December 22, 2005
December 22, 2005
Warning: this setup isn't for everyone. It's DEFINITELY not for people who are scared to walk into a gig carrying anything besides a basic blues setup consisting of a Green Bullet mic and a tube guitar amp. If you're scared not to use the same gear that everyone else is using, this setup is not for you. But if you rely on your ears to tell you what works, keep reading.
The key component in this setup is the Digitech RP200 amp modeler. This unit sells new for $150, and it can be found used on eBay for about $100 most days. It's a powerful multi-effects unit, with amp modeling, delay, reverb, pitch shifting, chorus, flange, detune, phasing, etc., etc. etc. It's also got an expression pedal, which you can use very effectively for bringing effects in and out of the sound. The effects are plenty good enough for pro gigs -- I used this unit on a studio session with one of the most successful and demanding TV composers and producers in the world, and it sounded fine to his ears.
If you want the next step up from the RP200, try an RPx400 -- this unit has slightly more enhanced effects, a dedicated XLR input for a lo-Z mic connection, and a USB connection for computers that can be used for direct recording as well as for working with and saving "patches" (sound setups).
The Digitech is what gives this setup the widest possible range of tones for the least money. But the RP200 has no amp -- it's a sound processor, not a sound projector. To get the sound to the audience's ears, you need an amp. A keyboard amp is the best choice here, because it will amplify the Digitech's sound without coloring it. There are lots of great keyboard amps out there for reasonable money. But for the rock-bottom lowest price for decent gear, run the RP200 into a Musicians Friend keyboard amp. This puts out 60 watts of output through a switchable treble horn and 12" bass speaker. It has 4-band EQ, two input channels, both with XLR connectors as well as 1/4" jacks, and an effects loop. It's a pretty basic amp, but you're using the Digitech for all your sound-shaping, and this thing is just there to amplify the signal from the Digitech with no added coloration. The amp also functions well as a bass amp and a small PA. At $99 new, it's a very good deal.
The last element in this setup is the mic. You can buy a Labtec AM-22 for less than $10 new on eBay, and it'll work just fine with this setup. The Labtec has a very attenuated high end, and sooner or later you'll want a mic with a wider frequency range, but you'll find the Labtec to have lots of character and sound good with this setup -- it's a mic you'll keep in your collection forever, its low cost notwithstanding.
Oh, yeah -- you'll need another 1/4 cable to run from the Digitech to the keyboard amp. You can buy a perfectly suitable 6 foot cable from Radio Shack for less than $10. That brings us to our $270 total. You can reduce that, of course, by buying the RP200 used.
I repeat that this setup is not typical for harmonica players. It has two major advantages over the typical harp player's setup: 1) it's a lot less expensive for a rig that can cut it on a real gig, right out of the box, and 2) it's a lot more versatile than the standard bullet-plus-tube-amp rig.
If what you want is power at the lowest possible price, this setup will deliver.