TC-Helicon VoiceWorks Plus 1.2 User Manual
Overview
Useful features and bug fixes comprise this update for
VoiceWorksPlus. This manual addendum lists and
describes these as well as details how to install the
software update.
These improvements are largely due to customer
feedback.Thanks to those who helped us improve this
exciting product!
New features overview
• Preset preview has been expanded to show more
information
•
MIDI CC control and Aftertouch has been greatly
expanded
•
Sustain pedal support has been added to Chords
and Notes modes
•
A new momentary footswitch mode allows setting
of key and scale via MIDI keyboard chords
• A new Setup parameter allows you to select the
Factory or User preset bank as the main target for
program change messages
• A new Model preset parameter allows you to dis-
engage MIDI note control of pitch when desired
• Deletion of individual User presets now possible
Bugfixes and tweaks
• All Notes Off implementation has been corrected
• Main FX Level control is now post-mixer
• Preset change is faster with fewer audio artifacts
• Pitch correction custom scales now save correctly
•
A strategy to prevent loss of Setup configuration
during incomplete shutdown has been added
• μMod phase control fixed
•
Small factory preset adjustments
• MIDI filter removed from Setup dump
... and many more small fixes.
Update preparation
Required materials:
1. A computer with a MIDI output port
2. VoiceWorksPlus version 1.2 update file from the
TC-Helicon.com website.
3. A program capable of sending MIDI system exclusive data such as MIDI-Ox (PC) or Sysex
(Macintosh). These are both free and available on
the web.
4. You’ll need to check that a second version of
firmware, AVR code version 1.7 is up to date by
powering up the unit while holding the Bypass and
Store buttons.The first screen will display this version. If your version is not up to date, there are
instructions and a file on the http://tcsupport.custhelp.com website that will allow you to upgrade it.
Setup data is not transferred from your previous
version. You will need to edit your Setup parameters
manually when the new version is installed.As a safety
precaution, you should also dump your User bank (not
including Setup data) to your MIDI librarian program.
Performing the update
1. Connect a cable from your MIDI output port to
the MIDI input on VoiceWorksPlus.
2. Load the version 1.2 file into your MIDI program.
3. Power up VoiceWorksPlus while holding the
Bypass and Store buttons. You’ll see “VW Plus
Firmware V(current version)”.
4. Turn the Data Wheel until you see “Downld DSP
Code?” in the display window. Press the Data Wheel.
5. Send the data from your MIDI program. If all is
connected properly, you’ll see numbers incrementing in the VoiceWorksPlus display.
6. Relax with a beverage while the dump proceeds, it
may take a few minutes. This is a good time to
review this addendum and become more familiar
with the new features.
7. When it is complete, the display should read
“Download Successful!”. If not, check your cables
and repeat.
VOICEWORKSPLUS v1.2
Manual Addendum
1
Addendum version 1.0, Nov 2, 2007
front panel if this happens.An interesting approach is to
greatly reduce the level of one or more of the voices
so that they only sound when Aftertouch is applied.
Harmony Threshold - This is similar to Harmony
Boost.The difference is that an Aftertouch threshold is
derived from each voice’s current level and boost will
only occur once you have pressed hard enough to
reach this threshold.
Harmony Boost +6dB - This applies a more subtle level
boost limited to 6dB maximum for each voice.
Vibrato Boost - Now you can modulate the vibrato
amount without having to remove your hands from the
keyboard.Note that vibrato styles need to be assigned
to the harmony voices in the preset for this to work.
Vibrato and Harmony - This is a combination of Vibrato
Boost and Harmony Boost +6dB.
Transducer Lo-Band Up - When the Transducer is
inserted into the Lead, Harmony/Model path or main
output of VoiceWorksPlus,Aftertouch can be used to
move the band filters up and down in a creative way.
This option raises the Low BandLimit frequency from
its starting point set in Edit menu T4.
Transducer Lo-Band Down - As above only the Low
BandLimit frequency moves downward from its
starting point.To be audible, the frequency must be set
to a high value first.
Transducer Hi-Band Up - Increases the Hi BandLimit
value from its starting point. Set the initial value low to
hear the effect.
Transducer Hi-Band Down - Lowers the Hi BandLimit
value from its starting point. Set the initial value to a
high value to hear the effect.
• Sustain pedal support in Chords and Notes
modes
Keyboardist/Vocalists who use Chords and Notes
mode to produce harmonies from VoiceWorksPlus are
going to enjoy this addition. No parameter adjustment
is required to enable this feature.
Pressing the sustain pedal connected to your keyboard
now freezes the MIDI notes used to create harmony in
Notes mode presets. This allows much more natural
performance of piano parts during vocal passages.
Previously, lifting your fingers off the keys muted any
harmony voices regardless of whether the sustain
pedal was pressed or not. Now you can play a chord
VOICEWORKS PLUS V1.2
New features detail
•
Expanded preset preview
The second line of the display offers more accurate
information on the current preset than before. Now,in
addition to seeing Harmony and Model pitch
information, you are able to see the Correction,
Transducer and Effects settings active in the preset.
All settings are not displayed at once for obvious space
reasons. Priority is given to certain active blocks over
others. By turning off higher priority blocks with the
Block On/Off buttons, you can quickly see the settings
for the next block that is turned on.The following table
shows this heirarchy.
Note that the preset must be loaded for Block enable
and disable to preview the settings.
• Expanded MIDI CC and Aftertouch control
The new MIDI Aftertouch feature is detailed below.
Please see the table at the back of this addendum for
detail on the new CCs (Continuous Controllers).
If your controller keyboard sends MIDI Aftertouch
data when you press down on the keys, you can now
modify a selection of the effects in VoiceWorksPlus.
This can open up creative avenues for expression.The
Aftertouch targets listed below are selected in Setup
menu M4:
None - no change via Aftertouch
Harmony Boost - This allows you to modulate the level
of the harmony voices from the preset value to the
maximum per voice. Note that this could cause
distortion when applied with hot input signals. Reduce
input level or lower the Harm/Model control on the
Priority Block abbreviation and detail
1
H: Harmony including shift mode
and amount/interval if applicable
M: Model including shift mode and
interval
2 C: Correction key and scale
3 T: Transducer and insert path
4
F: Effects and active sub-blocks
including μMod, Delay and Reverb
2
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