The TC Helicon VoiceTone C1 is a single-effect vocal pedal dedicated to transparent vocal pitch correction. TC Helicon describes it as a "Simple 1-Button Stompbox for Flexible Pitch Correction": one footswitch turns it on, and one knob sets the correction amount, so the whole control layout fits on the pedal's face1. It belongs to the vocal pedals family, alongside TC Helicon's other VoiceTone Singles such as the VoiceTone H1, VoiceTone T1 and VoiceTone D1.
"Simple 1-Button Stompbox for Flexible Pitch Correction"
How the correction works
The C1's tuning engine inherits the same chromatic and scale-based tuning technology TC Helicon builds into its flagship VoiceLive processors, so the correction comes from the same lineage as the company's larger vocal units rather than a simplified circuit1. In Chromatic mode, the pedal rounds every note to the nearest semitone for natural, transparent fixing, which means no key setup is needed before playing1.
The two ways to set the correction:
- Chromatic: every note is rounded to the nearest semitone, with no key or scale setup needed1
- Scale-based: correction follows a set scale, drawing on the tuning technology from TC Helicon's VoiceLive processors1
The physical design follows the rest of the VoiceTone line: a solid metal chassis, a silent footswitch, and an LED that makes status readable in the darkest club1.
Controls and connections
| Control or connection | What it does |
|---|---|
| Footswitch | One button turns the pitch correction on and off1 |
| Correction knob | Sets the amount of pitch correction1 |
| XLR in | Microphone input, with 48V phantom power available1 |
| XLR out | Line to the mixer or next device1 |
| True bypass | Correction engine leaves the signal path when the pedal is off1 |
| Power | Standard 9V supply1 |
The C1 connects entirely over XLR: XLR in, XLR out, with 48V phantom power available for a condenser microphone1. The pedal itself runs on a standard 9V supply, the same supply standard as most guitar pedals, so it can sit on a pedalboard power supply alongside conventional effects1.
The C1 is a mic-level vocal pedal, not a guitar pedal: its input and output are XLR, and it supplies 48V phantom power to the microphone. Players looking for pitch tools in a guitar chain would look at a tuner or octave and pitch pedal instead.
Where it sits in the range
Within TC Helicon's vocal lineup, the C1 is the single-purpose stompbox in the range. Players weighing it against other options can read the separate pages on the VoiceTone Correct XT, the Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer and the Boss VE-500 Vocal Performer, each of which covers what that pedal does in detail1.
Videos
BreZ
Scott Pastor
Newcastle Music Studios
Questions
Is the TC Helicon VoiceTone C1 true bypass?
Yes. TC Helicon lists true bypass among the C1's core connections, alongside XLR in, XLR out, 48V phantom power and a standard 9V supply. When the pedal is off, the signal passes through without the pitch correction engine in the path, which matters for players who want the pedal to disappear from the chain until it is stepped on.
Does the VoiceTone C1 need phantom power?
No. The C1 provides 48V phantom power on its XLR input for a condenser microphone, but the pedal itself runs on a standard 9V supply. Phantom power is a feature the pedal passes to the mic, not a requirement for the pedal to operate.
What does the Chromatic mode do on the VoiceTone C1?
In Chromatic mode the C1 rounds every note to the nearest semitone, which TC Helicon describes as natural, transparent fixing. It is the simplest way to use the pedal: no key or scale setup, just correction that pulls each sung note to the closest correct pitch.
Can I plug a guitar into the VoiceTone C1?
The C1 is built around a microphone signal: its connections are XLR in and XLR out, with 48V phantom power for the mic. TC Helicon's product page describes it as a vocal pitch correction pedal and does not list instrument inputs, so it is designed to sit in a vocal chain rather than a guitar chain.
What power supply does the VoiceTone C1 use?
TC Helicon specifies a standard 9V supply for the VoiceTone C1. That is the same supply standard used by most guitar pedals, so it can share a pedalboard power supply rather than needing a dedicated adapter.
Sources (1)
- VOICETONE C1, TC Helicon
