TASCAM TA-1VP

Product overview

The TASCAM TA-1VP is a 1U rack-mount vocal processor and mic preamp that brings real-time pitch correction, microphone and tube modelling, compression, gating, de-essing, EQ and double tracking together for a polished, modern vocal sound, live or in the studio.

Whether you want gentle, transparent pitch correction, studio-style doubling or the full-strength pitch effect heard on pop and hip hop vocals, the TA-1VP does it in one stand-alone unit for live sound, studio and broadcast. Its premium mic preamp is derived from TASCAM's DM-4800/3200 professional digital mixing consoles, and processing is laid out in simple blocks, each with dedicated buttons and metering, so you can dial in a great vocal fast, even under live pressure. 35 presets, MIDI in and out and a footswitch input that toggles up to eight functions complete the package.

Key features

• Real-time pitch correction with chromatic and 24 diatonic scales, all customisable, plus retune speed and sensitivity
• Microphone modelling with variable proximity effect, and analogue tube modelling for warmth
• Variable-knee compressor and downward-expanding gate
• Variable-frequency de-esser that stops sibilance
• 2-band parametric EQ on the output
• Automatic mono or stereo double tracking with a dedicated DOUBLE TRACK output
• XLR mic input with phantom power and a -20 dB pad, plus a balanced 1/4-inch line input
• Balanced main and double track outputs and an S/PDIF digital output
• MIDI in and out for control from sequencing software or a MIDI controller
• Footswitch input that toggles up to eight functions at once

Real-time pitch correction

The TA-1VP detects the pitch of a voice or solo instrument and moves it to the target note in real time. Choose a chromatic scale or any of 24 diatonic scales, customise which notes are corrected or bypassed, and set the speed: fast for short notes and the hard-tuned effect, slower for natural phrasing. An audio type setting (soprano, alto/tenor, low male voice or instrument) optimises pitch detection, and detune lets you match an instrument that is not at A = 440 Hz.

Mic modelling, tube warmth and doubling

The mic modeller gives your vocal the character of a range of studio microphones, with adjustable proximity effect and low cut, while the tube stage adds the harmonic richness of a vintage tube preamp with 0 to 12 dB of saturation drive. Automatic double tracking adds a doubled part, mixed into the main output or sent in stereo to the DOUBLE TRACK output, for thicker leads and wide backing vocals.

Studio dynamics and EQ

A variable-knee compressor (threshold -36 to 0 dB, ratio up to 99:1, attack and release 1 to 200 ms) works with a downward-expanding gate that removes noise and breaths. The de-esser has its own threshold, ratio, attack, release and a high-pass frequency from 2,971 Hz to 20 kHz, and two independent EQ bands offer low and high cut, shelving, band-pass, notch and peaking curves.

Built for the stage and the studio

Use the TA-1VP between a mic and the console, as an insert on a mixer channel, or during mixdown where settings can be tried in the context of the whole song. 35 factory presets cover vocals, drums, bass and instruments as starting points, MIDI program and control change automate it from sequencing software, and a footswitch can switch main bypass, presets or any module hands-free.

In the box

• TASCAM TA-1VP vocal processor
• AC adapter (TASCAM PS-P1220E)
• Rack-mounting screw kit
• Warranty card
• Owner's Manual

The TASCAM RC-1F footswitch is available separately. From July 2022 production the rear panel is grey instead of black.

TASCAM TA-1VP: frequently asked questions

Can I connect a microphone directly to the TA-1VP?

Yes. The front-panel XLR MIC IN has a premium preamp with +48V phantom power and a -20 dB pad. A balanced 1/4-inch LINE IN on the rear accepts line-level sources such as a mixer insert send or an external preamp.

Can it be used live?

Yes. It is a stand-alone hardware processor for live sound, studio and broadcast, with presets, front-panel buttons for every module and a footswitch input for hands-free control.

Does it have a digital output?

Yes. An RCA S/PDIF output carries the main output on the left channel and the double track on the right, at 44.1 kHz.

Can I control it over MIDI?

Yes. Presets can be selected by MIDI program change, parameters controlled by control change, and presets and settings saved or loaded as SysEx through MIDI OUT and IN.

Where can I buy the TASCAM TA-1VP in India?

The TASCAM TA-1VP is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Live vocal straight from the mic

Process a singer's mic on stage when the console has no insert point.

Connections

Setup

1. In the Setup menu set Input Select to MIC IN; turn phantom power on only if the mic needs it.
2. Press -20dB for very loud sources and set the input trim so the top red INPUT LED rarely lights.
3. Choose a vocal preset, then adjust compressor, de-esser and EQ to the voice.
4. Assign the footswitch (for example main bypass or pitch correction on/off) in Footswitch Assign.

Tip: Let the singer monitor their original voice, not the corrected one.

Workflow 2: Insert effect on a mixer channel

Use the TA-1VP as a pre-fader insert on a vocal channel of a mixer.

Connections

Setup

1. Patch the insert send to LINE IN and LINE OUT MAIN to the insert return (with a single insert jack, use a Y cable with one TRS and two TS plugs).
2. Set Input Select to LINE.
3. Set the input level with the mixer's channel trim or the TA-1VP input trim.
4. For stereo double tracking, bring DOUBLE TRACK out to a separate mixer channel.

Workflow 3: Pitch correction during mixdown

Correct and polish a recorded vocal in the context of the whole song.

Connections

Setup

1. Patch the direct output of the vocal channel to LINE IN and LINE OUT MAIN to a second channel; keep the first channel out of the main mix.
2. Set the audio type (soprano, alto/tenor, low male voice or instrument).
3. Choose the key's scale, bypass notes that need no correction and set the speed.
4. Switch the pitch correction module on and save the preset.

Tip: A slow speed keeps natural phrasing; a very fast speed gives the hard-tuned effect.

Workflow 4: Thick lead and wide backing vocals

Create doubled vocals without recording a second take.

Connections

Setup

1. Select a preset such as BackingVocals or ThickBacking.
2. Press DBL TRACK and choose stereo double tracking.
3. Pan the two mixer channels left and right.
4. Adjust the double track amount and save the preset.

Tip: In mono mode the double is mixed into the main output instead.

Workflow 5: Processing instruments and drums

Use the dynamics, EQ and modelling on bass, guitar, saxophone, synths and drums.

Connections

Setup

1. Set Input Select to LINE and set the input trim.
2. Choose a drum, bass or instrument preset (for example KickEnhance, FatBass or TheSaxCuts).
3. Adjust compressor threshold, EQ and modelled mic proximity to the track.
4. Save the result to a preset location.

Tip: Gate presets such as SnareGate and TomGate isolate drums from the rest of the kit.

Workflow 6: MIDI-controlled performance

Change presets and settings automatically from sequencing software or a MIDI controller.

Connections

Setup

1. Set the MIDI channel in the Setup menu.
2. Enable MIDI program change and the MIDI controllers you need.
3. Program preset changes in your sequence at places where no audio is passing.
4. Back up presets and settings with a SysEx dump through MIDI OUT.

Tip: DIGITAL OUT carries the main output on the left and the double track on the right.