New Gear-TC Perform-VG (VE-8 user)

[meb]

I bought a P-VG a few days ago and have been testing it with my
Schertler AG-6 and Bose L1C.

Bad start....There was not enough gain going direct to my L1C via XLR/TRS.
So, I ran it thru my Bose T1 for starters. The guitar/vocal mix goes to
1 channel. You punch the Mix button to adjust guitar volume relative to
vocal volume....not too confusing to use live. But, if you connect the
Boost button to the Mix, you lose the volume control! Overall sound
was ok.

The only real workable way for me was using the Guitar Thru' output
and running guitar to a separate channel. Tis way, i.e bypassing
the P-VG sounded great. The Tone button was all I really used for
vocals EQ. It easily equaled what I get from the VE-8 and yes, I
bypass the VE8 with my guitar, too. I would easily take this sound
to a gig.

I like to run XLR from my Twin DI to T1 when using my passive Black
Angel. I put a jumper in the 'THRU' when doing this or else
I get my guitar thru 2 channels.

I got a Digitech FS3x and it was easy to map boost, but of course,
it is unusable with the Thru out.

Is there a 1 button switch that is compatible? All I really need is one harmony,
and the boost is worthless.

I can do all my Eq on the T1; so I didn't mess with EQ much. Tone & and
very low amount of Reverb was fine.

I am confused about the mic setup. Should this be done for each
different PA configuration?

Using THRU, I lose the guitar phase switch.....bummer.

It didn't fit my mic stands or I was too scared that I might break it.

The Roomsense feature did fine in my practice area. I wonder how it
would be in a noisy bar....

Despite all the quirky gotcha features, this unit is sounds darn good.
Using it as a mixer to a powered speaker, it would probably be
great. The Bose TRS world is a little different.

I will keep playing with it, but I may also try the Harmony Singer.

Michael

[JackB1]

I also have the Perform VG and for the price you really get a lot.

I don't understand the lack of gain issue....I used it with both guitar and mic and had plenty of gain. Seems like all your issues would go away if you could use the combo xlr output. Did you try manually setting the gain higher?

Yes the mic setting is ti automatically set the mic gain level for you and takes 2 seconds. I do it every time, but it always ends up around the same spot.

Yes it fits on most standard mic stands, but on the skinny part that usually extends from the bottom going up...not the base part.

I also use a Digitech 3-switch with it for triggering harmonies. The harmony's sound great and I believe they are the same as in the Play Acoustic pedal.

I recently picked up a Soulmate and also a Play Acoustic to test/compare, but the Perform VG is a great, simple little unit that pretty much gives you everything you need for a solo acoustic gig. Only thing really missing is a looper.

[meb]

Thanks JackB1. I did try to adjust the gain manually to no avail. I saw a
post where Jakestone had a similar problem. As to the mic stand, I am
probably chicken to fasten it. I will take it to GC next time I go to see
if is me or my stands. I got the Digitech on your recommendation and the
harmonies are great. I agree that for the price, it is a neat unit.
Thanks for the tip on the mic gain...I will reset it every time.

[JackB1]

While you set the mic gain, when the lights come up, turn the wheel a little more clockwise for more gain. I don't understand why you aren't getting enough? Doesn't make sense to me. Did you try a different XLR cable? What are you plugging into out of the VG?

Originally Posted by meb

Thanks JackB1. I did try to adjust the gain manually to no avail. I saw a
post where Jakestone had a similar problem. As to the mic stand, I am
probably chicken to fasten it. I will take it to GC next time I go to see
if is me or my stands. I got the Digitech on your recommendation and the
harmonies are great. I agree that for the price, it is a neat unit.
Thanks for the tip on the mic gain...I will reset it every time.

[Per Burström]

Originally Posted by meb

Bad start....There was not enough gain going direct to my L1C via XLR/TRS.

Remember that the XLR output of the Perform-VG is mic level, not line. Could this explain things?

/Per

[meb]

I just tried to set the gain again. I used the xlr cable out of the P-VG
to an xlr with trs converter plug (the Bose L1C is TRS) to the L1C.
I sing, the light turns red.no sound. I then turn P-Vg knob to max
and can barely hear sound coming from the L1C.

Gain setting is fine when I run xlr to my T1 Mixer.

[Per Burström]

Originally Posted by meb

I just tried to set the gain again. I used the xlr cable out of the P-VG
to an xlr with trs converter plug (the Bose L1C is TRS) to the L1C.
I sing, the light turns red.no sound. I then turn P-Vg knob to max
and can barely hear sound coming from the L1C.

Gain setting is fine when I run xlr to my T1 Mixer.

Doesn't the L1C have a XLR mic input as well? Have you tried that input? As I wrote above the Perform-VG XLR output is mic level.

/Per

[meb]

Yes PerB... I tried the L1C mic input and got plenty of gain. The guitar just
sounded like crap in the 'mix mode'.

I could probably use the Guitar Thru to the trs channel,
and the mic plugged into the mic channel and get it to sound ok; but
I want volume control at my seat.

Thanks, it was worth trying.

[Per Burström]

Originally Posted by meb

Yes PerB... I tried the L1C mic input and got plenty of gain. The guitar just
sounded like crap in the 'mix mode'.

Hmm, strange that the guitar sounds bad. I have 3 guitars with active mic, haven't experienced any problems. I guess you get the same "crap" from the headphones out?

Edit: Reading up I realise you have a passive pickup, maybe the Perform-VG is not suitable for that!? I haven't tried.

/Per

[meb]

First JackB1, the P-VG clipped on the mic stand fine. As I suspected, it
was me scared to force it on.

Per B... On a lark for another thread, I compared the volume from
my Red-Eye directly to the TRS input on the L1C. There was noticeably
more volume using 1/4" from the Red-Eye than using the XLR/TRS
conversion to the same input. I guess that means it is a 'Bose thing'.

BTW, I was using my active Ag-6 for most all the tests.

I may retry plugging into the mic input. I could try EQ'ing the guitar
better and working around the input's internal mic settings. When I did it
before, I had just received the unit and wanted to get a better feel
of its capabilities.... For some reason, I feel like I am abusing the
mic input's intent.....just me.

I picked up a Harmony Singer 2 yesterday to see how it works with my
setup, but I haven't given up on the VE-8 just yet.

Thanks to both of you.

[meb]

I thought I should post that I ended up returning the Perform-VG and
picking up the Harmony Singer 2. I like the simplicity and sound of the
HS2. The Perform-Vg should work nicely in many situations. I would
consider a mixer or amp with xlr inputs as a necessity.

I did re-try the L1C mic/xlr input. The clipping light flashed with even
a small amount of gain; so I quit messing with that.

When using the Guitar Thru on the P-VG, I lost the Phase, Anti-FB, and Boost
I was hoping to add, thus making it a 2-Box (P-VG + footswitch) HS2.

Thanks again to all who helped me thru the process.

Michael