The TC Helicon VoiceOne Pitch & Modeling Tool is built around a new vocal-trained pitch-recognition algorithm. VoiceOne is loaded with vocal-shaping features. There are 4 kinds of voice pitch shifting: in the PureShift, full-DSP mode, you can shift using Instrumental, Formant Corrected, and HybridShift (set the percentage of instrument vs. formant corrected). In regular mode, all shifting is done through the VoiceModeling section. It\'s useful having all these options depending on the kind of voice you are working with and the sound you want. The FlexTime elasticity algorithm allows you to control vocal phrase stretching/shrinking either directly or automatically with up to 500ms of freedom. Second-generation VoiceModeling enhances or transforms vocals using algorithms which include Vibrato, Breath, Growl/Rasp, Inflection, Spectral, and Resonance. VoiceOne also offers advanced automatic and manual pitch correction. The sonic quality of the shifted voice is outstanding. And, in combination with modeling, you can create amazing backing vocals with the TC Helicon VoiceOne.PRODUCT SUMMARY from Electronic Musician review.
In a perfect world, every vocalist would sing in tune and place each phrase neatly in the pocket. Capable harmony singers would hang out on every street corner, and no one would ever catch a cold. Matching the perfect singer to the track would be child\'s play, and the producer would never, ever decide to change the key after the singer has left for the Bahamas.
It\'s unlikely you live in a perfect world. Ever since the earliest days of recording, studio engineers have sweated to repitch warbling crooners, turn smooth-cheeked altar boys into would-be rock gods, tease a harmony track from thin air, or mask the nose job that a diva had between the original session and the overdubs.
Combining voice modeling (VM), intelligent pitch correction, and spot-on pitch-shifting, the VoiceOne from TC-Helicon puts the most-essential vocal manipulation tools into a single rackspace. Unlike the VoicePrismPlus, it offers no dynamics processing, EQ, or effects. Nor do you get four harmony voices, although with a little effort the VoiceOne can create stunningly realistic harmony parts that far surpass anything I\'ve heard previously.
LOOK AROUND
With an attractive metallic-blue faceplate, the VoiceOne shares the look of several of TC Electronic\'s popular effects boxes. Controls are logically arranged around the display. Utility functions nestle around the data wheel, and buttons for editing various VM and pitch parameters are grouped in the center (seeFig. 1). Two rotary pots offer manual adjustment of input and output gain over a 24 dB range relative to internally set levels. Dual ladder meters reveal input and output levels at a glance, and, as an unintended consequence, give visual confirmation of the processing delay.
Just as all controls and displays are on the front panel, all connections are on the rear (seeFig. 2). The most obvious difference between the VoiceOne and its predecessors is the lack of a microphone input. Analog ins and outs are on balanced XLR connectors only. Given that the unit accommodates a wide range of levels, I\'m surprised that TC-Helicon didn\'t opt for Neutrik combo connectors, which offer ¼-inch and XLR inputs. Oddly, only one of the two analog inputs is active at a time, and the two outputs are split between the dry (unprocessed) and wet signals. To compensate for conversion and processing delay, the dry signal is delayed to match the wet signal.
Digital I/O is on RCA jacks, but the unit can switch from 24-bit S/PDIF to AES/EBU. All processing is at 24 bits, and you can dither the output down to 20, 16, or 8 bits. The VoiceOne supports 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz sampling rates with internal or external clock. Completing the rear view are the usual trio of MIDI jacks, a power-cord receptacle, and a ¼-inch TS jack for a footswitch.
TC-Helicon
VoiceOne
vocal processor
$1,299
FEATURES4.0EASE OF USE3.5AUDIO QUALITY4.0VALUE4.0RATING PRODUCTS FROM 1 TO 5
PROS:Realistic pitch-shifting and pitch correction. Extensive control of vocal formants, inflection, and vibrato. Multiple pitch-shift and correction options.
CONS:No ¼-inch analog I/O. No direct input of numerical parameters. Poor documentation.
Manufacturer
TC-Helicon/TC Electronic (distributor)
VoiceOne Specifications
Analog Audio Inputs(2) balanced XLRAnalog Audio Outputs(2) balanced XLRDigital Audio I/O(1) RCA in, (1) RCA out; 24-bit S/PDIF, AES/EBUA/D/A Conversion44.1, 48 kHz; 24-bit, 128× oversamplingMIDIIn, Out, ThruControl Jack¼\" TS footpedalPresets(100) factory (1 blank); (50) userDisplay23-character, 280-icon STN-LCDDynamic Range100 dB, 20 Hz-20 kHzTotal Harmonic Distortion<-94 dB (0.002%) 1 kHz, +20 dBu outputFrequency Response20 Hz-20 kHz, +0/-0.5 dB @ 48 kHzPower100-240 VAC; <15WDimensions1U × 8.2\" (D)Weight4.1 lb.
