A vocal effect processor is an instrument used to add effects to the vocals to enhance them. They have been around for quite some time now and for all good reasons. With the right vocal effect processor, you no longer need to go through the hassle of mixing.
Vocal effect processors hit the nail on the head by adding great effects to your vocals quickly and efficiently. From reverb to delay, you get many options to choose from.
When it comes to vocal effect processors, TC Helicon Voicelive is in a league of its own. It is one of the most sought-after vocal effect processors in the market and is a go-to choice for thousands of singers. It has tons of cool effects to make you sound like your favorite artist.
The TC Helicon Voicelive gives you excellent vocal effects, stompbox, and looping in a single device. The TC Helicon Voicelive comes with a play dial that allows you to control the preferences and output of the device.
Expectedly then, it holds paramount importance since it plays a vital role in the accuracy of your vocals.
Although the play dial of the TC Helicon Voicelive is quite responsive and accurate, things can and do go wrong with it sometimes.
Many users have repeatedly reported that it does not work or stops working sometimes. But do not let it get you down! This article intends to discuss the best workarounds to try if your TC Helicon Voicelive play dial is not working.
How to Fix TC Helicon Voicelive Play Dial Not Working
Here are some common troubleshooting steps to fix the TC Helicon Voicelive play dial.
1. Restart
If the play dial of your TC Helicon Voicelive is not working, the first thing to do is to restart your processor. Like any sophisticated and complex device, there could be some bug that is not letting the play dial work correctly.
So, it is recommended to restart the TC Helicon Voicelive processor to clear these bugs.
The good news for you is that restarting the TC Helicon Voicelive is a quick and straightforward process. All you need to do is pull out the power cord and plug it back properly. Experts recommend waiting for a few minutes before plugging it in again.
If you have been overusing it recently, it is important to give it time to settle. Like all electric devices, overusing the TC Helicon Voicelive may cause a few problems, and the play dial not working is one of them. Restarting is likely to fix the problem, and you will be able to use the play dial normally.
2. Factory Reset
Factory resetting the TC Helicon Voicelive is another solution that has fixed the play dial problem for many users. Apart from the play dial problem, a factory reset is also recommended for numerous other issues.
However, the elephant in the room is that it deletes all the settings, loops, and other data from your TC Helicon Voicelive as well. Without an iota of doubt, a factory reset is your best bet if the hardware is in good condition.
However, it is a trade-off with your saved settings, and you will have to save everything from scratch again after resetting it. So, be sure that you want to factory reset your TC Helicon Voicelive and go back to its default settings.
To factory reset your TC Helicon Voicelive, press and hold the back and store button simultaneously for a few seconds while the power is on. You will see a status bar, and the system will notify you that the factory reset process has been successfully completed.
Once you have reset your TC Helicon Voicelive, turn it on to find out whether it has fixed the play dial problem or not.
3. Clean the Knob
A dirty knob is among the main reasons why your TC Helicon Voicelive play dial may not be working. Dust and debris can get stuck inside the knob over time, especially if you use it rarely. Cleaning it may sound tedious, and it is easy to let dust and debris pile up inside the knob.
However, cleaning has shown great results for the play dial issue. Thankfully, cleaning the knob of the TC Helicon Voicelive is a pretty straightforward affair, and you do not even need any special tool or equipment to clean it.
Try cleaning it with a wet cloth, or rubbing it with alcohol can also work for you. Cleaning the knob will only take several minutes. Clean it thoroughly from every side. Once you have cleaned the knob, restart the unit to see if it has resolved the issue.
If the play dial still does not work, it is time to visit a professional.
4. Get It Checked
If you have tried everything and you still encounter the same issue, the chances are that the play dial is not working for some other reason. There could be a short circuit in the board, or some other malfunctioning can also lead to the play dial problem.
Undertaking the repairs can worsen the situation, so it is a good idea to reach out to a trained professional who has the know-how with the vocal effect processors. Not only will they diagnose the problem, but they will also fix it so you do not face the issue ever again.
Remember that TC Helicon Voicelive is among the pricey vocal processors, and the last thing you’d want is to damage it beyond repair while attempting to repair it on your own. Of course, if you damage it even more, you will have to shell out your hard-earned money for costly repairs.
Finding a professional repair specialist for your TC Helicon Voicelive may seem a daunting task, but it is quite simple if you conduct research. The Internet is a great place to search for repair specialists.
While searching, make sure to include your area’s zip code to get accurate results about the professionals in your area.
Alternatively, you can also seek referrals from your musician friends.
Their referrals would be unbiased and authentic. If they know someone competent, they will surely tell you about them.
5. Contact the Manufacturer
If the mechanic could not fix the problem either, contacting the TC Helicon customer support service is the last option.
You would be glad to know that TC Helicon has an active and approachable customer care service. Just visit their website and leave your question. They will surely get back to you soon.
Apart from the customer support service, the TC Helicon website also has an FAQs section, where you can read about the most common TC Helicon problems. So, the chances are that you may find the answers to your problem.
Furthermore, consider checking the warranty of your TC Helicon Voicelive to see if you are in the warranty period or not. If you are, tell the company about it, and they may offer you a free replacement or repair.
6. Refer to User Manual
The TC Helicon Voicelive comes with a user manual to provide you with all the information you need to operate the device. Consider going through it to find the solutions to the play dial problem. If you have lost the user manual, you can even download it online.
Bottom Line
Thanks to its amazing vocal effects, TC Helicon Voicelive is a popular choice for many artists. However, its play dial may stop working for some reason. To fix it, consider restarting your unit.
If the problem persists, you may need to factory reset it. If no solution is helpful, consider reaching out to a professional to detect the problem.