VOICE BOX

Here is your virtual choir packed tightly in a tiny little box! The Voice Box contains a total of nine operation modes, which includes 6 harmonizer settings as well as Octave, Unison & Whistle, and Vocoder functions.

This amazing machine has a 6-knob control set, which is quite functional for modulations and effects, and also happen to be standard for Electro-Harmonix. There is also a preset mode which enables you to not have to work so hard during live performances.

Connecting the Voice Box is a super easy. On the right side of the machine, shown above, is a balanced XLR input for your mic and a ¼” instrument input. For almost all the functions on the Voice Box, an external instrument is needed in order to provide a reference pitch. The exclusions being the Octave and Whistle modes. On the left side of the box are matching outputs. There’s a small two-way switch to set the gain on the mic preamp. Also, phantom power is provided for condenser mics.

Now that all the technical stuff is out of the way, let's get down to business. A friend of mine recently purchased a Voice Box at Twin Town Guitar in MPLS and has already had so much fun tweaking her voice with it. I can honestly say that I am SOOOOO jealous, for this toy is quite enjoyable. I was able to play with it for a while when she purchased it, just so she could watch and learn how to set it up and use it. Honestly, I was like a kid in a candy shop. My eyes were wide with excitement. I can honestly say that when I come across a little extra cash, I will run out and buy one of these babies!

Akai Professional MPD26

Such as it is, the Akai is demon; awakening desires, tapping in to the subconscious.

The MPD26 is very similar to the MPD24.

A critic once said- "Forgive me - I'm looking at this and thinking that bar a couple of knobs, this new Akai MPD26 is almost the same as the existing MPD24. I'm sure however that the pad bashing experts out there will be snorting coffee and screaming “you damned heathen - it's entirely different”. I await schooling on such matters."

The answer to this argument lies in the nucleus.

The nucleus of the MPD26 is its bank of 16 velocity and pressure-sensitive MPC pads. Each MPC pad accesses four different sounds, totaling 64 at the tip of the devil's fingers.

The MPD24 is quite plastic-y. Having said this, the sensitivity of each control pad is lacking in comparison to the MPD26.

Also, the MPD26 has three new features; MPC tap tempo, MPC note repeat, and MPC swing.

Plus, the MPD26 is about $100 cheaper.

The Akai MPD26 makes one feel ominous and all powerful. The devil is an evil genius.

Go find your power.