10 Best Vocal Harmonizer Pedals in 2024 (All Price Ranges)

If you’re a singer, I’m sure you’ve heard a ton about vocal harmonizer pedals or as they’re sometimes called “vocal harmony processors”. You’ve probably heard about how much they can transform your live performance and take your vocals to the next level. Every singer has their requirements for what they’re looking for in a vocal harmonizer and that’s because it all depends on your live act, singing style, and musical productions.

If you’re a solo artist and want to perform your songs exactly how they sound in your recordings or want to layer vocals and add harmonies without the need to hire backup singers, then you’re in the right place! A vocal harmonizer pedal is every vocalist’s dream and is a solution worth investing in if you take your music seriously. It can be your perfect companion on stage and can help immensely during the songwriting process, however, It can also be extremely confusing to pick the right one because there are just so many types, specs, and features!

I’m here to make things a little easier for you and help you choose the right vocal harmonizer. In this article, I’ll be breaking everything down and reviewing the best vocal harmonizers available on the market. I’ll mainly be talking about the vocal processors/pedals which specifically focus on vocal harmony or have advanced harmony settings.

Remember, It’s important to choose the one that suits both your individual needs and your set budget. To help you narrow down your choices and find the best suited for you, I’ve highlighted my top four picks overall. If you’d like to know more about vocal harmonizer pedals/vocal harmony processors in general and the different features to look out for, scroll down to the buying guide at the bottom of this article for more in-depth information.

Here Are the Best Vocal Harmonizers

1. BOSS VE-2 Vocal Harmonist Multi-Effects Pedal (Best Overall)

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Estimated Price	$220
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	1.9 lbs
Dimensions	8.85 x 6.5 x 4.4 inches
Power Source	Socket/Battery powered

My Review: The Boss VE-2 is a smart choice for musicians and singers who play the guitar. This vocal harmonizer comes with a whopping 24 types of harmonies to choose from (12 modes), making this every singer’s holy grail if you’re looking for a complete harmony solution that will take your live performance to places you couldn’t have dreamed of.

You can activate the Auto Harmonist Mode by connecting your guitar, or select a key to generate perfect harmonies or use a combination both. This harmonizer creates rich harmonies that give vocals the fulness and depth they need, and all with an easy to use interface.

The Boss VE-2 is portable and has the option to operate on battery, making it a wise choice for street performances or just a wide variety of venues. It also has a fairly simple interface so there’s no need for any experience with vocal effects processors or music theory.

I highly recommend this harmonizer pedal if your main focus is harmonies and getting the most out of a vocal harmonizer pedal. This one is non-beatable in its endless harmonic possibilities. If you’re like me and you just love your harmonies and want to have all the options the world can offer, don’t even think twice! At this price, it is for sure one of my top 4 vocal harmonizers.

Who Is This Best Suited For: Singers and musicians who appreciate the large number of harmony options this harmonizer gives them. This vocal harmonizer offers endless possibilities of beautifully layered harmonies and pitch-perfect vocals. Those who are looking for an affordable option that gives them their buck’s worth.

Bottom Line: Whether you play the guitar, sing with a band, or solo, you won’t go wrong with the Boss VE-2. If you’re someone who’s looking to play around with harmonies during live performances or during your songwriting process, this is it. This pedal is incredible and extremely affordable. You won’t need to purchase a multi-effect pedal as this one also comes with pitch-correction, reverb, delay, and all the effects you may want to apply live.

Key Features:

• Simple user interface
• Auto Harmony function – create harmonies by manually setting the key or by connecting your guitar
• Hybrid mode creates harmonies based on both chords and the manual key setting
• 24 harmony types (12 x 1- and 2-voice harmonies plus variations for fuller sounds)
• Reverb, delay, and combination reverb + delay effects with a single knob
• Enhance function automatically controls dynamics and lets you apply subtle pitch correction as you sing
• Three memory slots let you store and quickly recall your favorite settings
• XLR mic input with phantom power that’s available even when running on batteries
• USB audio function lets you capture processed vocal sounds into your computer

2. TC Helicon VoiceTone H1 Vocal Effects Processor (Best Value)

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Estimated Price	$100
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	0.9 pounds
Dimensions	2.3 x 3.5 x 5.4 inches
Power Source	Batteries

My Review: This is my ultimate budget pick also from TC Helicon. This pedal is simple and straightforward, it gives you the option of two harmony voices. This is the pedal to buy if you’re simply looking for a vocal harmonizer, it does just that! You don’t have to worry about controlling knobs and navigating a complex processor, anyone can use this single-button pedal with ease.

The TC Helicon VoiceTone H1 is so affordable and functional, it creates intelligent natural-sounding harmonies at a fraction of the price of some of the models in the market. But don’t think you’d be giving up sound quality, this model comes with the same high-quality preamps that other higher-end TC Helicon processors come with. It’s portable and durable and takes such little space on stage which makes it great for any touring artist.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The TC Helicon VoiceTone H1 is for the musician looking for a simple harmony pedal. If you want something more advanced with additional effects like reverb, pitch correction, etc, then I suggest you check out other models. This is simply for the ones looking to get simple harmonies without spending too much money on other effects or advanced controls.

Bottom Line: If you are someone looking for a simple vocal harmonizer that’s also budget-friendly with harmonies that sound so good, then the TC Helicon VoiceTone H1 is the one for you. Straight forward and to the point in every single way, doesn’t take up any space and will look good next to your guitar pedals. The rugged design lets you take it anywhere and is sure to last you a lifetime. Overall, I would say that this is easily one of the best vocal harmonizers out there for the money.

Key Features:

• Adds one or two voices of realistic harmony to your voice
• Both guitarists and non-guitarists can create musical harmonies
• High quality signal path and tough enclosure
• Can be chained to additional VoiceTone Singles
• Mic-Control offers remote on/off via TC-Helicon MP-75 microphone

3. Boss VE-8 Acoustic Singer Effects Processor Pedal (Best under 500)

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Estimated Price	$300
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	4 lbs
Dimensions	25.59 x 9.09 x 13.78 inches
Power Source	Socket

My Review: The Boss Acoustic Singer Effects Processor Pedal or the “VE-8” is one of the best vocal solutions for singer/songwriters and solo artists. This vocal harmonizer acts as both a vocal and guitar effects pedal. It comes with organic-sounding harmonies, chromatic pitch correction which shifts your voice to the perfect tone, and other effects.

This vocal harmonizer gives you the option to either select your key or connect your guitar to activate your tuned harmonies. The VE-8 also features vocal doubling effects and hard-tune electronic vocal sounds to suit many applications and music styles. This vocal harmonizer offers direct DAW recording over USB and an aux audio input for your phone which makes the VE-8 an incredible tool for songwriters on the go or in the studio as well.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The Boss Acoustic Singer Effects Processor Pedal is a great choice if you both sing and play the guitar as it doubles as a guitar effect. If you don’t mind the slightly expensive price and are looking to buy a Boss vocal harmonizer that’s also a vocal and guitar effects processor, this is one of the best options to consider.

Bottom Line: The VE-8 is a pricier option but a well-rounded one. It is a vocal harmonizer that also comes with multiple effects for vocals and acoustic guitar. It’s mainly geared towards singer/songwriters and acoustic artists. If you’re looking for a more affordable option just for vocal harmonies, I wouldn’t recommend buying this one. However, if you’re looking for both a guitar and vocal effects processor as well as a great vocal harmonizer, then the VE-8 has you covered completely and so worth the price!

Popular Related Article: Best Microphones for Recording Vocals

Key Features:

• Professional vocal preamp with onboard harmony, enhancement, and effects
• Acoustic Resonance and effects for acoustic guitar
• Reverb, distortion, and electronic sounds
• BOSS Octave, Mod Delay, and Chorus pedal effects
• 80-second looper keeps your live shows dynamic
• Professional mic preamp with phantom power for both dynamics and condensers
• Vocal harmonies in real-time by ‘listening’ to guitar chords
• Chromatic pitch correction
• Guitar tuner

4. TC Helicon VoiceTone Harmony G XT (Best under $250)

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Estimated Price	$230
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	3.49 pounds
Dimensions	5.3 x 5.0 x 1.5
Power Source	Socket

My Review: The VoiceTone Harmony-G XT from TC-Helicon is one of the best available vocal harmonizers in the market. It’s a full-on vocal solution with incredible technology. It’s both a vocal and guitar effects pedal which makes it an all-around package for singer/songwriters and solo artists alike.

The VoiceTone Harmony-G XT offers natural-sounding harmonies that are controlled by either your guitar or by selecting the key for the song. It also automatically applies chromatic pitch correction which shifts your vocals to the pitch, giving you sweet honeyed vocals without having to manually select the key.

Don’t worry it’s not one of those complicated processors that will take you so much time to learn, it’s pretty easy to use and comes with a ton of presets that let you explore all different styles without any pre-programming or music theory knowledge.

The VoiceTone Harmony-G XT comes with multiple effects like reverbs, delay, and voice doubling. The voice doubling especially would give any vocal performance the richness it needs to shine. Additional EQ, De-Esser, and compression shapes up your vocals and boost its tone in real-time.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The VoiceTone Harmony-G XT is a one-stop-shop for singer/songwriters and solo artists. All you will ever need in terms of harmony, voice doubling, vocal, and guitar effects, you will find it in this compact device. If you’re someone who plays the guitar and sings at the same time, this vocal harmonizer might as well be your perfect companion for the stage.

Bottom Line: This vocal harmonizer is equipped with harmony features as well as all the additional effects you’ll need as a singer or solo artist. It comes with all the latest technology and gives you value for your money. If you decide to buy the VoiceTone Harmony-G XT, it will be your go-to for everything vocal and guitar. It’s pretty easy to use and anyone can get the hang of it in no time. Long term, you won’t have to upgrade to make up for any lost features, it’s got it all.

Popular Related Article: The 14 Best Mics for Guitar Amps

Key Features:

• NaturalPlay guitar-controlled harmony algorithm
• Adaptive harmony gate added to Tone for a cleaner mix
• Built-In FX
• Auto Pitch Detection
• XLR Mic Input with Preamp & 48V
• Easy manual selection of Scale & Key for singers without an instrument
• Tone switch smoothes vocals with adaptive Live Engineer Effects
• 18 combinations of reverb, delay
• 10 presets available, each with A/B options
• Harmony interval selection includes 3rds and 5ths above and below, octave up and down, and the unique Bass interval
• Guitar tuner designed for speed and accuracy

5. TC Helicon Play Acoustic Vocal Effects Processor

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Estimated Price	$250
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	4.86 pounds
Dimensions	12.01 x 10.31 x 4.69 inches
Power Source	Socket

My Review: TC Helicon is my all-time favorite brand for vocal harmonizers and multi-effect processors. I have full faith in their products and without a doubt, the TC Helicon Play Acoustic proves me right. This model is one of the best vocal harmonizer pedals to this date. It’s accurate and fast and offers the most natural-sounding harmonies out of this whole list. If you don’t believe me, watch video demos of this magical device in action!

The TC Helicon Play Acoustic comes with the most up-to-date adaptive tone technology, which automatically applies EQ and pitch corrects your vocals in real-time. If that’s not the best thing, I don’t know what is. This model also boasts several effects like reverbs, delays, etc. which makes it an all-in-one package and the dream vocal harmonizer for any singer! Don’t worry though, it also comes coupled with a bunch of guitar effects which is great for us Singer/Songwriters, and with its stompbox design, you can control everything with the tap of your foot.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The TC Helicon is the perfect vocal harmonizer for vocalists, singer-songwriters, and solo artists. It offers the most beautiful sounding harmonies, as well as effects, looping, and more! It gives you full control and is super easy to use in live shows, this is perfect for anyone looking for a professional sound.

Bottom Line: Overall, the TC Helicon Play Acoustic Vocal Effects Processor is an all-around bundle for any singer or solo artist. You’ll find everything you need in this device, and if your focus is on the harmonies, then for sure you’ll get the best sounding harmonies there is with a vocal harmonizer like no other. I highly recommend it.

Key Features:

• Professional vocal effects and tone with natural-sounding vocal harmonies guided by your guitar
• Guitar FX styles from TC Electronic’s Hall of Fame Reverb, Flashback Delay, and Corona Chorus pedals
• BodyRez filtering and onboard EQ and DI for impeccable acoustic guitar tone.
• Hundreds of preset sounds.
• Dedicated inputs and outputs for vocals and guitar – inputs for headphones, auxiliary devices, an expansion pedal, and USB for recording

6. TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2

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Estimated Price	$200
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	1.1 pounds
Dimensions	5.25 x 3.25 x 2.25 inches
Power Source	Socket / Battery-powered

My Review: The TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 is quite similar to the VoiceTone H1 Vocal Effects processor in its rugged and simple stompbox design, however, this model boasts additional effects than the basic VoiceTone H1. For starters, it gives you the option to add one to two natural-sounding harmonies guided by your guitar chords but also gives you additional features like TC Helicon’s legendary adaptive tone technology and many reverb options which could be all you’re looking for in a vocal harmonizer.

The TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 is quite a balanced vocal harmonizer, it’s not too basic, it’s not too advanced, it’s right in the middle and it covers all your vocal needs. It’s rugged and durable and light, so it’s a practical choice for a harmonizer to take on the road. This model can give you the flexibility of multiple harmonies and added effects but also the freedom to operate it easily with your foot. The sound quality is impressive like most TC Helicon vocal effects processors and it comes right under $200!

Who Is This Best Suited For: I recommend this pedal for musicians and singers on the go! This model is super travel-friendly and easy to use. Just connect your guitar and you’re ready to go. It’s perfect for singer/songwriters and solo artists that want a vocal harmonizer that’s straightforward to use and delivers world-class sound quality.

Bottom Line: TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 is a high-quality reliable vocal harmonizer. It’s a full package with a pretty amazing price. It has everything a vocalist may need in a harmonizer as well as multiple effects to sweeten your voice live. I highly recommend it for those who play the guitar and are looking for something sturdy and affordable without compromising on sound quality.

Popular Related Article: The Best Vocal Processors on the Market

Key Features:

• Guitar-controlled Harmony
• One to two voices of realistic vocal harmony guided by your guitar
• Reverb effects with three styles
• Adaptive tone for perfect EQ, compression, addressing, and gating
• Intelligent mic input gain for quick setup
• Optional battery-powered operation

7. TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3

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Estimated Price	$790
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	7.34 pounds
Dimensions	10.63 x 5.91 x 20.27 inches
Power Source	Socket

My Review: The TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 is a premium vocal harmonizer and vocal effects processor for those who want to invest in a timeless piece and get incredible sound output and multiple options for live performances and in the studio. This is a songwriting tool like no other, offering effects for vocals and guitars as well as phrase looping.

This is the ultimate vocal harmonizer with a vocal processing power like no other. The VoiceLive 3 features 11 independent effects blocks, over 180 different styles, and more than 200 factory presets right out of the box. The VoiceLive 3 is an all-around vocal harmonizer and vocal effects processor that is made to meet a singer’s every need. Expect high-end harmony voicings, as well as all the vocal effects you can imagine in one place. There’s nothing else you will need.

Who Is This Best Suited For: Professional singers who take their vocals seriously and are looking to invest in a one-time vocal effects processor that boasts a ton of high-end harmony features. This is for those who are looking for a complete vocal solution and songwriting tool, this is not a basic or simple vocal harmonizer.

Bottom Line: This is a higher-end option, so if you want to invest then you’ll find all you need in this one device. I would highly recommend it, however, in comparison to other vocal harmonizers in the market, I still find it quite expensive. You can still get the same features and effects in a vocal harmonizer/vocal effects processor with half the price, but that’s completely up to you!

Key Features:

• Next-generation harmony processing
• Vocoder/Synth.
• Complete guitar multi-effects with TC Electronic Tone Print styles and Amp Tones.
• Multi-Looper for verse/chorus song creation with storage
• Dedicated and discrete outputs for stereo PA, stereo guitar, and monitoring.

8. Electro-Harmonix Voice Box Harmony Machine and Vocoder

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Estimated Price	$230
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Tabletop processor
Weight	1.95 lbs
Dimensions	8 x 7 x 3.5 inches
Power Source	Socket

My Review: The Electro-Harmonix Voice Box Harmony Machine and Vocoder is known as “Backup singers in a box” for a good reason! This vocal effects processor and vocal harmonizer is loaded with vocal effects, a built-in vocoder, and a harmony processor like no other. Connect it to your instrument and the harmony processor creates 2- to 4-part harmonies directly from your vocals in real-time! This is a really fun device to own and it truly lets you experiment with your vocals and live performance.

The Voice Box comes with a gender shifting feature that allows you to create “male” or “female” sounding harmonies to fit your voice perfectly! This one of a kind vocal harmonizer also gives you nine presets that you can easily control with a footswitch. For out of the box performances, you can use the built-in vocoder and much much more.

Who Is This Best Suited For: If you’re looking for a vocal harmonizer that’s also a complete vocal tool that you can use on stage. This harmonizer gives any singer beautiful harmonies, whether you want more male or female sounding harmony tones. If your music is vocal-centered and requires many layers and harmonies, the voice box would be a great choice for you.

Bottom Line: The Electro-Harmonix Voice Box Harmony Machine and Vocoder is an affordable vocal processor that offers a great range of harmony and really fun vocal effects for multiple uses. The footswitch makes it so easy to control on stage and gives you the flexibility to navigate seamlessly without any distractions during your live performance. Overall, it’s a great vocal tool that will push you to experiment, and a great option for a harmonizer that delivers impeccable sound output.

Key Features:

• Professional-quality pitch shifting algorithm produces realistic harmonies
• Matches harmonies to any electric instrument you plug into it
• Vocoder sounds
• Nine accessible programmable presets
• Natural Glissando
• Gender Bender knob allows for male/female formant modification
• Built-In mic pre with phantom power and gain switch

9. DigiTech VLHM Vocal Effects Processor

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Estimated Price	$300
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Stompbox pedal
Weight	2.7 pounds
Dimensions	11.5 x 11.38 x 2.44 inches
Power Source	Socket

My Review: The Live Harmony is a vocal harmonizer that instantly adds beautiful natural-sounding harmonies to your voice. With a simple connection to your guitar and mic, you can serenade any audience away with this intelligent effects box that leads the way. No need to put any extra thought, this vocal harmonizer picks up the chords your playing and automatically generates the right harmonies for you, constantly changing in real-time as you play your songs.

This vocal harmonizer is designed with live performance in mind and it comes with powerful processing to help you achieve rich and smooth live vocals. It is super easy to use and just requires you to plug in an acoustic or electric guitar and mic. It also comes with a built-in guitar tuner for fast tuning before a live show.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The Live Harmony is the ideal harmony tool for solo singers or vocalists in a band who are looking to buy a simple but intelligent harmonizer to enhance their live vocals sound.

Bottom Line: The Live Harmony is a simple but highly intelligent device that uses advanced technology to detect your chords and automatically generate the right harmonies at any given moment. It’s an ideal solution for solo singers and vocalists in a band looking to add great sounding harmonies to their vocals in real-time without purchasing a complete multi-effect vocal processor. If you’re looking for the best vocal harmonizer pedal and have a budget of $300 this is a good option.

Key Features:

• Add up to 2 voices of natural harmonies using MusiQ, the most advanced pitch detection technology
• Built-in guitar tuner
• Advanced Feedback Suppression with 12 filters
• Up to 70-second vocal phrase looper with unlimited overdubs
• Gold Channel global effect for solid sonic foundation
• Sound Check phrase repeater feature for dialing in vocal effects

10. Roland VT-4 Vocal Transformer

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Estimated Price	$200
Vocal Harmony Processor Type	Tabletop/Stand mountable
Weight	2.14 pounds
Dimensions	5.24 x 6.85 x 2.28 inches
Power Source	Batteries

My Review: The VT-4 is the ultimate tool for vocalists. It lets you create your unique sound whether you want to enhance your vocals or completely change their sound. It includes a multitude of harmony settings and effects like reverb, vocoder, pitch shifting, and hard-tuning! This is a vocal effects processor with harmony as well as effects you may need to perform live. Whatever you need, it’s got you covered.

This vocal harmonizer is not one of those simple and basic models you may find out there, its got advanced features for all uses in a very compact size. With modernity and timelessness as its priority, the VT-4 comes with both modern and retro sounds that are incredibly trendy in today’s music, all at the touch of a button.

The VT-4 is super hands-on, which can be either a great thing or a complete distraction based on your live performance style. It gives you full control of effects and faders which can help you develop your own unique sound based on your settings. Nonetheless, it’s a great harmonizer and doesn’t require anything other than your singing. There are so many possibilities with this model that lets you experiment and shine as a performer.

Who Is This Best Suited For: The VT-4 is awesome if you’re looking for a hands-on experience at your live shows. It literally becomes part of the show and captivates audiences with its many jaw-dropping effects. This vocal harmonizer comes as a stand mountable or tabletop design so it’s definitely not for those who sing and play another instrument at the same time as it can get really distracting!

Bottom Line: The VT-4 is not just another basic harmonizer, it’s got everything going for it. You won’t need any other vocal effects processor if you decide to buy this one. It’s perfect for the stage, it adds an edge to your performance but is also great to use as a songwriting tool. The creativity this vocal harmonizer sparks is like no other, so expect to write your best songs using it! Overall, I highly recommend this vocal harmonizer but if you’re looking for something that offers simple harmonies and basic add-ons, you might find a more suitable one.

Key Features:

• Features Modern and retro vocal effects, including delay, reverb, formant, and vocoding
• Layer multiple effects at once or chain them together
• Totally smooth, instant control over both pitch and formant for real-time tweaking
• Five-hour battery life

Choosing a Vocal Harmonizer (Buying Guide)

There are so many vocal harmonizers available in the market and they come under different names, with different features and designs. It gets confusing sometimes, so to make the right decision you should first know everything about vocal harmonizer pedals. In this buying guide, I’ll go in-depth about what they are, what each feature does, and how you can use it to enhance your vocals. I’ll also be explaining all the different types in more detail, in addition to some frequently asked questions and what to look out for in general before buying. That way you’ll have all the information you need to confidently make the right decision and choose the vocal harmonizer that fits your unique requirements and budget.

What Is A Vocal Harmonizer?

A vocal harmonizer pedal or a vocal harmony processor is the perfect tool for any musician looking to up their live performance game. In simple terms, it is an audio processor that records your voice in real-time and creates harmonies live as you sing. It allows you to create one or multiple harmonies at the same time with different pitches in realtime. Sounds like magic to your ears right?

A vocal harmonizer can help you recreate your sound recordings in a live setting without backup singers. It can also be a great songwriting tool if you use harmonies as a main vocal production element in your music. What’s great about having a vocal harmonizer with you on stage is that it can be connected to your guitar or keyboard which gives you a safety net for pitch-perfect harmonies and key changes.

Do I Need a Vocal Harmonizer?

A vocal harmonizer is the dream device for many vocalists and musicians. If you’re an artist who wants their live performance to sound similar to their recordings, then harmony plays a huge role in achieving that. And if you’re a singer that is just looking to get creative in their live shows and have a fuller sound then vocal harmonizers may just be the answer for that without needing to have backup singers.

Vocal harmonizer pedals are a creative tool for songwriting, so if you’re looking to have some inspiration while you’re writing and composing your songs, you will benefit greatly from owning a device like that. Vocal harmonizers are great for singers, acoustic artists, bands, and situations where there aren’t any backup singers or even band members who can sing harmonies. I believe that having a vocal harmonizer on stage gives artists an extra flair and adds so much to their live performance, amazing harmonies are always a bonus in my opinion!

Vocal harmonizers aren’t here to cover up bad singing, however, they are a tool to aid in building up talent that’s already there! So if you’re a bad singer, don’t think that getting a harmonizer will cover up the lead vocal. Vocal harmonizers provide a safety net for vocalists during live performances and ensure a professional and consistent sound throughout shows. Overall, it’s an incredible investment for any singer and worth every dime spent.

How To Choose The Right Vocal Harmonizer?

This is a very good question to ask yourself before buying a vocal harmonizer and especially if you have no technical background of pedals and vocal effects processors. To make sure that you choose the right vocal harmonizer, you need to keep in mind a few things. The first thing is your budget and how much you are willing to spend on a tool like this. I’m mentioning budget first thing because with vocal harmonizers, usually a device we’re looking to purchase for one specific purpose, incredible real-time harmonies, you can expect to pay a decent amount especially if you’re looking to a buy a more advanced or higher-end piece. So the first thing to do is keep in mind how much you’re willing to spend.

The second thing to think about, and be honest with yourself here, is how integral it is to your performance or studio use, and how frequently you will be using it. If the vocal harmonizer will be a huge component of your performance or songwriting then by all means do invest in a good one that will stay with you for years. You want to keep in mind its durability, weight, and size especially if you’re planning on taking it with you on the road!

Another factor is how many extra features you want, this will also determine the price of the model. If you’re looking for something basic with minimal features, chances are you’ll find pretty durable and affordable models. However, if you want more advanced harmonies, controls, and a ton of other features to play around with, then be willing to pay the extra price, but be sure it will be worth it with a device like that.

If you’re a professional or amateur guitar or keyboard player, you should look for a pedal type harmonizer which connects to your instrument and lets you control your harmonies with a foot-switch. This is essential as it will determine your performance setup and mobility on stage. If you’re a singer and don’t play any instruments maybe you can opt for a mount type of vocal harmonizer which attaches to your mic stand. You may still be able to connect it to any of your band members’ instruments for more accurate harmonies determined by the chords, but you’d be able to control everything with the touch of a button. It all depends on your live setup and how you want to be controlling the harmonies, so please keep that huge factor in mind while narrowing down your picks.

The last thing to ask yourself, and probably the most important in this case, is what are the harmonies offered. Before buying a vocal harmonizer you should be sure of the type of harmonies you’re getting. Each brand offers different settings and controls for this feature, however, they all can provide you with neutral harmonies. In my reviews, I help you find the harmony features you are looking for, so just by reading this article, you’ll be able to determine which brand and model is best for the type of harmonies you want.

What Are The Main Features To Look Out For?

By reading this article, you can see that vocal harmonizers come in so many different shapes, sizes, and with so many controls and features! It can be confusing to tell the difference between them and make the right choice, especially when they all sound very similar in what they offer. That is why it’s really important to understand the main features you should be looking for and what will make a world of a difference in your decision making.

Below, I’ve mentioned the main features to look out for while buying your vocal harmonizer, however, you should also make sure you are getting one with smooth reliable knobs or switches, with clear harmonies and good sound quality. Having said that, here are the main features you want to have in your vocal harmonizer:

Harmonies: Harmonies are the main reason you want to buy a vocal harmonizer so you need to make sure the sound quality is great! You can do that by watching videos of musicians using the vocal harmonizer to hear the sound quality. Some vocal harmonizers allow you to plug in your guitar or keyboard which produces the right harmonies in real-time based on the chords being played. The output is pitch-perfect as the harmonizer uses notes from the chords you play and doesn’t require any interference from your end.

Some harmonizers’ harmony output is more towards the “feminine” or “masculine” sound, so this is vital to consider while making your choice. You also want to make sure you get a vocal harmonizer that will let you add multiple harmonies and gives you control over them. The more harmonies and advanced controls you have in a vocal harmonizer, the better. This differs from one model to another, but the best ones are the ones that give you plenty to work with!

Tracking: Tracking is what a vocal harmonizer does to be able to match your voice with the right-pitched harmonies. A vocal harmonizer tracks the chords you play with your instrument in real-time and produces harmonies to match.

Some harmonizers track what you are playing and others let you manually select the key which could be a needed safety net in case any issues happen with instrument tracking. For example, you set the key, and the harmonizer can figure out which note you’re singing, and then creates matching harmonies in real-time. However, most vocal harmonizers nowadays have powerful and advanced processing and have perfect tracking abilities and pitch correction.

Gender Shifting: If you want a vocal harmonizer that creates harmonies that suit your voice perfectly, you need to pay attention to how effective it is with gender shifting. Gender shifting is the harmonizer’s ability to shift to a feminine or masculine tone of voice. The gender shifting or “pitch shifting” is also a cool feature to have if you want your voice to sound deep or high, depending on your performance. This is a feature that you should keep in mind because it can make or break your live performance!

Inputs and Outputs: For the average singer who’s looking to buy a vocal harmonizer, a normal XLR connection should suffice, but if you play an instrument or have a band playing with you then you’d need inputs/outputs that would give you the flexibility of connecting any instrument. Also if you need to use a different pre-amp or would need additional channels, I’d recommend that you think about your live setup and the equipment you have on stage and make sure the vocal harmonizer you decide on has inputs/outputs that are compatible.

User interface and Controls: For me personally, the user interface and layout is a priority in any vocal harmonizer or processor that I buy. I need to be able to have a simple and easy experience navigating and controlling all the features and knobs. If it’s overly complicated and doesn’t have a user-friendly interface, it’s really easy to get lost and confused and you end up not getting the most out of your vocal harmonizer. If you have a lot of presets and different harmony effects for different songs in your set, you should consider a harmonizer with an easy layout.

Additionally, If you’re playing the guitar, you should make sure you have a “stompbox” pedal which you can easily control with your foot. Even if you don’t play an instrument, you should think about how much you want to be moving on stage and see which vocal harmonizer won’t be too distracting and gives you that flexibility.

Other Effects: Vocal harmonizers also come with multiple effects, especially if they are designed to be more of multi-effects vocal processors. This means that in most cases you get much more than just harmonies! For a live performance, this can be extremely beneficial but if you’re using it in the studio or for songwriting then you don’t need one with multiple effects.

If you’re looking to go wild with your vocal effects then go for a well-rounded multi-effect vocal processor (check out our article about vocal effects processors). But If you’re only buying a vocal harmonizer for the harmonies and pitch correction, then a more simple and focused one would be more than enough for you!

Here are some simple and basic effects I would keep in mind when buying a vocal harmonizer for live performance:

Reverbs & Delays:

Most vocal harmonizer pedals and vocal effects processors come with basic effects like reverb and delay. This is especially important to have when you are performing live. You want to have only one pedal for efficiency and to have a good mix you will almost always need a little bit of reverb and delay to spice up your vocals. Usually, the manufacturer’s signature reverb and delay pedal sounds are included in the harmonizer, so that’s a big plus to save some space and be more efficient on stage!

EQ, Compression, and Pitch Correction:

Most vocal harmonizers come with adaptive tone technology which automatically applies EQ, De-Esser, and corrects your pitch as you sing. Most vocal harmony processors’ manufacturers include adaptive tone technology, however, one of the most advanced in this area is TC Helicon. When you are performing it’s always good to have these effects automated instead of manually controlling them live which can be a bit of a hassle. Pitch correction enhances your overall live sound and the more it lets you control the tuning, the more customized sound output you’ll get.

General Things To Keep in Mind:

Choosing the best vocal harmonizer for your live performance or the studio solely depends on how you are going to use it and how frequently. Here are some questions to ask yourself when you’re deciding on a vocal harmonizer. What does your live setup look like? Are your songs recorded with many harmonies and you want to recreate them live? Do you have backup singers or do you prefer performing solo? Do you want one harmony line or the option to have multiple different harmonies at the same time? Do you play the guitar or keyboard or will you be singing only? Do you prefer controlling the pedal with your foot or would you prefer a stand mountable divide to see everything played out in front of you? Do you need other effects with your vocal harmonizer for your live performance or would you prefer a device that focuses only on producing harmonies? Asking yourself these questions will determine which type of vocal harmonizer is the right one for you.

Whatever vocal harmony processor or multi-effect pedal you end up choosing, it’s important to know that the more it lets you control the settings of each effect, the better. You’ll have the ability to customize your sound and utilize the device in a way that’s unique to you and depending on your live setup and sound, you can find something that suits you.

Also keep in mind the size, weight, and durability of your vocal harmonizer while making your choice. Make sure you pick something that would be suitable to take on the road with you and will stand the test of time.

Finally, don’t hesitate to invest in a device like a vocal harmonizer. Usually, you buy a vocal harmonizer and it stays with you for years on end, it’s not something you keep upgrading like other instruments and in this case really, the more you pay the more value you get for your money.

Conclusion:

Vocal harmonizers have the ability to transform your performance. Although there are not many inexpensive ones out there, you get value for your money, especially with today’s models. You get harmonies, pitch correction, and basic effects like reverb and delay, what more can a singer want? With that being said, two manufacturers lead the way in this niche, and those are Boss and TC Helicon, I can’t recommend them enough. Their overall practicality and advanced technology and controls have separated them from the rest of the bunch! Now that you have all the information, I hope that this article has helped you decide on which vocal harmonizer to invest in. Good luck!