Best Vocal Effects Pedal / Processor Guide
Author & Contributors
Alexander Briones
I've written about and researched music gear for many years, while also serving as a music director at my local church, in addition to teaching guitar, bass and mentoring young musicians.
Author's Pick
Here is the vocal effects processor that I personally recommend.
Zoom V3
The Zoom V3 is a vocal processor that caters to more than just singers, with features that can greatly help podcasters, streamers. voice dubbers and the like.
It comes with a compressor, delay and reverb effects that can be used in conjunction with its "Enhancer" feature for improving vocals and speech.
It also comes with pitch correction which can be used for subtle polishing, or exaggerated for EDM style effect. And it has built-in harmonies that can be used to accentuate certain vocal parts.
Voice changing effects are also available, including vocoder, formant character shift, talkbox, telephone, robot, and more.
Finally, it comes in a desktop friendly profile that would easily fit in to most home recording, podcasting and streaming setups, while also having the ability to be mounted on a mic stand for use on stage.
Tech Specs
- Profile: Table Top with Mic Stand Clip
- Harmony: Lower, Low, Fixed, High, Higher
- Pitch Correction: Pitch Correction
- Looper: None
- Effects: Compression, Delay, Reverb, Enhance, Vocoder and More
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Inputs: 1 x XLR (Mic), 1 x 1/8" (Aux in)
- Outputs: 2 x 1/4" TS, 1 x 1/8" (Headphones)
- USB Port: Type Micro-B
- Power: 4 x AA Batteries, 9V DC 1A Power Supply (Sold Separately)
Pros
The Zoom V3 gets my Author's Pick spot because of the many uses you can get from it. And like me, a wide spectrum of users appreciate its versatility, including musicians, singers, podcasters, voice actors, DJs, streamers and more. Singers in particular are pleased with its voice enhancement and harmony features, while non-musicians commend it for making them sound better, and for its ability to change their voice on the fly. Being compact, and having the ability to run on batteries, means that the Zoom V3 is also among the most portable and travel friendly in the market. Finally, its desktop friendly profile and mic-stand-mountable design make it easy to setup at home, or on stage.
Cons
There are a few who are annoyed because of the need to buy the power supply separately. Those who prefer vocal effects that they can control with their feet will have to look elsewhere.
Overall
The Zoom V3 is a great tool to have if you are into stage performance, home recording and multi-media content creation like podcasting, streaming and more.
The Best Vocal Processor Pedals and Processors
Below are the processors that garnered the highest ratings and recommendations from users and experts alike, covering everything from multi-featured processors to compact single pedal size units.
TC Helicon Ditto Mic Looper
With the success of the TC Electronic Ditto looper pedal for guitar, it's only natural for their sister company, TC Helicon, to cash in on the hype with their own take.
The TC Helicon Ditto Mic Looper follows after the original Ditto looper pedal, with its straightforward looper controls and compact profile, albeit designed for use with mics.
Sporting just a single loop level knob and two footswitches, it doesn't take long to master its controls, which include record, play, stop, erase, undo and overdub.
Tech Specs
- Profile: Pedal
- Effects: Looper
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Inputs: 1 x XLR
- Outputs: 1 x XLR
- USB Port: Updates
- Power: Power Adapter
Pros
Ease of use and affordability are traits that make the TC Helicon Ditto Mic Looper ideal for those who want to test the waters of vocal mic looping. Paul White of Sound on Sound is just as impressed with its simplicity: "While there are more sophisticated loopers on the market, I like the way the Ditto Mic Looper sticks to the essentials — you’re so much less likely to get into a mess when using it! In addition, factoring in its portability makes it ideal even for experienced users who want a compact looper.
Cons
There are a few who are looking for longer looping time. Ironically, its limited loop functions and simplicity are exactly what many users want, a vocal looper that's efficient and practical. If you need longer loop times then take a look at the options in our guide to The Best Loopers.
Overall
For those who want an easy to use vocal looper, it doesn't get any simpler than this.
TC Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic
At publication time this was the Equal Highest Rated Vocal Effects Pedal along with:
The TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic features both vocal and acoustic guitar effects in one stompbox, ideal for singers who play acoustic-electric guitar.
The vocal processor section has its own mic preamp and lets you utilize some of TC Helicon's popular vocal effects, including essentials like reverb and echo, along with dynamic processing, pitch correction, and smart harmony.
Popular TC Electronic effects make up the guitar section, including BodyRez (acoustic guitar sound enhancer), Corona Chorus, Flashback Delay, Hall of Fame Reverb, feedback suppression and EQ controls.
To top it all off, VoiceLive Play Acoustic also comes with built-in looper functionality.
Tech Specs
- Harmony: Smart Guitar-Controlled Harmony
- Harmony Voices: Up to 2
- Pitch Correction: Auto Chromatic, Hard Tune
- Looper: Up to 30 seconds
- Effects: µMod (Modulation), Transducer (Synth), Doubler, Reverb, Delay, Adaptive Tone (Smart EQ, De-essing and Compression)
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Guitar Effects: Hall of Fame Reverb, Corona Chorus, BodyRez (Acoustic Guitar Tone Enhancer), Feedback Suppressor, EQ,
- Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 2 x XLR, 1 x 1/8" (Headphones), 1 x 1/4" (Footswitch),
- USB Port: Direct Recording, Update and Control
- Power: DC Power Supply
Pros
The TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic has an extensive feature set that can take the place of many guitar pedals and vocal gear. And with its consistently high ratings, we know for sure that it is serving its users well. For something compact, many are impressed at how it actually improves their sound, while others are satisfied with the many effects and features that they are getting. Performers who use this regularly appreciate its solid build and reliability.
Cons
There are a few who caution that the controls will need some time to get used to.
Overall
Given its vocal and guitar friendly features, and ability to be used with a condenser mic, the TC Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic is a vocal processor that meets the demands of many solo performers.
Boss VE-20
At publication time this was the Equal Highest Rated Vocal Effects Pedal along with:
The VE-20 showcases what Boss is all about, packing as much sound quality and as many features inside a compact and robust metal enclosure as they can.
This unit follows Boss' dual-pedal multi-effect profile, which they implement on many of their guitar effects, only this one is meant for vocalists.
As expected, basic delay and reverb effects are included for adding subtle ambience to your voice. But you can also use it to go all out with pitch-correction and auto-tune effects as used by artists like Black-Eyed Peas and will.i.am.
Other effects include a programmable harmony, that follows after specific keys and scales, and a 38 second looper that can let you craft your own vocal blending.
Finally, Boss incorporated cool extra effects that include chorus, distortion robot, strobe and more.
Tech Specs
- Harmony: Key/Scale Based Harmonies (Not Smart Guitar Based)
- Harmony Voices: Up to 2
- Pitch Correction: Auto Chromatic, Hard Tune
- Looper: 38-Second, Single Track
- Effects: Dynamics, Doubling, Reverb, Delay, Distortion, Radio, Strobe, Chorus, Flanger, Robot
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Inputs: 1 x TRS/XLR Combo
- Outputs: 1 x TRS/XLR Combo (Line), 1 x Mono
- USB Port: None
- Power: DC Power Supply or 6 x AA Batteries
Pros
The Boss VE-20 continues to rate highly for being a compact vocal multi-effect solution that you can conveniently control with your feet. It hasn't stopped raking in positive reviews and ratings, with reviewers agreeing on two important things - that it sounds great and that it is built like a tank. Having been made by Boss, this effect can handle the rigors of the road and could well last you a lifetime.
Cons
One minor concern is the short optional power cord that you need to buy separately, a quick solution to this is to get it on purchase of the unit and have an extension cord ready.
Overall
Get the Boss VE-20 if you're looking for a compact and reliable vocal multi-effect pedal.
Boss VE-8 Acoustic Singer
At publication time this was the Equal Highest Rated Vocal Effects Pedal along with:
The Boss VE-8 is designed to cater to the needs of singers who play acoustic-electric guitar, with dedicated preamps and effects for both mic and acoustic inputs.
Being primarily a vocal effects processor, most of the features are meant for improving your vocals and expanding what you can do with it.
This includes having a mic preamp with phantom power support, for using condenser mics. It also comes packed with vocal effects, from basics like reverb and enhance, to esoteric ones like pitch correction, distortion, robot, and more.
The guitar side of the pedal comes with its own sound enhancer via its acoustic resonance feature, designed to add realism to the sound of piezo equipped acoustic-electric guitars. It also has dedicated effects like reverb and chorus, tremolo, phaser and more.
Other performance friendly features include smart harmony, an 80 second looper, and a built-in tuner.
Tech Specs
- Harmony: Smart Guitar-Controlled Harmony
- Harmony Voices: Up to 2
- Pitch Correction: Auto Chromatic, Hard Tune
- Looper: 80-Second, Single Track
- Effects: Doubling, Reverb, Octave, Mod Delay, Chorus, Distortion, Radio, Electronic and more
- Phantom Power: 48V
- Guitar Effects: Acoustic Resonance, Reverb, Chorus, Notch Filter
- Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (Aux)
- Outputs: 2 x XLR, 2 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8" (Headphones), 1 x 1/4" (External Footswitch)
- USB Port: Firmware Update and Direct Recording
- Power: DC Power Supply or 6 x AA Batteries
Pros
The Boss VE-8 is an ambitious all-in-one vocals and acoustic guitar pedal that's living up to its name. It packs a lot of useful features, while retaining an intuitive workflow that won't confuse you as you perform. This practicality and usefulness is often praised in reviews, even by Trevor Curwen of Music Radar who gave it perfect 5 star rating, he wrote: "Even for effects novices, the VE-8 is intuitive and easy to use straight out of the box." The sound quality of its mic preamp, and effects also gets a lot of thumbs up, while others love its enhance and acoustic resonance features.
Cons
Those who are into more traditional acoustic and vocal sounds may find some of the features to be unusable, but they can set the unit up with just basic effects. Some of the effects like distortion, are deemed unusable by a few owners - but that's a matter of taste.
Overall
This is a great rig "simplifier" for self-accompanying singers, a compact unit that can substitute for a complex yet intuitive rig.
Things to Consider when Buying Vocal Effects Pedals / Processors
- The most common reason why people use vocal effects is to improve the sound of their voice, and this is accomplished via basic effects like EQ, compression and reverb. And since sounding good is the main concern of singers, voice actors, streamers, podcasters and other media content creators - it is important to get a good handle of these basic effects, so you can properly choose and utilize your vocal processor. Others who are in more experimental styles of music will appreciate vocoder, synth, alien, robot and other out-of-this world voicings. Many of these processors also allow changing the character of the voice using "formant shifting" effects to deepen or lighten the character of the sound and go as far as to artificially change the apparent gender and/or age of the singer. Pitch correction effects have become common in popular music and are often being used for their tonal character rather than just keeping the singer in tune. They can also be used in conjunction with harmony for male/female voice style backups.
- While most vocalists will use just a basic XLR connection into a PA or mixing console, those that sing and play guitar at the same time may need dedicated outputs for guitar and vocals. That way the guitar can be routed separately to the guitar effects/amp while the vocals can go straight to the PA. While Direct USB recording was considered a secondary feature before, the popularity of home studios have made direct recording capability a critical feature for many musicians, especially if you're into home recording, live streaming, podcasting, voice acting and the like.
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Loopers are not just popular among instrumentalists, even vocalists appreciate the advantages of using a looper. Using a looper lets you layer and texturize your voice in ways that would not be possible otherwise. As such many vocal effects processors come with built-in looper functionality, while some even offer looper only vocal pedals. Aside from spicing up your performances, loopers can also be great for practice and training your ears and voice.
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One of the most prominent features of vocal processors is the ability to add one or more harmonies to a part being sung. Many of these can use guitar or instrument inputs to automatically change the harmonies to fit the chords being played and the note you're singing - a feature we are calling 'Smart Guitar-Controlled Harmony'. Without this feature you need to manually set the key for each song and change patches if you want to adjust the interval of the harmonies within that key. The number of simultaneous harmonies varies between effects units, offering between 1 and 4 additional voices. Some units have enough processing power to let you tweak the character of the harmonized voices in various ways including pitch and timing variations and even gender.
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Pitch correction has taken some genre's of music by storm and it's not just being used to fix tuning problems but also for its own distinctive sound. It can be handy if you're looking for some discreet help with a few tough songs or if you want to transform your sound in the same way as T-Pain, Kayne West etc. You can usually control how pronounced the effect is, which means pulling the pitch of your voice toward the desired note. If you're looking for a natural sound then a lower speed and amount of correction is usually better. The 'Hard Tune' effect locks the pitch to a target note very quickly which produces an artificial sound that many have used in modern EDM / Hiphop songs. It can also result in a rapid warbling if you drift between notes. Most vocal processors allow you to set a scale to tune to but generally, chromatic mode should be sufficient if you are getting anywhere near the note. However the scale setting can be useful for that pronounced hard tune warbling effect to control which notes it warbles between.
- Since many vocal processors use guitar input for their smart chord-based harmonies, manufacturers have been adding guitar effects so singer/guitarists can use them as an 'all in one' performance unit. Generally, these effects are tailored towards acoustic players offering the basic reverb, delay and possibly modulation, EQ/Filters and more. You'll want these features if you're a singer who also plays guitar, and want to keep your rig simple.
Vocal Effects
Input/Output and USB Recording
Looper
Harmonies
Pitch Correction (AutoTune)
Guitar Effects
Best Vocal Effects Pedal Selection Methodology
The first edition was published in 2016 and the current edition was published on March 25, 2022.
For this March 2022 Edition, we ended up with a short list of 31 vocal effects processors. We then collated 11,500 review and rating sources, which included reviews from retail stores, expert reviews, forum discussions, video reviews and more. All these data were then processed using the Gearank Algorithm, which gave us the rating scores out of 100 that we used to come up with our recommendations that reflect market sentiment, as well as being used to report on the notable pros and cons of each one recommended above. For this 2022 edition, we've also included an author's pick, the Zoom V3, which we recommend for its practicality and usability. For more information about our methods see How Gearank Works.
About the Author and Contributors
Here are the key people and sources involved in this guide's production - click on linked names for information about their music industry backgrounds.
Lead Author & Researcher
Alexander Briones
I've written about and researched music gear for many years, while also serving as a music director at my local church, in addition to teaching guitar, bass and mentoring young musicians.
I personally use a Boss RC-300 Loop Station which has effects I sometimes apply to vocals, reverb and looping mostly but sometimes chorus too. I use it with acoustic-electric guitars such as my Martin OMCPA4, Martin DCX1E, Ibanez AEL20E and Takamine GY11ME.
Contributors
Alden Acosta: Product research.
Jason Horton: Editing and Illustrating.
Media
Main/Top Image: Produced by Gearank.com using photographs of the Boss VE-20 and TC Helicon VoiceLive Play Acoustic.
The videos have been embedded in accordance with YouTube's Terms of Service.
The individual product images were sourced from websites, promotional materials or supporting documentation provided by their respective manufacturers.
Comments
I see you mention in the
Submitted by Ben (not verified) on
I see you mention in the "Harmonies" section that "Some units have enough processing power to let you tweak the character of the harmonized voices in various ways including pitch and timing variations and even gender." Can you say which ones do this? This is something I am looking for. Thanks a lot for the informative article!
The TC Helicon PlayLive
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
The TC Helicon PlayLive Acoustic offers multiple harmony styles including pitch, and allows for advanced controls like setting the slide time of each note, and a “Humanize” setting that adds a bit of timing and pitch variance to make the harmony sound more “human-like”.
The Boss VE-20 also has smart harmony options along with a gender setting. VE-8’s harmony is similar to VE-20.
Finally, the Zoom V3 has 5 harmony pitch options (Lower, Low, Fixed, High, Higher).
Hope these details can help you pick your vocal processor.
Awesome, the gender thing is
Submitted by Ben (not verified) on
Awesome, the gender thing is what I was looking for, so I will take a closer look at the Boss VE-20 and VE-8. Thanks for your generous help sir!
The following effects
Submitted by Jason Horton on
The following effects processors came off the recommended list above when we published the March 2022 Edition:
Publication of our October
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Publication of our October 2021 Edition resulted in the following effects units coming off the recommended list above:
Boss VE-20 is amazing, i love
Submitted by sandeep t (not verified) on
Boss VE-20 is amazing, i love using it.
Thanks
My band works in 432, not 440
Submitted by Roberto Roque (not verified) on
My band works in 432, not 440. So which of the best in sound quality could you recommend? Thanks.
If you are talking about
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
If you are talking about 432Hz tuning, then basic effects and looping should work fine. In theory, smart harmony should also be able to work with that tuning, but it may be best to contact the manufacturer if you want to be sure.
Yes, tuning in 432. The
Submitted by Roberto Roque (not verified) on
Yes, tuning in 432. The question is to find out if any of the brands can lower the tuning to 432 to make harmonies. It will then be asking the brands. Thanks.
I've done some research, but
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
I've done some research, but I'm not seeing any mention of 432Hz tuning specifically. Theoretically, "Smart Harmonies" should work fine with 432Hz if the harmonies are based on audio input (vocal or guitar). But "Fixed Harmonies" probably will be a problem if they are set to a specific tuning. You are doing the right thing by contacting the manufacturers to get further information.
The TC Helicon VoiceTone
Submitted by Jason Horton on
The TC Helicon VoiceTone Harmony-G XT has been discontinued so we've removed it from the recommended list above.
Our November 2020 update
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Our November 2020 update resulted in the following vocal pedals coming off the recommended list above, but you can still see our analysis of them:
Thanx for all the info.
Submitted by Yinka Latevi Tuakli (not verified) on
Thanx for all the info.
One question .. Can I trigger the abilities of the TC voice live 3 with a bamboo flute ?
It will work with any source
Submitted by Jason Horton on
It will work with any source you can mic up, so yes.
Hi! Great guide. About TC
Submitted by Nicolas (not verified) on
Hi! Great guide. About TC Helicon Perform VG, it has Phantom power (can't be phantom powered, but you can power a condenser mic with it). Also the USB port is just for firmware update, not able to direct recording or control.
Thanks for that, you are
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Thanks for that, you are entirely correct!
There were some confusing phantom power specifications on the TC-Helicon website so I checked the manual and have updated the Phantom Power and USB specifications above.
With a lot of the best
Submitted by Kenny Burch (not verified) on
With a lot of the best processors being taken off of the recommended list, what processor is currently the the best and is a available?
The recommended list above
Submitted by Jason Horton on
The recommended list above does represent the best that are currently available.
The TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 came off the list because it has been discontinued and the TC-Helicon Voicetone Mic Mechanic 2 came off the list because the other ones we now recommend have higher ratings which are represented by their Gearank scores out of 100.
As a result of our September
Submitted by Jason Horton on
As a result of our September 2018 update the following pedals came off the recommended list above but you can still read our analysis:
Hey.. Thnx for all this great
Submitted by Jeff (not verified) on
Hey.. Thnx for all this great info! Still playing every day with the Roland 501. ( sultry and melodic type of improv flute ) The pre on this Roland is special. Which one comes close in quality to the Re 501? Just need the basic effects / delay /reverb.
Trying to look for a compact
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Trying to look for a compact alternative to the Roland RE-501 is a tall order. So if you're looking for a vocal effects pedal with RE-501 like quality delay/reverb, you may have to lower your expectations.
And If you do, you'll find that many of the pedals listed here can provide workable, if not good reverb and delay.
Thank you for the article! I
Submitted by Eva (not verified) on
Thank you for the article! I am less after effects and more after intuitive and easy to use sampler for vocals and speech. Do you know which direction I should look?
If what you mean by sampler
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
If what you mean by sampler is looping vocals, then you can go for any of the compact ones with built-in looper, like the Boss VE-20. But if you want an easy-to-use pedal to improve your overall sound, then get the Mic Mechanic from TC-Electronic.
Is there any pedal that you
Submitted by Bill (not verified) on
Is there any pedal that you can choose a specific mode and not just major/minor? I perform lots of folk songs and would love a pedal I could set to the pentatonic scale.
Many harmony pedals allow for
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Many harmony pedals allow for either automatic and manual key/scale mode, but I have yet to see one that specifically limits harmonies to the note of the pentatonic scale.
In any case, the pentatonic scale is just a few notes less than the major and minor scale setting, so you can achieve a similar effect with them - albeit with some of the harmonies going outside the pentatonic scale.
I’m trying to get a late 70’s
Submitted by Tom (not verified) on
I’m trying to get a late 70’s early 80’s stereo effect. Does anyone know if one of these can achieve that?
Most likely they were using a
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
Most likely they were using a rackmount studio chorus effect. This can be achieved via the average chorus effect, which is included in many vocal and looper pedals.
Now if you want to really capture the flavor of the classic chorus, you'll have to research on the actual gear that was used on the recording that you're trying to replicate - and utilize something that's similar sounding, be it actual hardware or digital effects.
Hi,
Submitted by Joe (not verified) on
Hi,
I have seen many reviews on the above effects, but the one thing that no one has mentioned so far, is, if you can patch one of these effects into a mixer to be used by more than one vocalist , e.g on several channels of a mixer or does each vocalist has to have their own effects unit?
These types of foot pedal
Submitted by Jason Horton on
These types of foot pedal effects are primarily designed to be used by a single performer on stage rather than be used as outboard effects with a mixing console.
You could conceivably use some of them with the effects loop on a mixing console, however only the ones with 1/4" ins and outs would be usable, and the person mixing might find it awkward using the switches that are meant to be foot operated.
Typically, with mixing consoles, you would use rack mount effects units instead.
Are there any that can get
Submitted by chris (not verified) on
Are there any that can get chords for harmonies direct from tracks instead of guitar or keys?
The pedals don't specify this
Submitted by Alexander Briones on
The pedals don't specify this feature, but it can probably be done if you route pre-recorded tracks to the guitar input. There are other many apps that can do this though, but you'll have to figure out how to get them to trigger the harmonies off of your pedal.
I am looking for a small unit
Submitted by Mikey Fdo (not verified) on
I am looking for a small unit similar to BOSS VE20 that can be connected to a keyboard via midi to get the exact key changes for harmony and pitch correction. HELP!
There are no small units that
Submitted by Jason Horton on
There are no small units that we recommend that have that feature - the nearest is the full sized TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 which allows MIDI control over pitch.
Roland VT-3
Submitted by Didi (not verified) on
Roland VT-3
Thanks for the to the point
Submitted by MidCalBassman (not verified) on
Thanks for the to the point and easy to take in reviews. This did help me make a purchase decision. Roland Vocal GTX.
Thanks again.
Glad we could help!
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Glad we could help!
BTW - The G XT is made by TC-Helicon rather than Roland.
Today we removed the TC
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Today we removed the TC Helicon Harmony Singer from our list of recommendations above due to a lack of availability.
do any of these have a vocal
Submitted by roy biggin (not verified) on
Do any of these have a vocal vibrato?
I haven't seen the term
Submitted by Jason Horton on
I haven't seen the term 'vocal vibrato' used in relation to any of these effects units, but the Boss VE-8 does have Tremolo if that helps.
Recommend me a best iOS smile
Submitted by Noushad (not verified) on
Recommend me a best iOS Smule sing interface setup . I'm using a Tascam iXZ right now. A vocal mixer will be good to go.
Here's an iOS compatible
Submitted by Jason Horton on
Here's an iOS compatible interface with built in mixer and mic preamp: Yamaha AG03.
With the July 2017 update of
Submitted by Jason Horton on
With the July 2017 update of this guide we re-focused it more to general vocal effects and less on single effects like looping - here are the meta reviews for the pedals removed from the guide:
Hey! Thanks a lot for these
Submitted by raphael (not verified) on
Hey! Thanks a lot for these great lists. I was wondering about the TC-Helicon VoiceLive Play GTX. Do you have an opinion about it?
thanks again