Digitech Performer Vocalistperf
Digitech Performer Vocalistperf
Water and Moisture: Appliance should not be used near water (e.g. near a
bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink, laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a
swimming pool, etc). Care should be taken so that objects do not fall and liq-
The symbols shown above are internationally accepted symbols that warn of uids are not spilled into the enclosure through openings.
potential hazards with electrical products. The lightning flash with arrowpoint
in an equilateral triangle means that there are dangerous voltages present with- POWER SOURCES: The appliance should be connected to a power supply
in the unit. The exclamation point in an equilateral triangle indicates that it is
only of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the
necessary for the user to refer to the owner’s manual.
appliance.
These symbols warn that there are no user serviceable parts inside the unit.
Do not open the unit. Do not attempt to service the unit yourself. Refer all GROUNDING OR POLARIZATION: Precautions should be taken so that the
servicing to qualified personnel. Opening the chassis for any reason will void grounding or polarization means of an appliance is not defeated.
the manufacturer’s warranty. Do not get the unit wet. If liquid is spilled on
the unit, shut it off immediately and take it to a dealer for service. Disconnect POWER CORD PROTECTION: Power supply cords should be routed so that
the unit during storms to prevent damage.
they are not likely to be walked on or pinched by items placed upon or against
them, paying particular attention to cords at plugs, convenience receptacles,
and the point where they exit from the appliance.
U.K. MAINS PLUG WARNING SERVICING: To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, the user should not
attempt to service the appliance beyond that described in the operating instruc-
tions. All other servicing should be referred to qualified service personnel.
A moulded mains plug that has been cut off from the cord is unsafe. Discard
the mains plug at a suitable disposal facility. NEVER UNDER ANY CIR- CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire replace only with same type fuse.
CUMSTANCES SHOULD YOU INSERT A DAMAGED OR CUT MAINS ATTENTION: Utiliser un fusible de recharge de même type.
PLUG INTO A 13 AMP POWER SOCKET. Do not use the mains plug with-
out the fuse cover in place. Replacement fuse covers can be obtained from CAUTION: To reduce the risk of fire replace LAMP with manufacturers rec-
your local retailer. Replacement fuses are 13 amps and MUST be ASTA ommended part ( Refer to service literature)
approved to BS1362.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC Notice For Customers If Your Unit Is Equipped With A Power Cord.
WARNING: THIS APPLIANCE MUST BE EARTHED.
COMPATIBILITY The cores in the mains lead are coloured in accordance with the following
code:
This unit conforms to the Product Specifications noted on the Declaration of GREEN and YELLOW - Earth BLUE - Neutral BROWN - Live
Conformity. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: As colours of the cores in the mains lead of this appliance may not correspond
• this device may not cause harmful interference, and with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in your plug, proceed as
• this device must accept any interference received, including follows:
interference that may cause undesired operation. Operation of • The core which is coloured green and yellow must be con-
this unit within significant electromagnetic fields should be nected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter E, or
avoided. with the earth symbol, or coloured green, or green and yellow.
• use only shielded interconnecting cables. • The core which is coloured blue must be connected to the ter-
minal marked N or coloured black.
• The core which is coloured brown must be connected to the
terminal marked L or coloured red.
This equipment may require the use of a different line cord, attachment plug,
FCC COMPLIANCE or both, depending on the available power source at installation. Connect this
equipment only to the power source indicated on the equipment rear panel. If
the attachment plug needs to be changed, refer servicing to qualified service
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class
personnel who should refer to the table below. The green/yellow wire shall be
B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are
connected directly to the unit's chassis.
designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a res-
idential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio fre-
quency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instruc-
tions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there
is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If
this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception,
which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is
encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver that may cause
undesired operation. WARNING: If the ground is defeated, certain fault conditions in the unit or in
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the system to which it is connected can result in full line voltage between
the receiver is connected chassis and earth ground. Severe injury or death can then result if the chassis
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. and earth ground are touched simultaneously.
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
Supplementary Information:
Manufacturer’s Name: IVL Technologies Ltd. The product herewith complies with the requirements of the EMC Directive
per DigiTech specifications 89/336/EEC (1989) as amended by the CE Marking Directive 93/68/EEC (1993).
Manufacturer’s Address: 6710 Bertram Place
Victoria, B.C. IVL Technologies Ltd.
Canada V8M 1Z6 6710 Bertram Place
declares that the products: Victoria, B.C.
DigiTech Vocalist Performer Canada V8M 1Z6
February 19, 1997
conform to the following product specifications: Peter George, Vice President of Engineering
EMC: EN 55022 (1987): European Contact: Your local DigiTech Sales and Service Office or
CISPR 22 (1993) Class B International Sales Office
EN 50082-1 (1992) 3 Overlook Drive Unit #4
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031, USA Tel (603) 672-4244 Fax (603) 672 4246
Table of Contents
Introduction..........................................................................1
Jump Start ........................................................................1
Front panel description ........................................................2
Back panel description.........................................................5
Connections..........................................................................6
Operation..............................................................................7
Setting the input level ..............................................7
Setting the harmony level ........................................7
The reverb effect......................................................7
The Harmony options ..............................................7
Choosing key and scale ...........................................8
Part A and B.............................................................9
Stereo voice panning..............................................10
Storing your programs ...........................................10
The optional footswitch and micstand mount .......10
Specifications .....................................................................11
DigiTech warrants this product, when used solely within the U.S., to be free from defects in materi-
als and workmanship under normal use and service.
DigiTech liability under this warranty is limited to repairing or replacing defective materials that
show evidence of defect, provided the product is returned to DigiTech WITH RETURN AUTHO-
RIZATION, where all parts and labor will be covered up to a period of one year. A Return
Authorization number may be obtained from DigiTech by telephone. The company shall not be
liable for any consequential damage as a result of the product’s use in any circuit or assembly.
DigiTech reserves the right to make changes in design, and make additions or improvements to this
product without incurring any obligation to install the same on products previously manufactured.
The foregoing is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied, and DigiTech neither assumes
nor authorizes any person to assume any obligation or liability in connection with the sale of this
product. In no event shall DigiTech or its dealers be liable for special or consequential damages, or
from any delay in the performance of this warranty due to causes beyond their control.
IMPORTANT! The information contained in this manual is subject to change at any time without
notification. Some information in this manual may also be inaccurate due to undocumented changes
in the product or operating system since this version of the manual was completed. The information
contained in this version of the manual supersedes all previous versions.
Jump Start
1) Connect Performer as shown on page 6. The Signal LED will glow red dur-
ing the ~5 second power-up delay.
2) Press the Mute button so it lights and adjust the Harmony and Reverb knobs
to 12 O’Clock.
3) Sing into your mic and adjust the Input knob so that the Signal LED shows
red only on the loudest notes you will sing.
4) Sing a song you know. For a starting pitch, press the cue button.
The cue button volume is controlled by the Reverb Level knob.
5) You can change the harmony sound by using the buttons from the Harmony
group.
6) Select a different Key or Scale from the respective button groups.
Enjoy! Don’t forget to read this whole manual to make the most of Performer.
••• 1 •••
1) Harmony buttons
These allow you to turn on and off up to two harmony voices at a time. The High and Higher but-
tons produce harmonies above your voice. the Double button produces slightly detuned copies of
your voice on the same note. The Low, Lower and Bass buttons produce harmonies below your
voice.
See “Choosing Key and Scale” description in the Operations section for more information.
••• 2 •••
4) Program window
This window displays the currently loaded program. There are 50 user program locations.
6) Data wheel
Turning this wheel cycles through the programs and loads them automatically.
7) Cue-in note
This is the on/off button for the sound generator that can be used to derive a starting pitch for the
key you have chosen. It’s also handy for a reference pitch to tune your guitar with. When pressed,
the sound will continue until this button is pressed again.
The volume of the cue note is determined by the Reverb level control.
9) Mute button
You can turn the harmony effect on and off with this button. When the Mute button is lit, your voice
minus the harmonies will be heard. If the Harmony control is set fully clockwise (fully “wet”) no
sound will be heard. The Mute function can also be activated via an optional footswitch. The
footswitch feature is described on page 5.
••• 3 •••
This knob allows you to vary the amount of reverb effect blended in with yours and the harmony
voices. At the maximum setting, the mix is approximately 50/50. Reverb is present on your voice
even when the harmony voices are turned off. This also controls the cue note volume.
The Signal LED also indicates that the unit is in its power-up sequence. The LED will glow red for
approximately 5 seconds and then turn off when the Performer is ready to produce harmonies.
••• 4 •••
2) Footswitch jack
You may connect a standard momentary footswitch for harmony muting only or a DigiTech FS300
footswitch for extra features. The three switches on the FS300 do the following:
3) Output jacks
The output of Performer is stereo or mono as desired. Use one or two mono 1/4” cables to connect
to your mixer or amplifier. The stereo output consists of:
Inserting a cable into the left output jack only will sum the stereo harmony voices and reverb to
mono. When an additional jack is connected to the right output, you will hear the stereo image. If
you wanted mono and you accidentally plugged your output cable into the right output, you will
hear only the one harmony voice that is panned to that side and not the other.
••• 5 •••
Live performance
The graphic below shows the typical connection scheme. Your voice is fed through the microphone
directly into Performer where it is harmonized and sent to your mixer/power amp. The output from
Performer can be either mono (one cable) or stereo (two cables).
This setup also allows you to add harmonies to a recorded vocal track. A vocal track recorded on a
ministudio, reel to reel or digital multitrack can be harmonized as if it was being sung live.
••• 6 •••
Note: With the control at full right position, you will not hear your unharmonized voice when you
press the Mute button.
••• 7 •••
If you want to be the Bass singer in your group but you just can’t sing that low, try adjusting the
Harmony level control all the way to the right. This way you can sing the part in a range you are
comfortable in but the sound will be an octave lower.
Note: There is no need to set key or scale when the Double or Bass voice are the only ones selected.
High and Lower. These are the “smart” voices that produce the 3rd intervals. The High button is a
third above your voice and the Lower button is a 3rd in the octave below. Much of contemporary
popular music features “3rd above” harmony where the main vocal is closely followed in choruses
and selected lines with this harmony. The “3rd in the octave below” harmony produced by the
Lower harmony voice produces a sound reminiscent of the Beatles.
They are referred to as being “smart” because once you tell them what key and scale your song is in,
they will vary their harmony intervals to sound correct over your music. It’s important to pick the
correct key and scale because some notes may sound “offkey” otherwise. See the section on
“Choosing the right key and scale” for more details.
Higher and Low. These voices produce the 5th intervals. The Higher button produces a 5th above
your voice and the Low button produces a 5th in the octave below. The Minor 2 scale is an exeption
where the Low voice is actually a 6th in the octave below and the Lower voice becomes the 5th.
Used by themselves, these voices produce a Gregorian monk type of harmony sound. When used in
conjunction with the High and Lower harmony voices (3rds) you can produce a sound more like the
Eagles or Crosby, Stills and Nash. A fun special effect is to enable only the Low voice and turn the
Harmony mix fully to the right. This can make your talking voice sound a little deeper for announc-
ing and effects.
Setting the scale may take a little experimentation. In many of the songs you sing, the difference
may not be noticeable between one Major scale and the next or one Minor scale and the next. This is
because your melody doesn’t land on the one or two altered notes in each scale. If your melody cen-
ters around the root note (an E in the key of E) and maybe the 3rd (G# in E major or G in E minor),
you might not hear any difference between the scales. When you find a song where the melody cen-
ters around the 5th of the scale (B in key of E), the difference becomes more obvious. Instead of
jumping into the theoretical descriptions, let’s try a tutorial.
••• 8 •••
Now let’s explore the difference between the three Minor scales. We’ll use the song “Summertime”
from the broadway show “Porgy and Bess” as our first example. Set the Performer to key of G,
High voice on and the scale to Minor 1. Now sing the first two lines of the song: “Summertime and
the livin’ is easy, Fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high”. Neat huh? This scale works well for this.
Sing the line again while you try the other two scales. You should notice that the scales sound differ-
ent on the words “Summertime...” and “...Jumpin”. Now if you know the song “Evil Ways” by
Santana you can explore the Minor 2 scale. This song will really illustrate the difference for you.
Rather than give you a technical explanation of the scales, let’s express the differences as chord
changes you could generally use as accompaniment.
Experiment with all the scales in as many songs as you can. This should give you an intuitive sense
about what will work for a particular song and what won’t. If you’re still having trouble with a par-
ticular song, you may also want to try entering a different key than the one you figure the song is in.
A good example of this is “Sweet Home Alabama”. You would think that this song is in the key of D
because that’s the starting chord but the harmony actually works best when set to the key of G. Try
it for yourself - set the Performer for Major 2 scale, High voice on and the key to D. Sing the chorus
a couple of times and then change the key to G.
Part A and B
Songs sometimes change to another key or use a different scale somewhere in the song. Perhaps you
would like to stay in the same key but change to a higher or lower harmony voice in the bridge of
your song. These are the reasons for A/B switching. With A/B switching you can pre-select an alter-
native harmony sound in each program and switch back and forth using the front panel buttons or,
more conveniently, with the optional FS300 footswitch.
••• 9 •••
Although there is no built-in way to adjust the volume difference between any two harmony voices,
you can use this mixer trick to adjust the volume relationship between them:
First of all, connect Performer according to the Studio/Alternate live setup graphic at the beginning
of this manual. Turn up the effects send control on the channel your mic is connected to.
Set the pan controls for the on the mixer to the center. Set Performer up for a two-voice harmony
and sing. You can now adjust the volume of each voice using the two faders on the mixer.
Although Performer can be easily used without programming, you may find it easier to write down
the program number you have chosen for each song to save you from having to remember exactly
what your settings were.
The Mic Stand Mount is handy if you have nothing to rest Performer upon. It brings all the controls
within easy reach.
••• 10 •••
Line Input Unbalanced 1/4 TS, -10 dBV level, 2.2 KOhm
Weight 1 lb
••• 11 •••