The unit features a sparse control surface that includes controls for vocal compression, reverb, digital enhancement and harmony mix. The digital enhancement section includes equalization for resonance, clarity and shine. The two foot-switches engage either the vocal effects (reverb) or the harmony synthesis. The unit also features phantom power (required for condensor microphones), a guitar input and vocal signal LED.
The Vocalist Live 2 performs three main tasks simultaneously: synthesizing, sensing and transposing. First, the Vocalist synthesizes new harmonies to be layered on top of the original vocal performance in real time. Then the digital engine senses the guitar's performance and identifies its key signature. The vocalist then "vocodes," or transposes the synthesized vocal harmonies to the guitar's key, ensuring a musically cohesive sound without dissonance.
As the Vocalist is a digital device, any hot input level will cause the unit to distort. Setting these input levels is key to achieving a natural sound from the unit. Use the "Vocal Signal" LED indicator to guide the performance at the microphone. An optimal level will show as a solid green LED, and distortion will be displayed as red. Always keep the performance within the green LED range. Also, ensure the guitar's input to the device is healthy, but not distorting, which will confuse the device.
Adding vocal compression can greatly reduce the amount of distortion in a performance, and help the vocal sound cut through the musical mix. Reverb will help set the vocals and harmonies back into the music, and can add tasteful ambience to the sound of the synthetic harmonies. The enhancement section also offers equalization control, where "resonance" controls bass, "clarity" controls mids, and "shine" controls treble.