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DigiTech Vx400 Vocal-Modeling Floor Processor

DigiTech Vx400 Vocal-Modeling Floor Processor
DigiTech Vx400 Vocal-Modeling Floor Processor

The DigiTech Vx400 is a Vocal-Modeling Floor Processor that is to be used in real-time on or off stage. It consists of a mic preamp, compressor, 3-band EQ, effects processor rolled up into one. It does have non-intelligent pitch shifting which means it uses static shifting of notes and not diatonic (if set to a Major 3rd above - it always shifts the pitch a 3rd above). It comes with a drum machine built right in the unit. It accepts both XLR and 1/4 inch connections. The XLR input has a switchable phantom power button for use with the better condenser microphones. It also includes a USB port for connection directly to a computer and comes with Cakewalk Pro Tracks software. The converters are 24-bit and run at either 44.1kHz or 48kHz samplerates.

It also has stereo line level inputs and outputs, plus balanced XLR outputs and 1/4 inch unbalanced outputs. The unbalanced are for using with normal 1/4 inch instrument cables (-10dB consumer level). For best results it's best to use the XLR inputs and outputs. It sounds better to use the 1/4 inch connections (if that's all you have) rather than use XLR to 1/4 inch tranformers on the inputs and outputs. The unit also has its own headphone jack that uses an 1/8 inch connector and not 1/4 inch.

The signal flow for the unit is:
MicInput->MicModel->Compressor->MicPreAmp->EQ->NoiseGate->Effects->Delay->Reverb

The Effects consist of phaser, flanger, chorus, pixelator (bit removal), vibrato, tremolo, doubler, strobe, and detune. The detuner effect is similar to a non-modulated chorus effect. It gives you a doubling of the original that's delayed and detuned which sounds more realistic than just a delayed voice.

The 3-band EQ is your basic EQ with a fixed bass filter at around 100Hz or so with +/-12dB of gain change. The mid-band is a sweepable filter from 100Hz to 4kHz with a range of +/-12dB. The High band is also fixed with a gain range of +/-12dB.

The Compressor is simple and to the point. There are 3 basic parameters that are assigned to knobs 1, 2, and 3. The Amount is equal to the Ratio (like 2:1 or 4:1) turning it higher gives you more compression. The Gain is just the post Compression gain control. Since compressors actually reduce the volume of the signal this controls gets it back up to a normal level. Then the last control controls two different parameters: Threshold and Gate On/Off. The threshold lets you select how loud the input signal (your voice) has to be before the compressor actually turns on. This control also can be switched to Gate for removing any noise sounds (hiss and lower level noise). This stops this noise from going into the next group: Effects. -

The Mic Model is a matrixed EQ that takes the input microphone and re-EQ's it to create a somewhat flat response (Removes the sound of the mic) and then re-EQ's it to the mic you select. Some of the microphones you can choose from are: AKG™ 414, Neumann™ U87, AKG™ C12, Oktava™ Pencil , Shure™ SM58, Royer™ 121 Ribbon Microphone, Shure™ Green Bullet (Harmonica Mic), Brawner™VM1, Neumann™ M149, Lawson™ L47MP and others. For a complete list go to the Digitech site (See the above Link) and download the specs pdf. You may notice that Digitech added a Shure Green Bullet which is a Harmonic Mic. Run a harmonica through and hear what happens:)

The Mic PreAmp is a digitally applied effect that simulates different types of mic preamps. You can choose between NONE, Tube, Grunge, and OverDrive. The last two add distortion which can sound great as a effect here and there.

Some of the reverb types include Hall, Plate, Room, Chamber, Church, Garage, and Space. There are four basic control parameters for the reverb: Decay (length of reverb), Damping (similar to a lowpass filter applied to the reverb), and the normal Reverb and Direct (Master) level controls. Each of these controls are assigned (by default) to the 5 knobs found on the top ot the unit.

The Expression Pedal
The Expression Pedal by default is assigned to control the Vx400’s Volume, and Whammy™ function, but it can be assigned up to three different parameters in real-time. The Whammy effect is a variable pitch shifter that allows you to bend the pitch of the incoming signal (voice or guitar) up or down up to an octave. You can also use it to add another harmony voice to the incoming sound. Some of the parameters controllable are:Main Level, Effect Speed, Amount/Depth, Effect Level, Effect Mix, Whammy, Delay Feedback, Delay In Level, Delay Out Level, Reverb Decay, Reverb In Level, Reverb Out Level, Volume Pre, and Volume Post.

V-Switch
The V-Switch is a pressure activated switch that can turn on/off a selectable parameter (reverb or delay for example). This is done by pressing with your foot on the toe of the Expression pedal. You can change how sensitive the V-Switch responds.

The Drum Machine
You get a drum machine that's right inside the unit. It of course isn't complicated and is easy to use. It comes with 30 Patterns and a Metronome.

Guitar Tuner
For guitarist and vocalist that are interested - the Vx400 comes with a built-in tuner. You play the string and it tells you the current Note (A, B, C etc...) as well as if you are sharp or flat. For singers its a way to practice in key.

The USB interface is v1.1 which shouldn't be a problem. Since Cakewalk Pro Tracks only works with Windows you'll need a Windows based machine to use it as a computer interface. The Vx400's footswitches also act as a simplified transport (STOP/UNDO, PLAY, RECORD) for ProTracks. The footswitches also can be set to change parameters and patches. There are two stereo inputs that show up in ProTracks from the vx400 they are USB 1&2, and USB 3&4. Usually USB 1&2 are used for recording the direct/effect mixed and USB 3&4 is for the direct signal.

Features

  • Low Cost Voice Processor
  • Hands Free Operation
  • Microphone Preamp with Phantom Power
  • Selectable Microphone Simulations
  • Selectable Mic Preamp Simulations
  • Built-in Digital Effects - Chorus, Phaser, Tremolo, Flanger
  • Compressor
  • 3-band EQ with Sweepable Midrange
  • Expression Pedal with Whammy Pitch Shift
  • 40 User and 40 Factory Presets
  • USB audio Interface with 4 channel digital audio output (Requires WinXP)
  • Simple to Use and Decent sounding Delay and Reverbs
  • CD/MP3 Player Input - great for practicing
  • Multiple vocal character selections