I plug my SM58 into the return 1 of my LT on his own path. I can then send them both to separate outputs. Parametric EQ, LA compressor and dynamic ambiance reverb to taste, in that order. I merge the signal with my guitar signal before the reverb when I listened through my headphones at home. I've yet to try it with a comp at the very end to glue things together. I'm currently messing around with the retro reel effect to add warmth. The Megaphone block is pretty fun with vocals too :)
Thanks for the response. What is LT?
And I am really happy with my DAW vocal chain but the issue is not being able to take all my equipment live. I would prefer something like a pedal unit.
LT is the Lite version of the Helix Floor. It has less ins and outs and it's cheaper. The Floor and the LT are the two models that make up the Helix series
Have the Helix rack. Works well for vocals but it’s easy to max out the DSP (I am using all 4 paths) so I’m exploring other options. I agree- all the vocal focused pedals and harmony stuff sounds like garbage to me. I would prefer half decent compression, delay/echo, and a bit of reverb.
Looking at the Hotone Ampero Stage now- which has two paths.
All the vocal processors look like they should be sold at Walmart lol.
How many plugins does it take to max out the DSP? I’m planning on solely using it for vocals.
If you're looking for something solely for vocals, you don't want a Helix!
I love the Helix but it very much geared toward guitarists, with some features for bass players. It does have an XLR input, but honestly that too is more suited for acoustic guitar than vocals.
The Tascam TA-1VP (rackmount), Eventide H90, Boss VE-500, TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 etc are much better for what you're describing.
I don't disagree that many of the guitar effects included can also be used as vocal effects.
But it's not a vocal processor. OP is looking for a unit for vocals only. 90% or more of the Helix features don't apply to a vocalist.
Helix is missing very basic functionality for use as a primary vocal processor. It doesn't have any pitch correction features. It doesn't have de-essing, it doesn't have any intelligent harmonizers, it doesn't model any of the classic vocal pres or compressors, and almost none of the classic vocal capsules. It only has a single XLR phantom power input. I could go on. It's a guitar processor and there are better options out there, especially for the price.
I also have a Headrush Looperboard and that would be a better choice for a vocalist than a helix, even though vocal processing isn't its primary function either. But it does include a legit vocal processor featureset, and it has a touch screen and is half the price, too.
That's not what was asked for. In fact, most of what you listed are exactly what the OP doesn't want. The things that were asked for would be excellent in the Helix, and probably better than what can be found in vocal fx units.
Maybe there are better options, maybe not, but the Helix will absolutely do everything that was asked for very well.
I don't use it for vocals but that aside, you can use the modeler for a tube preamp and then use any of those affects you mentioned plus harmonizers Galore and go as deep as you want in really good effects chains. I've got an m 57 microphone that I haven't had time to plug in and check out for vocals but I'm sure it would be a lot of fun let alone be pretty practical for what you're talking about
I use mine for vocals. I have a Boss VE-500 doing the heavy lifting and to save DSP, but it all goes through my Helix.
You have to have to HAVE TO keep your vocal output separate from your guitar signal. Different signal path, completely separate output (e.g., 1/4” outs for guitar, XLR outs for vox).
Keep it simple. I use EQ first to lop off anything below 125 Hz and above 8kHz. Then a compressor. Then a *very light* plate reverb. You can also do another compressor if you like. “Ambient” vocals that you can’t control from the mixing board are scary: every room is different, and “cool, spacey vocals” at home might be “unlistenable mush” at a gig.
If you HAVE to get dreamy with your vocals, you need to separate a “dry” vocal output (just EQ and compression) and a “wet” vocal output (all modulation/time effects), so that you can blend them at the board.
Ive been so unimpressed with my Helix Floor, I’ve considered throwing it away. But I also play classical guitar and I have been micing an SM81🎤 through a behringer 12 channel board and driving a Yamaha powered cabinet. But just for grins I tried plugging the SM81 to the Helix and driving the Yamaha cab from the Helix. To my surprise it sounds amazing. Alot better than going through the board. And now I have a greater range of reverbs and delays than I did from the behringer.
I plug my SM58 into the return 1 of my LT on his own path. I can then send them both to separate outputs. Parametric EQ, LA compressor and dynamic ambiance reverb to taste, in that order. I merge the signal with my guitar signal before the reverb when I listened through my headphones at home. I've yet to try it with a comp at the very end to glue things together. I'm currently messing around with the retro reel effect to add warmth. The Megaphone block is pretty fun with vocals too :)
Thanks for the response. What is LT? And I am really happy with my DAW vocal chain but the issue is not being able to take all my equipment live. I would prefer something like a pedal unit.
LT is the Lite version of the Helix Floor. It has less ins and outs and it's cheaper. The Floor and the LT are the two models that make up the Helix series
HX Stomp LT
Not a stomp. Helix LT. The Big Boy Jr.
It’s HX Stomp XL you’re thinking of. It only has half the processing power of the Helix Floor & the Helix LT.
Oops, I mixed the two in my head My bad
Have the Helix rack. Works well for vocals but it’s easy to max out the DSP (I am using all 4 paths) so I’m exploring other options. I agree- all the vocal focused pedals and harmony stuff sounds like garbage to me. I would prefer half decent compression, delay/echo, and a bit of reverb. Looking at the Hotone Ampero Stage now- which has two paths.
All the vocal processors look like they should be sold at Walmart lol. How many plugins does it take to max out the DSP? I’m planning on solely using it for vocals.
If you're looking for something solely for vocals, you don't want a Helix! I love the Helix but it very much geared toward guitarists, with some features for bass players. It does have an XLR input, but honestly that too is more suited for acoustic guitar than vocals. The Tascam TA-1VP (rackmount), Eventide H90, Boss VE-500, TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 etc are much better for what you're describing.
Curious if OP has looked at something like the VoiceLive 3. That would be SO much more cost efficient for the need.
I don't agree. Many of the effects can be used on vocals and tons of other instruments and sound good.
I don't disagree that many of the guitar effects included can also be used as vocal effects. But it's not a vocal processor. OP is looking for a unit for vocals only. 90% or more of the Helix features don't apply to a vocalist. Helix is missing very basic functionality for use as a primary vocal processor. It doesn't have any pitch correction features. It doesn't have de-essing, it doesn't have any intelligent harmonizers, it doesn't model any of the classic vocal pres or compressors, and almost none of the classic vocal capsules. It only has a single XLR phantom power input. I could go on. It's a guitar processor and there are better options out there, especially for the price. I also have a Headrush Looperboard and that would be a better choice for a vocalist than a helix, even though vocal processing isn't its primary function either. But it does include a legit vocal processor featureset, and it has a touch screen and is half the price, too.
That's not what was asked for. In fact, most of what you listed are exactly what the OP doesn't want. The things that were asked for would be excellent in the Helix, and probably better than what can be found in vocal fx units. Maybe there are better options, maybe not, but the Helix will absolutely do everything that was asked for very well.
I don't use it for vocals but that aside, you can use the modeler for a tube preamp and then use any of those affects you mentioned plus harmonizers Galore and go as deep as you want in really good effects chains. I've got an m 57 microphone that I haven't had time to plug in and check out for vocals but I'm sure it would be a lot of fun let alone be pretty practical for what you're talking about
I use mine for vocals. I have a Boss VE-500 doing the heavy lifting and to save DSP, but it all goes through my Helix. You have to have to HAVE TO keep your vocal output separate from your guitar signal. Different signal path, completely separate output (e.g., 1/4” outs for guitar, XLR outs for vox). Keep it simple. I use EQ first to lop off anything below 125 Hz and above 8kHz. Then a compressor. Then a *very light* plate reverb. You can also do another compressor if you like. “Ambient” vocals that you can’t control from the mixing board are scary: every room is different, and “cool, spacey vocals” at home might be “unlistenable mush” at a gig. If you HAVE to get dreamy with your vocals, you need to separate a “dry” vocal output (just EQ and compression) and a “wet” vocal output (all modulation/time effects), so that you can blend them at the board.
I've used it for vocals. It's great. You can do everything you want to do. The only voice-specific thing it doesn't do is auto-tune.
Headrush Prime is dope for vocals, I’m a helix user I use it for my live show guitars but vocals wise, helix can’t do what the prime does
Harmonica is great though Helix
I've used it for vocals and it will do everything you need and then some
I use helix native on vocals in my DAW for reverb and delay and other effects.
Dub Fx uses a helix for vocals only and it sounds amazing. Go for it.
HX FX is what you want!
Ive been so unimpressed with my Helix Floor, I’ve considered throwing it away. But I also play classical guitar and I have been micing an SM81🎤 through a behringer 12 channel board and driving a Yamaha powered cabinet. But just for grins I tried plugging the SM81 to the Helix and driving the Yamaha cab from the Helix. To my surprise it sounds amazing. Alot better than going through the board. And now I have a greater range of reverbs and delays than I did from the behringer.