Electro-Harmonix V256 Vocoder User Manual
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V256
Vocoder
Congratulations on your purchase of the Electro-Harmonix V256 Vocoder. The V256 is a
versatile and easy to use vocoder with the added benefit of being in a compact pedal format.
Musicians no longer need large rack equipment, computer plugins, or large keyboards to get
a wide array of classic and modern vocoder sounds as well as a few very unique vocal
transposition effects. The V256 includes internal synthesizers for easy vocoding without an
external instrument.
Special Features of the V256:
3 VOX-ROBO vocoder modes that feature a robotic synthesizer
Single, Major, and Minor modes feature a drone synthesizer
3 Brand new vocal transposition modes including TRANSPOSITION, INSTRUMENT CTRL, and
REFLEX-TUNE
Vocoder bands adjustable from a vintage sounding 8 bands to a smooth sounding 256 bands
TONE, GENDER BENDER, and PITCH controls
Save and load up to 9 presets: 1 preset for each mode.
Scroll through the presets using the MODE knob or PRESET footswitch.
Built-In balanced Mic Pre-Amp with switchable Phantom Power and Gain adjustment.
Effect output on balanced XLR line output and 1/4” unbalanced instrument output
WARNING: Use only the AC Adapter that the V256 comes supplied
with. Do not use any other AC Adapters. Using other AC adapters,
even those made by Electro-Harmonix, could cause harm to the unit,
the adapter or you. The V256 does not use batteries.
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- QUICK START GUIDE -
BASIC MIXER CONNECTION SETUP
1. Connect your microphone to the MIC input on the right side of the V256 using a
balanced XLR cable.
2. Using an unbalanced instrument cable, plug your instrument into the INST Input Jack on
the right side of the V256.
3. Connect a balanced XLR cable to the EFFECT output jack on the left side of the V256.
Connect the other end of the XLR cable to the line input of a mixer.
4. Connect an unbalanced instrument cable from the INST output jack on the left side of
the V256. Connect the other end of the instrument cable to the instrument input of a
mixer, or the input of an amplifier.
5. Plug the AC Adapter into a wall outlet.
6. Plug the barrel connector of the AC Adapter into the 9V power jack at the top of the
V256.
Polarity is center negative
.
7. If using a condenser microphone, flip the Phantom Power switch up to the top position,
otherwise leave it off. The Phantom Power switch is located on the right side of the
V256, next to the XLR MIC input.
8. Push the MIC BYPASS footswitch until its associated LED is OFF. Sing into the
microphone, you will hear your dry vocal at this point. Adjust mixer settings as well as
the MIC GAIN switch on the V256 to obtain optimal mic levels.
BASIC AMPLIFIER CONNECTION SETUP
1. Connect your microphone to the MIC input on the right side of the V256 using a
balanced XLR cable.
2. Using an unbalanced instrument cable, plug your instrument into the INST Input Jack on
the right side of the V256.
3. Connect an unbalanced instrument cable from the INST output jack on the left side of
the V256. Connect the other end of the instrument cable to the input of a guitar, bass,
or keyboard amplifier.
4. Plug the AC Adapter into a wall outlet.
5. Plug the barrel connector of the AC Adapter into the 9V power jack at the top of the
V256.
Polarity is center negative
.
6. If using a condenser microphone, flip the Phantom Power switch up to the top position,
otherwise leave it off. The Phantom Power switch is located on the right side of the
V256, next to the XLR MIC input.
7. Push the MIC BYPASS footswitch until its associated LED is OFF. Play the instrument,
you will hear only dry instrument signal at this point.
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8. The factory setting for the INST output of the V256 is 100% dry instrument signal only.
In order to use the V256 in this mode the INST output blend needs to be adjusted.
9. Hold down the MIC BYPASS footswitch and adjust the BLEND knob. Fully CCW is 100%
instrument signal. As you turn the knob CW more V256 effect signal is added and at
noon, the mix of dry instrument to V256 effect will be even. As you continue to turn the
knob CW past noon, the dry instrument level will decrease and at fully CW the mix will
be 100% V256 effect.
10. After the BLEND knob is adjusted for the desired mix, release the MIC BYPASS
footswitch and the instrument output mix will be set. If the MIC BYPASS is not held
down, moving the blend knob will make no difference to the INST output mix.
BASIC VOCODER SETTINGS
1. Now that the V256 is hooked up and ready to go, here is a sample setting to get started.
2. Turn the MODE knob until the mode VOX-ROBO 1 is selected and set the other
parameters as follows:
-BLEND FULLY CW
-BANDS NOON
-TONE NOON
-GENDER NOON
-PITCH FULLY CW
3. Press and release the MIC BYPASS footswitch so that the effect is now ON and the LED
is lit.
4. Play the instrument and sing into the microphone at the same time. You will no w hear
your voice modulating the sound of the carrier instrument.
5. To use the internal synthesizer, turn the PITCH knob to noon.
6. Sing into the microphone and you will hear your voice modulate the robotic synth.
7. These basic settings also apply to the single, major, and minor drone modes.
BASIC VOCAL TRANSPOSITION SETTINGS
1. Turn the MODE knob until the mode TRANSPOSITION is selected and set the other
parameters as follows:
-BLEND FULLY CW
-BANDS NOON
-TONE NOON
-GENDER NOON
-PITCH NOON
2. In this setting the vocal transposition will be at unity. Using the XLR output, turn BLEND
to noon for a subtle double tracking effect.
3. Adjust the GENDER BENDER knob to hear a more male or female version of your voice.
4. Turn the PITCH knob fully CW to hear 1 octave up, and fully CCW to hear 1 octave
down.
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BASIC INSTRUMENT CONTROL SETTINGS
1. Turn the MODE knob until the mode INSTRUMENT CTRL is selected and set the other
parameters as follows:
-BLEND FULLY CW
-BANDS NOON
-TONE NOON
-GENDER NOON
-PITCH 2 O’CLOCK
2. Sing into the mic and you will hear your original vocal pitch. Play a single note line on
your instrument as you sing, you will hear your voice but the pitch will now track the
instrument’s notes.
3. Turn the BANDS knob to 2 o’clock and hear how your voice now slides to new notes as
you play your instrument.
BASIC VOCAL REFLEX-TUNE SETTINGS
1. Turn the MODE knob until the mode REFLEX-TUNE is selected and set the other
parameters as follows:
-BLEND FULLY CW
-BANDS NOON
-TONE NOON
-GENDER NOON
-PITCH FULLY CCW
2. Without playing an instrument sing into the mic. You will hear your pitch being hard
corrected to a chromatic scale.
3. Turn the BANDS knob fully CCW and sing into the mic. You will hear the pitch correction
happen much more gradually giving your vocal performance a more natural sound.
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- DESCRIPTION OF MODES -
The V256 has 9 modes to choose from. Each mode gives the musician a different sonic
palette to work with. In addition, each mode may change the functionality of some of the
V256’s knobs. In this section we will describe each mode and the functionality of the knobs
that change with each mode.
Use the MODE knob to scroll through the 9 modes. Turning the MODE knob clockwise goes
up the LED ladder. Turning the MODE knob counter-clockwise goes down the LED ladder.
Below is a table displaying the function of each knob as it relates to a selected mode. Arrows
indicate the function that occurs as the knob is turned to or towards the extreme knob
position in that direction. The up arrows indicate the center position of the knob.
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