VE-1 Vocal Echo Pedal Review

Nice and Light!

Due to physical limitations, I needed to lighten my load when going to small gigs, so I opted to sell of my Boss VE-20, and go with the VE-1. For me this was a good choice. I liked the factory setting on power up after I turned on the doubler, so I saved it and thats what I use. Solved the weight problem and made me mobile again. The reason I didn't give it more stars is because… read more the manual reminds me of a heinous afterthought that folds like a 70's gas station map. I hate that.

---

Cancel Comment

Mostly good

I've been using this unit for a month and here's what I've found: 1. It's small and battery powered, so can use it anywhere. Phantom power can be turned off when using a dynamic mic which helps save batteries. Also like the clipping indicator for setting gain. 2. I play harp and sing through a single mic. Again having phantom power is great if you want to use a condenser mic.… read more But, the pitch correction can sound a bit mechanical and I found I couldn't use it at all when playing harp-it just can't deal with note bending. So something to think about if you sing and play harmonica. 3. The enhancer makes things sound a bit harsh to my ears. There are two levels of enhancement-I could only use the mild enhancement and now I don't use it at all. If you play in a group it might be more useful. 4. The reverb sounds like you are singing in outer space-I could only use it on the lowest levels. Also, having discrete reverb levels is not as convenient as having continuously variable reverb as with a knob. This is annoying since I have had Roland amps with very nice and easy to adjust reverb. 5. Last, the instructions might as well be written in another language. After my 3rd read I finally realized that by holding down the doubler switch for 2 seconds I could change from reverb to echo. For me the echo is much better, but again it was not easy to set up the number of repeats, speed and duration. Read the instructions carefully. Again annoying since I have had Roland amps with great and easy to adjust echo. Bottom line-with some effort I now have settings that work well for my purpose. Being able to memorize these settings is a plus.

---

Cancel Comment

Builit-in Blutooth receiver would make this product ROCK

BEST battery-operated vocal box ever made! EXCEPT needs a blutooth receiver in it to allow singers to send backing tracks into the unit then output a mix containing BOTH the flat track AND (= with) the processed vocal.... If not bluetooth then an 1/8" audio input jack to allow singers to play (and mix) backing tracks [and/or flat guitar or any other instrument] THRU the box, then… read more output a mix containing both the flat backing track (or flat guitar, etc.) AND the processed vocal. Need more effects pedals tailored to the growing solo-singer (track/karaoke) market.

---

Cancel Comment

Boss VE-1 Definitely Helps

Since I've started using the VE-1 in the band people have commented on the clarity and quality of my vocals. Pretty funny actually since we have a full-time lead singer and I only sing backup and a few lead vocals.... I'm thinking it's just a matter of time before he orders one. The enhance feature works really well with the reverb and delay. and the ability to control the tone… read more and volume of the unit allows you to tweak your sound without going over to the board. There are a few things I'm not crazy about - 1. Somehow Boss figured out to engineer the pedal to force me to buy their proprietary power supply even though I have about 20 with the same spec including a few Boss-brand ones. 2. The stored presets are difficult to change during a song. You have to hold down the pedal for several seconds for each change (or buy their relatively expensive external pedal). It's hard to watch the the tiny light on the interface change colors while singing and playing. 3. Storing a preset requires holding down the memory button until it changes colors and blinking patterns - quite a strange interface since it's very hard to tell what the button is doing while your finger is covering it at that point. - anyway - relatively minor quibbles for very good technology.

---

Cancel Comment

Usable Effects

This is an excellent product for vocals. This is the first one I've used that actually adjusts the echo effect to the point where it enhances the vocal without an obvious echo. I use it in my studio for almost all vocal tracks. Reasonable price too! You'll like this one.

---

Cancel Comment