What is the best vocal harmonizer pedal available today?
If you want to enhance your vocals onstage, finding the best vocal harmonizer pedal for the job can be tricky if you don’t know what you are looking for.
However, finding the best vocal harmonizer for your voice comes down to the type of effects offered (reverb, delay, autotune), its overall functionality as well as how it fits your act.
This might all seem a lot to take on board initially. Yet, it all makes sense when you think about what you want from your performance. Do you want added vocal layers? The benefit of tools such as autotune? Something that you can use while playing the guitar?
All these facets play key parts when choosing the right harmonizer for the job. So we’ve scoured the landscape to find the best options on the market to give your voice that extra boost. So what are the best vocal harmonizer pedals available today? Find out in this vocal harmonizer pedal review.
The best vocal harmonizer pedals revealed
The Artist’s Pick: BOSS VE-2 Vocal Harmonist
- Real-time vocal harmonies and high-quality effects in an affordable, easy-to-operate pedal
- Auto harmony function automatically detects chords played on a connected guitar and generates perfectly matching harmonies, even during mid-song key changes
- Solo singers can create harmonies by manually setting the song key with a dedicated panel knob
- Hybrid Mode creates harmonies based on both guitar chord input and the manual key setting, Perfect for songs where the guitar part transition between rhythm and Lead playing
- 24 Harmony types to choose from (12 one- and two-voice harmonies plus variations that provide even fuller sounds)
For any budding or thriving musician, the BOSS VE-2 Vocal Harmonist is a top tool for vocal effects. What makes it so popular is the combination of effects mixed with ease of use.
For example, the VE-2 can automatically detect a performer’s key and automatically sync a harmony with it. With the device loaded with 12 different harmony settings, it gives vocalists plenty of tools to work with no matter their style or genre. If you add this to the 24 preloaded settings as well as 3 custom rules, there are no limits to how you can alter a voice.
The VE-2 is also incredibly easy to use on all levels. You can use the pedal with or without instruments connected to it and can control it with just a tap of your foot.
It also has separate dial controls for key effects such as echo and level balances to give control of your sound. It supports multiple levels of connectivity through wired connections that link PCs and tablets. This all links up to be a do-it-all harmonizer pedal for daring vocalists on stage.
Pros:
- Loaded with lots of settings
- Extremely easy to use
- Automatically syncs harmonies with keys
Cons:
- It forced some extreme sounds
- Slight hiss on some effects
The Simple Pick: TC-Helicon Harmony Singer 2
- Tone Control
- Adaptive tone “sweetens” overall vocal quality
- Up to two harmony voices guided automatically by the guitar via the in/thru connection
- All-In-One, compact pedal featuring vocal harmony, tone and reverb
It may be stripped back compared to its rivals, but the TC-Helicon Harmony Singer 2 nails its role to perfection. Comprising 2 different harmony settings, you can quickly find a setting that matches your voice.
From there, you can control and manage a bundle of effects such as reverb levels, tonal changes and overall volume level. These are all controlled by separate dials you can alter can to your preferred levels.
What makes the Harmony Singer 2 so popular is its functionality. The whole device weighs only 1.1lbs and is no larger than 5in wide. What this means is that you can attach it anywhere on stage and transport it anywhere with no issues. This all links up to an offering that allows artists an output for vocal creativity without breaking the bank for good.
Pros:
- Easy to transport
- Easy to use
- Compact without sacrificing features
Cons:
- No input control
- No power supply included
The Best Seller: FLAMMA FV04 Harmony Pedal
- 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.
Designed for use by any vocalist, the FLAMMA FV04 Harmony Pedal is a device that gives singers a lot to work with. It can sync keys with 11 different harmonies, giving you plenty of variation and how you sing. It has 12 different pitch levels that can be altered, meaning no two performances may sound the same.
Where FLAMMA has excelled with the FV04 is how versatile it can be with all performers. The device can support playback for several microphone styles and support for guitars. This can work no matter the power levels of a device supporting output levels up to 48V. It can also work with other pedals and devices made by FLAMMA to give a band a whole new sound.
Pros:
- Supports various output levels
- A large amount of harmony presets
- Compatible with other effect pedals
Cons:
- Mediocre pitch levels in live settings
- Hard to master advanced settings
The Classic Choice: Roland AIRA Series VT-3
Roland is the godfather of music electronics and they still feel relevant today through offerings such as the AIRA VT-3. It’s a harmonizer that goes all-in with the effects.
It comes with varying ways to give your voice a robotic edge with 10 different modes to experiment with. This offers everything from simple auto-tune features to fully acting like a vocoder. It gives you the choice to go for something out of left-field and shock the audience.
It’s not difficult to use either. All the modes can be selected through one main dial and saved. You can access settings by touching just one button. This gives a great way to switch effects during a song with minimum fuss.
With the VT-3, you can also run off battery power and mains, it’s easy to use adding no unnecessary wires or gears to your performance area. A superb choice for more creative souls.
Pros:
- Lots of effects
- Custom settings are easily accessible
- Wireless device
Cons:
- Not great for harmonizing
- Limited headphone support
The Back-Up Box: Electro-Harmonix Voice Box
If you needed a machine to act as your support pillar, then Electro-Harmonix’s Voice Box has you covered.
What this nifty harmony machine provides is the ability to transform your vocal sounds like never. You can create either 2 or 4 harmony layers as you sing, transforming the sound even if no one else is on stage with you. It also naturally syncs with the key of your voice as you sing, leaving you without the need to adapt anything on stage.
There are plenty of effects you can utilise—not just multi-layering. There’s a built-in vocoder for adding that robotic edge to your voice and the gender-switching tool helps add distinct tones to separate layers.
All this comes with support for a host of plug-in devices including microphones, headphones and mixing boards. Everything combines in the Voice Box to ensure you are truly never alone when on stage.
Pros:
- Naturally syncs with your voice
- Multi-layering harmonies
- Supports lots of peripheral devices
Cons:
- Some occasional signal loss
- Tricky to switch between custom settings
The Guitarist’s Choice: Digitech VLHM Vocal Effects Processor
- Add up to 2 additional voices of natural harmonies using musIQ, the most advanced pitch detection technology
- New advanced double effect technology with intelligent ducking
- Built-in guitar tuner
- New Advanced Feedback Suppression with 12 filters
- Up to 70 second vocal phrase looper with unlimited overdubs
If you are playing whilst singing, it’s tricky to find a vocal harmonizer that is easy to use. Until you come across the Digitech VLHM Vocal Effects Processor.
This vocal effects processor is designed for use with a guitar in hand. Using the guitar’s note as a guide, the VLHM adjusts the vocal harmonies to suit what you are playing. These change in real-time with the music you play, meaning that everything moves in sync — both the effects and your voice.
It has a few nifty tricks too that help make your performance that much sharper. You can loop up to 70-second samples, allowing you to sing two vocal lines at once even if it’s just you on stage.
It also has a built-in tuner allowing you to get your voice and guitar in perfect key as you perform. You can also reduce feedback through 12 different settings, eliminating any unwanted interruptions. A great grab for anyone looking to strum and sing with real impact.
Pros:
- Built-in tuner
- Naturally adjusts to melodies and sounds
- Able to loop vocal lines
Cons:
- Distortion overwhelms vocal volume
- Supporting software not updated regularly
The Wireless Solution: Zoom V3 Vocal Processor
- 16 Built-In Effects Pads + Delay, Reverb and Compression
- Harmony Function for adding 2-back-up harmonies
- Key and Chromatic Pitch Correct
- Can be used as an audio interface to record and stream
- Desk-top or mic stand mountable, operating with AC power or 4 AA batterie
If you are needing a stand-alone vocal harmonizer, then the Zoom V3 Vocal Processor is right up your alley. Able to run on batteries either on its own or attached to your rig, the V3 comes with all the bells and whistles you could think of. It has 16 different effects to experiment with, leading to many creative freedoms.
This comes on top of controlling reverb, delay and compression settings. There’s also the ability to add two vocal layers, giving you the option of creating 3-part harmonies from just one device.
It’s extremely simple to use with all effects and modules managed by the use of just a few dials. Its red-light display also makes it easy to see what settings you have active as you play. It’s a great tool to have in the studio as well as built-in recording software with a range of distinct qualities. What this all blends into is a small package that delivers big both on stage and in the studio.
Pros:
- Lots of pre-loaded effects
- Completely wireless
- Recording features loaded
Cons:
- Effects have limited range,
- Harmonies have to be manually set
What makes a good vocal harmonizer pedal?
When searching for the right vocal harmonizer pedal, there are lots of things you need to look at closely. And it’s not all about the effects that are on offer. There are things like their suitability with instruments, ease of use and how they add to your performance. So what are the key things you should look out for?
Instrument support
Before going into how any effect affects your vocals, think about how the device works with your performance style.
If you are just a vocalist without instrumentation, then having no input or output slots isn’t a deal breaker. Yet, if you perform with an instrument, then everything changes.
Not every vocal harmonizer pedal has good support for external devices. If you find an effects pedal limits the gear you can use, then it may not be the best device for your needs. Take a long, hard look at these aspects before going into any more detail.
Ease of use
With using a harmonizer pedal, it needs to be easy to use.
We aren’t just talking about placement either. It’s about looking to see if you can bring up different effects quickly, finding the levels quickly and bringing up your preferred settings. Some devices will allow you to access this stuff via just one touch of a button—the seamless switch you should look for.
If a pedal requires hitting multiple button combinations or tapping through different settings, then it could hinder the quick changes that make these devices ideal.
It’s the same when managing effect levels, too. Most pedals will utilise a button-dial set-up where you highlight the mode you want and adjust it with a dial.
This is the best set-up to have, as you can see clearly what modes you are on. There’s some deviation on some models that have dials for individual features (effects, reverb, delay, etc.) which are just as useful and easy to use. However, try to avoid anything that doesn’t allow for easy ways to control effect levels when performing.
Types of effects
You will find that the effects themselves differ from model to model, and this is where the choice matters. The choice of effects is what can define how you sound—both on stage and in the studio. Some of the major effects to look out for include:
- Tracking
- Gender Shifting
- Multiple Harmonies
- Vocoder
What these do is give you a true sound and ability to stand out from the crowd—each in their own way:
- Tracking: Tracking allows you to add pre-recorded loops over what you play in real time. These can last for several seconds or over a minute to give your sound real depth. It’s a great way to feel like others are playing with you.
- Gender Shifting: As the name suggests, gender-shifting effects shift your natural sounds either up or down octaves. By adding synthetic sounds of the opposite sex, it beefs up the vocal line.
- Multiple Harmonies: Essentially the same as multi-tracking in recording, adding extra harmonies can make it sound like 4 people singing at once. Having the ability to play three or four-part harmonies all from one device makes a difference—to both you and the audience.
- Vocoders: The favourite of singers and rock stars in the 1980s. The use of vocoders gives you that robotic tinge to your voice. It’s great for a shock to audiences and gives your sound a vibe that others may not think of adding nowadays.
By knowing how to control and master these effects it will allow you to select the best vocal harmonizer pedal for your needs.
FAQ
Do all vocal harmonizer pedals have dozens of effects?
No, some vocal harmonizer pedals will only have a few to select from, whilst others will have dozens preloaded. It all depends on what you need for your sound to determine what is right for you.
Are all vocal harmonizer pedals wireless?
No—not all pedals are wireless. Many can run wirelessly or on batteries to a degree but may need charging. Some models will run solely on battery, though without a need for a wall connection.
Will all vocal harmonizer pedals support instruments?
No—some will have limited connections for instruments to connect to. Look to see what input and output slots a device has to determine whether it supports live instruments or just computer feeds.
What is the best vocal harmonizer pedal out there?
It’s fair to say that there is a good range of vocal harmonizer pedals out on the market today. Models such as the TC-Helicon Harmony Singer 2 may lack overall effects but make up for it with great usability. On the flip side, devices such as the FLAMMA FV04 and the Zoom V3 offer all the tech in the world to play with but can be tricky to master.
That is why we think the BOSS VE-2 is the best pedal out there today. Not only is it easy to use, but they load it with automatic features and effects that allow you to adjust as you perform, giving your vocal melodies the added kick without any unnecessary fiddling around. It’s these aspects that make it the best vocal harmonizer pedal on the market today.
