I am accustom to using Midi form my keyboard to trigger the notes used in a Vocal Harmonizer. Using my Guitar, without midi, to produce vocal harmony has me stumped. The manual was a bit unclear.

If I am not using guitar and not midi, and I select a “Scale” for a song I’m singing, what happens to the harmony when I change the key? Must I select a new scale?

I would like to plug in my guitar and press a button to get the vocal harmony.

Thank you, John C.

If you like using scale mode than you don't even have to plug in your guitar. If you use chordal mode either from midi or audio from your guitar than you do..I always prefer SCALE mode on any harmonizer. Harmonies sound much better that way.

It's simple really. When you do not drive the harmonies by MIDI or audio input, then the only other possibility is to tell the harmonizer what scale you're singing in, so it will create the proper notes in the respective chord, in a fixed mode. So then, of course you need to tell the box when you change the key, otherwise will come out badly. For instance, when moving from C major in D major, if you do not tell it you changed the key, instead of F sharp (the 3rd) it will probably create either F or G, which is obviously wrong.

The only problem I see with fixed mode is that it will mathematically create the harmonies, with less musicality. No 7ths, no variations, no particular flavors...

Well, I am only guessing here. I have not experienced at all with this. But I am interested. The most I am interested in what harmonizer and in what mode would work best with an arranger like Roland Bk-9.

"Scale" harmonies are very often wrong when you play chords out of the diatonic scale - then there's the added hurdles of the Maj 2 in stead of a minor 2 in certain instances ... too much chance for error if the changes are not simple. I have a VL3 and it's a player and a singers DREAM machine .. IF you put in the time to set it up to your liking. Playing chords on a guitar is a very effective way to trigger harmonies. You have to simplify some strums and picking patterns, but after a while, it becomes second nature. Don't give up on that unit!

A lot of good info here, it's appreciated, thank you.

Back to work, the unit is good. (I’m listening Dave)
John C.