Setting Levels, Generating A Good Signal - DigiTech VOCALISTWEX Manual

PERFORMANCE
Setting the Input and Output Levels
Generating a Good Signal
This chapter discusses the main operating features of the Vocalist
Workstation EX. It begins with setting the correct levels and proceeds
with discussions of the different harmony modes and their uses.
We assume that you have connected your Vocalist Workstation EX
according to the diagrams on the previous pages and that you are familiar
with the other devices in your system.
First, move the input and output level controls down to the bottom position.
Input Level
Sing into the microphone and turn up the Input Level control until the
loudest passage you sing causes only brief peaks to register on the red
0dB LED. Too much input gain causes both the unprocessed (dry) vocal
signal and the harmony voices to distort. Too little gain and the Vocalist
Workstation EX will not produce harmonies at all.
Output Level
Once you have set the WorkstationÕs input level, sing into your mic and
bring the Output level fader up to the nominal level ÒbumpÓ at halfway
up the faderÕs travel. This will set the output level to nominal +4 dB. If
you are sending audio to a mixer input that operates at -10 dB, reduce
this control according to the mixerÕs input meters.
It is important that the singer perform as close as possible to the micro-
phone in order to reduce unwanted harmonization of background noise.
In a quiet studio environment this is less critical but on a loud stage, the
singerÕs voice must be considerably louder at the microphone than any
other sounds.
It is also important to avoid using omnidirectional mics. They can pick
up reflections and noise that disrupt the Vocalist Workstation EXÕs pitch
detection. Use directional microphones only; these microphoneÕs pickup
patterns are generally called ÒcardoidÓ or Òhyper-cardoidÓ.
The Signal Lock LED turns on when the Vocalist Workstation EX recog-
nizes the pitch of the input signal. If this LED turns on weakly or flashes
during sustained vocal notes, the input level must be increased either by
singing louder or adjusting the Input Level control.
11