TC-Helicon VoiceTone Harmony-G User Manual

PRODUCT MANUAL
ENGLISH VERSION
harmonyG
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
QuickStart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Typical Setups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Front Panel Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-14
Back Panel Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Loading Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Making Harmonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Using the Tone Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Mixing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Adjusting the Harmony Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Changing the FX Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Adjusting the Guitar Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Thicken Your Voice with the Double Button . . . . . . .17
Editing Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
What Do the Voice 1&2 Buttons Do? . . . . . . . . . . . .17
What Does Higher Lower etc. Mean? . . . . . . . . . . .18
Storing Edited Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Changing the FX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using the Tuner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
For Advanced Users
How to Use the Manual Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Advanced FX Style Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
How to Use Alternate Tone Settings . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Guitar Reverb and Detune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Changing the Number of Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
External Mixing with Mono and Dry Outputs . . . . . .22
Performing a Factory Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
How to Change the Tuning Reference . . . . . . . . . . .22
FAQ and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Table of Contents
TC Helicon Vocal Technologies Ltd. info@tc-helicon.com
Manual revision 1.1 – SW – V 1.0 Prod. No: E60509011
English Version
4
Welcome to VoiceTone Harmony-G
Harmony-G was built for the singer who wants the highest quality and most interesting live vocal production possible. It puts a complete vocal production center into your hands including harmony singers that follow your singing and guitar playing.
Ease of use and convenience were of utmost importance in the design of Harmony-G. This allows singers to utilize all of its features quickly and easily.
Harmony-G presents a selection of professionally­authored patches. When out-of-the-box sounds aren't enough, Harmony-G provides editing controls to customize the presets to your preference.
Product information is updated regularly, so be sure to check www.tc-helicon.com for the latest news.
Features:
o Adds one or two harmony voices directed by your
guitar playing
o Overdub-style vocal doubling feature adds richness
to your lead voice
o High quality reverb and delay effects
o Guitar signal can be sent to your guitar amp or
routed through Harmony-G’s effects
o Part A/B switch to allow instant selection of your
two favorite sounds
o Quick and easy tweaking and storage of presets
o XLR mic level input and output in stereo or mono
o Clean, studio quality mic preamp with phantom
power
Introduction
5
About TC-Helicon
At TC-Helicon we truly believe that the voice is the world's most beautiful instrument. We don't mean to degrade other beautiful instruments, but the singing voice is the anthropological source for all things melodic.
You should know there is a dedicated group of engineers, researchers and product specialists based in Victoria BC, Canada, who spend every waking moment of their working lives listening, talking, singing, and interacting with singers and those who have passion for the singing voice.
All this knowledge and experience is used to design products respecting and empowering the modern
vocalist. Our products focus on removing barriers and inspiring creativity in performance. That's why our products range from near-field personal vocal monitors to floor-based vocal multi-effects pedals.
Enjoy!
The TC-Helicon Team a TC Group company
Introduction
6
Step 1:
Connect your microphone to a mic cable
Step 2:
Connect the mic cable to the Mic Input on Harmony-G
Quick Start
Make sure Harmony-G is not powered at this time.
NOTE:
7
Step 3:
While you’re connecting and setting up, lower the fader on your mixer channel to off. Connect a mic cable from the Left/(mono) Out to a mic input on your sound system.
Step 4:
Connect a 1/4” guitar cable from your electric or acoustic guitar to the Guitar IN. For now, we won’t use the Guitar THRU so the guitar sound will be mixed with your voice and effects. It will come out of the Left (mono) main output.
Quick Start
Input
Tone
Guitar FX Harmony
Preset
Manual Double FX Voice 1 Voice 2
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
48V Stereo
3
Auto
#
Pan
8
Step 5:
Set the Input Knob fully left then set the Guitar, FX and Harmony knobs to the 12 O’Clock position.
Step 6:
Connect Harmony-G's power adapter to main power and to the Power Input on Harmony-G. There is no power switch so plugging it in automatically turns it on.
Quick Start
Input
Tone
Guitar FX Harmony
Preset
Hall Room
Higher High
Auto
#
9
Step 7:
While singing through your microphone, raise the Input Knob until the Input Light turns green, sometimes orange on louder parts, but never red.
Step 8:
In preparation for your first listen, check that the LEDs conform to the status shown in the boxes below. You can press the button associated with the LEDs to change them if necessary.
Quick Start
Input
Tone
Guitar FX Harmony
Auto
Input
Tone
Guitar FX Harmony
Preset
Manual Double FX Voice 1 Voice 2
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
48V Stereo
3
Auto
#
1
Press so
LED is ON
Press so
LED is OFF
Press to light
LED
Press to load
Preset 1 if it’s
not already
loaded
10
Step 9:
Slowly raise the fader on your mixer channel as you sing into your mic. Once you’ve reached a comfortable listening level you should hear your voice clearly with some reverb effect added.
It’s important to take a moment and tune your guitar before checking out the harmonies. Hold the On button to enter Harmony-G’s Tuner/Bypass mode. Pluck a single string at a time to see its pitch.You will see which note it’s closest to in the Preset display and whether the string is sharp or flat in the LED bank above the FX and Voice 1 and Voice 2 buttons.Adjust each string until they’re all in tune.
Now you’re ready to hear Harmony-G’s harmony voices. Press the On footswitch and sing a song you know while strumming the guitar chords to the song. Remember that your guitar directs the harmonies so ensure that your guitar volume control is turned up.
Quick Start
You can now experiment with all of Harmony-G’s features starting by pressing the Preset button to load the different presets and then pressing the A/B footswitch to hear each preset’s A and B settings.
Please read this short manual to ensure you get the most from Harmony-G!
11
Typical Setups
Electric Guitar Setup
The dotted line indicates optional stereo operation
Acoustic Guitar Setup
12
3. Guitar Mix Knob
Controls your guitar volume when it’s routed to the main outputs (when the Guitar Thru jack is not used).The center Auto detent position automatically balances your guitar volume with your voice.Adjusting above or below the Auto position removes the automatic guitar level feature.
4. FX (Effects) Level Knob
Raises or lowers the mix level of the effect selected with the FX button.
5. Harmony Level Knob
Adjusts the mix levels of the harmony and double effects.
Front Panel
Input
Tone
Guitar FX Harmony
Auto
1 2 3 4 5
1. Input Knob and LED
Adjust the Input Knob so that while you sing, the LED beside it flashes green, sometimes orange but never red.
2.Tone Button
This engages the Live Engineer Effects which automatically modifies your voice and makes it sound smoother and brighter. When engaged, this effect is always on your voice, even in Bypass.
13
6. Preset Select Button and Preset Display
Press to cycle through the 5 presets numbered 1 to 5 shown in the Preset display. Hold to store changes you make.The sharp sign (#) is used in the Tuner and Manual modes.
7. 48 Volt Phantom Power LED
For condensor mics, hold the Manual and Double buttons for 2 seconds to engage and disengage phantom power.
8. Manual Mode Button
Press to toggle guitar control of the harmonies. See how to use this feature in the “For Advanced Users” section.
9. Double Voice Button
Press this button to simulate the sound of you singing along with yourself for added thickness.
10. FX Button and LED Display
Pressing the FX button cycles through the effect styles and FX Off (no LEDs lit) for the current preset.
11. Stereo Select Button
Press and hold the Voice 1 and Voice 2 buttons for 2 seconds to toggle between stereo and mono output.
12.Voice Buttons and Display
Press either of the Voice 1 or Voice 2 buttons to:
a) change the associated voice’s harmony interval b) enable the harmony voice when its LED is off
c) turn the voice off The same interval for both voices adds thickness to the harmony voices.
Front Panel
Preset
Manual Double FX Voice 1 Voice 2
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
48V Stereo
3
#
6
7
12
8 9 10 11
13. LED Indicator Bar
This translucent bar indicates the A or B selection of each preset and status of the On footswitch.
14. Preset A and B Select Footswitch
If you only need to access your two favorite sounds in performance, tapping the A/B footswitch will toggle between them quickly. If you would like to access more presets with this footswitch, hold it to enter Preset
Select mode. Now, pressing the A/B button cycles forward through the five “A” preset settings or “B” preset settings, depending on whether an A or B was loaded when you held the footswitch.
15. On Footswitch
Tapping this footswitch engages or disengages the doubling and harmony effects in the current preset. The reverb and delay FX will remain active on your voice even with the harmonies muted. Holding this footswitch enters Tuner/Bypass mode for silent guitar tuning and bypassing of all processing except for Tone.
Front Panel
14
3
14
15
13
Back Panel
15
operation see “External Mixing with Mono and Dry Outputs” in the “For Advanced Users” section.
3. Guitar Connections
Plug a 1/4” cable directly from your guitar into the IN jack. If you use effect pedals, they should be connected after Harmony-G. The input is high impedance. Plug a 1/4” cable from the THRU jack to your first effect pedal or to your amplifier/PA.
4. Guitar Ground Lift
If you hear a buzz when you plug in a cable from the THRU to your amp or PA, press this button in. If the THRU jack is not used and your guitar sound is routed internally, the Ground Lift switch should be left out.
5. Mic Input
Plug an XLR-equipped microphone cable from your mic into this jack.
1 2 3
4
5
1. Power Input
Accepts the connector from the supplied DC power adaptor. Connecting power to Harmony-G turns it on immediately as there is no on/off switch on the product.
2. Outputs
These XLR jacks supply the main output of Harmony-G in stereo or mono. For more information on mono
Loading Presets
Press the Preset button to load the next preset and change the sound. If you need to access your two favorite sounds while standing, tapping the A/B footswitch will toggle between them quickly.
If you would like to access more presets while standing, hold the A/B footswitch to enter Preset select mode. Now,pressing the A/B button cycles through the five “A” preset settings or “B” preset settings, depending on whether an A or B was loaded when you held the footswitch.
Making Harmonies
Play a song on your guitar and sing. Press the On footswitch to hear the harmony voices in the preset you have loaded. Press the On footswitch again to mute the harmony voices so you can sing with no harmony.
Using the Tone Button
When you activate the Tone button, your voice will sound smoother and brighter. There are three high quality studio effects that accomplish this: adaptive “Shape” EQ, adaptive compression, and de-essing.
Mixing
The three control knobs: Guitar,FX and Harmony, adjust how much guitar, vocal harmony and FX are added to your lead voice.The balance you create will be the same for all presets. The factory-set levels at the center position have been programmed for optimum sound.
Adjusting the Harmony Level
Turn the Harmony control to raise or lower the amount of harmony added to your voice. If the Double button is on, the extra voice it adds will be adjusted as well.
Changing the FX Volume
Turn the FX control knob to raise or lower the mix level of the effect style selected with the FX button.
Getting to Know Harmony-G
16
Adjusting Your Guitar Volume
If your guitar is sent to the main outputs (Guitar Thru jack is not used), the Guitar control knob adjusts how much guitar sound is added to the mix.The center Auto detent position engages Automix which slowly (around 20 seconds) but continually adjusts your guitar volume while you play so that your voice is never lost in the mix.
If you find that your guitar volume reduces while not singing, other instruments may be leaking into your mic. To overcome this, reduce the Input control so that other sounds around you do not light the green LED. Also, try aiming other instruments away from your mic.
If you find Automix is not working at all, you need to raise the level of your guitar either with its volume control or a preamp.
Thicken Your Voice with the Double Button
Activating this button will simulate the effect of you singing along with yourself to make your lead voice sound thicker. It can be stored on or off in each preset.
Editing Presets
You can change the settings of the Double, FX, Voice 1 and Voice 2 features to your liking by pressing their associated buttons. Pressing the Preset button will cancel your edits and load the next preset.The Manual button is an advanced feature detailed in the “For Advanced Users” section.
What Do the Voice 1&2 Buttons Do?
Pressing either of these buttons can be used to select harmony “voicings” for that voice or to turn the voice off.Voicing is the term describing a pitch-shifted version of your voice at a musically determined pitch.
Getting to Know Harmony-G
17
What Does Higher, Lower etc. Mean?
These names define the harmony arrangement in the current preset. Careful arrangement of harmony voices is an effective way of emulating a favorite band’s vocal style. The following describe the typical intervals produced by Harmony-G.
o Higher - Generally a 5th interval or 7 semitones
above your voice
o High - Generally a minor or major 3rd interval or
3-4 semitones above your voice
o Low - Generally a minor or major 3rd interval or
3-4 semitones below your voice
o Lower - Generally a 6th interval or 8 semitones
below your voice
o Bass - This deep voice follows the root note of
your current guitar chord
o Octave Up and Down - Follows your voice exactly
12 semitones above or below regardless of the guitar chord you play.
Storing Edited Presets
You can store a changed preset for the next time you need it. Press and hold the Preset button to store both the A and B settings for that preset number. If you save your two favorite A and B settings at preset 1, they will be ready when you power up without you having to load them each time. Note that the positions of the Input, Tone, Guitar, FX, and Harmony controls are not saved, as they are global.
Changing the FX
Press the FX button to change the reverb and delay style in the preset you are currently on. If you prefer this setting, it can be stored with the preset.
Using the Tuner
Hold the On footswitch to enter Tuner/Bypass mode. The On led will flash. Pluck the single open string you want to tune and you’ll see the note it’s closest to in the Preset display.As well, a pattern of LEDs in the FX styles and Voice 1&2 indicator areas will show whether the
Getting to Know Harmony-G
18
string is sharp or flat. As you raise or lower the pitch of the string, the FX and Voice 1/ Voice 2 indicator LEDs will light as shown.
Shows string is in tune
Shows string is sharp
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
Shows string is flat
Press the On footswitch to exit Tuner/Bypass mode.
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
Hall Room Echo Slap Combi SFX
Higher High Low Lower Bass Octave
Getting to Know Harmony-G
19
20
How to Use the Manual Mode
There may be times when you want to disengage guitar control of your harmonies and use a fixed key (e.g. E Minor) instead. Using Manual mode does this. It could be that you aren’t playing your guitar in a particular song or that you’ve used fixed-key harmony in other TC-Helicon products and found it works better and sounds unique for some songs. In these cases, you can use the Manual mode, also known as “Scale” in other TC-Helicon products.
To use Manual mode, hold both footswitches then play a chord on your guitar. If your song is in E minor for example, play a simple Emin chord. As you strike the chord, Harmony-G will automatically exit the key setting mode so you can sing right away. Note that chords containing extensions such as 7ths are not recognized.
If some of the harmony notes don’t sound correct to you, you can choose from the three alternate scales by re-entering Manual mode described above, and before
you play the chord, tapping the A/B footswitch to cycle through the three alternate major or minor scales. A number from 1 to 3 will show your selection in the Preset display until you play the chord. If none of these work, then it’s best to turn off the Manual button and return to guitar-controlled harmony. If you wish to re­use Manual mode and the key you’ve just set next time you power up, you can hold the Preset button to store it to the current preset number.
Advanced FX Style Select
Each effect style (Hall, Room etc.) has additional selections. To browse additional Hall sounds, for example, first cycle the FX button to the Hall style, then hold the FX button. Tap the FX button to sample the options that are numbered in the preset display. Once you’ve found one you like, press and hold the FX button to exit. Hold the Preset button to store if desired. Note that cycling through the FX styles again with the FX button will return your edit to the default style (#1) in each style bank.
For Advanced Users
For Advanced Users
How to Choose Alternate Tone Settings
The factory default for the Tone button accomodates a wide range of singers but there are options to fur ther customize this feature.
To access the Alternate Tone settings, hold the Tone button until you see the Preset number display flash.You can tap the Tone button to cycle through the numbered choices shown below:
d: Default setting best for most situations 1: Choose this if you have a very bright-sounding PA 2: This option adds “warmth” to your voice 3: Increased compression. Caution: this increases the
likelihood of feedback
Guitar Reverb and Detune
When mixing the guitar input internally, reverb will be automatically added to your guitar.The guitar reverb style depends on the currently loaded FX style. The guitar reverb and voice FX level are controlled by the FX knob.
You’re able to add a separate detune effect to your guitar when you enter the Advanced FX Select mode (Hold the FX button) and then press the Double button so its LED lights. After you’ve exited Advanced FX Select mode, you can still add or remove the vocal doubling effect with the Double button without changing your guitar’s detune sound. As with the other FX, the guitar detune effect can be stored on or off in different presets.
Changing the Number of Presets
The default configuration of Harmony-G is to offer five presets each having an A and B setting. This allows you to cycle through them with a reasonable amount of footswitch or Preset button pushes. If you need access to more presets and are willing to step through them with the footswitch or Preset button, or you would like to reduce the number so you can cycle through three favorites for example, there is a way to set this in Harmony-G.
To set the accessible number of presets, power up holding the Preset button. After a moment, the number “5“ will show the default number of presets. Tap the
21
Preset button to extend the limit to up to ten (shown as “0”) or back down to three (1 and 2 are not options). Hold the Preset button to store this setting and exit to normal operation.
External Mixing with Mono and Dry Outputs
If you prefer, you can leave the level balancing between your dry voice (Tone active only) and a mono signal of the Harmony, Double and FX to your sound engineer. Ensure the Stereo LED is not lit and that the Harmony knob is set to full right. Connect the outputs to two channels of your audio mixer. The Left (Mono) output will send the “wet” effects and the Right (Dry) output will send your dry voice. These can be adjusted by your sound engineer.
Performing a Factory Reset
A reset will delete all of your edited presets and return all settings to the factory defaults.To reset the unit,insert the power connector while holding the Manual and Voice 2 buttons.
To Change the Tuning Reference
By default, Harmony-G is tuned to A=440 Hz and the harmony voices will sound in tune when you sing with a guitar tuned to A=440. If you will be playing guitar and singing with an instrument tuned to a different reference e.g. a piano that has dropped in overall pitch, you can change Harmony-G’s reference with the following procedure.
Press and hold the Manual, Double and FX buttons simultaneously as you plug in the power adapter.Then place your microphone near the instrument you want to tune to and play any single note from it. Press any button to exit to normal function.
You can now tune your guitar to the new reference.Your guitar and the harmony voice’s pitch will match the reference instrument.
Note that the tuning reference is reset to A440 the next time power is removed from Harmony-G.
For Advanced Users
22
My guitar doesn’t change the harmonies.What’s wrong?
o Turn up the volume control on your guitar. o Confirm your guitar cable is good by connecting
your guitar directly to your amp.
o Remove any guitar effect pedals between your
guitar and Harmony-G’s input.
o Ensure that you are playing guitar chords made up
of at least a root note and a major or minor third.
o Ensure the Manual button is off
My guitar volume is changing when I sing, can I adjust it manually?
o Adjust the Guitar level control so that it is above
or below the center Auto position.
My guitar is connected to my amp but I can’t hear it.What’s wrong?
o Press the On footswitch to exit Bypass/Tuner
mode
My FX level is up but the sound is still dry
o You’re likely set to the Off FX style. Press the FX
button to activate and cycle through the FX styles.
I want to talk to the audience with no FX on, how do I do that?
o Hold the On footswitch to enter Bypass/Tuner
mode.
Where can I find support for this product?
o Point your browser to www.tc-helicon.com. On
our webpage, you’ll find links to our support site and support contact information.
Can I turn the harmonies off in a preset?
Yes, press either the Voice 1 or Voice 2 buttons so that the LEDs above them are not lit.
FAQ and Troubleshooting
23
Guitar Performance Tips
To ensure that the harmony voices follow your guitar playing closely, it’s best to play as cleanly as you can. Also, at the beginning of your song, it’s important to play a chord if you want to sing right at the beginning.
Your guitar should be well-tuned to the onboard tuner or an external one set to A=440 Hz. If the song section you want vocal harmony on has fast chord changes, single note runs or very slow arpeggios, you can use Manual mode to produce harmony.
Singing Performance Tips
The more in-tune you sing, the better the harmonies will sound. There is a slight amount of pitch correction on the harmony voices but it’s mostly up to you! Try to ensure that your amp or monitor is not facing directly into your mic as this can confuse Harmony-G.
Can I Use Alternate Tunings On My Guitar?
Alternate tunings e.g. drop D, DADGAD, etc. are okay. The most important notes of your chord, as far as Harmony-G is concerned, are the chord root and the third, so make sure these notes are clearly voiced.Your guitar can be tuned to alternate tunings as long as you are in tune with the onboard tuner.
FAQ and Troubleshooting
24
25
Specifications
Analog Inputs
Mic Connector Balanced XLR, Input Impedance 1kOhm Mic Input Sensitivity @ 0dBFS -44dBu to +2dBu Mic Input Sensitivity @ 12dB headroom -56dBu to -10dBu Guitar In Connector Unbalanced 1/4”, Input Impedance 1MOhmGuitar In Sensitivity +15dBu @ 0dBFS EIN -126dBu @ max. mic amp gain, Rg = 150 Ohm
Analog Outputs
Main Output Connectors Balanced XLR Output Impedance 40 Ohm Output Level +2dBu @ 0dBFS Guitar Thru Connector Unbalanced 1/4” Phone Jack Guitar Thru Output Impedance 270 Ohm
Input to Output Analog Audio Performance
Dynamic Range, Mic. @ Min gain >108dB, 20 Hz - 20kHz *A-weightedDynamic Range, Mic. @ -18dBu sensitivity > 104dB, 20hz - 20kHz*THD+ Noise, Mic. @ Min gain <-90dB Frequency Response, max gain -1.5dB @ 40 Hz,+0/-0.3 dB (200Hz to 20 kHz)Guitar In to Thru Dynamic Range >119dB Tuning Mute Attenuation >100dB
Conversion Characteristics
Sample Rate 48 kHz,Converter AKM AK4620B AD / DA Conversion 24 bit, 128x oversampling
bitstream
EMC & Safety
Complies with EN 55103-1 and EN 55103-2 FCC part 15, Class B, CISPR 22, Class B
Certified to IEC 65, EN 60065, UL6500 and CSA E60065 CSA FILE #LR108093
Environment
Operating Temperature 32° F to 122° F (0° C to 50° C)
Storage Temperature -22° F to 167° F (-30° C to 70° C)
Humidity Max. 90 % non-condensing
Supplementary
Dimensions 130mm x 132mm x 41mm (5" x
5.25" x 1.5")
Weight 1.5 lb. (0.72 kg) Warranty Parts and labor 1 year
All specifications and features subject to change without notice.
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