The Akai HV10 DecaBuddy is a powerful vocal harmoniser designed to create rich, layered harmonies in both live and studio environments. Capable of generating up to ten simultaneous voices, the Akai HV10 works by adding nine harmony parts to a single vocal input using dual-layered processing. Users can select harmony voicings from preset scales, user-defined scales, or MIDI input, enabling flexible control via external MIDI keyboards or sequencers for real-time harmonisation. This makes it an ideal tool for performers or producers seeking full vocal arrangements from a single voice.
Beyond harmonies, the Akai HV10 offers an array of vocal processing features including real-time pitch correction and advanced formant control, allowing the transformation of vocal characteristics such as gender. A random delay function introduces natural timing variations between voices, creating a realistic choral effect. The Dual function further enhances the sound with doubling and chorus effects for each part.
The Akai HV10 features multiple harmony generation modes tailored to various applications. STYLE and CHORD modes provide scale-based harmony generation, with the latter offering greater customisation. MODAL and FLEXICHORD modes introduce intelligent, MIDI-based harmony generation, including inversion recognition for keyboardists. MONO CHN., WAIT ALL, and PRIORITY modes give advanced MIDI users precise control over how notes are assigned to voices.
On the rear panel of the Akai HV10, XLR inputs and outputs ensure professional connectivity with microphones and mixing consoles, while line-level I/O allows use as an insert effect. Additional footswitch inputs allow remote control over program changes and harmony activation, enhancing the unit’s usefulness in performance settings.
With storage for 100 user programs and a full suite of programmable parameters per voice, the Akai HV10 DecaBuddy delivers professional-grade harmonisation and vocal processing in a highly versatile rackmount unit.
Features
- Up to 10 voice harmonies from a single vocal input
- 100 user-programmable presets (50 banks x 2)
- Dual function adds doubling and chorus to each part
- Formant control enables gender switching of harmony parts
- Random delay creates natural choral timing
- Real-time pitch correction on harmonies and original vocal
- Multiple harmony modes including STYLE, CHORD, MODAL, and FLEXICHORD
- Advanced MIDI modes for real-time harmony triggering
- XLR and line-level I/O for studio and live applications
- Footswitch inputs for remote control of banks and harmony