More technology and powerful software is dropping seemingly every week that helps mix your vocals, pitch corrects your studio vox, and offer the ‘PERFECT VOCAL PROCESSING CHAIN TO GIVE YOU GRAMMY-WINNING VOCALS IN SECONDS!!!!’
I find it to be a little exhausting…
Because software and plugins aren’t hands-on, and they [claim to] work great in the studio, but then those same artists who rely so heavily on studio plugins take to the stage and leave their fans grossly disappointed. It’s exhausting because vocal processing plugins tend to be the same. It’s exhausting because I want something more hands-on that translates directly from the studio to the stage without missing a beat.
Enter BOSS’ VE-22 Vocal Performer, which might fit the bill of a Tee.
So let’s dive into what I thought about BOSS’ latest vocal performance device by talking about some of the standard stuff you could probably read on the product’s landing page before diving into my favorite things that I found while using it for a month, what things I loved using it with, and some other clever ways I think you could use it as well that fall outside the conventional “on stage” uses cases popularly associated with something like this.
So, let’s get after it or head over to BOSS’ website to learn more about it RIGHT HERE.
What Is The VE-22 Vocal Performer?
The BOSS VE-22 is a compact stompbox designed for vocal effects enhancement, suitable for use on stage, in the studio, or at home. It features a range of vocal effects, including harmony, reverb, and delay, with harmonies that adapt automatically to the singer’s key. The device also has advanced pitch correction capabilities, allowing subtle tuning adjustments or more dramatic tuned effects. Additionally, it includes an onboard looper with up to 37 seconds of recording time, providing expansive possibilities for sonic layering and performance enhancement.
The pedal has a microphone preamp that supports switchable phantom power and adjustable sensitivity, an auxiliary input, a headphone output, and stereo XLR outputs. It also functions as a USB-C audio interface, facilitating direct recording into digital audio workstations (DAWs). The VE-22 has 50 factory presets, offering various effects, from subtle enhancements to bold vocal transformations. Users can further personalize their sound by saving custom settings in up to 99 user preset slots, totaling 149 possible presets accessible with ease.
Regarding connectivity and utility, the VE-22 includes a USB-C port, enabling straightforward digital recording. This feature lets vocalists and performers capture live performances, practice sessions, or studio work directly into a DAW. The pedal’s comprehensive features and versatile functionality make it a practical tool for enhancing vocal performances and recording sessions.
Now, with the vanilla and descriptive jargon out of the way, let’s dive into the fun parts about what I loved about this device, how I used it in the studio, and some of my favorite things about us.
What I Liked Most About The VE-22 Vocal Performer
The Presets + Effects
A lot is going on under the hood of this foot-friendly vocal box.
While that does reward those who want to spend hours poring over the manual and watching every video on YouTube, the presets and easy-to-use FX means that the VE-22’s complexity is far from prohibitive.
BOSS even went the extra mile to create dozens and DOZENS of presets for almost every genre of music you’d need this thing for, no matter how modern (like Hyper Pop and Trap) to older school vibes (like Lo-Fi or Oldies).
They even have presets that cater to more creative uses like Beat Boxing!
All the presets are super easy to manipulate and save for later use, which not only rewards you over time for learning the device’s intricacies but also, as its library becomes more customized to you specifically, can quickly help shape your signature sound during live performances which aren’t something you necessary come across every day (especially for vocalists).
Its Layout + Design
Another thing that makes this device super approachable is the overall layout, which is kept purposely streamlined without overcomplicating the interface with too many buttons or features. A couple of foot-friendly buttons and a few rotary knobs are all you need to navigate your way through all that it has to offer (with a bit of pre-programming and prep, at least if we’re talking from a live performance and gigging perspective).
Performing live, especially from a vocal perspective, is all about reacting to and getting lost in the moment, and the simple design and easy-to-follow layout of the VE-22 are ideal for what it seeks to do.
Plus, the sleek and sexy red exterior looks fantastic.
And while I wish there were a couple of different color options to choose from, even just a white or black option, it does leave room for future releases and limited runs of the device, which I’ll undoubtedly be looking forward to.
Its Flexibility + Functionality
The obvious use case for the VE-22 Vocal Performer is for live-performing vocalists, but it’s far from a one-trick pony. It packs a ton of significant effects, tools, bells, and whistles into its small design, and I found myself using it even more in the studio than I would have ever used it in live performance settings. However, this is specific to me, who spends 75% of my life in studios.
I’ll talk about these specific use cases in an upcoming section of this review, but here’s a quick rundown of some of the unconventional ways the VE-22 Vocal Performer’s flexibility wrestled its way into my workflow:
- De-essing my vocals before they hit my DAW (which is processing I HATE doing manually during the mixing process)
- Light pitch correction leads to more natural sounding recordings, and even a little bit more correcting is needed in the DAW (saving me from leaning heavily on a single pitch correction software, which usually creates nasty artifacts)
- Delays + Reverbs helped turn my vocal shots, breaths, and ad-libs into wild and crazy transitional effects and atmospheres.
- Harmonizer Effects helped me create interesting vocal harmonies and ad-libs to support and enhance vocal samples I found on sites like Splice.
Who Is The VE-22 Vocal Performer For?
Live Performers (…Of Course)
This one is an easy recommendation, as it’s really what the VE-22 Vocal Performer’s bread-and-butter functionality is designed to do. That being said, I would argue that it goes above and beyond the call of duty here and knocks its goal of being an all-in-one vocal performance-enhancing device out of the park.
And because it’s priced at $349.99 at the time of writing this review, it’s an easy-to-justify purchase, seeing as it likely costs less than a month of vocal coaching while also serving a double purpose in the studio as a tiny little assistant (which is the perfect segway to my next point).
Bedroom Producers
When I say bedroom producers, I don’t necessarily mean new or hobbyist producers. I suggest the VE-22 Vocal Performer is great for any producer of any skill level making music in small spaces. It needs maximum use and functionality out of their limited space in their studios.
While massive Hollywood studios can have multiple mix and control rooms filled with various outboard effects, gear, and thousands of terabytes of storage for plugins and vocal takes, most smaller creators don’t have the luxury and would benefit from having such a versatile and flexible tool in their studio (that they can also take with them on the road and on stage to elevate their live performances and gigs).
Public Speakers + MCs
This is a big one that is way too often overlooked by anyone doing a lot of public speaking. I think that just having a mic is all you need from the job. And while the Microphone preamp on the VE-22 really does help ensure that pretty much any mic can be used with this pedal, there’s a ton more functionality this device brings to the table that can really be an X-factor for anyone doing any public speaking or MCing.
- The onboard USB-C audio interface allows for recording. So, for example, if you’re a wedding DJ, you can record speeches and other event moments for later relistening.
- User-friendly effects are PERFECT for karaoke DJs to spice up the event. I did karaoke once where the DJ had a similar pitch-correcting tool, and it was a SUPER X-factor that I’m honestly shocked more karaoke nights don’t offer. Beer-drinking would-be singers always have a ton of fun experimenting with auto-tune, and this is the easiest way to access it.
How I Used It
As A Studio Assistant
While it is predominantly a live performance device, I found it invaluable as a quick-and-easy studio assistant whenever I recorded my vocals. The subtle pitch correction and de-essing that it brings to my recordings before the audio even hits my DAW saves me a ton of legwork and tedious mixing once the audio is printed in Ableton.
Also, as mentioned before, the various presets and different genre-specific patches that the VE-22 gives me can help spice up my vocal recordings as well, which can be as inspiring as it is just overall incredibly useful.
As An FX Tool
Whether it’s heavy-handed applications of autotune to create robot-like effects on my vocals or just heavily washed out, phasey vocal textures and washes, the VE-22 has become an essential tool for me to no longer have to rely on endlessly scrolling through Splice for similar textures, since it’s given me the ability to create them all directly on my own.
Could I have done all these effects by recording my vocals and tweaking many plugins? Of course. But the hands-on, or sometimes feet-on approach to scrolling through presets and different vibes before recording my key-locked vocal textures and effects is really fun and a unique way to sound, well, more unique.
What I Use It With
LA-320 V2
This has long been my favorite workhorse microphone in the studio, and I think it’s the perfect pairing for the VE-22, at least when it comes to studio work. There are likely better live performance mics, like the DPA 2028 VOCAL MIC, for gigs, but when it comes to studio work, the LA-320 V2 compensates for a few shortcomings the VE-22 has.
The main “shortcoming” here is that Lauten’s mic has a tube amp, which gives that classic warm and texturally dense tone that isn’t included in the VE-22.
Hologram Chroma Console + Microcosm
These two pedals are the real X-factor for almost any sound design move and are the perfect pairing for when I’m doing those vocal wash FX described earlier.
Because the VE-22’s effects are creative and tailored for live performance, they fall short of adding real texture and movement over time outside of the standard effects. However, adding the incredible ambient delays from the Microcosm and the various distortions, characters, and movement features from the Chroma Console is just the next level.
Couple all this with the Capture feature on the Chroma Console, and you can turn the FXs recording and processed by the VE-22 into something out of this world, alive with character and motion.
Arturia Audiofuse 16 Rig Interface
The VE-22 got me started creating a lot of my super unique FX and textures from my voice, but the rest of the gear in my studio cranked up the individuality to 11 (or, dare I say, 16?!).
Arturia’s Audiofuse interface feels custom-made for gear hogs like myself. Its seemingly countless outputs and inputs allow me to further run my vocals through effects processors (like the Hologram stuff above) and guitar pedals. Plus, its internals and drivers help maintain the highest quality of audio coming from my LA-320 V2, into the VE-22, and finally into the Audiofuse.
Final Thoughts
The VE-22 Vocal Performer is a versatile tool for studio recordings and live performances, ideal for vocalists who value flexibility and quality. It offers an easy-to-use interface, various effects, and presets for different musical styles. Whether you’re a performer or a producer, the VE-22 promotes creativity and efficiency with its user-friendly design. Its aesthetics are functional and visually appealing, adding style to any setup. Future color options and customizations can enhance the user experience.
Features like USB-C connectivity and customizable settings ensure consistent sound quality across venues and sessions. The VE-22 Vocal Performer is a valuable investment for music industry professionals. It offers technical prowess and artistic flexibility. It adapts to studio work and live performances, making it a top choice for vocalists and producers, making it one of the more exciting products to have hit the market this year (and I’m not saying that just because there’s not a lot of competition in the vocal-performance devices space), and is why I’ve awarded it an editor’s choice award for 2024.
Congrats to BOSS!
What Other People Are Saying…
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
