediate MIDI Setup
This configuration allows you to record key, chord and harmony
style change keystrokes from the front panel into a sequencer for
automated playback later. This could be useful for live vocal performances using sequenced backing tracks. You could also use
the sequencer to back up your edited patches to disk. If you do
extensive editing, it is very important to store backup copies of
your work.
Connect as follows:
¥ Connect the MIDI output of the Vocalist Workstation EX to
the input of your sequencer or storage device.
¥ Connect the output of the sequencer or storage device to the
Vocalist Workstation EX's input.
¥ The patch dump from the Vocalist Workstation EX to the stor-
age device must be initiated from the Vocalist Workstation EX.
The Vocalist Workstation EX can receive a patch dump at any
time. See page 42 in the Utilities section for further details.
Advanced MIDI Setup
The setup at left may be found in many audio and MIDI recording studios. The sequencer allows you to record and edit the keyboard performance that controls the harmony voices. Routing the
vocal performance through the Vocalist Workstation EX and
controlling it with the sequencer allows you to ÒcraftÓ exactly the
harmony performance you want. Connect as follows:
¥ Connect the MIDI output of your keyboard to the input of the
sequencer.
¥ Connect the MIDI output of the sequencer to the input of the
Vocalist Workstation EX.
¥ Connect your MIDI sound module(s) to the Vocalist
Workstation EX's Thru jack.
MIDI Connection Examples
11
PERFORMANCE
This chapter discusses the main operating features of the Vocalist
Workstation EX. It begins with setting the correct levels and proceeds
with discussions of the different harmony modes and their uses.
We assume that you have connected your Vocalist Workstation EX
according to the diagrams on the previous pages and that you are familiar
with the other devices in your system.
Setting the Input and Output Levels
First, move the input and output level controls down to the bottom position.
Input Level
Sing into the microphone and turn up the Input Level control until the
loudest passage you sing causes only brief peaks to register on the red
0dB LED. Too much input gain causes both the unprocessed (dry) vocal
signal and the harmony voices to distort. Too little gain and the Vocalist
Workstation EX will not produce harmonies at all.
Output Level
Once you have set the WorkstationÕs input level, sing into your mic and
bring the Output level fader up to the nominal level ÒbumpÓ at halfway
up the faderÕs travel. This will set the output level to nominal +4 dB. If
you are sending audio to a mixer input that operates at -10 dB, reduce
this control according to the mixerÕs input meters.
Generating a Good Signal
It is important that the singer perform as close as possible to the microphone in order to reduce unwanted harmonization of background noise.
In a quiet studio environment this is less critical but on a loud stage, the
singerÕs voice must be considerably louder at the microphone than any
other sounds.
It is also important to avoid using omnidirectional mics. They can pick
up reflections and noise that disrupt the Vocalist Workstation EXÕs pitch
detection. Use directional microphones only; these microphoneÕs pickup
patterns are generally called ÒcardoidÓ or Òhyper-cardoidÓ.
The Signal Lock LED turns on when the Vocalist Workstation EX recognizes the pitch of the input signal. If this LED turns on weakly or flashes
during sustained vocal notes, the input level must be increased either by
singing louder or adjusting the Input Level control.
12
Loading Programs
The Vocalist Workstation EX is shipped from the factory with the first
factory program selected once it is powered up. Turn the Data Wheel
knob to scroll through the different factory programs. Programs are
loaded automatically as you turn the wheel. Programs can also be loaded
via MIDI program change.
There are two banks of programs to choose from with 50 programs in
each. The ÒFactoryÓ or ÒUserÓ button will light up when either of these
banks are chosen. You can save edited programs into the User bank only.
See ÒStoring your EditsÓ for further details.
The LCD Display Window
When you load a new program, the LCD displays information you will
need in order to control the Workstation correctly. The following graphic
shows these details:
Program Number
Shows a number from 1 to 50.
Current Key/Chord Root
This two character field shows the current key or chord root note in
Scalic or Chordal harmony programs only.
Program Name
A name of up to 15 characters is shown here. There may be identical
names in the User bank if edits have been made.
Program Harmony Type
In Scalic or Chordal harmony programs only, this character will be either
a backlit ÒSÓ or ÒCÓ. The ÒSÓ shows that the program is based on a Scalic
harmony, while the ÒCÓ shows that the program is built on a Chordal harmony. These characters are available for your use in User programs in
the Program naming screen.
Indicator Arrow
This shows which of the available Harmony Styles is currently loaded. It
will move when you press the Softkeys to select another Harmony Style.
Available Harmony Styles
Each Program may have up to 8 different Harmony Style variations.
These variations are based on the Harmony Type featured in the current
program. Each ÒwindowÓ shows the first four characters of the style
name. For more information see the section called ÒUnderstanding the
Five Harmony TypesÓ.
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Current Harmony Style Full Name
This 12 character field shows the full name of the current Harmony
Style. The style naming conventions are are described in the
ÒUnderstanding the Five Harmony TypesÓ section.
The Harmony Controls
For musically correct harmonies to be generated automatically, you must
provide the Vocalist Workstation EX with some musical information. ItÕs
just like when you are playing with other musicians; they need to know
what chords youÕre playing in order to stay Òin keyÓ with you. You can
use either a MIDI keyboard or the WorkstationÕs one-octave keyboard
and 8 softkeys to provide this information.
When you load a Program, the eight softkeys are used to call up a different
harmony variations. Each Softkey corresponds to a harmony style on the
LCD display (see example below).
Several different harmony styles are assigned to each program so that you
donÕt have to load a completely different program when, for example, you
want to change from a major to a minor harmony.
Different Programs require different control input from you. For example, you can use the front panel keyboard (or MIDI keyboard notes) to
choose the root note of the chord in a Chordal Program, the Key in a
Scalic Program, or the actual harmony notes to be played in a Vocoder
Program.
Understanding the Five Harmony Types
Each program is based on one of five basic harmony types. The differences lie in the control method you choose and the sound you are after.
Note: The first harmony style (top left
softkey) is always
loaded when a new
program is loaded.
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The Vocalist Workstation EXÕs five basic harmony types are:
¥ Chordal These three Harmony types need musical
control from you as you are singing.
¥ Scalic
¥ Vocoder
¥ Chromatic These two Harmony types are for more
specific uses. Chromatic doesn't require
any special musical control. Used in Unison
presets to thicken the sound of the Lead vocal.
¥ Pitch Correct Pitch Correct can take input from a pitch bend
wheel, front panel keyboard or a MIDI note.
Chordal
You can tell a program is based on Chordal harmony when the upper right
hand character of the display shows a backlit ÒCÓ character. You will also
see first letter of the harmony style name shown in lower case letters (e.g.
maj, min, maj7). To use a Chordal harmony program, you must input each
chord in your song as it occurs. Chord input can come from chords you
play on a MIDI keyboard or from the front panel harmony controls. The
Vocalist Workstation EX has intelligent MIDI chord recognition to interpret the chord inversions you play to produce correct harmonies.
A chord has two parts: the root note and the type. An example of this
would be an A major 7th chord which has ÒAÓ as its root and Òmajor 7thÓ
as its type.
Uses: provides a constant chordal harmony ÒbedÓ that stays on the currently selected chord. Chordal harmonies automatically move harmony intervals so that they sound correct over your lead voice melody.
For examples of Chordal harmony, choose any of the Factory Programs 16
through 25. Choose a root note on the front panel keyboard and sing. As
you sing, use the softkeys to switch between major, minor and the other
chord types, and listen to how the harmony voices change.
Style naming conventions: The first 3 to 4 characters of the name show
the chord type such as maj, min, dom7 etc. The 2 to 7 characters following
the chord type show the arrangement of the harmony voices above and
below your voice. The number with an arrow beside it shows how many
scale intervals away from the input note the harmony will be and whether
it is above or below. The B character shows that a bass voice is present that
will move less than the other voices. Fixed means that the harmony voices
will move less too.
Scalic
You can tell a program is based on Scalic harmonies when the upper right
hand character of the display shows a backlit ÒSÓ character. The first letter
of the harmony style name is capitalized (e.g. Maj1 and Min1). Scalic harmony programs require that you to enter the key and scale which usually
needs to be done only once at the beginning of your song. In western popular music, the chords often revolve around a single scale such as A major
where ÒAÓ is the key and ÒmajorÓ is the scale around which all the chords
of the song are centered.
Programs based on Scalic harmony have a selection of different scales you
can choose from by pressing the softkeys. For example, the ÒEverlysÓ program (#36) has 3 different major scales and two minors as do many of the
other Scalic-based programs. The major scales differ only on the harmony
note generated on the fifth note of the scale i.e. Maj1 generates a major
chord, Maj2 generates a suspended chord and the Maj3 generates a minor
chord. The two minor scales differ in that they generate a major chord on
the fourth note (Min1) or a minor chord (Min2). This may seem a bit confusing so rely on your ears to make the appropriate choices.
Use: Scalic harmonies are more active in harmony motion where Chordal
tends to be less so. Scalic programs sound the most natural for popular
song harmony.
For examples of Scalic harmony, choose any of Factory Programs 36
through 45, choose the key on the front panel keyboard and sing. Notice
that as you sing up and down the melody, the Harmony voices stay very
close to you.
Style naming conventions: The first 3 to 4 characters of the name show
the scale type such as Major, Minor, Doriian etc. The next 3 to 5 characters show the voicing. For example: Òv3355Ó as found in the Eagles program shows that your lead voice (v) has doubled 3rd and doubled 5th harmonies above it. Numbers to the right show harmonies above and numbers
to the left show harmony voices below.
You may also see two additional characters ÒsmÓ and ÒstÓ. This displays
the setting of the Bending parameter, which determines whether the harmony voices will follow the lead vocal sliding smoothly between notes
(sm) or whether the harmony will not slide between notes but will jump
from scale note to scale note in a stepped fashion (st).
For more information on Chordal and Scalic harmony, see the Basic
Harmony Concepts chapter.
Vocoder
Vocoder mode is named after a completely different technology that functions in a similar way. It is not the familiar Òrobot voiceÓ sound. The
Vocalist Workstation EXÕs Vocoder mode does not feature intelligent harmony because you play the notes from a MIDI keyboard or the front panel
keyboard that you want to hear as harmonies. Vocoder mode is probably
the most flexible mode allowing you to weave intricate melody lines from
your MIDI keyboard that can be recorded and edited in a MIDI sequencer
like any other MIDI performance.
Use: Vocoder is for situations where neither a straight chord nor a parallel
harmony line will do. Since you directly control the notes being Òsung",
you can create counter-melodies and harmonies that go in different directions. While it is more efficient to use a MIDI keyboard in Vocoder programs, the front panel keyboard is active in these programs as well.
For examples of Vocoder harmony, try Factory Programs 26 through 35.
Hold down any chord up to four notes on the front panel keyboard or a
MIDI keyboard and sing. Keep in mind that no sound will come out unless
you are holding down some keys. Change the chord, and the Harmony
voices change. You don't even have to singÑpull the Lead Level control
all the way down, and talk into the mic as you play different notes on the
keyboard.
Note: Scalic harmony programs
that generate a
single 3rd interval
generally work for
more songs than
programs with a
combined 3rd and
5th.
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Chromatic
Chromatic mode does not require the Vocalist Workstation EXÕs intelligent harmony because the harmony notes always remain a fixed interval
away from the input note. This harmony type is used in programs that feature unison, octave, or fifth interval harmonies. You do not need to enter
key information when you load Chromatic harmony programs.
Use: Chromatic Harmony is good for fattening up a vocal (live or recorded, solo or group) by doubling the Lead with unison Harmonies, and
octave up or down harmonies.
For examples of Chromatic harmony, choose any of Factory Programs 1
through 7.
Pitch Correct
Pitch Correct mode is not intended for harmony. It offers you a method of
manipulating a singerÕs pitch when needed. The Vocalist Workstation EX
has five programs dedicated to Pitch Correction. Two of these are based
upon Pitch Correct mode and the remaining three use specially modified
Scalic and Chromatic modes to offer automatic operation.
Use: Pitch Correct is used to force an out-of-tune vocal performance into
the correct pitch. Use it to ÒrescueÓ a recorded track where the performance
is good but some of the notes are out of tune.
For examples of Pitch Correct, choose Programs 46 through 50. The program list at the beginning of this manual provides more tips on setup.
Changing Harmonies with the Softkeys
The softkeys below the LCD are offered in factory programs that are based
on Scalic and Chordal harmony. All other factory programs feature one
softkey selection only. The top left softkey assignment is automatically
loaded when you change programs.
In the Scalic harmony programs (#36 to 45) the softkeys allow you to
select different Major or Minor scales to provide the correct harmony for
your song. These scales have subtle differences that make a harmony
sound acceptable or not. Once you have entered the key of your song with
the front panel keyboard, you can try each scale to determine which is correct.
In the Chordal harmony programs (#16 to 25) the softkeys allow you to
select chord types. While this more easily done with a MIDI keyboard, the
softkeys allow easy access if no keyboard is available.
See ÒHarmony EditingÓ on page 26 for changing softkey assignments and
creating new harmony styles.
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17
EDITING
This chapter describes the general principles of editing in the Vocalist
Workstation EX and the individual editing modes in detail. To reduce the
amount of redundant information, the general procedures, menu system
and controls are described at the beginning of the chapter followed by
detailed discussions of each of the edit parameters.
The Harmony editing screens are split up in successive layers of complexity. This is done to make this section easier to understand.
Using Styles to Simplify Editing
When you press the Edit button in Programs mode, you enter into an
area that can be as simple or as flexible as you want. Modifying a program can be as easy as choosing a preprogrammed style or as involved as
going into the deepest layer and adjusting a single parameter.
To simplify the editing process, we have reduced the number of individual parameter changes you need to make by introducing what we call
ÒstylesÓ. Styles simplify editing by collecting related parameters together
in a group and giving them a name. For example, this is done so that it is
not always necessary to change the vibrato depths on each of the four
voices to add a little more vibrato overall.
The ÒhumanizingÓ features: Gender, Detune, Vibrato and Scoop each
have their own library of styles from which you can choose, as does
Reverb. Harmony uses a variation on the style concept which is
described later in this chapter. The Mix and Program Name parameters
do not use styles.
Editing a program in the Vocalist Workstation EX can be done in either
of two ways: you can change which style is assigned to the program or
you can create a new style to assign to the program. In both cases you
will be using the concept of a ÒlibraryÓ all of the programs share from. If
you do build up your own library of user styles, keep in mind that if you
edit a user style that is shared by other programs these programs will be
affected in the same way.
The factory styles have been constructed to give you a broad range of
choices from which you can personalize your programs. You cannot permanently modify a factory style but you can make changes and save
them to a new user style.
The Menu System and Editing Controls
The Vocalist Workstation EX menu system is designed to allow easy
access to all editable parameters in it. It is composed of several layers;
each layer has decision branches leading to subsequent layers. We have
deliberately limited the number of layers to encourage you to experiment
without making you learn a complex menu system.
The controls used to navigate the menu system are shown in the graphic
following:
Style Modify
Edit Parameter &
Style Select
Performance
Edit
Edit
Programs Style Library
Program
Program
Program
Program
Program
Style
Style
Style
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The Edit Button
When pressed from Factoryor User Programs mode, the Edit button presents the Parameter/Style Select screen. Once a parameter is selected,
another press of the Edit button enters the Style Modify screens.
When pressed from Songs mode, the Edit button presents the
Arrangement screen. An additional press of the Edit button presents the
Section editing screen. See page 52 of the Songs mode section for further
details.
The Edit button will light indicating you have entered Program Edit or
Song Edit modes and it will stay lit as long as you are there.
The Soft Keys
In all modes, each layer of the menu system contains a different group of
softkey assignments. They perform the following functions:
¥ to select the parameter you want to modify,
¥ to select the harmony voice you want to make a change to,
¥ increment or decrement the value of the selected parameter by one.
The Data Wheel
The Data Wheel changes the parameter you have selected. It is a detented
(clicking) rotary encoder type with no start or stop point.
¥ At the top level of Factory or User modes, it is used to load pro-
grams.
¥ At the top level of Songs mode, it is used to load songs.
¥ In all Edit modes, it is used to increment or decrement the value of
the selected parameter.
The Data Wheel has a speed-sensitive feature that can access a large
number of individual steps without turning the wheel excessively.
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The Left and Right Arrow Buttons
These buttons are active only when you see the ♦ and ∅ characters dis-
played in the upper corners of the LCD. They allow you to access the
various editing screens in Factory, User, Songs and Utilities modes.
Pressing the arrow buttons presents the next or previous edit screen.
Repeated presses loop around the available screens.
The Store Button
The Store button allows you to save any changes you have made to a
program or style. You can also use it to copy programs and styles to
other locations. Store can be pressed in any Vocalist Workstation EX
mode except for Utilities. Refer to the section on ÒStoring Your EditsÓ at
the end of this chapter to save your changes.
The Exit Button
This button presents the previous menu layer screen. Pressing it
repeatedly will backtrack through the menu layers to the last used mode.
Gender
The Gender styles introduce a unique harmonic character into the harmonies to add the qualities associated with male or female voices. This
makes the harmonies sound more as if they are coming from a distinctly
separate group of people rather than being multiples of you. The two
editable parameters for Gender are Assignment and Setting.
Assignment
There are two Genders assignable for each program. You can assign a
male Gender to a lower harmony and a female Gender to a higher harmony for instance. This can also be reversed for special effects.
To assign no Gender to voices, you must still assign Gender 1 or 2 to
those voices and change the Gender setting to 0.
Setting
The Gender settings range from +50 to Ð50. The positive values shift the
overtones higher for female characteristics and the negative values shift
the overtones lower for male characteristics.
To assign no Gender to voices, you must still assign Gender 1 or 2 to
those voices and change the Gender setting to 0.
To edit the Gender parameters:
1. Use the Data Wheel to select the program you want to edit and press
the Edit button.
2. Press the softkey that corresponds to Gender. (Gend)
3. Select a different style preset using the Data Wheel. If you are satisfied with loading a different style, refer to the ÒStoring your EditsÓ
section. Press the Edit button again to modify the current Gender
Note: Each voice
must have a
Gender setting
even if it is zero
20
style or, to create a new Gender style from scratch, load one of the
blank styles (BlnkGend #) and then press the Edit button.
4. Press the softkeys below the LCD to select which voice you want to
modify.
5. Turn the Data Wheel to change the Gender assignment for the selected voice. The softkeys can also be used for this purpose.
6. Press the Right Arrow button to go to the Gender settings screen.
You will see the settings for Gender #1 on the left and #2 on the
right.
7. Select which Gender setting you want to change with the softkeys
and turn the Data Wheel to make the changes.
Detune
The Detune styles add a subtle Òout-of-tunenessÓ to the harmony voices.
Because human voices are never perfectly in tune, this function can
ÒhumanizeÓ your harmonies. This feature also works well on programs
where two, three or all four voices are singing the same note (unison), as
the detuning produce a chorusing effect.
The editable parameters in a Detune style are: Amount, Randomness and
Pitch Randomize. These are set individually for each voice.
Amount
This sets the number of cents sharp or flat the harmony voices are. The
amount is editable in 1 cent increments between 100 cents (1 semitone)
above or below the input note.
Randomness
This makes every new harmony note have a slightly different detune
amount. It is variable from zero to 25 cents in 1 cent increments.
Randomness will only reduce the detune amount, not add to it - for
example, a Detune amount of +12 cents with Randomness set to 6 cents
would vary from +6 to +12 with each new note.
Pitch Randomize
Pitch Randomize further humanizes your harmonies by continuously
varying the pitch through the duration of a note. You have a selection of
low, medium or high settings.
To edit the Detune parameters:
1. Use the Data Wheel to select the program you want to edit and press
the Edit button.
2. Press the softkey that corresponds to Detune (Detu).
3. Select a different style preset using the Data Wheel. If you are satisfied with loading a different style, refer to the ÒStoring your EditsÓ
section on page 32. Press the Edit button again to modify the current Detune style or, to create a new Detune style from scratch, load
one of the blank styles (BlnkDetu #) and then press the Edit button.
21
4. To modify the amount of Detune effect on the first voice, turn the
Data Wheel. Press the softkeys below the other voices to select them
for editing. The softkeys can also be used to change values.
5. To edit the Randomness parameter, press the Right Arrow button to
move to the next edit screen. Select the voices with the softkeys and
increase or decrease the amount of Randomness with the Data
Wheel.
6. To edit the amount of Pitch Randomization, press the Right Arrow
button. Turn the Data Wheel to adjust to the desired value.
Vibrato
Adding Vibrato to the Vocalist Workstation EXÕs harmonies is another
way of adding realism. Vibrato is the regular modulation of a voiceÕs
pitch that lends interest to an otherwise static note. You can edit five different vibrato parameters for each voice allowing you to construct the
most realistic vibrato performance possible.
Depth
This varies the amount of pitch deviation above and below the root pitch
of the harmony note. This varies in 1 cent increments between 0 and 100
cents.
Rate
This is the modulation speed of the vibrato. It is measured in Hertz (Hz:
the number of cycles per second). This can be varied in tenths of one Hz
between 0 and 9.9 Hz.
Type
This gives you a selection of four different vibrato waveforms. They are:
sine wave, square wave, sawtooth up and sawtooth down.
Delay
This changes the time between when the Vocalist Workstation EX produces a harmony note and the onset of vibrato. Vibrato does not immediately occur after the delay period; instead it increases gradually in intensity. It is edited in 20 millisecond increments from 0 to 2.5 seconds.
Randomness
Randomness applies random values to the combination of Depth and
Rate. Each new note you sing will have a slightly faster or slower vibrato
rate and slightly increased or decreased depth. This parameter is set from
1 to 10.
To edit the Vibrato parameters:
1. Use the Data Wheel to select the program you want to edit and press
the Edit button.
2. Press the softkey that corresponds to Vibrato. (Vibr)
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