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TC Helicon kicks out another great product using their amazing pitch shifting technology. We love the Voiceworks and see that many of the issues we had with it have been resolved.

The VoiceLive 2 is basically a "golden channel" for singers who want to have more control over how their voice sounds live but is also looking for some special effects such are harmonies and distortion. Like any self respecting golden channel, the VoiceLive 2 includes echo, reverb, compression and equalization. The VoiceLive 2 does that and a whole lot more. The TC Helicon vocal harmonies are among the best available and with the VoiceLive 2, you get 8 of them. One is usually enough but with the VoiceLive 2, you can plug your instrument into the pedal and the device will automatically calculate the correct key. Amazing stuff.

Like the original VoiceLive, this version is in a rugged footpedal format with some nice additions; more buttons, a larger, brighter display, and xlr outputs. Of course a balanced mic input is provided with phantom power along with an 1/8" aux input for mp3 players and the like, a 1/8" headphone output, balanced xlr outputs for connecting directly to a mixer, S-PDIF audio in and out, an external footswitch jack, midi in and out as well as usb to update and stream audio to a computer.

Beyond the meat and potatoes processing, the VoiceLive 2 provides pretty advanced features for enhancing vocals:

• De-essing. Reduces the S sounds.
• Adaptive gate. Prevents the background instruments from being pitch shifted when the singer isn't singing.
• Auto Mic Gain. Using only footswitches, you can use their auto gain feature to set the mic level.
• Ducking Delay. Delays are turned down while you are singing then get louder when you stop.
• Distortion (for your voice). Telephone, megaphone effects.
• Auto-key detect from an audio input. You plug your guitar into it and it figures out the key automatically.
• Rhythm effects. Stutter, freeze. 
• Dual output mode. Changes the output configuration so that one output is for wet (processed audio) and one is for dry (unprocessed). This is handy when there is a sound man in the picture who needs more control. 
• uMod. Chorus, combing, flanging, etc..

The VoiceLive 2 isn't cheap but, if you are singer who needs to sound amazing for every gig and is ready to ante up for better gear this is definitely a step in the right direction.

For the Voiceworks owners, here's a breakdown of the changes:

• Footpedal format. No more setting up a midi footpedal to control it.
• Adaptive Gate.
• Auto Mic Gain.
• Ducking Delay. 
• Distortion (for your voice)
• Auto-key detect
• De-essing
• USB for updates, backup and audio streaming
• XLR outputs. Low noise if you are connecting to a house sound system.
• Stereo 1/8" input for mp3 player. It will even try to extract the key from music on this input.
• Dedicated footswitches for harmony, doubling, fx, reverb, delay and uMod
• Guitar tuner

Also see..

• Golden Channel in a Box