TC Helicon Correct XT Vocal Effects Processor Pedal Review

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(More customer reviews)First let me put up a disclaimer. This is an item that just came out this month, so I haven't had much time to test every single feature out in full. I also haven't played with connecting it to my VoiceTone Create yet (my Create is not the XT model but the old one) as I want to hear what this can do stand-alone in full. I will be updating this review as time progresses. Expect a note about how well it connects with the VoiceTone Create next week.
Also note that I've only used this with a Supercardioid mic, which the instruction manual suggests for best results. They market the TC-Helicon brand mic (naturally), but I'm using my very trusted Shure Beta 58A Supercardioid Dynamic Microphone. I don't even own a condenser mic because I've always been very impressed with the quality of mic that Shure makes in their dynamic mics. I really can't justify an extra $700 for something that I don't think even sounds as good, nor do I have that kind of money. If I did, I would be getting the TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 Vocal Effects Processor. If you do use a condenser mic for live performance, you can run the VoiceTone Correct XT through a phantom power mode. As for how well gating and anti-feedback works with a condenser, I cannot comment on how it is affected.
So why write this review right now? I did get to put the new features, anti-feedback and auto-gate, in the XT through very extensive tests. Thus, if you're already commited to getting a VoiceTone Correct and not sure if the added features justify the extra cost (last I saw, the old model is $90 cheaper, but that could be different now) or curious if you should upgrade, then hopefully this review will help you out. So far, in terms of all the other features that existed on the previous VoiceTone Correct, everything seems to be in check.
AUTO-GATE:
My band's practice space is a vocal and audio engineering nightmare. It's a very tiny room with exposed insulation and wood (soon it will be dry wall, but even then, the only thing it has going for it in terms of acoustics is the floor is carpeted). The main amps are ones that were generally favored in the 80s for outdoor concerts. Great for if we start doing some gigs where we need our own equipment, but not the most ideal for what our practice space is. Pretty much the back wall is lined completely with amps for the vocals, guitar and bass. Amps are pointing in just about every direction in the room, so it's pretty much impossible for me to get anywhere close to an ideal set up. Background noise was a confusing mess, and it was a pain to get the set up on the main board to not go red while still hearing a good volume of vocals in the mix. Enter auto-gate.
Just at the default factory settings, it has eliminated all background noise going into the mic. In fact, to pick up my voice at all, I have to have my lips about one inch away from the mic. With a supercardioid, this is actually a good thing as these mics are designed for vocalists to be singing really close to it if not with their lips actually on the mic. So anytime my lips aren't practically making out with my microphone, I'm not meaning for whatever I'm doing to be picked up live. So far, ZERO background noise has leaked through to the mains.
I used to be upset that I couldn't get the mic that I wanted with an on/off switch, but the gating on this pedal is so great that I'm actually glad I don't. It's like I have an adaptive on/off on the mic that knows exactly when I want it on or off, and without the background noise.
ANTI-FEEDBACK:
In terms of anti-feedback, it seems to work well. I can't tell if it's all just because of the gating that has fixed back my feedback issues or not, but I have had no issues since I've been using the Correct XT in our practice space.LIVE COMPRESSION, EQ, DE-ESS:
I will make a couple notes here about these features. By default, the red light for "Warmth" was off. I decided to click it on, so anything I say here is based on that assumption.
Most of my singing-style is clean tone, four-octave range, and I've been fairly pleased with these features so far in terms with how it shapes my voice. I absolutely love the produced sound this pedal is capable of. However, I mostly want to address what this did for my screams. I tried out some of my high screams (imagine Viking/Black metal) with these features. With no additional effects, this device helped shape those screams into something much more rich and thick than any thickening effect I've used on my VoiceTone Create. I imagine the sound when I combine the two is going to be phenomenal.
AUTO-PITCH CORRECTION:
I haven't noticed too much going on here, but I didn't expect to. Every band I've auditioned for has been impressed with my pitch accuracy. The times I do miss a note, it's almost always because I don't know how the vocal part goes on that section, and thus I'm missing it by singing the wrong note as opposed to being flat or sharp. This is based on tuning chromatically, so it only does minor adjustments, not the miracles of Auto-Tune. I will run this through some stress tests and update at a later date.Expect this section to be updated at least three months from now. Since the VoiceTone Correct XT is a brand new item, it's impossible for a consumer review to accurately comment on longevity yet.
So far, all the build quality and sturdiness feels just as good as my VoiceTone Create. I've been stomping on my Create and throwing it around in my trunk for eight months now, and it still feels brand new. I expect I'll get similar treatment from the VoiceTone Correct XT.
OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:
I'm just happy I have something that solves the issues of my band's practice space. That alone is worth the price of this pedal for me. Throw in the produced sound that it adds to live vocals through compression and de-ess, and this thing is just incredible. Some of the EQ and Warmth you may not enjoy, but all settings are adjustable on here and can be used manually or adaptively. Personally, I've been very pleased with the adaptive tones it picked for me. Everyone's voice is different, though, and you may not find the same results here, but it's not difficult to just disable one of the features you don't like.
I also very much like that it can be connected to the computer for firmware updates. As for how much of a difference this makes, only time will tell. For now, it's just an extra blanket of security to make me feel ensured that my pre-amp won't get outdated soon like my VoiceTone Create did when they released the XT version.

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Like having a live engineer and vocal coach at your feet. Smooth, pro vocal tone with the security of active anti-feedback is yours with Correct XT. Match that with TC Helicon's natural auto-chromatic pitch correction, it's like having a live sound engineer and a vocal coach at every gig. TC Helicon VoiceTone Correct XT Features Studio-grade compression, de-ess and adaptive Shape EQ to brighten and smooth vocals Effortless auto chromatic pitch correction helps you sing in tune Automatic anti-feedback seeks and destroys feedback.

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