Radial Voco-Loco MK2 Mic Preamp and Effect Loop

Mic Preamp and Effect Loop

The Voco-Loco Mk2 is an updated version of the original Voco-Loco foot-controlled microphone preamp and effects loop switcher that enables a vocalist or acoustic instrumentalist to incorporate guitar effects pedals into their signal path.

Boasting a new look, additional gain, and a locking XLR connector for more secure connections, the Voco-Loco Mk2 also features more robust phantom power handling to deal with even the most demanding condenser mics. The Voco-Loco Mk2 can be powered by 9V and 18V power supplies, but still ships with its own 15V PSU.

Connect any mic to your guitar pedals

Just like the original device, the Voco-Loco Mk2 combines a microphone preamp with a guitar pedal effects loop, allowing a lead vocalist, sax or trumpet player to add guitar pedals to their audio signal path just like an electric guitarist adds effects for soloing. Simply plug your mic into the Voco-Loco Mk2 via the device’s locking XLR input, connect your effects pedals using standard ¼" guitar cables, and then send the output from the Voco-Loco Mk2 to the input on your mixer. With the touch of a footswitch, this lets you add your favorite delay, reverb, distortion, or wah-wah to any mic'd up instrument or vocal - the options are only limited by your imagination.

Voco-Loco Mk2 Applications

Voco-Loco Mk2 on voice

Plug your microphone into the Voco-Loco Mk2 and add exciting effects using guitar pedals for echo, reverb, or distortion, and control the effects the way you want.

Voco-Loco Mk2 with brass

Add effects to your sax or trumpet to make your solos stand out from the crowd and deliver a unique performance to the audience that they will never forget!

Voco-Loco Mk2 with harmonica

The Voco-Loco Mk2 lets you incorporate a chorus, overdrive, and reverb to your harp solos to deliver amazing tones without having to bring an amp to the gig. The blues never sounded so good!

The Radial Voco-Loco Mk2 is in fact a studio quality preamp that has been carefully disguised as a foot pedal! One look at the linear frequency response, exceptional signal handling and low noise and you will recognize the studio quality that is built-in. This ensures that the dry microphone signal will be delivered to the PA system without distortion or artefact and faithfully reproduce the instrument or vocal without compromise. A carefully crafted 2-band EQ makes adjusting the tone effortless. Turning on the effects loop adds transformer isolation to reduce hum and buzz caused by ground loops, a common problem that plagues many pedal setups. Once the loop is brought back, a tone control lets you tame the effects signal and a dry-wet mix control lets you balance the signal to suit.

*48 Volt Phantom Power

Although 48 volts is often specified, truth is, it is not always present or needed. In fact most condenser microphones are designed to work from 12 volts to 52 volts, many of which will also work on a simple 1.5 volt battery. The reason high voltage is used to charge condenser mics in PA systems is that in enables the condenser microphone to be positioned 200 meters (600 feet) away from the mixing console. Considering the Voco-Loco Mk2 will likely be used near the musician with a 3 or 6 meter (10′ or 20′) mic cable, the high voltage is simply not needed. The Voco-Loco Mk2 actually generates 40 volts phantom, not 48 volts. We chose to do this in order to reduce a power stage which could add noise. We have tested a wide range of popular stage and studio microphones and in all cases, the results were excellent.