If you record vocals at home, chances are you’ve experimented with different mic and preamp options, as well as room treatment. But have you considered the impact of the different effects processors you use? Vocal effects can completely transform a recording, and the right processor can help make a single vocal sound like an entire chorus. A VST host like Cubase, Pro Tools, Logic or Ableton Live can be a useful addition to a home recording setup, but VSTs often have a reputation for causing performance issues and can be a pain to set up.
Here are the best vocal effects processors currently on the market.
Our Editor’s Best Vocal Effects Processors Reviews
- Take charge of your vocal sound with the VE-22, a portable multi-effects toolbox specially designed for singers
- Perform with a diverse library of high-quality BOSS processing, from basic studio enhancement to dramatic voice-changing effects
- Enhance your sound with essential effects like compressor, EQ, delay, echo, reverb, and more
- Create processed sounds with lo-fi, distortion, radio, ring mod, and other specialty effects
- Automatic pitch correction for soft fine-tuning or aggressive electronic tones
- V3 offers 16 creative voice effects plus compression, reverb, delay and enhance
- Add up to two voices to create 3-part harmonies across a full octave
- Independent compression, reverb and delay controls
- Built-in Enhancer for increased sound clarity
- 48V phantom power for condenser microphones
- The FV01 vocal effects Corrector is primarily a pitch-correction pedal that offers everything from pitch correction to full-blown effects overload when your input is a microphone.
- The FV01 features three separate vocal effects as indicated by the TONE LED displayed prominently in the center of the pedal.
- Singers can switch between WARM, BRIGHT, and NORMAL modes, with each mode indicating the type of EQ manipulation provided by the pedal.
- It can be used as a microphone amplifier or a traditional stompbox. Optional 48V phantom power for condenser microphones.
- Two different output modes for a mixed-signal or individual signals from guitar and microphone.
- From Subtle Pitch Correction to Hard Antares AutoTune Effect - VX5 is an intuitive vocal effects pedal with dedicated Retune Speed and Humanize knobs enabling adjustments with no computer needed
- The Classic AutoTune Sound - At the heart of VX5 is the iconic Antares algorithm, expanding the scope of effects available to vocalists; fit for live stage performance and studio sets alike
- Designed for Vocalists and Producers of All Skill Levels - Ensuring confidence and creative control with access to real-time vocal processing with no perceptible latency, all in a compact form
- Studio-Quality Features - Onboard compressor, reverb, delay, chorus and flavor FX allow you to adjust effects from song to song during a live set-as individual effects or simultaneously chained
- Easy Presets Adjustment - Includes 99 factory presets, stores up to 250 total; hands-free preset control via two footswitches; color display with simple up/down menus for seamless preset programming
- The easy-to-use VE-20 has been designed from the ground up for singers, featuring some of the finest vocal-effects technology on the market.
- With the click of a footswitch, you can instantly add lush vocal layers and harmonies to your singing, add realtime pitch-correction, and you can show your creative side with special effects such as Distortion, Radio, and Strobe.
- Specialized effects for vocalists, including Harmony, Double-Track, Dynamics, Reverb, Delay, and more
- Create the total of 3-part harmonies and layers
- Realtime pitch-correction tools
- Essential set of classic vocal effects, including 3 reverb, 3 Echo, and 3 double types
- Smartphone integration. "Beam" Additional vocal effects, including harmonies, hard tune, and megaphone, via free app for iOS/Android
- Powerful Anti-Feedback function. Compatible with the tc-helicon mp-75 & mp-76 modern performance vocal microphones with mic control to control effects from your mic
- Visual pitch meter. Helps improve vocal technique and train the ear. . Microphone Output - Dynamic Range - > 109 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Frequency Response - +0.50/-0 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- Dimmable buttons allow adjustment for a variety of lighting conditions
- The VE-5 Vocal Performer is a compact and mobile personal effects processor and looper for vocalists
- Featuring a simple-to-use tabletop design that can be easily attached to a mic stand for performing, the VE-5 is perfect for singers, rappers, beatboxers, webcasters, and anyone that wants to have fun with processing vocal sounds
- Easy one-touch operation
- Six types of high-quality vocal effects inherited from the VE-20 – Reverb, Delay, Double/Harmony, Dynamics, Pitch Correct, and Tone/SFX
- Phrase Looper adds impact to real-time vocal performances, including harmonizing and layered beatboxing
- This vocal doubling pedal is designed for vocalists and guitarists to add rich chorus and reverb effects to their microphone and/or guitar signal.
- Singers can also switch between WARM, BRIGHT, and NORMAL modes, with each mode indicating the type of EQ manipulation provided by the pedal.
- Bult-in vocal reverb effects. Includes guitar input with an optional guitar reverb effect. Support 48V phantom power.
- Line-in function supports signal from an external microphone amplifier or FV series pedals.
- Two different potput modes for mixed siganl or individual signal from guitar and microphone.
- The Harmony provides 11 different harmony modes to choose from and can comfortably shift between major and minor scales for ultimate pitch flexibility.
- The FV04 Harmony is the first effects pedal from Flamma aimed at vocalists and guitarists. It happily accepts guitar or microphone inputs and includes dedicated reverb effects for each.
- The FV04 acts as an all-in-one effects solution with the ability to choose between mixed signal or individual outputs to separate vocal and guitar channels.
- Support for 48V phantom power is also included as is the option to use the FV04 as a microphone amplifier.
- The FV04 runs on the included 9V 500mA power supply and its sleek blue, all-metal shell is gig-ready and built to last.
- Simultaneously use up to three vocal processors from the voice, harmony and effect sections
- 100 memory locations for storing user-created patches
- Formant shift pedal for adjusting your vocal character in real time
- V6-SP offers 12 voice effects; 10+ studio effects (distortion, chorus, etc.); 3-voice Harmonizer; and over 40 preset Patches
- Looper for recording up to 3: 30
Best Vocal Effects Processors Buying Guide
Before choosing the best vocal effects processor you should consider following options:
1. Types of Effects Processors: Before buying an effects processor, you should be aware of the various types available. An effects processor can be broadly divided into two categories – audio and vocal.
The audio processor is used for tasks such as mixing, recording, mastering and post production. A vocal effects processor is used for correcting and applying effects on vocals during live performances and studio recordings.
2. Audio Effects Processor vs Vocal Effects Processor: While choosing an audio effects processor, you need to be aware of the type of effects it offers.
A good audio effects processor should ideally have multiple effects. You can have up to thousands of effects on an audio processor. These include reverbs, delays, choruses, EQs, distortions, modulators, etc.
A vocal effects processor, on the other hand, should ideally have only a few effects. These include reverbs, delays, de-essers, etc. You should ideally not have any other type of effect on a vocal processor.
3. Input and Outputs: The number of inputs and outputs of an effects processor is important. The more the number of inputs and outputs, the more flexibility the processor offers.
Depending on the number of channels you want to process, you should ideally have more input channels than output channels. Ideally, you should have at least 2:1 ratio of input to output channels.
4. User Interface: A good user interface is important for an effects processor. It should ideally be easy to use and provide control over various effects.
Depending on the type of processor you want, the user interface can be different. For audio processors, a good interface will have a knob for each effect.
For vocal processors, a good interface will have a knob for effects such as de-essers, filters, and delays. The interface can have knobs or faders for the various effects.
5. Types of Effects: You should ideally have at least a few effects that you can use in your music productions. For example, an audio processor should ideally have a good number of delays.
A vocal processor, on the other hand, should ideally have a good number of reverbs. You should ideally have a few effects that you can use in your productions.
6. Processing Power: The processing power of an effects processor is important. You should ideally have enough processing power if you are going to use multiple effects simultaneously.
For example, if you want to use a compressor and a delay simultaneously, you need to have enough processing power. The more the processing power, the more flexibility the processor offers.
7. Cost: The cost of an effects processor is important. Depending on the number of effects and various other factors, the overall cost of the processor can vary.
For example, if you want to have multiple reverbs, the overall cost of the processor will be higher. Depending on various factors, the overall cost of an effects processor can vary.
8. Quality of Effects: The overall quality of the effects is important. Depending on the number of effects and overall processing power, the overall quality of the effects can vary.
For example, if you are going to use multiple reverbs, the overall quality of those reverbs will be good. The overall quality of the effects will depend on various factors.
What else you should know about vocal effects processors
1. What are the best vocal effects processors on the market?
The best vocal effects processors on the market include the TC Helicon VoiceLive 3, the Boss VE-20, and the Zoom H4n Pro.
2. What are the best features of a vocal effects processor?
Some people might say that the best features of a vocal effects processor are its ability to change the pitch and tone of your voice, as well as its ability to add reverb and other effects.
3. How do I choose the best vocal effects processor for my needs?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best vocal effects processor for your needs will depend on the specific details of your setup and what type of sound you are looking to achieve. However, some general tips that may help you choose the best vocal effects processor for your needs include:
– Considering what type of sounds you want to be able to create with the processor, and whether you need it to be versatile or specialized.
– Checking reviews from other users to get an idea of which models are most popular and highly rated.
– Considering your budget and how much you are willing to spend on a vocal effects processor.
4. What are the different types of vocal effects processors?
The different types of vocal effects processors are pitch shifters, harmony generators, vocoders, and pitch correctors.
5. How do I use a vocal effects processor?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to use a vocal effects processor will vary depending on the specific model and your own personal preferences. However, some tips on how to get the most out of your vocal effects processor include experimenting with the different settings to see what sounds best for your voice, and using the processor to enhance your natural vocal sound rather than trying to completely change it.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best vocal effects processors. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best vocal effects processors will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.