The Beginner’s Guide to Using Vocal Effects Pedals
Vocal effects pedals are like guitar pedals designed for microphones. They allow you to modify your vocal signal in different ways, like distorting your voice, adding other electronic effects, or even changing your pitch. If you’re looking for something to stir your vocal creativity in new and unexplored directions, you might just enjoy experimenting with effects pedals. At the same time, it should be noted that vocal pedals are not for beginners or those who are just learning how to sing.
Establish Your Singing Voice Before Experimenting With Vocal Pedals
Anybody can use vocal effects pedals, but only well-practiced vocalists can put them to good use. Pedals can allow you to extend your vocal range, turn yourself into a one-person band/choir, and push the boundaries of your own creativity. However, if you start using them without already knowing how to utilize your own voice, pedals will only hamper your learning process. Much like using guitar pedals, using vocal pedals entails a certain level of competence and confidence in your own instrument first.
Start With Only One Pedal
Knowing your own voice will make it easier to choose which pedal to use. And as any seasoned, pedal-hoarding electric guitarist will tell you, using and combining different pedals is a gradual process, and it’s best to start with just one pedal or effect first. By focusing on just one way of modifying your signal, you can more easily discover sounds and settings that you can actually use onstage or in the studio.
Choose a Pedal That Fits Your Singing Style
Now comes the really fun part. What’s going to be your first pedal? The variety of vocal pedals available right now gives singers access to a wide range of ways to modify their vocals. If you want to provide backing vocals to yourself, there’s the loop pedal. For creating echoes and ambient sounds, a reverb pedal would be the best choice. Meanwhile, vocoder pedals allow you to turn your voice into different synthesized sounds. If your goal is to just have better control over your vocal signal, a simple volume control pedal can do wonders onstage. Some pedals even have multiple effects that can allow you to experiment further. It’s up to you to pick which pedal can enhance your own voice and style and take you in the direction you want to go.
Understanding the Signal Chain
When you’re using just one pedal connected to your mic and a speaker system, the basic wiring set up is pretty much plug and play. But once you get more familiar with that one pedal, you might want to start using multiple pedals and combining different effects to explore new musical directions, which is when the wiring gets a tad more complicated. Using multiple pedals to combine effects means multiple modifications to your vocal signal, resulting in a signal chain between your mic and the speaker system. The order of your pedals along this signal chain determines the quality of your sound. Volume, loop, reverb, and delay pedals work best near the end of your signal chain, closer to the speaker. Meanwhile, distortion, synth, or vocoder pedals work best closer to your mic where the signal begins. While there is an ideal way to order pedals to get the cleanest possible signal, don’t be afraid to experiment and see which order works best for your intended effects.
After all, effects pedals are simply devices that allow musicians to modify audio signals. If you have a keen understanding of how to utilize your own vocal chords, there’s no reason to be intimidated with experimenting with vocal effects pedals.
