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Average Price: $100

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$70

$251+

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Description

Unleash your creative voice with the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box, a music gear essential celebrated by iconic artists like Peter Frampton and Aerosmith. This unique pedal doesn't just sit in your chain; it connects between your amp's speaker output and the cabinet's input, enabling an immersive, expressive 'talking' effect. Inside its robust metal enclosure, a small speaker sends your signal up the included tube, placed near your vocal microphone. The magic happens when you play and move your mouth - the sounds produced are far beyond what any emulation pedal could achieve.

Key Features:

  • Unique 'talking' effect
  • Connects between amplifier speaker output and cabinet input
  • Small speaker inside a sturdy metal enclosure
  • Included tube for placement near vocal microphone
  • Offers more expressive sound than emulation pedals

Product specs

Brand Dunlop
Model HT-1 Heil Talk Box
Finish Black
Year 1998 - 2018
Made In United States
Categories Filter and Wah Pedals
Pedal Format Standard

FAQs

How does the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box connect to my guitar setup?

The Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box connects between your guitar and amplifier. It requires a speaker cable to connect to your amp's speaker output and a separate microphone to capture the sound for live or recording use.

Does the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box require a separate amplifier to function?

Yes, the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box requires a separate amplifier to drive the sound through its tube, which then needs to be picked up by a microphone for amplification through a PA system.

Is the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box suitable for live performances?

The Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box is well-suited for live performances, offering a distinctive vocal-like effect that can be prominently featured in solos or specific song sections, adding a unique element to your live sound.

What type of sound effect does the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box produce?

The Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box produces a vocal-like effect by directing the sound from your guitar through a tube to your mouth, allowing you to shape the sound with your mouth movements for expressive, speech-like tones.

Can the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box be used with instruments other than guitar?

While primarily designed for electric guitars, the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box can be used with other instruments that have an amplifier output, though results may vary based on the instrument's tonal characteristics.

Reviews

PROS

  • Creates iconic, legendary talkbox sounds used in classic records

  • Versatile for both traditional and innovative uses (vocoder, dubstep)

  • Excellent for producing "whacked out" EDM sounds

  • Adds a unique dimension to guitar-synth arsenals

  • Recreates the classic talkbox experience faithfully

CONS

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box.

Setup and maintenance

  • Users emphasize that the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box requires a PA system and microphone for the sound to be projected effectively, not through the guitar amp.

    Source
  • Users report that prolonged use can lead to drooling, suggesting the need for breaks or cleaning after sessions.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Talk Box internally contains a speaker that directs sound through a tube into the user's mouth, requiring a microphone to capture the modulated sound.

    Source
  • The pedal is placed after the amplifier and before the speaker, a unique setup compared to typical pedal configurations.

    Source
  • The MXR model allows placement flexibility in the effects chain, such as running through an amp's FX loop, to integrate amp distortion and other effects seamlessly.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Proper use involves placing the tube at the corner of the mouth and mouthing words to create the classic "talking guitar" effect, often seen in live performances.

    Source
  • Known for its use by Jerry Cantrell on "Man in the Box" and on The Ventures’ "Silver Bells," illustrating its versatility across rock and seasonal music.

    Source
  • For achieving Tool-like tones, it's recommended to use humbuckers, particularly on Les Paul guitars, and consider incorporating an EQ pedal before the talk box.

    Source

User experience

  • The unit is described as heavy, which may affect transport and setup for gigs or sessions.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some users prefer inline vocoders like the Boss model for simpler setup, indicating a potential alternative for those seeking ease of integration.

    Source
  • The MXR Talk Box, with its built-in preamp, offers a cleaner and potentially easier setup than the Heil HT1, which uses the actual amp signal for a rawer effect.

    Source
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 24 Ratings

5 star
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1 star
axemurder

Speaking through music, literally.

I use my Heil Talkbox to create any and all vocoder style sounds plus the most whacked out EDM sounds ever heard. As the first guitarist to play dubstep and the creator of the sub-genre Dubstomp I rely on my talkbox for many of the sounds in my guitar-synth arsenal. i make it talk and it speaks volumes.

noah_thawco

Talk and Talk

Amazing invention, this legendary talkbox used on so many records It's fun to use and sounds great and intresting

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Röyksopp uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Röyksopp

Music Producer

Röyksopp

...
Verified via YouTube

the Dunlop Heil HT1 can be seen at 0:12 in this video

See how Matthias Jabs uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Matthias Jabs

Guitarist

Scorpions

...
Verified via YouTube

The pedal can be seen from 6:50 until 6:54. In addition, the guitar tech (I. Powitzer) is talking about the connection system.

See how Steven Drozd uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Steven Drozd

Guitarist, Drummer

The Flaming Lips

...
Verified via Guitarplayer

"My guitar signal runs through a Boss GT-8, a Line 6 FM4 Filter Modeler, a Line 6 DL4 Delay Modeler, and an old Fender Super Twin. I also use a Dunlop/Heil Talk Box on the chorus of “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song.”

See how Ken uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Ken

Guitarist, Keyboardist

L'Arc-en-Ciel

...
Verified via Free The Tone

Shown within multiple rack setup designed by FREE THE TONE for LIVE 2018 L'ArChristmas event as per photos published on FREE THE TONE's blog (2019).

See how Travis Stever uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Travis Stever

Guitarist

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via Photo

This photo of Travis Stever's pedalboard shows his Dunlop Heil Talk Box (top row of his pedal board). The photo is from darkroomdemons.com, and the photo gallery is called "Day Two of Q101’s Twisted 14 Atreyu, Coheed and Cambria" (Nov 2007)

See how Yavuz Çetin uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Yavuz Çetin

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Yavuz Çetin is known for using the Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box, notably featured in his first album, 'İlk.' He was the first guitarist in Turkey to incorporate a talk box into his music. Çetin also used this effect in Göksel's song "Sabır" and Teoman's song "Yarın Olmaz." A photo from Instagram by cagataykupcu provides visual confirmation of the talk box among his gear.

See how Jan Borysewicz uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Jan Borysewicz

Guitarist, Bassist

Lady Pank

...
Verified via Photo

Teraz, rzadziej, ale kiedyś dosyć często używany efekt (zwłaszcza na końcu lat 90./początku 2000). Efekt został użyty m.in do intra utworu "Prawda i Serce".

See how Sascha Gerstner uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

Sascha Gerstner

Guitarist

Helloween

...
Verified via YouTube

Sascha Gerstner shows the Heil Talk Box at around 0:11.

See how WRLD uses Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box

WRLD

Music Producer

...
Verified via Twitter

A video shows WRLD using a Dunlop Heil Talk Box.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Dunlop Heil HT1 Talk Box, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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