The DigiTech Live Harmony is a live performance intelligent vocal harmony processor, a unit that sits between a microphone and a PA and, as DigiTech describes it, "instantly adds up to two separate vocal harmonies to your vocals." It tracks the sung pitch and generates harmony voices above or below it, using DigiTech's patented musIQ technology1. It belongs to the wider family of vocal pedals that put harmony and vocal processing in front of a singer, alongside units like the TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 and the Boss VE-2 Vocal Harmonist.
Status and background
DigiTech lists the Live Harmony among its past products, stating: "Past products are no longer in production, but may still be available through local and online retailers."1 So the unit is discontinued, though secondhand and remaining new stock can still turn up. DigiTech itself is described by Barry Rudolph's "New Toys" column in Music Connection as "a division of Harman Music Corp."2
Inputs, outputs and audio specs
The microphone input is a combo connector that takes either an XLR plug or a 1/4" stereo jack, so a standard mic cable plugs straight in1. The outputs are XLR electronically balanced line outputs, which run to a mixer or PA1. A USB 2.0 full-speed compliant port is also fitted1.
The measured specifications DigiTech publishes give a picture of the unit's audio path:
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Max mic input level | +18 dBu at minimum gain1 |
| Mic input impedance | 3k Ohms balanced1 |
| Max output level | +5 dBu @ 0dBFS line outputs1 |
| Output impedance | 1k Ohms line outputs1 |
| Dynamic range | 109 dB typical, 22 Hz to 22 kHz, A-weighted1 |
| Frequency response | +0/-2.5 dB, 20 Hz to 20 kHz1 |
| THD + noise | Less than 0.009%, 22 Hz to 22 kHz (mic input to main output, 0 dBu input); less than 0.006%, 1 kHz, +5 dBu input1 |
| EIN | -125 dBu @ 60 dB gain typical (150 ohm source); -128 dBu @ 60 dB gain typical, A-weighted (150 ohm source)1 |
| Sample rate | 44.1 kHz1 |
The low EIN figure matters for quiet singers: it describes how much noise the microphone preamp adds, and at 60 dB of gain the published figure is -125 dBu typical, or -128 dBu A-weighted, with a 150 ohm source1.
Power and physical details
The Live Harmony runs from DigiTech's PS0920DC power supply, rated 9 VDC, 800mA, 7.2 W, with the center pin GND and the outer sleeve positive1.
The Live Harmony's supply has the center pin as ground and the outer sleeve positive1, the opposite polarity of the center-negative standard used by most guitar pedals. Do not power it from a standard pedalboard daisy chain.
Physically the unit weighs 2.7 lbs and measures 9.2" in length1.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
Andertons Music Co
Premier Guitar
Sources (2)
- Live Harmony, DigiTech, 2023-12-20
- DigiTech Talker, Barry Rudolph / Music Connection "New Toys", 2024
