Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor (Used)
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A vocal effects stompbox that adds layers, loops, harmonies, effects, and lots of fun to your singing.
Who says stompboxes are just for guitarists? The easy-to-use BOSS VE-20 has been designed from the ground up for singers, featuring some of the finest vocal-effects technology on the market. With the click of a footswitch, you can instantly add lush vocal layers and harmonies to your singing, add realtime pitch-correction, and you can show your creative side with special effects like distortion, radio, and strobe. You can even create loops and layers in real time with the onboard Phrase Looper. Perform anywhere with the VE-20 since it runs on AC or battery power (sold separately).
Simple quality
The BOSS VE-20 vocal effects pedal takes your voice to a whole new level with essential effects in an incredibly user-friendly interface that lets you take total control of your vocal sound. Simply dial in your favorite setting and sing with no programming required. The VE-20 is a practical vocal effects processor even for first-timers. Of course, if you want to roll your sleeves up and create, the Boss VE-20 has a variety of editing tools onboard too.
Harmony factory
Add lush harmonies to your lead vocals instantly as you sing. Select the harmony interval of your choice, or create multipart stacks, such as upper third and lower fifth, and save them for instant recall. You can also thicken your vocals with Double Track. Best of all, this BOSS pedal is incredibly easy to use: there's no need for programming, and you don't need to input notes from a keyboard as you do with a Vocoder; you simply sing and let the VE-20 vocal pedal do the rest.
Phrase loop
Sing, record, loop, and overdub with the onboard Phrase Looper, inherited from Boss's popular RE-20XL Loop Station. You get 38 seconds of mono record time to loop and layer phrases, and you can do it all in real time onstage. From doo-wop to human-beatbox, this tool will wow audiences.
Special effects
In addition to its harmony and pitch-correction tools, the BOSS VE-20 vocal pedal offers a colorful and expressive collection of special effects, including: electric, robot, strobe, distortion, chorus, and reverb.
Road-tough design
With the same solid-metal construction as other BOSS stompboxes, the VE-20 is built to last. Its footprint is identical to Boss Twin-Series pedals, ensuring that it will fit perfectly into existing multi-pedal BOSS pedalboards and travel cases.
Features
- Specialized effects for vocalists, including: harmony, double-track, dynamics, reverb, delay, and more
- Create the total of 3-part harmonies and layers
- Realtime pitch-correction tools
- Special FX, including Distortion, Radio and Strobe
- Phrase Looper with 38 seconds (mono) of recording time
- Phantom power for condenser microphones
- Runs on six AA-batteries or AC adaptor -PSA (not included)
Order this vocal effects processor today and take your vocals to new levels of fun and technology.
VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor Specifications:
- Nominal input level: Input: -40 dBu (Microphone Sensitivity = 40)
- Input impedance: Input: 4 kOhms
- Nominal Output Level: Output: -40 dBu, Phones/Line: -25 dBu
- Output impedance: Output: 600 Ohms, Phones/Line: 66 Ohms
- Memory: Sound: 30 (Preset) + 50 (User)
- Phrase Loop: Mono 38 seconds
- Display: 16 characters, 2 lines (backlit LCD)
- Connectors: Input jack: XLR type (balanced, phantom power +48 V), 1/4 inch TRS phone type (balanced), Output jacks (L/MONO, R): XLR type, Phones/Line jack: Stereo 1/4 inch phone type, DC In jack
- Power Supply: DC 9 V: Dry battery LR6/R6 (AA) type x 6, AC Adaptor (PSA series)
- Current Draw: 190 mA (9 V max.)
- Expected battery life under continuous use: 2 hours (Carbon), 8 hours (Alkaline) (These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.)
- Accessories: owner's manual, leaflet (using the unit safely, important notes, and information), dry battery LR6 (AA) type (alkaline) x 6
- Option: AC adaptor (PSA series) (sold separately)
- Dimensions: 2-1/4" H x 6-13/16" W x 6-1/4" D
- Weight: 2 lb., 7 oz.
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Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 33 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
90%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (10)
- Good audio (8)
- Versatile (7)
- Good power output (5)
- Professional functions (5)
Cons
Best Uses
- Performances (8)
- Home studio (6)
- Amateur recording (5)
- Outdoor events / games (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (7)
Most Liked Positive Review
Best in class
To sum up, this unit is the easiest to operate/tweak of all the vocal harmonizers, especially since it offers the capacity to be operated by foot. Clearly Boss had singers in mind when...Read complete review
To sum up, this unit is the easiest to operate/tweak of all the vocal harmonizers, especially since it offers the capacity to be operated by foot. Clearly Boss had singers in mind when they designed this instead of requiring the singers also be guitarists or keyboardists like Digitech and TC Helicon.
30 factory presets and 50 user editable patches make this unbeatable. This can do an added 3rd [for an Everly Brothers type vocal sound] an added fifth [for a Simon and Garfunkel sound], added 3rd +5th [for a basic 3-part harmony, an added 3rd + 6th [For an Eagles type sound], plus 2-, 3-, and 6- voice leads. Just having these available makes having this worthwhile. Add in all the vocal FX like Flanging, Chorus, Delay, and Reverb, plus some cool FX like "Strobe" [I'm going to have to work up an arrangement of the 60s classic "Crimson and Clover"] and "Robot" [Lurch sings the best of Rogers and Hammerstein], and it's not only a serious harmonizer, but something to have some fun with.
An even bigger plus is that it tracks the harmony parts off the vocal input without having to plug in a guitar or keyboard to provide reference tones.
Although this is the first Boss unit I've ever purchased, I have a friend who has been using the similarly constructed RC-20 Loop Station for the past three years without a problem.
Similarly priced to vocal harmonizers from Digitech and TC Helicon but I feel this unit has more flexibility--along with the capacity to operate it by foot.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
A different take on this ultra limited unit
This unit has a lot of features for it's price range, but don't be fooled a lot is left out. The reverb for example only has settings for Type, Size, and Level - ...Read complete review
This unit has a lot of features for it's price range, but don't be fooled a lot is left out. The reverb for example only has settings for Type, Size, and Level - there is no high/low cut or dampening at all so you're left with overly bright reverb that doesn't sit in with music. The Radio effect has no settings to adjust at all! It's just on or off. "Dynamics", which I'm guessing is compression, only has two settings - Depth and Enhance. That is way too limited for any real use. Add to all this the vocal harmonies sound incredibly fake. I had the Vocal Live 2 and the harmonies actually sounded quite real.
You get what you pay for. If you haven't a care in the world to actually tweak your sound and if you don't care if the vocals somehow don't seem to sit right in the music being there are so little options to adjust then you'll be fine with this unit. For it's price you get a lot, and you can stomp up and down patch numbers, but IMO what good is any of that if you can't fix what is wrong with the vocal sound since there are no options to do so? If you can save a bit more look for another unit. If you don't need harmonies I think you'd even be better off running through the effects of a guitar floor processor.
Reviews
Reviewed by 33 customers
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Pros
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Professional Functions
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Mobile DJ
- Professional Recording
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
I love this vocal processor/backup group. lol
I called it that, because that's how I use it.
Although I was a bit confused about how to hook up my brand new condenser microphone to it, I still love it.
I have it hooked up to my Motif XS, and running it through Cakewalk's Sonar.
Works fine with a regular mic, and from what I heard, a condenser mic for the studio.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Professional Functions
- Versatile
- Works Well
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
Boss equipment is top of the line. I like it because it is durable and easy to use.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Well Built
Cons
- No Ac Adapter
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
I looked at all the other models within this price range (less than 400$), and chose the VE-20 becuase it offered the foot-pedals and harmonies...and the looper is a sweet addition. I am very happy with the functionality and sound. I plugged my vocal condenser mic in, and ran the mono/left xlr to the mixer...with amazingly clear signal and good gain control immediately. Be sure to use an adapter to take the xlr to the line input on the main mixer if you have global phantom power or other mics that need it on the mixer...since the VE-20 supplies phantom power and could be damaged by the mixer's phantom power on the xlr inputs.
My only complaint, with all digital pedals really, is the need to hunch down and hit tiny buttons and turn knobs to change effects, etc...but I have a bad back, and it's a long way down.
Buy it, have fun!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Professional Functions
- Spot On Harmony
- Versatile
Cons
- Should~~~apos~~~ve Bought Sooner
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Live Gigs A Big Plus
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
This voice harmonizer has really impressed the band. It gives professional harmony to just about any type of song. Real impressive is the fact that it has correct pitch and is right on key with the lead voice. We use it for songs by the Beach Boys, Everly's,Rock & Roll Oldies, and more. A great investment for any band.
Pros
- Battery Operated
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Professional Functions
- Versatile
Cons
- Battery Life
Best Uses
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
I am a loop artist, but not a great singer. I play guitar, keyboard and harmonica and wanted to expand my home recordings to include vocals that would include good chorus and harmonies. The VE 20 has been a great tool. The sound processing is easily programmable and the preset effects are great. The key feature allows me to sound good even when I miss a note, which I often do and the harmonies are rich and full. I also like the fact that the unit can operate on batteries, making it have great portability for parties, camping ect. For the price, this is a good processor.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Good Harmonies
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
Nice Unit but Boss should include a footswitch jack, so you can keep the unit on your keyboard or stand and operate Effects with a footswitch,
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
I've made several home recordings with this unit. Lots of good feedback from folks about the nice quality of the vocals on my recordings. The harmonies are fully adjustable and sound great, and that's probably the strongest function this unit has.
The looper is cool, but if looping is your thing you probably want something more dedicated to that. This unit will stack your loops all day, but you can't pull individual loops in and out. The effects are changed with a knob, so you can't switch effects on the fly. That hasn't been a problem for me but others may find that limiting.
As a singer I can carry a tune but I'm not great. This unit helps a lot, and I use it for basically every vocal I do and it makes me sound better than I really am.
It is well built and sturdy, should last a long time. I have Boss pedals that are 20+ years old that work fine.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Events
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
For the price, this unit is pretty nice. It does most of what the weekend warrior musician would need and in a straight forward design. There are some parameters that are shared by all patches which are a bit combersome, such as the the Mic sensitivity function. The special FX's such as the Radio patch has a tendency to feed back as does the Distortion patch. Im not sure what use distortion is in any case. But the unit allows the user to create ones own variations and saves them for later use. As is typical with Boss pedals, it seems heavy duty and abusable. I found the Harmonizer function very satifactory for at least a two part, third. The fifth and third Haromony together, is a bit too much for me however. This is an electronic gadget, so don't expect the same dynamics of a live vocalist. But, it gives a nice harmony augmentation for color. Yes, there are devices out there for more money that are way better if you want the cost. But again, for a weekend musician, I find the unit fills my needs. I play Country, folk and light Classic Rock and I give the unit two thumbs up.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Professional Functions
- Versatile
Cons
- Better for a grand or so
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
i wrote earlier that you could not use your feet to bank this up and down. well im an idiot who thinks he doesnt have to read manuals on small things like pedals. so i turn this thing over ready to put it in the box and it says "Select sound Hold Right pedal for two seconds to decrease and increase! right on the back. well i feel stupid. anyway i've recorded with this thing it sounds awsome. not the most realistic voices in the world but for the money yeah, it rocks. Thats why i didnt select professional recording. but im definately keeping this and I hope to God anyone who read my other review gets a chance to read this too!! now i can start programing different sounds for our set lists for live shows and bank them up and down! thanks boss you pulled through with this one!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Performances
Comments about Boss VE-20 Vocal Effects Processor:
I thought when buying this pedal I would be able to use it like a pedal (bank up and down using my feet). My original plan was to start with the first song on the set list, program in my sound, name it,and go to song two by hitting the pedal with my foot. NOT SO. The left pedal is for bypass and the right pedal is for your harmonies to be added to your present setting. If you want to scroll up or down you have to bend down and use this knob which is a pretty stupid design if you ask me. Thus leaving you with one good preset to use unless you want to bend down and mess with your pedal between songs. But that one preset does sound pretty [*] good. will i keep it, I'm not sure cause i'm not rich! If you are then buy it.
