The Electro-Harmonix Voice Box is a vocal harmony machine and vocoder in a stompbox format, released in 2009. Electro-Harmonix describes it as packing "a multi-functional vocal synth processor into a tough and compact" enclosure, and its headline trick is harmony generation: the harmony processor creates 2- to 4-part harmonies directly from your vocals, in the same key as your accompanying instrument1. It sits in the company's vocal line alongside pedals like the Stereo Talking Machine, and in the wider field of harmony and vocoder pedals such as the Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer, the TC Helicon Harmony Singer 2 and the Boss VO-1 Vocoder. For more on the category, see Vocal Pedals.
What it does and how it is controlled
The Voice Box works as both a harmony generator and a vocoder. In harmony mode it builds up to four voices from a sung line, tracking the key of whatever instrument is plugged into it. MusicRadar describes the mode set as "six harmony/two octave modes for accompanying solo singers"2.
The front panel is arranged around a small number of controls:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| MODE knob | A rotary encoder enabling the user to scroll through the 9 Modes of the Voice Box1 |
| VOICE MIX knob | Mixes between two different voices, in most cases a low harmony voice (counter-clockwise) and a high harmony voice (clockwise)1 |
| HARMONY REVERB knob | Volume control for the reverb applied to the effected vocals1 |
| BLEND knob | Wet/dry control for the effect output jack1 |
| PHANTOM POWER toggle | Pushing the toggle switch up will supply +45V to the microphone1 |
| MIC BYPASS footswitch | Toggles between effect mode and bypass mode, with a status LED1 |
Alongside the modes, the pedal holds 9 accessible programmable presets, so settings can be stored and recalled rather than reset by hand each time1.
Inputs, outputs and power
Connection is straightforward for a vocal pedal: a microphone connects directly to the MIC INPUT XLR jack, and the INSTRUMENT INPUT 1/4-inch jack takes a guitar, keyboard or other source. On the output side, the EFFECT OUTPUT XLR jack carries the vocal harmonies, vocoder and other effects as well as the dry and bypassed vocals, while the INSTRUMENT OUTPUT 1/4-inch jack connects to your amp, effects or other device1. MusicRadar sums up the same arrangement: "Input-wise there's a balanced XLR mic input with phantom power and a low and high gain selector," and "there's a balanced XLR for the effect-only output and a jack instrument output for plugging into an amp"2.
One thing to know before you plug in: in all modes but two (OCTAVES and UNISON + WHISTLE), the Voice Box requires an instrument to be played along with your vocals1. The harmonies are derived from the instrument's key, so a singer working without an accompanist is limited to those two modes.
The Voice Box has no MIDI control. Third-party maker Microdesignum, which builds a MIDI control interface for the pedal, states plainly: "Unfortunately, it has not got any MIDI control."3
Power comes from the included 9.6VDC-200mA adapter, and the pedal's current draw is listed at 200mA1. That draw is high enough that a low-output daisy-chain output on a pedalboard supply may not be adequate; a dedicated supply output is the safer route. The enclosure measures 5.75 x 4.75 x 2.5 inches1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's review is positive on the sound, particularly on the vocoder side: "One of the best-sounding vocoders we've encountered."2 On the hardware, the same review found that "the box itself is sturdy, looks great and is very much in keeping with the retro/psychedelic look of the Electro Harmonix range"2.
Videos
EHX
Evilena Protektore
EHX
Questions
Does the Electro-Harmonix Voice Box need an instrument plugged in?
In all modes but two, yes. Electro-Harmonix states that in every mode except OCTAVES and UNISON + WHISTLE, the Voice Box requires an instrument to be played along with your vocals, because the harmonies follow the key of the accompanying instrument. Plug a guitar or keyboard into the 1/4-inch instrument input and sing into the XLR mic input.
Does the Electro-Harmonix Voice Box have phantom power?
Yes. A PHANTOM POWER toggle switch on the pedal supplies +45V to the microphone when pushed up, so condenser mics can be used without a separate supply. MusicRadar also notes the balanced XLR mic input has a low and high gain selector for different microphones.
How many modes does the Voice Box have?
Nine. The MODE knob is a rotary encoder that scrolls through the nine modes of the Voice Box. MusicRadar describes the set as six harmony and two octave modes for accompanying solo singers, alongside the vocoder functions.
Is the Electro-Harmonix Voice Box analog or digital?
Digital. Electro-Harmonix lists the Voice Box as a digital processor, packing a multi-functional vocal synth processor into the pedal.
Does the Voice Box come with a power adapter?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix includes a 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter with the Voice Box. The pedal draws 200mA, which is worth bearing in mind for pedalboard power supplies.
Is the Voice Box true bypass?
No. Electro-Harmonix lists the Voice Box with buffered bypass, and the MIC BYPASS footswitch toggles between effect mode and bypass mode.
Sources (3)
- Voice Box, Electro-Harmonix (ehx.com)
- Electro-Harmonix Voice Box review, MusicRadar, 2009-04-17
- MIDI Control for Electro Harmonix Voice Box, Microdesignum
