If you want to know what setups were used to get the sounds you hear on Hunter’s electric harp pieces, you’re in the right place!
We began in June 2002 with a setup for the Digitech RP200 multi-effects pedal that Hunter used for The Slide Song and Sade Tekno, the electric pieces that he released to subscribers to the Jacked In series of recordings in May and June 2002, respectively.  (The subscription list is no longer active.)
There are a LOT of great effects boxes out there, and prices are lower than ever, especially when you look at what you get for your money. But not all effects boxes work well on harmonica. This page is all about the stuff we’ve tried and liked (or disliked, as the case may be), and why. If you’re thinking about buying a new Screaming Whatsis box for your harp setup, take a look here first.
This patch combines a Stack Amp Model setup — a useful “hard” amp model for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with a deep pitch-bending “whammy” effect that’s under foot-pedal control. It’s great for long, timed bends that seem to go up and up forever, works very well for harmony lines. (It gives a very special sound to harmony lines that involve bends.)
This patch combines a basic Boutique Amp Model setup — one of the most useful “hard” amp models for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with an Envelope Filter effect.
The Envelope Filter effect is fairly gentle. It doesn’t produce a pronounced wah-wah sound; instead it provides a noticeable, unusual accent on louder notes, like the sound Jerry Garcia used to get with his DOD FX25 envelope filter and electric guitar.
This patch combines a Boutique Amp Model setup — a useful “hard” amp model for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with a long ping-pong delay and a touch of chorusing. The overall effect is a big, animated “stadium” sound, great for lead work on rock and fusion.
This patch combines a basic Blackface Amp Model setup — a very useful “soft” amp model for harmonica on the Digitech RP200 (my favorite), RP100, and RP300 — with a Phaser effect. The Blackface amp model in the RP200 is a crisp, punchy, but not overwhelming sound; it dirties up the harp without distorting it heavily. It’s got a lot of soul, and it sounds uncannily like early amped Taj Mahal (e.g. “You Gonna Need Somebody On Your Bond” from “Giant Step”).