TC-Helicon VoicePro User Manual

User’s Manual

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

Voltage Line plug according to standard.

110-125V UL817 and CSA C22.2 no 42.

220-230V CEE 7 page VII, SR section 107-2-D1/IEC 83 page C4.

240V BS 1363 of 1984. Specification for 13A fused plugs and switched and un-switched socket outlets.

The lightning flash with an arrowhead symbol within an equilateral triangle, is intended to alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to persons.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the literature accompanying the product.

1 Read these instructions. 2 Keep these instructions. 3 Heed all warnings. 4 Follow all instructions. 5 Do not use this apparatus near water. 6 Clean only with dry cloth. 7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. 8 Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9 Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A

grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.

10 Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the

apparatus. 11 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12

Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the apparatus. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/apparatus combination to avoid injury from tip-over.

13 Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time. 14 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-

supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or

moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

Warning!

• To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock, do not expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and ensure that no objects filled with liquids,

such as vases, are placed on the equipment.

• This apparatus must be earthed.

• Use a three wire grounding type line cord like the one supplied with the product.

• Be advised that different operating voltages require the use of different types of line cord and attachment plugs.

• Check the voltage in your area and use the correct type. See table below:

• This equipment should be installed near the socket outlet and disconnection of the device should be easily accessible.

• To completely disconnect from AC mains, disconnect the power supply cord from the AC receptable.

• The mains plug of the power supply shall remain readily operable.

• Do not install in a confined space.

• Do not open the unit - risk of electric shock inside.

Caution:

You are cautioned that any change or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

Service

• There are no user-serviceable parts inside.

• All service must be performed by qualified personnel.

Certificate Of Conformity

TC Electronic A/S, Sindalsvej 34, 8240 Risskov, Denmark, hereby declares on own responsibility that following products:

TC-Helicon VoicePro

- that are covered by this certificate and marked with CE-label conforms with following standards:

EN 60065 Safety requirements for mains (IEC 60065) operated electronic and related

apparatus for household and similar general use

EN 55103-1 Product family standard for audio,

video, audio-visual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use. Part 1: Emission.

EN 55103-2 Product family standard for audio,

video, audio-visual and entertainment lighting control apparatus for professional use. Part 2: Immunity.

With reference to regulations in following directives: 73/23/EEC, 89/336/EEC

Issued in Risskov, June 2005

Mads Peter Lübeck

Chief Executive Officer

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

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 residential installations. 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.

• 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.

Caution:

You are cautioned that any change or modifications not expressly approved in this manual could void your authority to operate this equipment.

For the customers in Canada:

This Class B Digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Réglement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

Table of Contents

oduction

Section 1: Introduction

Welcome to VoicePro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Registering VoicePro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Section 2: Getting Started

Front Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Back Panel Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Audio Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Latency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Analog Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Digital Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Aux Send or Insert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Understanding Dry Lead and VirtuaLead . . . . .13

Selecting presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Searching for presets using the Browser . . . . .13

Editing presets overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Adjusting the Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Enabling / disabling Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Storing presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Using VoicePro's Help System . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Section 3: Music Applications

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Creating Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Adding Doubling effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Correcting vocal pitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Modifying vocal melody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Modifying vocal phrasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Modifying vocal character . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Working with Classic FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Shaping a voice with EQ and Dynamics . . . . . .26

Creating Special FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Section 4: Dialog Speech Applications

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Changing the Character of a performance . . . .29

Re-creating the sound of a phone, radio, etc . .30

Creating a low pitched voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Re-phrasing the timing of a performance . . . . .31

Shaping a voice with EQ and Dynamics . . . . . .32

Special FX with Speech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Section 5: Live Performance Applications

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Hookup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Notes on VoicePro features in live performance 35

Optimizing Latency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

MIDI and live performance control . . . . . . . . . .36

Section 6: Detailed Parameter Descriptions

HOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

UTILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

HELP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

TAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

HARMONY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

MULTI-FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

TRANSDUCER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

MATRIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

DYNAMICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

EQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

PITCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

CHARACTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

MIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

BROWSER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

STORE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Section 7: Optimizing HybridTMPitch Shifting

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Non-HybridTMpitch shifting techniques . . . . . . .65

Understanding HybridTMParameters . . . . . . . .66

Working with small shift intervals . . . . . . . . . . .66

Working with large up-shifts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Working with large down-shifts . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Emulating other shifting algorithms . . . . . . . . . .67

Section 7: Harmony and Tuning

Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Diatonic and Chromatic Harmony . . . . . . . . . . .71

Just Tuning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Section 8: Appendix

Detailed Application Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . .73

Configurable MIDI Implementation . . . . . . . . . .74

Download-able PC/MAC based Editor . . . . . . .74

Terms & Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Signal Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

specifications, interface, and features are subject to change without

notice due to continued product improvement

TC Helicon 6710 Bertram Plc. Victoria BC, Canada info@tc-helicon.com

VoicePro Rev 1.01 - SW 1.0 English version Prod. No. 606086012

Section 1: Introduction

Welcome to VoicePro

Thank you for selecting VoicePro as a key part of your toolkit for producing the human voice. The years of research, development and sonic verification that went into VoicePro is intended to benefit professionals responsible for bringing out the best in the human voice. TC-Helicon’s proprietary voice processing algorithms allow all of the dimensions of the voice to be refined. Appreciating the complexity of producing memorable dialog and hit vocal lines, TC-Helicon surrounded its core technology with voice-optimized versions of all the auxiliary blocks necessary for voice production.

Features:

• Voice-optimized tools & effects

• Pitch: shift the voice using a transparent and versatile Hybrid Shifting

algorithm with an 8 octave shift range

• Time: creative and humanized control over time shifting using FlexTime

• Character: manipulate or enhance a voice's character using VoiceModeling

• Harmony: four voices of natural sounding intelligent harmony

• Transducer: emulate telephones, radios, and megaphones, and introduce distortion

• µMod: dial up an endless amount of the classic microshifted sounds including flange, and chorus

• Delay: voice-optimized delay includes ducking and tap tempo

• Reverb: TC Electronic's classic algorithms

• EQ/Dynamics: standard filtering and leveling tools from TC Electronic's arsenal of respected algorithms

Application-based user interface

• 250 user and 250 factory presets created by focused listening to vocals, dialog effects and the masters who created them

• Preset Browser: Select your source and application to browse the best presets as creative starting points

• Matrix: Presets become palettes through four top-level parameters and a dedicated feature visualization assignable to each preset

Professional quality hardware design

• >110 dB (unweighted) dynamic range Analog I/O

• 2 in, 8 out AES/EBU digital I/O

Included with VoicePro

Your VoicePro box should include the following items. If you can not locate an item below, please see the Support section of the Introduction.

- VoicePro

- appropriate power cable

- AES/EBU 2 in, 8 out break-out cable

- user’s manual

- registration card

About TC-Helicon

TC-Helicon is a joint-venture company created early in the 21st century that is owned by TC Group (Denmark) and IVL Technologies Ltd (Canada).

TC-Helicon’s core value is that the voice is the world's most beautiful instrument. Therefore, everything TCHelicon does is dedicated to this instrument. TC-Helicon envisions a world where those who work with voice are able to bring out its very best and where the possibilities of vocal craft are endless.

The company's mission was galvanized by a simple question, "Isn't it time that someone finally provided dedicated tools and solutions for voice?"

TC-Helicon is revolutionizing the vocal channel by providing innovative tools and solutions for people who create and work with the speaking and singing voice. Our customers include the most demanding of live performers, producers, broadcasters and recording engineers.

Enjoy!

The TC-Helicon Team

Section 1: Introduction

Registering VoicePro

There are two methods for registering your VoicePro:

• Online: visit www.tc-helicon.com/VoicePro and click Product Registration in the left hand column.

• Mail: complete and return the registration card included with your product

Support

If you run into technical challenges, TC-Helicon will be more than happy to help. There are a number of sources for product support. We've prioritized them below according to the speed at which you will access the help information.

1.Help Button: VoicePro has an integrated context sensitive help system. You can access the help system from any tab in VoicePro by clicking the Help Button. More information about VoicePro Help is covered in Section 2: Getting Started.

2.Manual: The manual for VoicePro is extensive. It's a good source of application information and in depth answers for common questions.

3.On-Line: visit www.tcsupport.tc to search and ask for answers on up to date questions about VoicePro.

4.Phone: International: +45 8742 7000 | USA & Canada: 805 373 1828

Section 2: Getting Started

Front Panel Description

1. Power

Pressing the Power Switch downwards engages power. The boot-up sequence takes approximately 10 seconds.

2. Network and Activity LEDs

These LEDs show network status.

3. Home

This button allows preset information to be viewed, previewed and recalled.

4. Utility

The group of Tabs accessed with the Utility Button configure I/O, System, MIDI and other non-preset parameters.

5. Help

Context-sensitive help can be viewed by pressing the Help Button.

6. Tap

Delay times can be controlled by tapping in a tempo.

7. Display

VoicePro utilizes a 320x240 pixel colour display to represent all feedback and control information.

8. Harmony

Accesses the tabs for controlling the 4 intelligent Hybrid

Shifting algorithms for creating harmony.

9. Multi-FX

µMod, Delay and Reverb Tabs are accessed using this button.

10. Transducer

Accesses the tabs that reproduce telephone, radio, noise and other transducer effects.

11. Matrix

The Matrix Button allows you to toggle processing blocks on and off as well as assign the preset visualization and top-level editable parameters.

12. Dynamics

This button provides control over the dry and VirtuaLead voice compressor and de-esser.

13. EQ

Access the 4-band parametric EQ and low-cut with this button.

14. Time

The Time Mode and its controls are accessed with this button.

15. Pitch

Correction, Shifting and Freestyle pitch shifting are accessed with this button.

16. Character

The VoiceModeling

Blocks are accessed with this button.

17. Soft Knobs

The Soft Knobs allow adjustment of four parameters at a time.

18. Mix

The Mix Button allows you to control the levels and routing of VoicePro's inputs and effects. There are two mixer scenes which are accessed by the Left and Right Arrows.

19. Bypass

Pressing this button engages the bypass mode as set in the Utility | System Tab.

20. Navigate group: OK Button

On the Home or Browser page, OK recalls a previewed preset. On Effect and VirtuaLead pages, OK enables or disables the block. In other pages OK is given various functions described onscreen.

Up, Down, Left and Right Arrow Buttons

The directional arrows are mainly used to navigate through tabs and edit rows.

21. Browser

Use the Browser Button to quickly access presets by searching by source and application.

22. Store

Pressing the Store Button brings up the store menu. After a name and store location have been selected, pressing Store will save the current preset.

23. Select/Scroll

When the Home Button is lit, Select/Scroll allows previewing of presets. The rest of the time Select/Scroll allows selection of edit parameter rows.

14 15 16 18 19 21 22

Section 2: Getting Started

Back Panel Description

1. Voice Input

This is the main analog input for voice or monophonic instruments. All processing blocks in VoicePro can be used on audio signals received at this input.

2. Auxilliary Input

This input allows analog audio sources of any kind to be routed to the µMod, Delay, Reverb and Transducer effects.

3. Left and Right Outputs

A full analog stereo mix is always provided on these outputs.

4. AES-EBU Digital I/O

Digital input and multi-channel output is provided using a DB-25 connector. Using the supplied break-out cable or standard DB-25 cable, VoicePro can receive separate digital voice and auxilliary input signals. The 8 digital outputs are configurable in the Utlity | I/O Tab. Digital outputs 1 and 2 are fixed to the full stereo mix.

5. Wordclock

Use a standard BNC cable to synchronize VoicePro to external wordclock.

6. Ethernet

Ethernet can be used to facilitate software upgrades and other improvements as they become available.

7. MIDI IN / OUT

By connecting VoicePro to a MIDI-equipped computer, editing, automation, and other control is possible. A MIDI keyboard controller can also be connected here to allow setting of harmony and pitch shifting intervals.

8. RS-232

Currently not supported

9. Power

VoicePro has a auto-sensing power supply allowing use with worldwide power voltages and frequencies.

1 2 3

4 5

6 7 8

Section 2: Getting Started

Audio Connections

VoicePro allows you to work with analog or digital ins and outs. This section describes how to setup the inputs and outputs. When you’ve decided between Analog or Digital Setup, read; “Aux Send or Insert” in this section. The section will help you decide how to configure VoicePro within your mixing environment.

The default mode for VoicePro is set for unity Analog I/O. To get going quickly, connect to an analog source and go to “Setting Levels”

Latency

Processing Time, Pitch, and Character for the human voice requires analysis beyond the typical audio product. To preserve audio quality, the analysis and processing requires latency (delay) to be introduced into the system. After you choose your setup, it’s wortwhile determining the Latency of VoicePro and compensating your mixing environment. For some applications, like Harmony, VoicePro’s latency may be acceptable without compensation.

Finding VoicePro Latency

1. Press the Utlity Button and then use the Left / Right Arrow Buttons to navigate to the Utitlity | System Tab

2. Note the Latency in the visualization area.

Compensating for Latency

If you are using a DAW as a mixing environment there is usually a feature to slip or delay tracks. When you’ve determined VoicePro’s latency, delay all tracks except the vocal track by the latency amount. Another method is to slip the vocal track backwards by the latency amount.

Analog Setup

Making Connections

1.Connect your analog audio source to the Female XLR on the rear panel labeled “Voice Input”.

2.Connect the analog outputs of VoicePro to a stereo input.

Utility setup for analog IO.

1.Go to the Utility | I/O Tab and set Voice Input and Aux Input to "Analog"; Clock Mode to "Normal Rate" and Clock Master to "Internal".

Setting levels

1.Send a vocal signal to the input

2.Navigate to the Utility | I/O Tab. Adjust the Voice Sens Parameter until the In Meter displays peaks of around -6 dB.

The Voice Sens value represents the signal level that, when applied to the input, will result in the meters showing 0dB. A signal greater than the Voice Sens Value will result in input clipping.

3.Set the Analog Out Paramater to the same value as Voice Sens. This will configure VoicePro to have unity gain. Additional ouput gain is possible with the Analog Out Parameter.

Unity Gain is when VoicePro has an equal signal at the input and output when in Bypass. The Analog Out setting represents the signal level at the output when the Out Meters display 0dB. It is not possible to achieve Unity Gain when Voice Sens is set to 3 dBu since VoicePro does not support this Analog Out level.

Section 2: Getting Started

Digital Setup

This section describes how to make digital audio connections to VoicePro. Using the digital audio interface provides the most flexibility in a studio environment. You can configure the 8 channels of digital output for separation

of the voices and effects.

Making Connections

Digital I/O is accessed through the female DB25 on the rear panel along with the included DB25 to XLR AES adapter.

1.Connect the male end of the DB25 connector to the female DB25 connector on VoicePro.

2.Connect the AES/EBU digital output of your audio source to the female XLR on the AES/EBU adapter cable.

3.Connect the male XLR labeled "Channel 1,2" of the DB25 connector to the appropriate AES/EBU input in your mixing environment.

Utility Setup for Digital Inputs with External Clock

1.Go to the Utility | I/O Tab and set the Voice Input to "Digital Left".

2.Set the Clock Rate Parameter to match the sampling rate of your mixing environment. If your mixing environment is running at 88.2 kHz or 96 kHz, set the Rate Mode Parameter to "Double Rate".

3.Set the Clock Master Parameter to "External". This will cause VoicePro to derive its clock from the digital input.

To provide the best possible jitter rejection, VoicePro uses a narrow clock rate detection algorithm. Therefore, to detect the external clock rate, VoicePro's clock rate must be set in the same range.

Some sound cards with digital I/O will only accept digital input if they are set up as the “Slave”, that is, they need to get their clock from their digital input. If this is the case, then you will need to have at least one of the Digital Outputs connected to the sound card, as well as the Digital input, and set the Clock Master to "Internal".

The Left/Right Output meters are for the Analog Out. There may be a minor discrepancy between the actual Digital Out Level and the meters.

Digital Multi Out Mode Parameter

Digital Out channels 1 and 2 always carry the stereo mixed output. There are three modes for configuring digital out channels 3 through 8.

"Off" - In this mode, digital output channels 3 through 8 are disabled.

"Voices: Harm, Dry, Vlead" - Routes Harmony voices 1 through 4 to channels 3 through 6, Dry Lead to channel 7, and VirtuaLead to channel 8.

"Blocks: Harm,FX,Lead" - Routes stereo harmony to channels 3 and 4, stereo mixed Dry Lead and VirtuaLead to channels 5 and 6, and a stereo mix of stereo Multi-FX to channels 7 and 8.

Utility Setup for Multi-Channel Digital Out

1.Navigate to the Utility | I/O Tab.

2.Using the Up and Down Arrows, locate the Digital Out Parameter.

3.Use Edit 3 to select the desired mode.

Outputs 3 through 8 are muted when Bypass is activated regardless of the Multi-Channel Output Mode

Aux Send or Insert

There are two common ways VoicePro can be used as a voice processor: on an Aux Send (parallel routing), or as an Insert (serial routing).

When to use VoicePro on an aux buss

This scheme is useful if you want to layer effects on top of a dry signal routed separately into your mixer. If you are mainly using VoicePro for the purpose of adding harmonies, special effects and doubling for singing voices or classic effects, then an aux send configuration will work well. VoicePro has it’s own dry path that will have to be muted in order to work in this scheme.

How to setup VoicePro with an aux send

1. Press the Utility Button and scroll to the I/O Tab.

2. Set Dry Lead to "off". This will allow VoicePro to operate like a standard aux send processor.

3. From your mixing environment, use a mono aux send to route audio into the Voice or Aux input. Route VoicePro’s outputs to returns or dedicated channels in your mixer.

Section 2: Getting Started

When to use VoicePro as a channel insert

If you are mainly using VoicePro for the purpose of pitch correction, dynamics and EQ, Character voice transformation, or for processing speaking voices, then an insert configuration will work well. This is also the most flexible routing scheme if you plan to use the other features available in VoicePro. In this configuration, there is no dry path routed around VoicePro to your mixer as there is with the aux send scheme; VoicePro handles this internally.

How to setup up VoicePro as a channel insert

1. Press the Utility Button and scroll to the I/O Tab

2. Ensure that the Dry Lead Parameter is set to "on".

3. Because VoicePro is a mono in, stereo, or multi-output device, there are two methods you can use in your mixing environment to setup VoicePro as an insert.

a. VoicePro on a mono aux send which returns to stereo

channels. Ensure that your mixer’s aux send is set to pre-fader and that the fader level for the channel is set to off or infinity. This is the best method for setting up an insert when using the 8 digital outputs.

b. VoicePro as a stereo insert. Have your lead vocal or

dialog track returning to two channels or a stereo channel in your mixing environment. Send a stereo channel output to the Voice and Aux inputs of VoicePro. Connect the outputs of VoicePro as a stereo return to the sending channel’s insert return pair, or connect to another stereo channel. The default Aux Input Level Setting in all of VoicePro’s Factory presets is "off" in the mixer, but if you make user presets, ensure that this remains “off” when used in the insert configuration.

Understanding DryLead & VirtuaLead

VoicePro contains two lead paths. In your mixing environment you often have a doubled version of your vocal, or you comp two tracks together.

The Dry Lead is affected by the Dynamics and EQ Blocks. Additionally, it can be sent to the Multi-FX Blocks.

The VirtuaLead is the same as Dry Lead except it is also processed by the Time, Pitch and Character Blocks.

For Doubling presets, Dry Lead and VirtuaLead are often mixed together. For Character presets, the Dry Lead is typically turned off. Depending on the type of application, the mix between these paths will be different.

See the Signal Diagram in the Appendix Section for detailed information.

Selecting Presets

When the Home Button is lit, the Select/Scroll Wheel is used to scroll through all Factory and User presets. The Factory Bank of 250 presets are presented first followed by any User Bank presets.

The Preset Change Parameter in the UTILITY | System Tab determines whether presets are loaded instantly or merely previewed as you decide which one to load.

Upon loading a new preset, you will see the Home Screen and the Home Button lit.

Searching for Presets using the Browser

The Browser allows you to narrow your search for presets based on application filters you can specify. This is very useful when you consider the product has the capability of storing 500 presets.

Press the Browser Button from any screen. The top half of the screen shows the presets that match the search criteria displayed on the bottom line of the screen. By using the

Section 2: Getting Started

Soft Knobs you can specify any or all of the three search filters as follows:

• Source Filter - Here you select whether you want to see presets for music only or dialog only. When this value is set to “All”, the Source Filter is disengaged.

• Application Filter - Here you can choose whether you’d like to see Pitch Correction or Doubling presets, for example.

• Type Filter - The final criteria narrows the search to looking in the Factory Bank only, User Bank only, or both banks in alphabetical, as opposed to numerical, order.

See the Detailed Application Descriptions in the Appendix Section to get an understanding of what an application will do.

Editing Presets Overview

Once a preset is loaded and the Home Screen is displayed, the four Soft Knobs provide access to the most useful parameters unique to each preset. The values of these parameters can be edited and stored as desired.

If you want to edit a preset further, you can press any button in the Effects and VirtuaLead Button groups to access more edit parameters. This will expose the Edit Tabs that you can scroll through with the Left and Right Arrow Buttons. There are over 300 editable paramaters!

Having located an Edit Tab, you then select the edit rows with the Up and Down Arrow Buttons or the scroll wheel. The scroll bar on the lower right indicates if there are more screens below what is visible, and where you are in the list.

The Soft Knobs now allow editing of the four parameters on the selected row.

Adjusting the Mix

To control levels of the various effects blocks, press the Mix Button. You will see the controls for the effects presented in a simulated mixer layout. Additional mixer channels are made available by pressing the Left or Right Arrow Buttons. The controls are arranged in rows of four parameters, to choose one, use the Up and Down Arrows or Scroll Wheel. The Soft Knobs are then used to adjust the desired levels. Below are notes on the unique features of the mixer.

• The Pre/Post Send switch determines whether the audio signals from the three effects sends are scaled by the Level Parameter (Post) or whether the Level Parameter has no effect (Pre).

• The Width Parameter allows the panorama of the stereo channels to be changed. The “minimum” setting blends left and right into a mono signal and the “maximum” setting preserves the original stereo panning.

Enabling / Disabling Blocks

Because any preset can be composed of up to 15 different audio effects, the Matrix\Blocks Tab presents a block overview and simplifies muting or engaging individual effects. Press the Matrix Button and scroll to the Blocks Tab using the Left or Right Arrow Buttons. As with the other edit screens, the controls are laid out in rows of four, and are accessible with the Arrow Buttons. Turning the respective Soft Knob to the left will mute an effect while turning to the right will engage it.

In any editing screen, the current block can be toggled on or off by pressing the OK Button. When the block is disabled you will see a “BLOCK OFF” message overlayed on the Visualization Area.

Engaging a block may not immediately produce sound from the effect because it depends on correct mixer settings. Press the Mix Button to confirm that the Level Parameter for the effect is turned up. In the case of the Multi-FX, also ensure that Send Levels have been set. You may also need to check that the particular effect Edit Tab has a style loaded that is not set to “Off”.

Section 2: Getting Started

Storing Presets

When you would like to store an edited preset in the User Bank, press the Store Button. Within the Store Screen, you have the option to:

• cancel the store operation by pressing any button except Bypass, Help or Tap

• choose the destination preset number with the Scroll Wheel

• rename the preset with the Soft Knobs

• choose the closest source and application criteria (this is highly recommended to simplify browsing later)

Press the Store Button again to save the preset with your attributes.

Using VoicePro's Help System

A unique and helpful feature of VoicePro is the integrated, context-sensitive help system. Accessing the information you need can be done while viewing the Overview Tab or by searching in the Contents Tab.

Every button that lights up on the front panel has a Help text section except the Bypass Button. The quickest way to learn more about any particular Effect Tab or Utility Tab is to press the Help Button while viewing a screen you would like to know more about. To make the Help system even more useful, each Tab has a dedicated section containing descriptions of each parameter on the screen.

Alternatively, you can browse the overall Help system from the table of contents without having to navigate to each particular edit screen.

Help on Help

1. Press the Help Button any time VoicePro is turned on. Information on the current parameter tab will be presented in the Help Screen.

2. To switch between the Contents and Overview Tab, use the Left and Right Arrow keys.

3. To read further down either the Contents or Overview pages, use the Up/Down Arrow keys or the Scroll Wheel

Section 3: Music Applications

Introduction

VoicePro’s applications in music vocal production require settings and features that differ from dialogue (speaking) post production. The differences are mainly in the use of musical pitch shifts for harmony; making voices sound thicker through various techniques; and targeting formerly time consuming techniques used by music audio engineers and producers.

This section is more of an introduction to music applications as opposed to a detailed discussion. For an in- depth look at each parameter, read the Detailed Parameter Description section.

In this section we cover:

• Creating harmony

• Adding doubling effects

• Pitch correcting vocals

• Modifying vocal melody

• Modifying vocal phrasing

• Modifying vocal character

• Working with classic effects

• Creating special effects (Cher, Transducer, Dry Off)

• Shaping vocals with EQ, Dynamics and the Spectral block

Section 3: Music Applications

Creating Harmony

The sound of human voices singing together in harmony adds excitement and intensity to music. VoicePro offers you the ability to instantly experiment with different harmony lines as well as to produce finished recorded vocals.

Each harmony preset in VoicePro is based on one of five different harmony modes you can use to add authentic sounding virtual harmony voices to your mix. Offering more than one Harmony Mode is necessary because, like a human singer who has to hear an accompanying instrument in order to sing in harmony, VoicePro needs musical input. Each harmony mode provides an alternate method for providing this musical input. From the relatively "hands off" Scale Harmony Mode, to the completely "hands on" Notes Mode, you can choose a range of methods to balance the amount of moment-by-moment input, with the resulting harmony sound you desire.

erm

Description

Harmony Mode Method by which musical input is sent to

VoicePro.

Diatonic Refers to the tone structures in major

and minor scales. Knowledge of these scale structures is the "intelligence" VoicePro uses to produce automatic

harmony. Interval The distance between two pitches Notes Mode Fully manual harmony mode where notes

and chords performed on a MIDI

keyboard are used to select the fixed

harmony pitches independent of the pitch

of the sung note. Notes 4Ch Mode A second Notes Mode where each note

is received on a different MIDI channel

from a sequencer program, enabling

unique pitch bends on each channel. Chord Mode An intelligent harmony mode where a

sequence of chords played on a MIDI

keyboard are interpreted to produce

musically correct pitches that move

according to the pitch of the sung note. Scale Mode An automatic harmony mode where you

set only the key and scale of your song.

Usually, no on-going musical input from a

keyboard is required. Shift Mode This is the one non-intelligent harmony

mode where a fixed interval is set for

each harmony voice that is maintained

throughout the song. Humanization Various methods by which VoicePro

introduces random variations to the

sound that mimic human deviations in

pitch and timing.

How to create harmony using a Notes Mode preset

1.Connect a MIDI keyboard to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

2.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Harmony Notes”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

3.Perform a keyboard part of up to 4 simultaneous notes while the source audio plays. Pitch Bend and MIDI controllers can be used.

How to create harmony using a Notes 4CH Mode preset

1.Connect the output of a MIDI sequencer to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

2.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Harmony Notes 4CH”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

3.Press “play” on the sequencer while the source audio plays or while you sing in time with the MIDI tracks.

Notes 4 Channel Mode The best way to benefit from this type of harmony is to use a MIDI+Audio sequencer to send synchronized MIDI and audio tracks to VoicePro. First, record or import a vocal track into the sequencer, then perform up to 4 different harmony parts on separate MIDI channels in synchronization with the vocal.

Section 3: Music Applications

How to create harmony using a Chord Mode preset

1.Connect the output of a MIDI keyboard to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

2.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Harmony Chord”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

3.Play keyboard chords of 2 or more simultaneous notes while you sing.

How to create harmony using a Scale mode preset

1.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Harmony Scale”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheell and Ok Button.

2.Use the Edit Knobs to match the key and scale of the vocal track.

Scale mode tip Often the key and scale can be set to the first or last chord in a song e.g. G Major. You can try the alternate major and minor scale settings in VoicePro to suit the song. If no key and scale settings seem to work, then a custom scale can be crafted or you can use the other MIDI controlled presets based on Notes and Chord harmony modes.

How to create harmony using a Shift Mode preset

1.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Harmony Shift”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

2.Adjust the Shift Interval Parameter to your taste using the appropriate soft knob

Troubleshooting

If you are having trouble producing harmony, go through the questions below to make sure the most common items are configured correctly.

1. Are VoicePro’s Harmony MIDI channels set to the same values as your sequencer or keyboard?

2. Is the MIDI indicator showing MIDI input?

3. Do you have the correct input selected i.e. digital or analog, voice or aux?

4. Is the vocal sung to an instrument properly tuned to A=440Hz?

Section 3: Music Applications

Adding Doubling Effects

A frequently used technique is to have a singer overdub the same line several times to add richness and chorusing. Some audio products try to simulate this effect, and while they can create interesting sounds, they don’t recreate the actual sound of overdubbed singers.

VoicePro has presets that accurately recreate the many current doubling methods, sythesized and real. The fastest way to find the doubling effect you require is to use the Browser’s Search Function detailed below.

erm Description Unison The same pitch Micro shift Refers to an effect where detuned copies

of a vocal are played back at the same time. Sometimes there is a time-varying delay.

How to create doubling effects

1.Press the Browser Button.

2.Set the Source Filter to “Singing” and Application Filter to

“Doubling” with the appropriate Soft Knobs, to isolate the Doubling presets.

3.Play the track or sing.

4.Scroll through the list using the Select/Scroll Wheel until

you find the sound you prefer.

5.Press the Home Button to access and adjust the

Assigned Edit Parameters for the preset you have chosen.

Inflection, µMod and Harmony blocks can be used individually or in combination to produce doubling sounds. µMod is generally used to provide the classic micro-pitched/detune doubling sounds. Harmony and Inflection are used for more natural sounds or extreme doubling sounds.

Correcting Vocal Pitch

More and more recorded singers, some great and some still learning, are having their tuning adjusted with pitch correction tools, more than ever before. This is a common technique used to put a high gloss on vocals, and as a result, the music buying public has grown to expect this sound. VoicePro offers the control and transparent shifting quality to allow you to produce the best vocal possible.

Tuning the pitch of a sung vocal track so that it still sounds natural requires a little background information. First of all, the ultimate natural pitch correction is to have a good singer sing the track well! Once the singer has given their best performance, you can apply the combination of subtle automatic and targeted manual retuning with VoicePro.

There are three ways of implementing pitch correction in VoicePro:

• Scale-based automatic mode

• Scale-based automatic mode with temporary MIDI override

• MIDI manual mode

In the Scale-Based mode, a key and scale for the song needs to be set. For many styles of music this will work for the entire song. For periodic sung notes that fall outside the scale you’ve set, the best option is to use MIDI. Press the notes on a MIDI keyboard that you would like the input note forced to and then remove the notes allowing the automatic mode to resume.

If the same note or notes are always corrected to the wrong note or not being corrected at all, then you can create a new custom scale or edit one of the factory scales.

If you want to leave most of the singing unaffected and correct only the odd note, you can disable the automatic scale-based mode and use only a MIDI keyboard to trigger correction where you feel it’s required.

erm Description

Window The pitch range around a scale tone

where correction will occur.

Key The musical center of the song i.e. key of

Scale Major, minor or custom (edited); these

are the target notes that the vocal is nudged towards.

Attack Rate When a singer's pitch falls winthin the

Window, the Attack Rate Parameter sets how fast the vocal will be shifted to the Window’s center.

Amount Can be used to reduce the effect of

correction if desired.

Section 3: Music Applications

Finding the correct Key and Scale: Often the key and scale can be set to the first or last chord in a song e.g. G Major. If no key and scale settings seem to work, then a custom scale can be crafted or you can switch to manual MIDI control

How to apply automatic pitch correction to a vocal

1.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Correction”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

2.Enter the key and scale of the song using the appropriate Soft Knobs.

3.Adjust the Attack Rate Parameter with the appropriate Soft Knob to balance the rate of incoming new notes and the speed at which correction happens. A value of “20” is a good place to start.

4.Some songs have a chord structure in which a single key and scale setting may not work. Your options are to:

• Change key and scale for each song section.

• Create a custom pitch correction scale.

• Chose the manual pitch correction mode that allows you to press notes on a MIDI keyboard to provide the target pitches for correction. (see next paragraph)

Using MIDI to correct notes outside the scale

1. Follow the steps outlined previously to set a key, scale and associated parameters that work for most of your song.

2. Connect a MIDI keyboard to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

3. Pressing a single note, or cluster of notes will cause VoicePro to apply pitch correction when the input falls within the MIDI Window around any of the pressed notes. Releasing the notes allows the automatic correction to resume. The MIDI correct notes are also affected by the MIDI Rate Parameter.

How to apply manual pitch correction

1.Connect a MIDI keyboard to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

2.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Correction”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

3.Press the notes that require retuning on the MIDI keyboard as they are sung.

4.Adjust the Attack Rate Parameter if required using the appropriate Soft Knob.

Section 3: Music Applications

Modifying Vocal Melody

While most producers like to think they have the lead or harmony vocal melody arranged correctly before having the singer sing it, there are times when the pitch of a note or phrase needs to be changed after the singer has left your studio. You can re-schedule the singer and set up the signal path again to duplicate the sound or you can use VoicePro's high quality pitch shifting to make the change.

The technique is much the same as when applying manual pitch correction, only the target pitches are farther from the singer's input note. Also, Soft Knob Parameters and shift techniques for presets differ from those used for pitch correction.

How to modify vocal melody

1.Connect a MIDI keyboard to VoicePro (see Utility section for MIDI details)

2.Select or create a preset with Pitch Shift Mode set for the VirtuaLead path.

3.Select the target notes on the MIDI keyboard to which you want the singer's pitch shifted to as they are sung.

4.Adjust the Smoothing Parameter if required using the appropriate Soft Knob.

Modifying vocal phrasing

A large part of a successful vocal is getting the timing just right. Having a vocalist linger or accelerate through certain words can link the vocal and instrument tracks better for an improved, and cohesive mix. Rather than have a singer record take after take to get phrasing right, you can get them to sing as close as possible and then edit using VoicePro.

In VoicePro, you have the ability to manipulate vocal phrasing in a spontaneous way using the front panel Soft knobs.

erm Description

Playback Rate Think of this as the "accelerator" and

"brake pedal" for the timing of the incoming audio.

Reset Returns playback to real time instantly

Accelerating playback is only possible if you set the Reset Position to “Middle” or “Back” and then select “Reset”.

In order to slow time down you’ll have to wait until the recording buffer fills with audio.

How to slow vocal phrasing (no delay)

1. Using the Matrix | Blocks Tab configure a preset with all blocks off except Time. Use Mix to tunr all levels off except VirutaLead

2. Navigate to the Time | Mode Tab and set the Mode to “Rate Freestyle”

2. Turn the Soft Knob controlling Playback Rate to the left to slow playback.

3. Turn the Soft Knob for the Reset Parameter any direction to resume realtime playback.

How to speed up and slow vocal phrasing

1. Follow steps 1-2 above

2. Set the Reset Position to “Middle” and selec the Reset Parameter

3. Turning the Playback Rate Soft Knob to the left slows playback speed and turning to the right increases the speed.

5. Turn the Soft Knob for the Reset Parameter any direction to resume realtime playback.

When the Reset Position is set to “Middle” configure your DAW for 2500 ms of delay compensation to stay synchronized.

Section 3: Music Applications

Modifying Vocal Character

In VoicePro, character is the term used for the over-all effects of a group of blocks found under the Character Button:

• Resonance

• Spectral

• Inflection

• Vibrato

• Breath

• Growl

As the name suggests a new vocal character can be given to an existing voice which allows you to accomplish a wide range of production goals: You can enhance a thinsounding vocal performance without EQ, produce convincing character voices for children's songs in animated movies, create interesting choir and duet tracks, and many more effects. Applications are discussed with the individual blocks.

Each character block can be used independently or combined with the others into a preset. The Factory presets have been created containing various groups of these blocks as a starting point. Understanding what each block does will help you to use, edit, and create presets effectively.

A note about Styles in VoicePro: Styles are presets-within-presets that allow you to get the sound you want faster. A large number of user and behind-the-scene parameters are required to construct a particular effect, so styles are created that combine the settings. You can edit the styles, and the changes you make will be stored with the preset.

How to load a character preset

1.Navigate to the browser and set the Source Filter to “Singing” and the Application Filter to “Character”, then select a preset using the Scroll Wheel and Ok Button.

How to use resonance to modify vocal character

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset.”

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Resonance.

The Resonance block simulates changes in the physiology of the vocal tract. In musical applications, this can be used, for example, to make a singer's voice sound deeper without shifting the pitch, or to make a singer sound younger. Resonance can also disguise a singer's voice as a special effect in the breakdown or hook section of a song. Singers who sing a number of simultaneous ad spots in a single market could use presets based on resonance to simulate another singing voice.

How to use Spectral to shape vocal character

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset.”

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Spectral.

Spectral is an intelligent EQ that can be used to restore energy in frequencies modified by the Resonance block. The intelligence in Spectral comes from the fact that sibilants (S, T, D sounds etc) are not processed by any EQ adjustments unless you want them processed. This has applications beyond mere compensation; consider that you can now boost highs for a bright, modern sound, without the usual increase in sibilance.

Section 3: Music Applications

How to use Inflection to add variation to vocal character

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset”.

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Inflection.

Inflection is the automatic pitch and timing modification block in VoicePro. It can superimpose the pitch warbles, scoops, and natural timing fluctuations of human singing onto any voice. In musical applications, Inflection could produce a "second take" that, when mixed with the dry track, could sound very convincingly like a singer doubling themselves. Inflection could also be used to modify the beginning of notes with small pitch scoops that can introduce quirky personality into a track.

How to use Vibrato to create alternate characters

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset”.

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Vibrato.

Vibrato as a singing technique needs no introduction, yet its implementation in VoicePro should be clarified. The Vibrato block can be used to create an alternate singing persona for singers. A distinctly unique vocal backup group can be made by the same singer overdubbing multiple tracks while singing through the Vibrato block. This is more effective than the singer attempting to sing in an unnatural way for an extended period of time. Strikingly real character modification is possible using the various Vibrato styles because they have been created by detailed examinination of many singers' voices.

When changing Vibrato Styles, the effect won’t change until a onset triggers the new style.

How to use Breath to introduce air

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset”.

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Breath.

The Breath block can be used to create the intimate sound of a breathy singer or a breathy performance. At extreme settings, the Breath block can turn a track sung in full voice, into a whisper. This and other varied Breath styles are available to closely match the voice of the singer and the requirements of the track.

How to use Growl

1.Follow instruction in “How to load a character preset”.

2. Use the Matrix | Blocks Tab to turn off all blocks except Growl.

Growl adds an effect that evokes the gravelly voices of singers like Louis Armstrong and Bob Seger. While a preset using the Growl effect can easily be dialed up to process a recorded voice, the most effective use is to have the singer hear the effect while they sing. This allows them to modulate the volume of their voice to introduce the effect when desired. There are various Growl styles available to suit the track.

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