Update: I've just discovered the Roland VP-7 Voice Processor and that it includes a headset microphone (the Roland DR-HS5) too.
Does anyone own or have any experience with either the VP-7 or DR-HS5?

I'm particularly attracted to the Roland VP-7 because it's so compact & simple to operate.
It doesn't include the bells and whistles of the TC Helicon VoiceLive processors like 'audio looping' + other perks,
but I simply need nice sounding vocal reverb and basic yet realisitic sounding duo/trio vocal backup harmony voices.
The VP-7 looks most compact & lightweight, and while the TC Helicon VoiceLive Touch can be positioned at eye level too, it's quite a bit larger & heavier. The TC Helicon 'Harmony M' appears best suited for being set on the floor. Is this true, or can it be positioned similar as the below pic of the Roland VP-7 with the microARRANGER (see below). It would be interested to hear an A/B comparison between the Harmony M & VP-7.

I'm really interested in finding out how the VP-7's 'vocal harmony sound quality' compares with the TC Helicon, esp the VoiceLive Touch.
Does anyone here own, or have auditioned, or better yet, compared the sound of these two units?

I'm anxious to learn if either Roland or TC Helicon will be announcing new model followups to the VP-7 or VoiceLive Touch respectively.
In the meantime, any and all feedback from others here is much appreciated.

Scott

here's a pic I found on the internet of the Roland VP-7 perched on the Korg microARRANGER's included music rack.

Scott,
I never heard a Roland, Yamaha or Korg vocal processor that compares to the TC stuff. The Voice Live touch made the s910 playable for me while I waited for my PA3x. It's small, easy to use, easy to modify and STELLAR sounding.

UD, have you had a chance to compare the 'even smaller' size TC Helicon Harmony M with the VoiceLive Touch? Now that I realize the Harmony M doesn't have to sit on the floor, but can be positioned on the microARRANGER's music stand similar to the Roland VP-7 (pictured above), I'm leaning to getting the TC Helicon Harmony M now. Though the VoiceLive Touch includes a cool vocal rec loop feature and more vocal efx settings, I'm basically wanting a small as possible form factor vocal harmonizer unit with decent reverb efx, so I can plug my mic into & sing (with VH) thru my microARRANGER. btw: I'm really having a LOT OF FUN with the micro sized Korg Arranger & apprec its ultra lightweight grab and go portability yet without compromising pro level sound. - Scott

Scott that would be a kool setup with the HarmonyM & microArranger ....... there is a massive difference between the T4 VH ( as all Yamaha VH's) & the TCHm unit, quality & tracking just for starters...good luck & let us know how you make out with it.

Hi Scott & Donny

I use a Harmony M with my Pa2x and find the M has better sounding voices than the Pa ie less robotic it's very easy to use live 5 or 10 presets rather than 240 in the Touch. I am going to check out a micro today they have just arrived in the UK and if I like I intend to use the Harmony M/Microarranger/Shure WH20 rig live. Watch this space I will post some examples of the M
harmonies ASAP

Here is a quicky

http://www.box.com/files/0/f/52194652/Music#/files/0/f/184985981/1/f_1449459066

The style is on the Micro it called 8 Beat analog 1

Regards

Col

This is a good example of the Harmony M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJvN0Ct-EcA

Regards

Col

Yes good stuff...I have seen this before...very kool demo.....aside from the great tracking & quality VH you get with this TCHm unit compared to most of the arranger KB on board processors this is a perfect example of why I would never use a headset mic ever again...working the Mic with your head at different angles is imperative to achieving great vocal dynamics when singing. The Harmony M also works better via midi signals with some KB's vs others also which has been my experiences regarding chord tracking. It's not a magic box.....you MUST know how to utilize singing with VH where & when & what type to apply it in a song because inexperience sounds gimicky just as easily through it.

Some folks can use a headset mic and some folks cannot--it's that simple. Headset mics seem to work just fine for Madonna, Garth Brooks, Michael Jackson, Jimmy Buffett, Alabama, and an endless list of other great vocalists.

Singing into the mic from different angles doesn't change any of the attributes of a vocal harmonizer, at least other than harmony clipping, which can occur when the signal strength is too low from using a pull-away technique. If you want great vocal quality you need to learn vocal control.

The midi signal coming from the keyboard and fired into the vocal harmonizer tells the harmonizer what key the singer is supposed to be singing and references that information based upon the midi signal sent. That signal has absolutely nothing to do with the actual vocals themselves. You could be playing in "C" and singing in "D" and the vocal processor would still be basing the harmony on the key of "C". Of course if you were using pitch correction, then the vocal processor would correct your voice to the key the keyboard was playing, but that's another subject.

Donny is correct in that you MUST change your singing technique if you wish to use a vocal harmony processor with any degree of efficiency. Singing with a vocal harmony processor is an art-form in itself and requires a fair degree of vocal discipline, including breath control.

Most of the individual singers I've seen in person that utilize the pull-away technique were trying to hit notes out of their comfortable vocal range. Essentially, they were screaming out that high note while rapidly pulling the mic well out of effective range for any mic. I've seen some jazz singers pull the mic all the way down to their waist-line when screaming out those highs. The mic would have a better chance of picking up the person's stomach growling than their voice.

While learning to effectively use a headset mic requires a fair degree of change to traditional singing technique, the headset mic provides the user a degree of freedom not possible with a traditional, hand-held mic on a stand. No more worrying about where the mic is while making changes on the keyboard, eye contact is much better with the audience and you can change your position from sitting to standing, or vice-versa. That's why I, for one, would never go back to a hand-held mic on a stand.

If you wish to hear some of the songs I've performed using the Harmony-M, PSR-3000 and Crown-CM-311A headset mic, go to my Jukebox and listen to Feels So Right. This was recorded to a Zoom H2 from the keyboard's headphone output during a performance last fall.

Good Luck,

Gary

Gary... I appreciate as always when you let me try your crown headset mic a while back....but as a "power singer" as myself & here lies the key vs singers who aren't.... it's just not for me....on stage whether I'm playing keyboard or singing solo in from of people I need a wireless handheld always....both have their good & bad points ....but it's just NOT for my style of singing & performing. There are a few other reasons but I wont get into that now..

Good Luck

Gary ... while you and I are most often 'on the same page' about things, I have to disagree with you on a couple of points ...
First, when you talk about 'jazz' singers I 'assume' you are talking about people like Sinatra, Bennet, Ella, Torme and more recently, Michael Buble and Diana Kraal - people who sing primarily from the "Great American Songbook" - ...
I do not agree that these vocalists are "trying to hit notes out of their comfortable vocal range", not by a long shot ... but knowing how to effectively use a hand held mic, they are making sure that the power note they hit does not cause distortion by the mic being too close ...
Secondly, while it is true that many, if not most, of today's pop or country performers use headset mics, one major reason is the amount of 'choreography' that goes into their performances - yes even people like Garth - very little of what happens on stage is NOT well rehearsed, even the seemingly 'ad lib' or spontaneous happenings ...
AND working with every one of these performers is a well trained sound man at the mixer, who knows EXACTLY when to boost or lower the feed from the 'star's' mic.

Microphones, like politics, religion, and keyboards are chosen by individual needs and tastes ... you and others obviously do VERY well with a headset, while Donny and others do VERY well with a hand held ... that's why they make and sell BOTH ...
JMHO ...
BTW ... if I am wrong with my assumption above, I beg your forgiveness ...

PS Scott... sorry if this thread goes in the wrong direction ...