Your Favorite Upgrade

Kindness · #1 11-11-2018, 08:08 AM

Hi All!

I have a Loudbox amplifier, and a basic senheiser microphone. I am looking forward to getting the TC Helicon H1 harmonizer. I have been told I have a wonderful voice. I see there are pedals for toning, which supposedly improves the voice and the guitar sound.

I am a minimalist, but am wondering what upgrades you have done that were like, OMG moments, that really surprised you and really added to your voice and guitar. Black Friday is coming up, and I think I want to put an order into Sweetwater.

gfirob · #2 11-11-2018, 09:02 AM

You might look at the TC Helicon Play Acoustic which will give you both voice processing and guitar processing. It will improve your pickup's sound with Body Rez, add reverb if you want, give you some eq and compression for your voice and provide harmonies and other voice effects (including reverb for the voice too). It is a great little box.

Kindness · #3 11-11-2018, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfirob

You might look at the TC Helicon Play Acoustic which will give you both voice processing and guitar processing. It will improve your pickup's sound with Body Rez, add reverb if you want, give you some eq and compression for your voice and provide harmonies and other voice effects (including reverb for the voice too). It is a great little box.

Thank you! Yes, I have been looking at it, but it seems like it almost has too much! I hate complicated menus! But you make some great points about everything that it includes!

dcopper · #4 11-11-2018, 09:35 AM

Try the BOSS VE8 - a lot more user friendly and gives you all that the Play Acoustic does, with more fingertip control and only deep diving on the menus.

Kindness · #5 11-11-2018, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcopper

Try the BOSS VE8 - a lot more user friendly and gives you all that the Play Acoustic does, with more fingertip control and only deep diving on the menus.

Ok, this does look much easier. Fingertip instead of a menu. Thank you...

Kindness · #6 11-11-2018, 09:46 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srw6...I#action=share

Its really cool how she easily flips from different settings. This is programmed? Is that easy to set up on the Boss VE8?

Thanks for your help!

Johnny K · #7 11-11-2018, 11:18 AM

Im not sure I would call it an upgrade, but getting my Seagull Artist equipped with an LR Baggs I-Beam active pickup to play very well thru my Fender DeVille 410. To my ears it sounds better than my Loudbox Artist.

Methos1979 · #8 11-11-2018, 12:41 PM

Another vote for the Boss VE-8. We love ours. The TC Play Acoustic is also great, just a little more menu driven. Keep in mind the VE-8 has some sub-menu programming features (like EQ) that require a little bit of reading but I've never had an issue with it.

My main reason for going with the VE-8 over the Play Acoustic is having an actual physical knob for the notch which is the one thing that is essential for me to have immediate access to on the fly at a gig. I also think the VE-8 is a much better looking unit!

The best thing I love about it was how it took the place of several pedals. One until instead of like five or six AND it runs on batteries. It was and is the perfect accompaniment to the Bose S1 Pro. We run on all battery now even when there is power available. Super fast setup and breakdown!

gfirob · #9 11-11-2018, 02:38 PM

There are a number of threads comparing these two units and I think the consensus is that the Boss is simpler to deal with and easier to learn, but the Play Acoustic sounds better, with better harmonies (if I remember correctly). So you should just decide what your priorities are, ease of use, or the way the vocals and harmonies sound. The Play Acoustic does have a learning curve, but it really delivers the goods in terms of sound, but I don't have a Boss unit so I can't make the comparison myself. There are a lot of Youtubes about both of them which show how they sound and how they work. Good luck.

varmonter · #10 11-11-2018, 02:42 PM

Mine was probably the grace felix .
That and the onsong app. probably my
best "oh wow!!" moments.

kramster · #11 11-11-2018, 03:16 PM

BOSS VE8 is what I have...its fun.

YamahaGuy · #12 11-11-2018, 05:26 PM

Delay effects, preferably tap tempo capable. If your sound feels a little 'thin' adding delay to your guitar and vocals can help give a fuller sound. Having a good voice to start with is good, so you don't have to hide behind tons of reverb.

I might add upgrading your vocal mic might not be a bad idea. The Sennheiser e935 and/or e945 can be had for $99 right now.

Kindness · #13 11-11-2018, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramster

BOSS VE8 is what I have...its fun.

Dear lord Kramster, I need to come over and check it out! OMG what don't you have, lol!!!

Kindness · #14 11-11-2018, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfirob

There are a number of threads comparing these two units and I think the consensus is that the Boss is simpler to deal with and easier to learn, but the Play Acoustic sounds better, with better harmonies (if I remember correctly). So you should just decide what your priorities are, ease of use, or the way the vocals and harmonies sound. The Play Acoustic does have a learning curve, but it really delivers the goods in terms of sound, but I don't have a Boss unit so I can't make the comparison myself. There are a lot of Youtubes about both of them which show how they sound and how they work. Good luck.

Thank you so much! The better harmonies are definitely a priority since I am a singer. I will go check some youtubes out on the menu. thanks again

ceciltguitar · #15 11-12-2018, 02:46 PM

ToneDexter