KORG VOCODER VC-10 (01) PDF Document

1. Plug a microphone into the MIC INPUT (or “BTS”) jack.

2. Connect the supplied audio cable from the FINAL OUT jack to the amp input.

3. Turn the POWER/FINAL VOLUME knob clockwise; the meter lamp should light.

4. Push the METER SELECT switch to the right (MIC) and sing or talk into the microphone in a normal tone of voice.

5. Adjust the MIC LEVEL knob so that at highest volume levels the meter needle does not go beyond OdB. (If the needle goes beyond OdB, the output will probably be distorted).

6. After adjusting the mike level, turn the output balance knob all the way clockwise. While speaking into the microphone, turn up the POWER/FINAL VOLUME control until your voice is heard through the amp. Keep the amp volume low enough to prevent feedback (as in any PA application).

7. Adjust amp tone controls to suit your voice.

As with any musical application, the KORG VOCODER VC-10 will perform at its optimum best when used in conjunction with a high quality, wide range amplification system. Recommended are PA systems, “Keyboard” amplifiers, studio-type mixing boards, and other such high fidelity systems.

The choice of the microphone is highly important to the “Vocoding” effect. We recommended the use of a high quality, dynamic, directional microphone, which will allow “close” miking techniques with a high degree of isolation.

For optimum results, Korg offers an optional MC-01 “Hyper Cardioid” microphone. This highly directional microphone is fitted with an integrated “gooseneck” body and plug, and mounts directly onto the KORG VOCODER VC-10’s top mounted “BTS” connector, thereby eliminating the need for external mic stands, cables or plugs. Plus, its “hyper cardioid” directional characteristics provide optimum isolation from external sound sources, a highly important feature.

Note: If another microphone is plugged into the regular front panel MIC Input jack, the MC-01 is automatically disconnected. (The MIC IN jack has priority)

As with any PA application, care must be taken in placing the KORG VOCODER VC-10’s microphone so as to avoid acoustical feedback between it and the amplifier speakers. It is recommended that the microphone be placed level with or in back of the speaker or speakers being used. Additionally, the microphone should be pointing away from the speaker(s) so as to increase isolation as much as possible.

Since the KORG VOCODER VC-10, as with any Vocoder, is “triggered” by its microphone, extreme care must be exercised is placing the microphone in relationship to other sound sources. The following recommendations are made:

a. A microphone should be selected with as much directionality as possible (see 5)b above). Korg’s MC-01 “Hyper-Cardioid” microphone is most recommended.

b. The microphone should be placed so that it is as isolated as much as possible from other sound sources on stage (e.g. drums, PA, other amplifiers, etc.). Remember that every sound picked up by the KORG VOCODER VC-10’s microphone will affect the Vocoding output. It is often useful to place the KORG VOCODER VC-10 to one side of the stage, with the performer’s body partically “shielding” other sounds from the mic.

c. “Close” miking techniques should be used to improve external sound isolation.

1. Plug a microphone into the MIC INPUT (or “BTS”) jack, and connect the supplied audio cable from the FINAL OUT jack to the amp input. Turn the POWER/FINAL VOLUME knob clockwise: the meter lamp should light.

2. Push the METER SELECT switch to the right (MIC) and sing or talk into the microphone in a normal tone of voice. Adjust the MIC LEVEL knob so that at highest volume levels the meter needle does not go beyond OdB. (If the needle goes beyond OdB, the output will probably be distorted) After adjusting the mike level, turn the output balance knob all the way clockwise. While speaking into the microphone, turn up the POWER/FINAL VOLUME control until your voice is heard through the amp. Keep the amp volume low enough to prevent feedback (as in any PA application). Adjust amp tone controls to suit your voice.

3. Push the METER SELECT switch to the left and turn the INPUT SIG BAL control counterclockwise to KBD (keyboard); now when the keyboard is played, the meter needle should move. Turn the OUTPUT/BALANCE control all the way counterclockwise (to SIMULATOR). If the keyboard is played without speaking into the mike, no sound will be heard.

4. Now, try singing or talking into the microphone while playing the keyboard. The sound prodced should have the same tone characteristics and accent as your voice, but not the same pitch.

5. Next, try singing a song while accompanying yourself with chords or a melody line on the keyboard. Note that the pitch depends on which keys you play, but the sound quality is always determined by the characteristics of your voice. Even if you speak rather than sing the words of a song, the sound produced when you play the keyboard will make your voice sound as if you were singing.

Note: If you play the keys after you speak or sing, the effect will be unclear. Since the human voice exhibits its most prominent characteiiscs at the beginning of each word, best results will be obtained by playing a split-second before singing or speaking into the microphone. So practice your timing!

The pitch range covered by the KORG VOCODER VC-10 keyboard is shown in the chart below. If you switch the OCTAVE switch to UP, the whole range will be raised by one octave.

Use to adjust the balance between the unprocessed mike signal (natural voice) and the “synthesized” sound produced by the Vocoder.

The keyboard is tuned to A=440Hz when this control is at the center position. Use this knob to adjust the pitch of the KORG VOCODER VC-10 to match other instruments. (Sing or speak into the mike while tuning)

You can get a more realistic chorus effect by adding vibrato. Use the two controls to adjust the SPEED and DEPTH of the Vibrato. Everyone’s vibrato is a little different; for the best effect, adjust the vibrato to your own style.

The KORG VOCODER VC-10 has two inherent sound sources: the keyboard and a noise generator. By adding a little noise you can get more realistic sibilant sounds, (e.g. “S”, “Z”, “SH”, “CH” and “J”). If you turn this knob all the way clockwise, you will have noise as your only sound source; this gives a eerie” crowdlike” effect.

Turning on ENSEMBLE switch produces a “chorus” effect. Playing additional keys adds even more voices. (This effect is added to the final output signal after it has been affected by the OUTPUT BALANCE control.)

This control adds a slight pitch wavering effect so that the sound produced is more like a real human voice. Turn clockwise for a stronger effect.

An extremely creative device. The center detent makes it easy to return quickly to normal pitch. Rotate toward the control panel to raise the pitch by a fifth; rotate toward you to lower the pitch by a fifth.

In addition to the keyboard and noise generator, external sound signals (e.g. electric guitar, organ, tape recorder, etc.) may be used as the basis for voice simulation.

1. Connect a guitar to external signal input.

2. Adjust MIC LEVEL as described in section 6)1.

3. Then switch METER SELECT to the left and play the guitar.

4. Adjust EXT SIG LEVEL control so that the meter does not exceed OdB when the guitar is played at maximum playing level. (Keep the guitar tone and/or treble controls fully on.)

5. Turn the INPUT SIG LEVEL control to KBD.

6. Play a melody on the guitar while singing or speaking into the microphone. With this setting you can add noise or the ENSEMBLE effect, but VIBRATO and ACCENT will not be added to the guitar sound since the keyboard is not being used. (This same setting can be used for other external signals).

Certain special effect devices, such as Compressors and “Fuzz” boxes, are useful for extending the sustaining and tonal characteristics of guitars, thereby improving the “Vocoding” effect.

In addition to using the vibrato, tuning and pitch wheel controls, an external voltage (-3V ~ +3V) control signal can be used to vary the KORG VOCODER VC-10 keyboard pitch.

The chart below shows the setting for using the Korg MS-01 foot control pedal to vary keyboard pitch.

1. Set ACC BEND to “0”, vibrato SPEED and DEPTH to “0”, turn off the ENSEMBLE switch, and set the MANUAL PITCH CONTROL WHEEL to the center click-stop position; then note the pitch of your voice and the keyboard.

2. Connect the MS-01 “0 ~ +4V” output to the KORG VOCODER VC-10 EXT PITCH CONTROL input jack.

3. Press down on the pedal all the way and turn up the EXT PITCH CONTROL knob to the point where you want maximum pitch change. Now as you depress the foot pedal the pitch will vary continuosly upward from normal to the pitch you have chosen.

If you use the MS-01 “0 ~ -4V” output, the pitch will not be as obvious if vibrato and other effects are used along with it.

In addition, other control voltage generating units, such as the Korg MS-10, MS-10 and PS-3100, 3300 synthesizers, may also be used to control the KORG VOCODER VC-10 pitch.

The specifications of the KORG VOCODER VC-10 are as follows:

Controls:

1. Keyboard:

• 32 keys F ~ C
• Octave range: normal 16′, up 8′
• Tuning ±100 cents
• Accent bend
• Vibrato speed
• Vibrato depth
• External pitch control
• Pitch control wheel (±1/2 octave)

2. Signal mixers:

• Input signal balance (keyboard/noise)
• External signal level
• Microphone level

3. Frequency response simulator

4. Meter: VU meter

5. Final controls:

• Ensemble
• Power switch/final volume
• Output balance (simulator/mike)
• Headphone level

Inputs:

1. Mike inputs:

• BTS connector input
• 2P phone jack input

2. Signal inputs:

• Signal input 3Vp-p MAX
• Pitch control input (1/3-oct/volt) -3V ~ +3V

Outputs:

1. Final: Final out

2. Headphone: Headphone out

Power consumption: 20W

Dimensions: 499(W) x 309(D) x 249(H) mm

Weight: 7 kg

Accessories: 3m Connection cord with adapter x 1

Options:

• Korg microphone MC-01
• Case
• Stand