www.radialeng.com ® True to the Music Voco-Loco ™ Mic Preamp and Effects Loop User Guide ® Radial Engineering Ltd. 1588 Kebet Way, Port Coquitlam British Columbia, Canada, V3C 5M5 tel: 604-942-1001 • fax: 604-942-1010 email: info@radialeng.
Radial Voco-Loco ® ™ Mic Preamp and Effects Loop Table of Contents Page Overview ..........................................................................1 Features ...........................................................................2 Making Connections ........................................................3 Setting up dry and wet sounds ........................................4 Using the polarity reverse ................................................5 Using the left footswitch modes ......
True to the Music ® OVERVIEW The Voco-Loco is a mic-to-effects interface that enables the vocalist, sax, trumpet or harmonica player to use pedals just like an electric guitarist. In other words, you connect your microphone to the Voco-Loco and it converts the signal so that it may be used with guitar pedals. The signal is then sent to the PA system where it is processed as usual.
True to the Music ® FEATURE SET 1 8 2 3 9 4 10 5 6 11 7 12 15 14 13 1. MIC INPUT: Balanced XLR input for your microphone. 2. 48V: Recessed switch turns on 48V phantom power for condenser mics. When turned on, the 48V LED indicator illuminates. 3. SEND/RECV: Unbalanced ¼” jacks used to send the signal to effect pedals and return it back to the Voco-Loco. 4. 180°: Recessed switch is used to reverse the polarity of the effects loop to ensure guitar pedals are in phase with the microphone. 5.
True to the Music ® MAKING CONNECTIONS As always, ensure volume levels are turned off before making connections. This avoids turn on and connection transients that can cause a loud pop in the PA system which could damage more sensitive components such as tweeters. The Voco-Loco does not have a power switch. As soon as you connect the 15V power adaptor it will turn on. The footswitch LED’s will illuminate if depressed indicating the Voco-Loco is powered and ready for use.
True to the Music ® SETTING UP THE DRY SOUND Start with both footswitches turned off. Check the LED indicators and make sure they are also off. Set all the Voco-Loco controls to the 12 o’clock position to start. MIC IN 48V LOW HIGH PREAMP & EQUALIZER SEND RECV TONE MIX EFFECTS LOOP DRY WET Turn on the PA system and slowly increase the level while speaking into your mic. Always test at low levels for safety.
True to the Music ® Using the polarity reverse If you notice that the signal becomes weak when you blend the wet with the dry signals using the MIX control, one of your pedals is likely reversing the polarity which in turn is causing phase cancellation when mixed with the original dry signal. INVERTED POLARITY NORMAL POLARITY PHASE CANCELLATION This is common with guitar effect pedals as manufacturers rarely pay attention to absolute phase.
True to the Music ® USING THE LEFT-HAND FOOTSWITCH The left footswitch can be assigned as either a ‘mute’ switch or as an ‘all-wet’ effect loop. The function is selected using the recessed MUTE/LOOP switch on the left side. Use a small screw driver to change the position of the switch between inward and outward. MUTE/LOOP MODE CONTROL ON SIDE PANEL Using the mute mode When the MUTE/LOOP switch is set outward, the left footswitch functions as a ‘mute’.
True to the Music ® USING THE VOCO-LOCO WITH VARIOUS EFFECTS Adding distortion to a vocal or instrument Adding distortion can be a lot of fun! Although you may automatically think of bands like Nine Inch Nails, you do not necessarily need to use full-on distortion. A touch of distortion is often inserted in the studio to add a little character and grit, giving pure vocals a bit of ‘smoker’s hair’.
True to the Music ® Voco-Loco with delay & reverb The most common use for the Voco-Loco is adding traditional effects such as echo and reverb to the mic. Doubling up a vocal with a slight delay can add depth, modulation and perceived loudness when performing live. Adding reverb to your sax will add a sense of space. Keep in mind that as you increase the intensity of time-based effects, you also risk losing the distinctiveness of each note in a sea of wash.
True to the Music ® SPECIFICATIONS Audio circuit type: .................................... Integrated Op-Amp with Class-A FET input Frequency response: .............................................................................20Hz ~ 20kHz Total harmonic distortion: ...............................................................................<0.005% Dynamic range:..................................................................................................100dB Input impedance: ..................
THREE YEAR TRANSFERABLE LIMITED WARRANTY RADIAL ENGINEERING LTD. (“Radial”) warrants this product to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will remedy any such defects free of charge according to the terms of this warranty. Radial will repair or replace (at its option) any defective component(s) of this product (excluding finish and wear and tear on components under normal use) for a period of three (3) years from the original date of purchase.
