Torn between TC Helicon Voicelive Play Electric or Acoustic for T5

[ZillaG]

I have a TC Helicon VoiceTone Harmony G-XT now that I use for an acoustic trio. I don't use any of its guitar effects, only the vocal effects - doubler and harmonizer. We do play mostly acoustic music, but I'm starting to venture into putting electric guitar sounds. I'm intrigued with the VoiceLive Play Acoustic's BodyRez feature, but also like the amp simulators of the Play Electric. I already have stomp boxes I can play with the Acoustic, but the Electric will simplify my setup. I will obviously use the guitar effects on the unit I will end up getting.

Any T5 owners that have played through either or both units? Which one did you like? I know I can go to a music store and try them both, and then buy them somewhere else, but I feel bad about doing that.

[ZillaG]

I pulled the trigger on the VoiceLive Play Electric since I felt it's the more versatile unit because of the amp simulators, including an acoustic amp model.

[mgap]

That did not take long.  Let us know how is works for you in a live setting.  Love my T5, find it useful for many applications.

[MrHarryReems]

The other downside to the PlayAcoustic (Which I use in my live rig) is that it only has XLR outputs, which (Like the Taylor ES1 system) will require a line-leveling transformer in order to plug into a regular amp.  My current rig requires the use of a line-leveling transformer between the guitar and the input, and another one on the output side of the PlayAcoustic in order to feed into the rest of my pedals.

[ZillaG]

The other downside to the PlayAcoustic (Which I use in my live rig) is that it only has XLR outputs, which (Like the Taylor ES1 system) will require a line-leveling transformer in order to plug into a regular amp.  My current rig requires the use of a line-leveling transformer between the guitar and the input, and another one on the output side of the PlayAcoustic in order to feed into the rest of my pedals.

Agree. This is yet another reason why I consider the Play Acoustic less versatile.

[ZillaG]

That did not take long.  Let us know how is works for you in a live setting.  Love my T5, find it useful for many applications.

I have a gig coming up in mid-October so this will give me plenty of time to play with the unit. I also bought a Siwtch-6, which I will use to set at least 3 presets - clean boost, rhythm crunch, and distortion/overdrive lead. I feel like I made the correct decision choosing the Play Electric just for this ability to have these three sounds.

[ZillaG]

I just learned from the TC Helicon forums that the VL Play Acoustic does/will NOT support the Switch-6, which is yet another tick mark on my better decision to get the Play Electric.

[MrHarryReems]

Honestly, I'm seriously considering replacing my PlayAcoustic with the VoiceLive Play.  No guitar effects at all.  I would have to give up the harmonies built on the guitar chords, but it might be worth it to get it out of the guitar signal chain.  I'm just not using any of the MFX, except the bodyres, which is available in a separate pedal now.

[MrHarryReems]

Coming back to this old thread to mention that I'm very likely going to upgrade from the PlayAcoustic to the Voicelive 3.  It's a lot more money, but may be what you're looking for.

[warsmokeeagle]

Just bought one of these for myself after considering the play acoustic.  The ability to use with an electric guitar with all kinds of presets, the different available outputs, longer and easier looping (if you like that sort of thing), etc., were all reasons for me to go with the Voicelive 3.  They will take a little bit lower offer than the price they've got listed which isn't a lot more than a play acoustic.  (Hope that doesn't violate the price discussion rules.)  Looking forward to trying it out.  Since I bought it as a birthday present from my family to me, I've got to wait a couple of weeks before I get to play with it. 

https://reverb.com/item/936599-tc-helicon-voicelive-3-vocal-effects-processor-repack-manufacturer-s-repack-full-warranty

[MrHarryReems]

Just bought one of these for myself after considering the play acoustic.  The ability to use with an electric guitar with all kinds of presets, the different available outputs, longer and easier looping (if you like that sort of thing), etc., were all reasons for me to go with the Voicelive 3.  They will take a little bit lower offer than the price they've got listed which isn't a lot more than a play acoustic.  (Hope that doesn't violate the price discussion rules.)  Looking forward to trying it out.  Since I bought it as a birthday present from my family to me, I've got to wait a couple of weeks before I get to play with it. 

https://reverb.com/item/936599-tc-helicon-voicelive-3-vocal-effects-processor-repack-manufacturer-s-repack-full-warranty

Actually, the looper is the main reason I'm looking at this model.  The looper on the VL3 will sync to a midi clock, which means I can use it with my Beat Buddy.  That, coupled with the standard TS output will allow me to get ride of the impedance matching adapter in my signal chain, as I don't use the delay or reverb effects on the TC, and instead run it through a Strymon Big Sky and Timeline.