All user reviews of 4/5 for the Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer

Sturdy box.

40 factory and 80 user programs. Each program allows yo to daisy-chain several effects: Dynamic, Pitch Correct, Tone or Special Effect, double/harmony, Delay, Reverb.

One or several effects can be set on or off engaging the pedal on the right.

The looper effect seems all right, but I can't tell you any advantages about it because I don't use it much.

XLR connector, with the possibility to supply 48V to a mic.

It works on batteries or with a PSU. Go with the PSU, it's better

What I really hate is that you can't save any settings. If it breaks down, you'd better have all written down on paper...

USE

You need to get used to it. There's nothing worse than setting off the looper in the middle of a gig. But once you've spent several hours fine-tuning the settings, there's not much to do.

To browse the menus and settings you use the wheel and two buttons, plus the display (one line, 20 characters). It's pretty annoying.

Personally, I prepare each song on the box, with volume, EQ and, eventually, effects. The same goes for the reverb....which varies with the song. That way, a live performance is more homogeneous, be it a ballad or a more upbeat song, the level of the vocals is always perfectly adjusted in relation to the rest.

SOUND QUALITY

There's not much to say regarding the quality of the sound. I'd say it's very clear.

The pitch correct ought to be used sparingly, unless you want to achieve the "young-modern-singer" effect.

The flanger is not deep enough for my taste. When you use this effect it's often to make everything a bit muddier.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for two years live and for rehearsals. Right now, it has become indispensable, up to the point that I've considered buying a second one as backup (this kind of gear usually breaks down right before a gig).

The biggest drawback for me is the impossibility to edit on a PC and to make backups. Other than that, it's truly impeccable.

lots of cool effects, especially the harmonies.
This is a very good pedal for its price.
It is well with exploding. I have spent hours.
Today I intend to buy a bigger stroke more opportunities (RC-50)

That said, here are the limits:

Loop a little short (45s.) and inability to erase anything. If after 10 loopées instrumental layers, the musician makes a mistake, we must start all over again or listen to the error and again each time.

UTILIZATION

double-click to stop the loop is not very practical. it tends to stop the loop by mistake, and must start over.

SOUND QUALITY

a failure has occurred, phase inversions appear and disappear as input, so I removed all my basses. By pushing the gain and the level of the instrument that fits in your pedal, the signal returns to normal. But it's still very disabling and unusable on stage. Conclusion: pedal that is not "foolproof", which is a shame.

OVERALL OPINION

2 years and I bought it used in very good condition.

Pedal specially designed for singing and other vocal applications including various effects sections as mentioned in the previous avi. I do not linger too much on these details. A compact processor very full, especially for that format.

UTILIZATION

Usage is very simple. After a few minutes of fiddling around the different sections of effects, we already know well edited sound. I would not say that it is instinctive, so the manual is still worthwhile.
The pedals operate as follows:
- Left: pressing it normally has the function to enable / disable the bypass. Pressing more than 2 seconds, switches phrase looper, which can record loops and to overlay (if you chose the recording mode "Performer")
- Right: by pressing it normally enables / disables the function of harmony (or other (s) effect (s) (s) selected in "harmony pedal") Press more than 2 seconds, it switches to " live where you can navigate through the different sounds pre-edited or edited using the left pedal (his previous) and right (his next). To return to normal mode, just press the pedal more than 2 seconds again.

SOUND QUALITY

For use as I do, the effects are more than sufficient. One can easily reproduce the effects guys like the megaphone for example. Regarding the delay and reverb, they are not exceptional but are largely sufficient for the voice application. After all, they are just ambient effects that create the illusion of a certain space.
Well, for my part I was able to realize the sounds that two weeks after receiving the EV-20 (my microphone was stuck in the rehearsal room ...) but that does not stop me from tweaking a bit the device would do to get familiar with its use.
Once, for fun there is the "pitch corrector. Electric set, we reproduce the famous auto-tune or vocoder (call it what you want, I used to make fun of Rai and distract my drummer when he recorded).

OVERALL OPINION

I did not really used again but when I went on a sound system with my poor mic behringer (strongly beta 58!), The sound was already very good!
I am a rapper in a group of "hip-hop" (people do not like the word "rap" visibly) fusion (punk, funk, jazz, metal etc. ...) and I use that gives this device, it suits me perfectly. I try to maximize the effects to vary the sounds on each song while maintaining a rap. I even use the flanger effect on any of our compounds rather oriented jungle / drum 'n' bass. In addition to the guitar using it as a flanger well pronounced, given the atmosphere is just great!
The only downside that I could give the EV-20 is that following the use made of it on stage, it is difficult to move a lot and give lots of stage presence. I do, although I have not yet used on stage. I may remain too static compared to before. But I'll work around the problem without difficulty in finding another solution. After all, the goal of live is not to reach the same result as in the studio.
With no experience in this type of device (just heard, never tried) I checked on some products equivalent. I mostly make my choices about my needs and ease of use.
For value for money, I can only say that release € 200 in one shot is often a sore wallet but after testing this product, I do not regret my purchase in any way. I had absolutely a way to enrich my voice to give even more fish in the chorus in particular.
To sum it all, this product suits me perfectly. I highly recommend it to anyone who cares for a minimal budget.

EDIT:
After several months of use, I'm still happy with my purchase but a little less because the sound quality and use live. I plan to go to the TC Helicon Voicelive 2 to remedy all that.

This purchase is the sound that my Eng thought for my problematics of "chorus" I find my happiness. I play alone and at times I feel like backing vocals to support about my tunes.
Biensur then, at first, I did a lot of improv and heard, smelled and felt like an opening to new DLIR, but what is the support of existing songs, motions for voice and harmony were not empty (especially with the Maturity of a concert!) In the end, pass d in trac'm delighted. I am aware of that it will take me CRER my own harmonies to be quiet, but really, I think it was a good buy that has the merit of m'clater.
The problem, and yes, because no person is perfect, it is about the loop.
While the AC loop, much too short, which my plant well over one or two pieces. So I've associated with RC 20 loop but good l. .. J would have something to say! especially when combined with the bass! ... Case follow.
PS Oh, if in the purchase, I haven t received the leaflet, if it lacks a qq and wants to share, not that he nhsite!

UTILIZATION

Was no manual!

SOUND QUALITY

Or the very good! may be a bit too much effects, but when c is very pleasant rgul c is, for me and the audience seems to be glad of the result.

I am compromising my voice with a low J have since changed bass amp is great as the difference

OVERALL OPINION

Less than 6 months, while discovering a world still
No I have not tried other models, it seemed my Eng satisfied with the machine
with experience, .. we'll talk ..