DigiTech Vocalist Live FX Owner's Manual
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DigiTech Vocalist Live FX Owner's Manual

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Summary of Contents for DigiTech Vocalist Live FX

  • Page 1 Owner's Manual...
  • Page 2 IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WARNING FOR YOUR PROTECTION READ THE FOLLOWING: KEEP THESE INSTRUCTIONS Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. HEED ALL WARNINGS A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong.

  • Page 3: Declaration Of Conformity

    Signal Processing EN 55024:1998 8760 S. Sandy Parkway FCC Part 15 Sandy, Utah 84070, USA Date: March 7, 2013 European Contact: Your local DigiTech Sales and Service Office or Harman Signal Processing 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070 USA...
  • Page 4 For further technical assistance or service, please visit our support page at digitech.com. If you need to return a product to the factory for service, you MUST first contact Technical Support to obtain a Return Authorization Number.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents De-Esser .............40 Overview ........1 Noise Gate ..........41 Introduction ..........1 Low Cut Filter ..........42 musIQ & Live Adapt ........1 ® Pitch FX ............43 Features ............2 Distortion/Filter ........46 Included Items..........2 Harmony ............48 Double ............50 User Interface & Connectors . 3 Modulation ..........52 Delay ............54 Top Panel ............3...

  • Page 7: Overview

    Overview Introduction Thank you for choosing the Vocalist Live FX by DigiTech . The Live FX is a ® ® feature-packed live vocal effects processor which incorporates the latest musIQ ® technology, studio-grade channel strip and vocal effects processing, Live Adapt,...

  • Page 8: Features

    • Easy-To-Read Backlit LCD Display • USB Port for Firmware Updates & Preset Management • Vocalist Live Librarian Software for Mac & PC Included Items • Vocalist Live FX Processor • Power Supply • Quick Start • Safety/Compliance Information Sheet The utmost care was taken while manufacturing your Live FX.

  • Page 9: User Interface & Connectors

    User Interface & Connectors Top Panel Gold Channel Button Pressing this button turns the Gold Channel effects on and off. The Gold Channel effects provide channel strip style processing and are used to provide the sonic foundation for your vocal sound. Pressing and holding this button will enter the Gold Channel Edit menu, where the Gold Channel effects can be modified using the DATA encoder [5] and Edit knobs [9].

  • Page 10: Store Button

    Note: Whenever the Aux In jack is connected to an audio source, it will be used for Live Adapt features instead of the internal microphone. See "Live Adapt" on page 15 Signal LED This LED lights when the mic input signal is detected. This LED will light green when a signal is present, yellow when approaching the A/D limiting point, and red when limiting occurs.

  • Page 11: Lcd Display

    UP Footswitch This footswitch selects the next preset up. Pressing and holding this footswitch for 2 seconds will bypass all Vocal effects (Gold Channel effects will not be affected). This "Vocal Effects Bypass" feature allows you to bypass all Vocal effects quickly, such as when talking to the audience between songs. DOWN Footswitch This footswitch selects the next preset down.

  • Page 12: Rear Panel

    Footswitch Jack Plug an optional DigiTech FS3X Footswitch to this jack for full-time control of the Live FX’s built-in phrase looper. You can also connect a volume or expression pedal to this jack for continuous control of various vocal effect parameters.

  • Page 13: Connection Diagrams

    Connection Diagrams Cable Diagrams Stereo Connection to Live FX Aux In 1/8” Stereo Cable Ground Left + Left Channel Left Channel (+) Left + Ground Ground Right Channel Right Right + Channel (+) Ground Right + Use a cable like this when connecting a stereo 1/4" feed to the Live FX's Aux In jack. Note: You can also use the above cable when connecting a mono signal to the Aux In jack–such as when connecting an aux send or direct output from the mixing console.

  • Page 14: Mono Application

    Line Input Computer w/Vocalist Live Librarian Software (optional) Harman Power Supply Portable Music Headphones DigiTech FS3X Footswitch or Microphone Player Volume/Expression Pedal (optional) (optional) (optional) Note: This application requires that the Live FX be configured for mono operation. See "Stereo" on page 29 for further information. Whenever the Aux In jack is connected to an audio source, it will be used for Live Adapt features instead of the internal microphone.

  • Page 15: Stereo Application

    Line Inputs Computer w/Vocalist Live Librarian Software (optional) Harman Power Supply Portable Music Headphones DigiTech FS3X Footswitch or Microphone Player Volume/Expression Pedal (optional) (optional) (optional) Note: This application requires that the Live FX be configured for stereo operation, which is the default configuration. See "Stereo" on page 29 for further information.

  • Page 16: Using Aux In Jack W/Live Adapt

    Computer w/Vocalist Live Librarian Software (optional) Harman Power Supply Headphones DigiTech FS3X Footswitch or Microphone (optional) Volume/Expression Pedal (optional) Note: Whenever the Aux In jack is connected to an audio source, it will be used for Live Adapt features instead of the internal microphone.

  • Page 17: Operating The Live Fx

    Operating The Live FX This section of the manual describes how to navigate and use the various features of the Live FX. Gold Channel Effects The "Gold Channel" effect processing section is the first effect module in the signal chain and provides channel strip style processing. The Gold Channel effects comprise the following 8 effects: Warmth, Compressor, Pitch Correction, Ambience, EQ, De-Esser, Gate, and Low Cut.

  • Page 18: Vocal Effects

    Vocal Effects The "Vocal" effects processing section comes after the Gold Channel effects processing section and comprises the following 7 effect modules: Pitch FX, Distortion/Filter, Harmony, Double, Modulation, Delay, and Reverb. Unlike the Gold Channel effects, Vocal effect settings are independently stored to each preset. To bypass/enable a Vocal effect module: Press the corresponding effect button (e.g., <Pitch FX>, <Dist/Filter>, etc.).

  • Page 19: Anti-Feedback (Dbx Afs)

    Anti-Feedback (dbx AFS) ® The Anti-Feedback feature actively monitors the room using the built-in microphone and kills feedback before it becomes a problem. In live situations where feedback is possible, enable dbx AFS by simply pressing the <Anti-Feedback> button–the ® button will turn green, indicating AFS is active.

  • Page 20: Sound Check

    Sound Check If you've ever tried adjusting vocal effect parameters while singing then you know that it can be difficult to properly judge the parameter changes due to the fact that you can hear your own voice inside your head. The Sound Check feature resolves this issue by allowing you to record a vocal loop (pre-effects) that you can then playback through the Gold Channel and Vocal effects.

  • Page 21: Live Adapt

    Live Adapt The Live FX’s Live Adapt feature uses the built-in microphone or Aux In jack to listen to the music and automatically adjust noise gate threshold (built-in microphone only), pitch effect key, harmony key, and delay and modulation tempo. These options can be enabled and disabled independently in the Live Adapt menu and then turned on and off globally with the Live Adapt button.
  • Page 22 music. The Pitch FX KEY setting will still provide the baseline information for the effect, but will be modified to better match the notes being detected by Live Adapt. If you don’t know the key of the song, you can choose “Chromatic”...
  • Page 23 TEMPO setting of 120 BPM would be allowed to vary between about 102 BPM and about 138 BPM. To enable/disable each Live Adapt option: Press and hold the <Live Adapt> button for 2 seconds. The button will begin flashing and the display will show the available Live Adapt options. Use the corresponding <Edit>...

  • Page 24: Looper

    Looper The Live FX's built-in mono phrase looper allows you to record a vocal loop, record infinite overdubs on the loop, and undo/redo overdubs during live performance. The looper is placed last in the signal chain. This allows all enabled effects to be recorded with the loop and allows overdubs to be recording with different effects applied.
  • Page 25 You can now record overdubs. To add an overdub, ensure the loop is playing. If it is not, press the <Down> footswitch to initiate loop playback. Now press the <Down> footswitch to start overdub recording. “OVERDUB” will appear in the display. To stop overdub recording, press the <Down>...

  • Page 26: Presets

    Presets The Live FX has 99 user presets and 99 factory presets. The type of preset loaded can be identified by the letter preceding the preset number in the LCD display. For example, "U01" would signify "User" preset 1 and "F04" would signify "Factory" preset 4.
  • Page 27 If you do not wish to rename the preset, go to step 5. If you do wish to rename the preset, turn the <Edit 1> knob to change the selected character. The preset name can contain up to 16 characters. Turn the <DATA>...

  • Page 28: Preset A/B Parts

    Preset A/B Parts Each preset has two parts, referred to as “A” and “B”. Vocal effects can be independently enabled or disabled in each part. This feature can be helpful for applying dynamic effects within a song without having to navigate presets, such as enabling delays or distortion effects on certain words or vocal phrases.

  • Page 29: Set Lists

    Set Lists The Live FX allows you to organize presets into groups called “Set Lists". A Set List contains a group of up to twenty presets placed in any order, so you can easily step through them one at a time during a performance. There are five available Set Lists: Favorites, Set List A, Set List B, Set List C, and Set List D.
  • Page 30 HINt: The Live FX provides an alternative way of quickly adding presets to the Favorites Set List. From Preset mode, select the preset which you want to add to the Favorites Set List. Hold down the <Set List> button until the Favorites Set List is displayed in the LCD display.

  • Page 31: Fs3X Footswitch Control

    The footswitch functions in the Live FX are reassigned when the Looper is enabled. This prevents changing presets and A/B status when controlling the Looper functions. An optional DigiTech FS3X Footswitch can be used for full-time looper control, freeing up the Live FX footswitches to be used for full-time preset navigation.

  • Page 32: Volume/Expression Pedal Control

    Volume/Expression Pedal Control The Live FX can accommodate a variety of expression pedals or a volume pedal plugged into the Footswitch input jack for continuous control of various Vocal effect parameters. The Live FX must be configured for volume/expression pedal operation before an external controller can be used.

  • Page 33: System Setup

    System Setup The System Edit menu is used to configure the Live FX for your application and is accessed by pressing the <System> button. Pressing the <DATA> encoder navigates the various pages within the System Edit menu and turning the corresponding <EDIT>...

  • Page 34: A/B Footswitch Configuration

    A/B Footswitch Configuration Each preset has two parts, referred to as “A” and “B”. Vocal effects can be independently enabled or disabled in each part. This feature can be helpful for applying dynamic effects within a song without having to navigate presets, such as enabling delays or distortion effects on certain words or vocal phrases.

  • Page 35: Stereo

    Stereo When the STEREO parameter is turned on, the Live FX’s outputs will be configured for stereo operation (this is the default setting). When the Stereo parameter is turned off, the Live FX is configured for mono operation. When configured for mono operation, all outputs will carry the same mono-summed signal.

  • Page 36: Loop Undo

    Loop Undo This system parameter is used to turn the Loop Undo function on and off. When turned on, overdubs recorded using the Live FX’s built-in phrase looper can be undone on-the-fly by simply pressing and holding the <Down> footswitch for 2 seconds.

  • Page 37: Ep (Expression Pedal) Type

    EP (Expression Pedal) Type The Live FX Footswitch jack accommodates either the DigiTech FS3X Footswitch for controlling the built-in phrase looper or an expression/volume controller for controlling various Vocal effect parameters. The EP TYPE parameter is a global system parameter and does not require you to store any change made to it. The selectable options are: •...

  • Page 38: Aux In Configuration

    Aux In Configuration The AUX system parameter determines whether or not the audio signal from the Aux In jack will be sent to the outputs. The selectable options are: • Mute Selecting this option will mute the Aux In so that you will not hear it in the output signal.

  • Page 39: Ep Parameter, Min, & Max

    EP Parameter, Min, & Max These system parameters select which vocal effect parameter you would like to control using an optional volume or expression pedal and set the min and max settings for the pedal's toe up and toe down positions. These parameters are not global parameters and do require you to store them to a preset in order to be retained.
  • Page 40 Vocal Effect Parameters Available for Expression Pedal Control EP Param Minimum Selectable Value Maximum Selectable Value Harmony Humanize Harmony Gender Double Amount Double Detune Double Humanize Double Correct Mod Amount Mod Shape Mod Speed Slow Delay Amount Delay Repeats Delay Speed Slap 3 Tempo (BPM) Reverb Amount...

  • Page 41: Factory Reset

    Factory Reset This system parameter restores all system settings and user presets to their factory default state. WArNINg! Performing the Factory Reset procedure will delete stored presets. It is recommended that you backup presets using the Vocalist Live Librarian preset management software before performing this procedure.

  • Page 42: The Effects & Parameters

    The Effects & Parameters The Live FX signal path is a serial chain of 8 effect modules, which correspond to the 8 buttons along the top of the Live FX’s user interface. The “Gold Channel” effect module is the first module in the signal chain and comprises a grouping of 8 channel strip style effects (Warmth, Compressor, Noise Gate, Low Cut, EQ, De-Esser, Ambience, and Pitch Correction).

  • Page 43: Warmth

    Press & Hold To Edit Warmth Warmth adds varying amounts of tube saturation to your vocals. Use Warmth when your vocals require some additional grit, warmth, and character. Available parameter: • WARMTH (0-99) This parameter adjusts the amount of tube saturation applied, with 0 being the minimum (no effect) and 99 being the maximum.

  • Page 44: Pitch Correction

    Press & Hold To Edit Pitch Correction Pitch Correction is used to correct notes which are sung slightly out of pitch. For example, if you’re singing a C, and it’s a little flat (but not quite B), pitch correction alters the note so that a more precise C is heard through the sound system. Available parameter: •...
  • Page 45 Press & Hold To Edit The 3-band EQ shapes the tone of your vocals. It provides low, midrange, and high band filters with sweepable midrange frequency control. Available parameters: • LOW (-12 dB-+12 dB) This parameter adjusts the gain of the low frequency shelving filter and can be used to fix a “muddy”...

  • Page 46: De-Esser

    Press & Hold To Edit De-Esser The De-Esser tames excessively harsh consonant sounds, referred to as “sibilance”. A de-esser is a frequency selective compressor which is triggered only by the offending sibilant frequencies (between about 5-10 kHz). If you’re experiencing sibilance issues and your vocals sound too dull when lowering the sibilant frequencies with EQ, try using the De-Esser instead.

  • Page 47: Noise Gate

    Press & Hold To Edit Noise Gate The Noise Gate removes non-vocal signals from passing through the Live FX when you are not singing. This can help clean up the mix and help prevent feedback. Available parameter: • GATE (0-99) This parameter allows you to set the Noise Gate’s threshold, with 0 being the highest threshold and 99 being the lowest threshold.

  • Page 48: Low Cut Filter

    Press & Hold To Edit Low Cut Filter The Low Cut Filter prohibits excessively low frequencies (below the usual range of a vocal signal) from passing through the vocal microphone. These excessively low frequencies generally don’t add anything to the vocal’s sound and, when removed, can help with preventing the low end of the mix from becoming "muddy".

  • Page 49: Pitch Fx

    Press & Hold To Edit Pitch FX The Pitch FX module provides pitch shifting type effects, including Note Hammer, the popular over-the-top synthetic pitch correction effect heard in modern Pop and Hip-Hop recordings. The Pitch effect consists of three different components: TYPE, GENDER, and SHIFT.
  • Page 50 Pitch Type Option Description Reso Resonator effect with no pitch correction. Resobo Robot and resonator with no pitch correction. Space Resonator and pitch sync modulation. Alien Pitch sync modulation and formant shift. Pixel Pixel effect. Growl Emulates growl at loud onsets. Mod 20 Pitch sync modulation = 2 pitch periods.
  • Page 51 • GENDER (-50-+50) This parameter is used to make the pitch shifted signal sound more male or female, with -50 representing male and 50 representing female. Note that this parameter is not affected by the FX LVL parameter. • SHIFT (-12-+12) This parameter determines the amount of transposition applied to the input signal, with negative numbers representing downward pitch transposition and positive numbers representing upward pitch transposition.

  • Page 52: Distortion/Filter

    Press & Hold To Edit Distortion/Filter The Distortion/Filter module adds distortion to your vocals, creates lo-fi effects, or creates special effects, such as emulating a megaphone. Changes to the Distortion/ Filter module need to be stored to a preset for later recall. Available parameters: •...
  • Page 53 Delay When this option is selected, the Distortion/Filter effect is applied to the delayed vocal only (the Delay effect must be enabled to hear this option). When this option is selected, the Distortion/Filter effect will be applied to the lead vocal, delay, harmony, and doubled voices. •...

  • Page 54: Harmony

    Press & Hold To Edit Harmony The Harmony module is used to create the effect of having backup singers singing harmonies. The Live FX adds up to two harmony voices to your lead vocal. Changes to the Harmony module need to be stored to a preset for later recall. Available parameters: •...
  • Page 55 Note: The Harmony KEY parameter can not be edited when adaptive HARMONY is enabled in the Live Adapt menu (see "Live Adapt" on page 15). However, when Pitch FX is configured to receive its KEY setting from the Harmony KEY setting, you will still have access to changing the KEY parameter for the sake of Pitch FX, but doing so will not affect the Harmony KEY as it is set for adaptive operation.

  • Page 56: Double

    Press & Hold To Edit Double Doubling is used to thicken your vocal sound and create the effect of additional singers singing in unison. Changes to the Double module need to be stored to a preset for later recall. Available parameters: •...
  • Page 57 To dial in the Double effect: Sing into the microphone (or use the Sound Check feature, see "Sound Check" on page 14) and ensure the AMOUNT parameter is set high enough to hear the effect. Using the <DATA> encoder, select the desired doubling voice TYPE. If you would like to detune or uptune the doubled voice(s), adjust the DETUNE parameter for the desired effect.

  • Page 58: Modulation

    Press & Hold To Edit Modulation Modulation effects are great for adding motion and depth to your vocal sound and include effects like flanging (jet airplane phasing effect), chorusing (thickens vocals) and vibrato. Changes to the Modulation module need to be stored to a preset for later recall.
  • Page 59 Modulation Speed Option Description Sets the mod speed to 108 BPM (ignores the Slow currently set tempo setting). Sets the mod speed to 240 BPM (ignores the currently set tempo setting). Sets the mod speed to 360 BPM (ignores the Fast currently set tempo setting).

  • Page 60: Delay

    Press & Hold To Edit Delay Delay is an essential effect in vocal processing that creates an echo of your voice during performance. Changes to the Delay module need to be stored to a preset for later recall. Available parameters: •...
  • Page 61 Delay Type Option Description Tape Multitap 1 Tape delays with a multi-tap eighth and quarter pattern. Tape Multitap 2 Tape delays with a multi-tap triplet pong pattern. Tape Multitap 3 Tape delays with a multi-tap dotted eighth + quarter note pattern. Bandpass Delay at the currently set tempo, but each time around the delay line is filtered with a bandpass filter so the repeats get more and...
  • Page 62 • TEMPO (60-300) This parameter allows you to set the tempo for the Delay effect. This parameter is directly tied to the Modulation TEMPO parameter; editing one parameter will affect the other. If you enable the adaptive "TEMPO" feature in the Live Adapt menu, this parameter will adapt within a range around the currently set TEMPO setting.

  • Page 63: Reverb

    Press & Hold To Edit Reverb Lexicon reverb is the industry standard for both studio and live reverb effects. ® Reverb simulates singing in both small and large spaces, making your vocal breathe with more dimension. Changes to the Reverb module need to be stored to a preset for later recall.
  • Page 64 • AMOUNT (0-99) This parameter adjusts the Reverb effect's mix level, with 0 being the minimum (no effect applied) and 99 being the maximum amount of effect applied. • TONE (-50-+50) This parameter adjusts the tone of the Reverb effect, with -50 providing the darkest tone and 50 providing the brightest tone.

  • Page 65: Preset Librarian Software

    You can backup Live FX presets and set lists using the free Vocalist Live Librarian preset management software application for PC and Mac. The Vocalist Librarian software can be downloaded from digitech.com. This software will connect to the Live FX through the mini USB connector and allows you to archive and retrieve presets and set lists to and from your computer.

  • Page 66: Preset List

    Preset List 1. PAYPHONE 34. WIDE BORG 67. CHEAP SHADES 2. BAD ROMANCE 35. BAMA HOLDON 68. CRAZY IN LOVE 3. SEXY BACK 36. STRANGLUV 69. 1 MORE DRAFT 4. SOUL OF MAN 37. DIST DELAY 70. BIG PLATE 5. I C RITE THRU 2U 38.

  • Page 67: Technical Information

    Technical Information Block Diagram Owner's Manual...

  • Page 68: Specifications

    Specifications Mic Input Microphone Input: Female XLR Pin 2 Hot Input Impedance: 3kΩ balanced Phantom Power: +45 Volts Maximum gain: +60 dB E.I.N. (at max gain): -125 dBu @ 60 dB gain typical (150Ω source) -128 dBu @ 60 dB gain typical A-weighted (150Ω...
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  • Page 72 8760 South Sandy Parkway Sandy, Utah 84070 PH: (801) 566-8800 FAX: (801) 566-7005 WEB: digitech.com SUPPORT:digitech.com/en-US/support Vocalist Live FX Owner's Manual 5036718-A ©2013 Harman, all rights reserved. DigiTech and Vocalist are registered trademarks of Harman.

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