Korg Forums

Chuck · Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 7:13 pm Post subject: PA4 on board harmonizer

Hi. I spent the past week exploring the TC Helicon Harmonizer in the PA4X. Here are a few things that I learned quickly.

1. There are about 35-40 presets. Only one of them (2 up 1 down) sounds good. The rest are really bad. Bummer!

2. I use the keyboard (chords) to play the harmonizer. I have the preset, "2 up 1 down" on. But some times it will jump back to preset, "Notes". So you constantly have to change back to "2 up 1 down". This is not good in a live gig environment.

3. I was able to connect the Korg PS-3 foot switch to the PA4X and it works perfectly. But you must be sure to have the right assigned settings prior to using.

In the end I'll probably continue to use my old Digitech Vocal Harmonizer and use the TC Helicon in the event my Digitech dies.

Keep playing music everyone!
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PA4X & PA900
Bose L1 Model II w/ToneMatch
Neumann KBS 105 Mic
Old fingers

DonM · Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2016 11:34 pm Post subject:

I'm not in front of the kb, but there is a place where you make the vocal setup GLOBAL, and nothing will change it until you change it yourself.
I'm very please with the harmonizer. Most of the time I use one voice above, and I've reduced the effects and saved it under a User Setup.
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DonM

Sharp · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2016 2:04 am Post subject:

Hi Chuck.

TC Helicon processors are quite simply the most realistic there are so don't let the presets put you off. I have a TC Helicon Rack Unit myself with 100 Presets and I use none of them because they don't represent traditional singing. They are over complicated.

So, I made my own User Preset. A straight up traditional Duet. It sounds ultra realistic and I'm sure the same is possible on the Pa4X too.

Chuck · Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2016 2:19 am Post subject:

Thanks for your comments and input. As I am probably one of the oldest players on the forum (75), I also unfortunately am one of the slow learners, but very game. I'm not sure I know how to write my own harmony set up and I don't see it addressed in the 1000 page manual. I personally like a little more than 1 up and 1 down. The 2 up 1 down preset is okay but seems to have a little to much effects. I'm not asking for someone to tutor me, but a starting point on how to do this would help. Thanks. Chuck
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PA4X & PA900
Bose L1 Model II w/ToneMatch
Neumann KBS 105 Mic
Old fingers

mabcomp · Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 384 Location: GB

Cant agree with the former comments. I use several of the different settings and they sound great. Its horses for courses, use the right type of harmony for each song style. I also have the full blown voice Live 3 unit so I have the best of both worlds but really folks the keyboard ones are pretty good.
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Pro Singer/Musician for over 30 Years

Chuck · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 1:12 am Post subject:

Thanks for the latest input. Like I said earlier, I'm getting pretty old and perhaps my hearing is going bad. But then maybe it's because I've been at the music business for 55 years and it's time to stop. It's always great to get another opinion.
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PA4X & PA900
Bose L1 Model II w/ToneMatch
Neumann KBS 105 Mic
Old fingers

karmathanever · Platinum Member Joined: 12 Jan 2004 Posts: 10402

DonM · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 3:30 am Post subject:

Chuck you're not that old. I'm only couple years behind and still playing five nights a week!
I'd offer to help you with figuring out the VH but my schedule right now is ridiculous. "My cup runneth over"! Not complaining though, as I haven't had to have a REAL job in 40 years! Smile

www.donmasonmusic.com
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DonM

kbrkr · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 3:01 pm Post subject:

This is a really good video showing how to take advantage of the Pa3x vocal harmonizer. I'm sure the Pa4x is similar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybQ3K3hzO8E

mabcomp · Senior Member Joined: 11 Jan 2011 Posts: 384 Location: GB

Yes good demo

Nice chap Just a shame hes not a better singer cos I know it sounds a lot better : Laughing

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Pro Singer/Musician for over 30 Years

Giner · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 4:02 pm Post subject:

What's interesting there is that, near the end, you can see the 'mic' knob is turned full up. How come there's no clipping/distortion? Can't manage that on my 3x.

I'd sure like to know some of the presets he's using, too. The Beatles one was reaaly nice, and the country tune at the end, as well.
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When I nod my head . . . Hit it!
Pa3x-61, Pa1xPro, i30, Micromoog (1975)

Sharp · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 5:13 pm Post subject:

Giner · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 6:24 pm Post subject:

Yes, just wondering aloud really, but I'm curious now about what might be the best option - have the gain low and the mic knob up, or set the gain as recommended in the manual and bring the mic knob up to optimum level.

Maybe six of one, half a dozen of the other. Interesting, though, that a pro doing an official demo would choose to go about it the way he did.

In the end though, it's like everything else, tweak to one's own satisfaction, I guess. I'm still fairly new with this lovely 3x, so I've still got a whole lot of digging to do.

Cheers. Very Happy

_________________
When I nod my head . . . Hit it!
Pa3x-61, Pa1xPro, i30, Micromoog (1975)

grafcable · Joined: 29 Feb 2016 Posts: 19

I tried to use harmonizer when play mp3 files and it just doesn't work. Compare to harmonizer on my old PA3X Pro Korg downgraded ability of harmonizer. PA3X Pro has option to automatically recognize harmony of mp3 files Korg PA4X Pro doesn't. And harmonizer works only for MIDI files not for mp3. It's really bad

Sam CA