No matter how great the sound is, you will definitely at some points need the services of vocal harmonizer pedals. These are electronic/electrical tools that enable singers of all genres to produce additional harmonies while performing on stage or studio. Such harmonies when created are always reliable and perfectly in tune with the lead vocal.
What are the Best Vocal Harmonizer Pedals to Buy?
2) TC Helicon Play Acoustic Vocal Effects Processor
- Sturdy and high-quality chasse
- Excellent voice effects
- Unbeatable voice enhancement technique
- Separate vocal and guitar outputs, or a stereo mix of both
1) TC Helicon Voice Tone Harmony G-XT Vocal Effects Processor
- Wide range of useful sound effects
- 10 presets, each with A/B options
- USB port connection
- Included VoiceSupport app
3) Boss VE-2
- Combination of high-quality effects and real-time vocals
- Easy to operate
- Auto harmony functionality
- Hybrid mode function
- Combine both the auto and manual keys
Many of today’s musical artists are using vocal harmonizers to help them create that studio recording sound, bringing it during their live performance. When you consider that musicians and fans alike are quick to criticize the quality of their vocals, especially if you are a solo singer, one who cannot afford the grace of hiding behind the ‘shadow play’ of a lead guitar part, a voice harmonizer becomes necessary. Vocal harmonizer pedals protect singers from stage ridicule while adding that extra edge to their overall live performance.
How to select a reliable voice harmonizer
There is a vast collection of vocal harmonizer pedals available for your selection. Each brand and each model have their strength and weaknesses. It is crucial to select the right one for you since voice harmonizers have become the primary topic of discussion of most songs renditions today.
So when buying your vocal harmonizer, the first thing to consider is the sound quality. No matter the effects available on the pedal, don’t compromise on this area because you might end up not even using all of the effects. However, you will end up using effects like the EQ, Compression, and some Reverbs to enhance your vocals. Therefore, these should be the areas to focus on. They should have nice sounds from the hat, otherwise, abandon the product and reach for another.
Another area you should critically look into is the mic preamp—the feature that enables you to ‘milk out’ the best potential from your microphone and maximize its use for a final and superior sound. It should be able to boost the lowest signal on your microphone and elevate it to an excellent line level.
Lastly, you should think about the effect to suit your playing style. A vocal harmonizer pedal with auto-generated harmonies is always an excellent choice for a solo singer and guitarist. Pitch correction will improve the sound, so go for vocal pedals with such capability, since that is what you want in the first place. If you would love to create your own backup vocals, then make sure the pedal has a loop feature.
These are the things you should look for when buying your vocal harmonizer pedal.
12 Best Vocal Harmonizer Pedal Reviews and the Best Vocal Harmonizer Pedal Brands
1) TC Helicon Voice Tone Harmony G-XT Vocal Effects Processor
The TC Helicon VoiceTone Harmony G-XT is a versatile but straightforward vocal pedal sound machine. It features a wide range of useful sound effects that make it suitable for on-stage and studio application.
There are six factory-installed presets that you can easily switch about to get the desired rhythm. Each of the five presets have their individual effects, doubling and harmony settings.
Furthermore, the producer included an extra A or B option within each preset. It means you can quickly configure and use between 3 and 10 of your preset on the TC Helicon. The better part is that you can edit them efficiently by using the effects pedal.
Also, we noticed that the tone button is of the highest quality, even when it appears small. If you are interested in acoustic gigs or as a solo artist, the TC Helicon Harmony G-XT is what you need. It does the job when you want to beat up your voice as the sole vocalist.
A USB port connection allows you to update the software when needed, and the voice support app makes using the G-XT a wonderful experience.
2) TC Helicon Play Acoustic Vocal Effects Processor
If you are a traveling musician, this is the harmonizer you need while on the road. It features a sturdy and high-quality chasse. If you want to change pitch, you may not need to do it manually as the TC Helicon Play Voice Processor has Room-sense functionality that quickly detects and select the appropriate key for the correct pitch.
For singers and songwriters who want to enhance their skills on the acoustic guitar, this voice processor with its pitch correction features is an excellent option to consider.
It has excellent voice effects such as doubling, harmony, hard tune, reverb and delay—all of which combines to give you unbeatable voice enhancement technique.
There is tap tempo functionality, plus the 15, 40 and 60 second looper that allows you to craft your vocal blending. The effects pedal fully integrates your vocals and acoustic guitar beautifully.
The TC Helicon Play Acoustic pedal offers superior sound quality for such a cheap model.
3) Boss VE-2
The Boss VE-2 gives you a combination of high-quality effects and real-time vocals in a pedal that is not only affordable but also easy to operate. Even if you are not an expert in selecting the right chords and keys, don’t worry; Boss offers an auto harmony functionality that will automatically detect and pick the right chord and appropriate key for you.
So, once you connect to your guitar, trust that you will get the perfect harmonies that match your style. It works even in the middle of a song when you are selecting keys. But if you don’t have a guitar, you can still select your key manually as a solo singer. There is a panel knob that is dedicated to helping you achieve that.
Taking it further, the Boss VE-2 features a hybrid mode function that enables you to combine both the auto and manual keys settings. This feature will help you a great deal if you are going to be transitioning with your guitar between rhythm and reverbs to get the best from what you want.
You can’t have it better without the Boss VE-2 harmonizer.
4) Digitech VLHM Vocal Effects Processor
If you are on a budget and you want something that fit in well with components and features, this harmonizer from Digitech is a great option.
The pedal of this voice processor is highly reliable, featuring a tracking capability that is highly accurate. To support such amazing features, the Digitech includes a processor that is solid and reliable as well.
There are lots of features in this voice box harmonizer. Looking at it for the first time will make you think that this is just some sort of ‘alien’ gadget controller. The design is sleek, with multiple adjustments that eventually give it away as a voice harmonizer.
There are lots of knobs, handles, and switches on this model. All of these gives you room to maneuver and be flexible while maintaining top-of-the-chart sound quality. The inclusion of extra features like the looper capable of 70-second vocal phrase, and with unlimited overdubs, makes the Digitech one of the most advanced voice harmonizers in its category.
The built-in guitar tuner and its intelligent ducking technology make this voice harmonizer a must get.
5) TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3
The VL3 from TC Helicon is a step ahead of all other models in the company’s line of voice harmonizers. It includes additional effects and features such as vocoder/synth. The VL3 is the ideal voice processor for any singer who is looking to refine and allow his/her voice sound to be like that of studio sound while in a live performance.
There are more than 500 full presets and many features that constitute the quality and reliability of the TC Helicon VL3.
For instance, the VL3 feature 45 minutes of looping time for which you can spread 8 minutes on each track while creating your own vocal blending. Apart from Vocoder, you have other vocal effects like Harmony, Reverb, Doubling, Umod, Delay and Rhythmic.
As for the guitar functionality, you have Reverb, Resonance, Wah wah, Amp Modeling, Compressor, EQ, and more. All of these combine to provide perfect and multi-purpose voice harmonizing for professional singers and guitarists.
If you want more extended looping time and to play a backing track, then go for the upgraded version—the VL3 Extreme.
6) TC Helicon VoiceLive 3 Extreme
This harmonizer model from TC Helicon features a complete vocal sound boasting advanced harmony processing effects and unbeatable tonal quality. It is a superb harmonizer processor that helps singers t incorporate a strong studio refined sound into their voice performance especially while on the stage. It is an upgrade to the VoiceLive 3, meaning it has all the features of the VoiceLive 3, but extends some of them a bit further in capability and also in features
While there have been issues of screen blackout with the old model, the new TC Helicon VL3 Extreme seems to have resolved that problem, as dedicated consoles are now working correctly. One of the new additions to this upgraded model is the fact that you can now use the looper with any DAW software, which you can later transfer back to your unit.
The guitar sound on this upgraded version is top quality. Glitches that were experienced by users in the VL3 old model’s power switch and the mic has now been fixed. The new VL3 Extreme now provide live streaming performance via the USB functionality, while the nine vocal effects and guitar functionality have all been refined to perform better.
The TC Helicon VL3 Extreme also features an extended looping time of 5 hours, with the ability to play backing tracks as well. These and more make it a great choice.
7) Roland Voice Transformer (VT-3)
The Roland Voice Transformer is designed to ensure perfect harmony between your voice and your instrument. It gives you the ability to change the nature of your voice in any way you want. You can even make your voice to become scary and entertaining at the same time. Thanks to the bundle of features and presets included in this model, the Roland Voice Transformer is an excellent choice for people who want something to enhance their voice as a solo vocalist.
Of a truth, this is not the best in the market, but the fact that it offers interface features that allows it to interface with another device, makes it such a great option to consider. The effects on this model also enable you to run music through it. It comes handy in studio requirements, but it appears more suited for stage performance, which explains the foggy sounds even when using the effects.
Moreover, we notice that you cannot control the parameter of each of the effects, but again, that also contribute to its stage ability.
So if you want something that can be fun and make others laugh, get the Roland VT-3.
8) Boss VE-8 Acoustic Singer
When you are looking for a powerfully capable harmonizer effect, come to the Boss VE-8. This model offers you great vocal effects such as Loop, reverb, EQ, Distortion, Harmony, Doubling, Octaver, Tuning and more.
Boss created this VE-8 to serve the needs of singers who play the acoustic guitar. It offers excellent effects for both acoustic and VOX guitars. It produces vibrant dial-in sound typical of the Boss sound legacy. The good news is that this one support pitch correction, meaning it can conveniently enhance your singing as well.
The ability to use the various effects for your guitar in synergy with your vocals entails that you have everything you will ever need to be successful in one place. Since both effects are combined into one portable and highly functional unit, you end up saving up to 50 banks, meaning quicker loading.
The chromatic pitch correction gives you all you want for live tuning while enjoying the best in performance.
9) TC Helicon Harmony Singer
The Harmony Singer is one of the reasons why TC Helicon harmonizers are regarded as the best in the market.
The Harmony Singer features a durable design backed by intuitive functionality. It is one of the most commonly used of all harmonizers,and its popularity is due to its high-performance ratio.
Guided by a connected guitar, you can use the Singer to add up to two unique harmony voices. The Singer reads the chord precisely and tweaks the harmonies consonantly, ensuring that they are always on time and in the proper key as well.
By this design, you can comfortably navigate between different keys and chords, knowing that the Harmony Singer has got you covered.
While you can describe it as your vocal arranger, take note that it will not improve your singing because it lacks pitch correction capability.
Hall, room, and club make up the reverb settings available for you to choose. So, you can quickly fill spaces and enhance your vocals. Even when you switch off the harmony, you can still make use of the Tone/Reverb and sound significant to your audience. Such is the beauty of this voice processor from TC Helicon.
10) Electro-Harmonix Voice Box Harmony
If you are looking for a harmony box that will give you intelligent vocal harmonies, the Electro-Harmonies is the answer. While this harmony box may have fallen short of some essential features, it excels in other areas as well. The Electro-Harmonies features a solid construction that works flawlessly across a wide range of equipment you connect to it.
The pitch shifting algorithm of the Electro-Harmonies is of the highest quality, and it produces realistic harmonies that follow your natural glissando. A power supply cable is also included in this package. You can select and enjoy between 2 to 4 harmonies, drawing the best sound quality from 9 presets.
Included also is a footswitch, together with a mic bypass that helps in bringing in and out the positive effects that make a voice box of this nature amazing.
The reverbs have the best of studio-quality sound, and are excellent for adding spice to your dry and harmony vocals.
The Electric-Harmonies is the voice box that you need if you want to sing along a guitar solo.
11) Boss VE-20 Vocal Processor Effects Pedal
The Boss VE-20 boast a lot of features and excellent sound quality that aptly defines the credibility of Boss as king in voice box harmonizers.
Boss designed the harmonies on this model to be based on key/scale. So, if you are looking for a harmonizer that works with Smart Guitar Based Harmonies, you will have to look elsewhere.
The body of the VE-20 features robust and compact metal construction. The unit has the same profile as the Boss dual-pedal multi-effect seen on many of their guitar effects. However, the VE-20 is specially designed to meet the needs of vocalists.
Reverb effects and primary delay are included to give your voice that subtle ambiance it needs. It also helps in pitch correction as well as in new auto-tune effect, as being used by artists like Black Eyed Peas.
Moreover, you also get to enjoy other effects like programmable harmony, a 38-second looper by which you can create your vocal blending.
Strobe, distortion robot and chorus, are some of the additional effects that make up the Boss VE-20. Don’t forget you will also get to enjoy an extended one year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
12) TC Helicon Voice Tone H1
TC Helicon is a household name when it comes to voice harmonizers, and this model represents one of the best in the company’s voice box inventory.
The TC Helicon Voice Tone H1 features eight different voice styles that flow from 2 main voices of realistically sounding vocal harmonies. The harmonizer features a rubberized non-slip base perfectly fitted in the robust metal case. The mic preamp is lovely and will serve you excellently.
For people who don’t love reading the long instruction manual, this TC Helicon H1 voice harmonizer is a God-sent. The featured switchers, knobs, and dials are easy to understand and the unit itself is easy to set up. This harmonizer is perfect for guitarists because it will automatically pick up the compatible key. However, if you don’t have a guitar, you can also manually select the desired key without any difficulty.
Overall, the H1 I compact and sturdy, with great natural sounding harmonies.
Choosing the Best Vocal Harmonizer Pedals
While different musicians have different taste about the sound they want and create, vocal harmonizer pedals can stand as a bridge for all artists. They offer you the best opportunity to stay right within your original sound and avoid the glaring eyes of critics while performing on stage.
2) TC Helicon Play Acoustic Vocal Effects Processor
- Sturdy and high-quality chasse
- Excellent voice effects
- Unbeatable voice enhancement technique
- Separate vocal and guitar outputs, or a stereo mix of both
1) TC Helicon Voice Tone Harmony G-XT Vocal Effects Processor
- Wide range of useful sound effects
- 10 presets, each with A/B options
- USB port connection
- Included VoiceSupport app
3) Boss VE-2
- Combination of high-quality effects and real-time vocals
- Easy to operate
- Auto harmony functionality
- Hybrid mode function
- Combine both the auto and manual keys
Buying the best voice harmonizer processor is not difficult if you know what you want and how to go about it. That is the reason we have put up this review of the best vocal harmonizers for sale. These models are not by any means all that you have in the marketplace, but they represent the best in the market.
While you may want to be recommended to the best brand, take note that the brand name of a product, no matter how popular, doesn’t guarantee quality and performance. Even the best brand can produce a defective product while a less-known brand can create the best in quality and performance.
So know what you want and stick to the reviews and recommendations given to you so far.