You’ve seen your favorite artists experiment with unique vocal effects, and maybe you’re wondering how to achieve those sounds yourself. Perhaps you’ve noticed guitarists have a vast world of effects pedals at their feet, and a thought pops into your head: can Used Guitar Pedals work for vocals? You’re not alone in asking this! Many vocalists are curious about venturing beyond traditional vocal processors and exploring the creative possibilities that guitar effects offer. Let’s dive into whether you can use used guitar pedals to spice up your vocal performances.
To understand if and how used guitar pedals fit into a vocal setup, it’s important to grasp the basics of signal levels. Microphones produce a very weak signal, known as mic level. Guitar pedals are designed for instrument level, which is stronger than mic level but still weaker than line level, the strongest of the three, typically used for connecting devices like mixers and amplifiers. Therefore, plugging a microphone directly into a guitar pedal usually results in a very weak signal and poor performance.
However, this doesn’t mean guitar pedals are off-limits for vocals. The key is using a microphone preamp. A preamp boosts the mic level signal to instrument or line level, making it compatible with guitar pedals. You would place the preamp first in your signal chain, connecting your microphone to the preamp’s input. The output of the preamp can then be connected to your used guitar pedals.
Now, which used guitar pedals work well for vocals? Many effects commonly used on guitars translate beautifully to vocals. Reverb and delay pedals can add depth and space to your voice, creating a sense of atmosphere. Distortion and overdrive pedals can introduce grit and aggression, perfect for genres like rock, industrial, or experimental music. Even modulation effects like chorus or flanger can add interesting textures to vocals. For the “radio” or “telephone” effect you mentioned, consider EQ pedals or even some lo-fi distortion or filter pedals that can drastically cut frequencies.
When experimenting with used guitar pedals on vocals, remember to consider impedance and frequency response. Some guitar pedals might not be optimized for the frequency range of the human voice, potentially making them sound muddy or thin. However, many pedals, especially those designed for a wide range of frequencies, can work surprisingly well. Experimentation is key!
Regarding your setup question about the Electro Harmonix 12ay7 mic pre and EHX Black Finger compressor: Yes, this is a viable starting point. The 12ay7 preamp will bring your microphone signal to a usable level for pedals like the Black Finger. Since the Black Finger has 1/4″ inputs and outputs, you’ll be operating at instrument or line level after the preamp, which is suitable. You can insert your distortion, reverb, and EQ pedals after the Black Finger in the chain.
In conclusion, used guitar pedals can absolutely be used for vocals, opening up a world of creative sound design. By using a microphone preamp to manage signal levels, and by carefully selecting pedals that complement the vocal frequency range, you can achieve unique and exciting vocal effects. Don’t be afraid to experiment with used guitar pedals and discover your signature vocal sound!
