|
|
Failed to execute CGI : Win32 Error Code = 3 |
| Free from a music retailer near you. |
 |
VOCAL 300 EFFECTS PROCESSOR |
Digitech: VOCAL 300 EFFECTS PROCESSOR
Digitech has always been at the forefront of digital technology providing a wide variety of processors for guitarists and bass players to suit just about any budget. Their products are finding their way into various musical situations, be it the recording environment or simply as a live tool for the musician looking to expand their sound.
The RP series of guitar effects processors that Australian Musician has reviewed in the past are selling like hot cakes due to the sound quality and bang for the buck factor. In keeping with that tradition, Digitech has released the Vocal 300 aimed at all the vocalists out there looking to beef up their existing sound.
This clever little floor processor has a multitude of features and functions and is certainly going to be useful for any vocalist wishing to expand into the realm of digital effects to improve their sound quality. It is very affordable and anyone who has played around with Digitech products before will be familiar with the layout and controls of the Vocal 300, as well as the easy to follow manual which will give you good reference if you get stuck.
Digitech Vocal 300…
On first appearance you will notice that the Vocal 300 is well constructed, housed in a tough metal chassis ensuring years of trouble – free use. The unit has an intuitive front panel and connection is relatively simple. The front panel includes a down, up and bypass footswitches allowing you to move through the Vocal 300’s presets and bypass effects. The editing matrix is easy to follow with a low, mid-range, high and master level knobs which adjust the effects parameters in edit mode. You can store 40 patches and there are 40 more preset patches to get you familiar with the Vocal 300’s capabilities. There is an on board expression pedal on the Vocal 300 to control effects in real time and activate what Digitech call the V-Switch, which is a pressure sensitive virtual switch that turns the vocal character module off and on via the expression pedal. The pedal must be calibrated for the vocal character module to work and there is an easy step by step guide in the manual.
There are a heap of effects in the vocal 300 ranging from compression, EQ, noise gate, delay, 8 reverb types to modulation type effects that include Chorus, Flanger, Phaser, Tremolo, Vibrato, and Whammy to name a few. You also have a module called Mic Pre/voice that selects various Mic preamps and voice character types. There are 12 vocal parameters from a Tube Pre to Overdrive; Grunge, Lo-fi and a variety of special effects like Monster, Alien and Telephone. These Preamp types produce warm professional sounding vocals to wild cutting edge distortions and unnatural alien like vocal sounds that are a lot of fun to play with. All the effects on board are excellent 24-bit quality that you come to expect from a company like Digitech, and there is full parameter control of the effects making editing a breeze. I can see vocalists taking these units everywhere as it is extremely portable and can serve a number of applications. Whether it is a rehearsal room or plugging into a portable recorder or simply using it live, the Digitech will enhance your existing setup. Unless of course you own about fifty grand or so worth of outboard gear, which means this product is of no use to you. If on the other hand you are looking to improve your vocal sound without spending big bucks, then this unit is worth a try. Some of the special effects you may never use but the quality of the delays and reverbs and some of the modulation effects are really very good indeed.
If you require additional effects for your singer and want to keep it consistent, then get him or her to go out and try one of these processors. Not only will your rehearsals improve, but also recordings and live gigs can benefit from one of these units. It is simple to use and plugs in anywhere and what’s more, sound great. Let’s face it, how many state-of–the-art rehearsal rooms are there, and how many band/singers own there own PA but don’t seem to have the outboard gear needed in today’s times.
My bet is that for a vocalist whether professional or a semi-hobbyist, or looking to beef up your vocal department, these units will be as essential as owning your own microphone as they are very handy and basically ready to use straight out of the box.
A bit of tweaking here and there using the full potential of the Vocal 300 will result in some spectacular vocal sounds. To fully appreciate the Vocal 300, you need to visit your nearest Digitech dealer and try one. At under $700.00 it is extremely good value and the improvements will be second to none. All Digitech products can also be viewed by visiting the website at www.digitech.com
QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
BANG-F0R-YOUR-BUCK
OVERALL