Getting the Auto-Tune Effect with the VE-5
A Little Fun with the Pitch Correct Function
Get the auto-tune effect with the BOSS VE-5 Vocal Performer.
These days, there’s simply no excuse for bland vocals. We’re not saying that the VE-5 Vocal Performer will make you sing better or replace talent. But how about enhancing your sound with automatic harmonies or a little bit of echo? In this role, the VE-5 is perfect for adding some extra oomph to your singing. And along with polishing your sound with standard studio-style effects, the VE-5 is totally capable of delivering the famous auto-tune effect—á la T-Pain—should your music call for it.
Nailing the Auto-Tune Effect
Getting the auto-tune sound with the VE-5 is simple—just dial up the effect called Pitch Correct. After that, you can choose from a number of operation types for everything from subtle pitch correction to the famous mechanical-sounding pitch change used in a lot of current pop and R&B music.
When set to Soft, the VE-5’s pitch correction is smooth to gently assist your singing. The next step up is Hard, which corrects the pitch a little more quickly. Electric 1 starts to get into the strong auto-tune special effect, correcting pitch variations with a stair-step change. Finally, Electric 2 delivers a full-on effect with even stronger correction than Electric 1. There’s also a final Pitch Correct type called Robot, and you can guess what that makes your voice sound like!
In addition to the operation types, Pitch Correct can also be set for chromatic correction or a specific scale/key. You’ll want to experiment with these settings a bit to get the best results for your application.
Top-Quality Sound in a Compact Package
While it may look unassuming, the VE-5 packs a lot of high-tech sound processing into a small device, as the quality vocal effects are taken straight from BOSS’ flagship VE-20 Vocal Performer.
The VE-5 can be used on a tabletop, or mounted on your mic stand with the included hardware for easy access while performing. In addition to Pitch Correct, the VE-5 includes many other effects types to make your vocals sound great, including Reverb, Delay, Double/Harmony, Dynamics, and Tone/SFX.
It’s also super-simple to use; the last thing a musician needs during a show is overly complicated equipment. In his November 2012 post about the VE-5 on Music Connection, Barry Rudolph singled out the VE-5’s useful Harmony button: “I like the Harmony button that allows you to drop in pre-programmed harmony parts or special effects at will during live performances and on top of the running preset,”
How are you using the VE-5? Please share your video links or comments below.