TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 User manual

USER’S MANUAL

WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance
to rain or moisture.
CAUTION
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for
a Class B digital device pursuant to Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
The lightning symbol within a triangle means, “Electrical
caution!” It indicates the presence of information about
operating voltage and potential risks of electrical shock.
The exclamation point within a triangle means, “Caution!”
Please read the information next to all caution signs.

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Back Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Step 1: Pre-Flight Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Step 2: Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Step 3: Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Step 4: Set Mic Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Step 5: Quick Start Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
First Impressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
How To Audition Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Finding Presets With The Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using Harmony Presets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Using The Effect On/Off Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
The SHORTCUT Footswitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
The STEP Footswitch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Programming Your Own Steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Tone, Pitch And Guitar FX Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Activating Bypass + Tuner Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Changing The Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Basic Editing Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
VoiceLive 2 for the Guitarist/Singer . . . . . . . . . .24
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Acoustic Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Electric Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Tuning Your Guitar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Guitar Performance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Table of Contents: Basics Section
TC Helicon Vocal Technologies Ltd.
suppor[email protected]
MMaannuuaall
rreevviissiioonn:: 11..11 Prod. No: E60509411
English Version

VoiceLive 2 for the MIDI keyboardist/Singer . . . .26
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
MIDI Hookup And Channel Selection . . . . . . . . . . .26
MIDI IN And USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
MIDI Controlled Harmony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
MIDI Performance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Alternate Harmony Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
VoiceLive 2 for the Lead Singer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Using A Fixed Key (aka “Scale”) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Singing To Music Playback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
“Borrowing” From Another Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
General Usage Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Connecting VoiceLive 2 To A Computer . . . . . . .32
The USB Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
The VoiceSupport Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
VoiceLive 2 And Digital Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
USB Audio And ASIO Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Selecting The Audio Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
USB and MIDI Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
FAQ and Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Table of Contents: Basics Section
4

The Tone Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
The Tone Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
The Adaptive Check Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
The Shape Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
The Compress Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
The De-Ess Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
The Gate Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
The EQ Tab With Adaptive On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
The EQ Tab With Adaptive Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
The Compress Tab With Adaptive On . . . . . . . . . . .47
The Compress Tab With Adaptive Off . . . . . . . . . . .47
The Gate Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
The Pitch Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
The Guitar FX Button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
The Guitar FX Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
The EQ Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
The Compress Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
The Edit Menu Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
The μMod Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
The Delay Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
The Reverb Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
The Harmony Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
The Double Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
The FX Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
The Preset Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
The Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
I/O Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
The MIDI Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
The System Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
Table of Contents: Details Section
5

The Store Menu Manage Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
MIDI Implementation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Table of Contents: Details Section
6

Introduction
7
Welcome to VoiceLive 2
Thank you for stepping into the evolution of what it
means to be a singer. VoiceLive 2 was conceived and
engineered during a time in history when singers took
control of their vocal sound with the advent of vocal
effects pedals and rack mount units. The significance for
you, the singer using VoiceLive 2, is being able to benefit
from a wave of innovation that makes production of
your vocal sound effortless and creative.
We encourage you to give a quick scan of the Quick
Start and First Impressions section.You likely don't need
much help getting started with VoiceLive 2, but these
sections can help you get the most fromVoiceLive 2 and
your voice. Also, please install the VoiceSupport applica-
tion from the CD in your product’s packaging.This web-
enabled application connects you to the latest updates,
tips and tricks for your VoiceLive 2. In addition, the com-
plete online version of the manual including detailed
parameter descriptions is included with the application.
Features:
o Stompbox access to six effect blocks
o Easy editing of all parameters
o Simple effect chaining with Step feature
o Control harmonies with guitar, MIDI or MP3 input
o Up to 8 voices of new NaturalPlay harmonies
o New reverb, delay, μMod, and double
o FX block for HardTune, megaphone, distortion
o Global tone, correction, and guitar effects
o Digital mic-gain control is engaged by your feet
o USB for updates, back-ups and audio streaming

About This Manual
You’ve no doubt noticed that the Table of Contents has
two sections: the Basics section and the Details section.
This manual is divided into sections so that users who
prefer to get right into using the product can do so
quickly with a minimum of detailed text. Users who want
to learn the detailed operation of every parameter can
use the Details section.
8
About TC-Helicon
At TC-Helicon we truly believe that the voice is the
world's most beautiful instrument. We don't mean to
degrade other beautiful instruments, but the singing
voice is the anthropological source for all things melodic.
You should know there is a dedicated group of
engineers, researchers and product specialists based in
Victoria BC, Canada, who spend every waking moment
of their working lives listening, talking, singing, and
interacting with singers and those who have passion for
the singing voice.
All this knowledge and experience is used to design
products respecting and empowering the modern
vocalist. Our products focus on removing barriers and
inspiring creativity in performance. That's why our
products range from near-field personal vocal monitors
to floor-based vocal multi-effects pedals.
Enjoy!
The TC-Helicon Team
Introduction

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Front Panel
1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9
3
11
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12 13 14
15 16 17 18

1.
GLOBAL GROUP - When activated, these three
effects stay on independent of preset changes. Press any
to activate or hold to enter a specific edit menu. TONE
applies EQ, compression and more to improve the core
sound of your voice. PITCH adds subtle, chromatic pitch
correction to help you sing more in tune. Press GUITAR
FX
to add modulation and reverb effects to the guitar
connected to the GUITAR IN jack. The GUITAR THRU
jack must be empty for GUITAR FX to be heard.
2.
HOME - Press this to return to the main performing
mode from SETUP, WIZARD, STORE or EDIT modes.
3.
MAIN DISPLAY - All text and graphics feedback is
shown here.The Contrast adjustment is in the SYSTEM
tab of the SETUP menu.
4.
SETUP - Press this to access the I/O, MIDI, SYSTEM
and EXPRESSION pedal edit tabs.
5.
WIZARD - This helps you find presets on the basis of
factory-assigned tags or to sort alphabetically by name.
6.
STORE - Press to enter a menu to name, assign a
destination and commit edited presets to memory. To
cancel and exit, press HOME.
7.
EDIT - Press to enter EDIT menu and make changes
to the μMOD, DELAY etc effects parameters via their
tabbed menus. HOME exits EDIT mode.
8.
MIX / EDIT - When HOME is lit, turning any of these
will temporarily present the MIX screen allowing control
of the relative levels of the VOICES (harmony and
doubling), DELAY/REVERB, GUITAR and OUTPUT level.
In EDIT mode, these controls adjust the highlighted
parameters immediately above them.
9.
NAVIGATE CONTROLS - The DATA WHEEL scrolls
through presets when HOME is lit or through editing
rows when EDIT is lit.
10.
PRESET UP/DOWN - The UP Sarrow advances
through presets and the DOWN Tarrow reverses.
Holding either will accelerate in its direction.
11.
SHORTCUT - Press to access the effect extension
that is listed in the MAIN DISPLAY under SHORTCUT.
Front Panel
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