All user reviews for the TC-Helicon VoiceWorks

A friend found this product for me at the most recent NAMM show in California. A demonstration was being given and one just had to drop what they were doing and be amazed. I got this product to help me go up a couple notches on the vocal ladder. I'm up there when it comes to a strong, heavy voice, but get winded by doing so after performing for extended periods. The Voice Works can help me get back to being full force by keeping me in tune, holding notes out while I start the next phrase, help with keeping the harmonies in line, and much more. It helps enhance what you already have. I paid around $400 for it and feel that it was a sound investment in my instrument. So if you're looking for more than a new "toy" and are serious about your voice, I would get the Voice Works should be your voice of choice.

I like the price value for the pro-quality. It's great for more than in the studio. A nice live tool that gives me an extra kick. It's easy to use and doesn't take nearly as long as similar products do to figure out.

I have not found anything yet about the unit that is undersireable.

The construction of the unit is the same as any basic rack mountable product: metal and plastic. It's solid and tight.

The Voice Works is truly the voice works. Yes it does! If you got it and now want to flaunt it, the Voice Works could be a good tool to aid your voice. I actually enjoy using this more than other similar products I've tried. New on the block, but ready to rock!

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The TC Helicon Voice Works provides great clean vocal effects for your songs. No need to fish through all of your software effects if you can have it vintage style in hardware. Rack this thing up on your workstation . Don’t purchase this thinking that you can usb it up with your software though. You just flat out cant do that with this unit. I am not too sure why they didn’t make that available but maybe its because its older?
But we have used this several times and love using the chorus and reverb on a lot of the harmonies and backing vocals that we pan from side to side. If you use this right you can get some really clean and neat effects going on in your music..




UTILIZATION

Pretty simple to get up and running but not easy. I have been using these type of hardwares for almost 20 years so I fully understand how to use them. So hoping from one to the next really isn’t that difficult once you get 1 down you pretty much know them all.


SOUND QUALITY

The pitching on here really didn’t stick out to me though, Software pitch correction is way better than this unit could every be. You just don’t have as much control in pitch correction with this rack able unit. But as far is the chorus , flange and reverb go, its perfect! But if you are looking for great pitch correction don’t get this unit. The issue is that there are so many softwares out there that can do what this can do now.


OVERALL OPINION

Times have changed and I don’t see the need to purchase this unless you are all hardware and down plan on switching over to digital (which I don’t think that many people are using all hardware anymore) But all in all this is a classic voice processor and still gets a thumbs up from me.

Main functions Reverb / Delay Harmonizer pitch. No PC interface but useless as simple edition.
XLR connectors classical, 6.35, Midi.
He has taken place (1U) rack in my 19 '.

UTILIZATION

Configuration is very simple but to make the most should connatre some thoriated musical work to the harmonizer and pitch correction range.
The manual is in French but sometimes lacks clear examples to judge the impact of any Settings, in clear easy to handle but the ear is important.

SOUND QUALITY

SUPER EFFECTS - EFFECTS SUPER - SUPER EFFECTS harmonizer function leaves a lot on the c. .. once well RULES.
I use the song in VoiceWorks derrire an AKG (reminds me more I type .. but big curve rponse!) Or SM58.
No effect throwing for now. I do not use the MIDI interface, but I ds I myself an opportunist attack.

OVERALL OPINION

1 month of use and dj fun. The other models (Antar and Aka are far derrire this monster of technology certainly a bit pricey but the cot is fully justified by services rendered.
I am super happy with this choice and I hsiter without referrer. However, two "BMOL the" cl!, I am still waiting my switch 123 and absolutely essential for scne I would recommend the new MODEL VoiceLive just out for handling the functions to suit imposes pieces always have an eye on the rack prcis to see what the program or function that is active .... that is not always practical for me depending on the location of our Eng. its consquence. for now I dlgu changes with the bassist from my synth pedals .... he is happy because it does go further in the song me and I was free!

Voice harmonies, gender based harmony, vocal effects, pitch correction, reverb, delay, chorus, flange, etc, compressor, gate, EQ, high quality preamps, stereo output. I like to think of this as a studio version of the TC voicelive, although I have used this unit in a live setting. I actually bought this after I had used Voicelive for some time and I liked it so much I wanted a rack version. The price was pretty reasonable so I sprang for the Voiceworks. This unit isn't PC capable. It's a very basic rack processor with high quality audio. Made to work in a studio or possibly live in that kind of signal path. Intended of vocals obviously. Kind of wish it did have USB or something though...it's 2011.

UTILIZATION

TC units are not exactly easy to dial in. Like the voicelive a lot of people will stick with the presets for lack of an ability to dial in the effects. The manual though, is pretty good for those who are willing to learn. The actual menu navigation is very easy and sensible. If you've used a rack effects unit you won't have trouble. Dialing it in properly is the real challenge. Just approach it like any other effects rack. It's a learning process.

SOUND QUALITY

The harmonies and pitching are above average. Honestly you aren't going to get realistic harmonies. It's more of a gimmick effect that bands like Cynic use. Not exactly an effect that will fool anyone. The pitch correction is okay. Not a full fledged autotune but it has its place. I really just use the reverbs most of the time. Which these are amazing. So lush and deep. A lot like the voicelive which is why I love it. Very configurable if you have the patience to get into the menu. The other effects are good although I rarely use them. Sound quality is fine and I don't notice any signal loss or any sort of that.

OVERALL OPINION

I actually use this live most of the time as a reverb and deesser. For that application it's great. I've tried a few units like the voiceworks and for my money I think it's the best. I'm sad that I don't use everything it offers. It's got a lot of horsepower for people who need some crazy vocal tasks to be done. In the studio or live it can deliver.

Hello,
For a singer, is the TOP. You need singers? They are in the box!
The effects of choirs, choral, auto tune (Cher effect, T-Pain], gender, pitch, EQ, double, Thicken, Reverb, Delay Helicon type for the past two Lexicon.
Everything is editable, as it sounds complex but it is much simpler.
This is a model Rackable.
The circuits are digital.
The connection is complete, 220V, 6.35 jack, XLR, RCA in and out,
and the 3 MIDI.

UTILIZATION

Very Simple.
Branch and we already operate presets, they are good polish.
Bases harmonies are needed, but already a singer with the key can get some nice effects. The instrument produces beautiful harmonies, but not required.
Yes everything is editable, a real pleasure.

SOUND QUALITY

Sounds (voices) are very realistic as the Voice Live, which also uses the same channels, we say to the pedals incorporated.
The guitar and keyboard controller or MIDI, but especially the song ..
I like everything (what realism achieved), there is hate, and the discovery of multiple possibilities is fun.
The effect that kills, keeping chorus (Hold extra) while singing (Footswitch essential), I confirm!
Ex

OVERALL OPINION

fan of Digitech, now pro-Helicon "by the pedals Series Voice Tone, Voice Live with a footprint on a desk in the studio, I recently bought the rack version, much more practical, lightweight and simple in usability.
However, I advise adding a footswitch switches to 3: I said that of Helicon is virtually impossible to find in Europe, but the TC Electronics is consistent: the G switch (see Thomann), and those of Digitech:
FS 300 and RX 3, they connect with a TRS 6.35. They must be connected before turning the camera so they are automatically recognized.
I give all these details, the issue is recurring.
In this day and this award became democratic (it is located between 250 and 299 € new), I would do without hesitation that choice for the home studio as on stage, I prefer the Live Voice for its lightness, Lol, and he there is no equivalent product after it is mounted in the range: VoiceWorks addition, Voice Live in price and utility scene, Live Voice 2, Voice Touch ..

@ For the question below, the difference is the addition of a
modeler: The μMod, and if it is as both Voice Live, a loop function
(Jam or Boss EV-20 and RC20-XL), and a choral effect "Godspell" for eight voices
more substantial. Me as I have the Voice Tone Correct and Synth, I do not find of interest, but if not why not?
However I find the difference in price mainly high quality equally for the sounds, voices, and frankly, for singing with this one you will be filled.
Now if you need to shape and adjust your voice and possibly a Looper, why not more?

The main effects in this unit are Vocal Harmonizing, voice doubling, pitch correction,  Chorus effects, Some high quality reverbs, delays with tap tempo ability, a compressor, 3 band EQ and a Gate.
Yes, these effects can be edited through a downloadable plugin off of TC Helicon's website. 
Yes, it is designed to be placed in a Effects rack. 
Well, its analog in the sense that it takes in your voice but the insides are all digital.  No tubes in this guy.
It has an XLR and a 1/4" input.  Balanced 1/4" outputs, S/PDIF in/out, Midi in/out/thru and a pedal jack input.



UTILIZATION

Using just the hardware unit by itself, the editing can be a little bit of a pain.  Its hard to really focus on one tiny LCD screen to accomplish a lot of work.  Thankfully they have the Computer Plugin that makes is so much easier to do. 
The general setup is somewhere in the middle between Easy and Hard.  It has a lot of options to mess with, especially when dealing with harmonies.  You definitely need to read the manual to get a feel for this guy.  I also highly recommend using the computer plugin.  Its almost a necessity. 
The original manual, or Quick setup guide, doesn't give you nearly enough info to really open this unit up.  Since its release, TC has uploaded a new, more in depth manual to its website.  You need to download this.  It is clear enough, but be prepared to do a lot of reading and learning if you want to master the Voice Works.


SOUND QUALITY

This is strictly for vocals.  I have never tried to put another instrument into it and have no real need to ever try. 
TC Helicon is famous for there work with Vocal Preamps and effects and this unit stands up to that reputation.  I don't think my voice has sounded better than when I use this unit.  The mics are faithfully reproduced and the Pre amp is very transparent.  I also want to mention that it generates little to no noise into the signal chain. 
The presets are fun to start off with, but if you really want to use this device, especially the harmonies, you need to program it.  If you don't, your harmonies will sound off.  You need to tell it what key, or what progression you are following.


OVERALL OPINION

I also own the Pedal that operates the unit.  Having the foot pedal is my absolute favorite thing.  You can use it to switch between patches, tap tempo effects and do something really cool...Harmony Hold.  Basically you sing a note and have the harmonies come in.  You hold down on the pedal and the harmonies hold their notes as you go on to others.  What a brilliant Idea.  It really adds a lot when doing a show and you are the only one that can sing. 
What I like least is the amount of time you need to spend learning this device.  Its not an unbelievable amount of time, but it has a decent learning curve.  But in the end, the time you spend will be worth every minute.
The precision and quality is spot on.  The reverbs are spectacular and the harmonies are extremely nice.  A lot better than I expected actually, especially for the female reproductions. 
No, this is the first harmonizer I have really used.  As for reverbs and delays, yes, tons of them.  For vocals, this unit provides the best I have used so far.
If something happened to this unit I would be very sad.  At that point though, I would buy the new Voice Works Plus, just because of the added options. 

I love being able to specifiy a set of pitches, and have the vocal automatically conform to them. I also love that you can send MIDI notes to create backing harmonies. This box has literally saved entire projects -- long after the singer went home.

$799

UTILIZATION

It is incredibly easy-to-use. I was up-and-running processing lead vocals after an hour or so, right out-of-the-box!

SOUND QUALITY

I think that it sounds excellent, given the amount of money that I paid for it.

OVERALL OPINION

Well, it hasn't given me any problems yet...

I must give this piece a 20 out of 10. (I don't think that the field below will let me put anything higher than "10" in it... so...) Seriously -- it isn't that there aren't better products out there -- but NOT for under $800!!! I mean it -- you can't find a better-sounding vocal processor with pitch-correction, effects, harmonies, and a plethora of other goodies without breaking the bank.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: SammyJames (January 0-, 2005)