I improvised solo pieces for close to half an hour with a Kongsheng Bluebird harmonica a week or so ago. I liked it when I heard the recording, so here’s the entire session, start to finish. The pieces ae all improvised. Enjoy.
Category: Recommended Gear
Check out the harp solo and harp outtro from my new piece “The Thing You Love”.
Notes: “The Thing You Love” by Richard Hunter. Harmonica recorded May 1 2021. Lucky 13 harmonica in D, played in second position (Dorian) minor. Signal chain includes a Bulletini mic into a Line 6 HX Stomp running a patch based on the Tweed Champ amp model with reverb and delay. Recorded into the left analog channel of a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (generation 12) audio interface. No other processing on the harmonica track.
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Stay tuned for the comb tests!
I posted to Facebook a couple of weeks ago about my experiences with different comb materials on my diatonics. Not long after, and based in part on my experience with metal and aluminum combed harps, I ordered a few brass and acrylic combs from Tom Halchak at Blue Moon Harmonicas. Tom contacted me not long after and asked whether I’d be interested in running some tests.
So Tom is sending me half a dozen Big Rivers in C and a set of combs in different materials. I’m going to do my usual setup work (flat sand the draw plates and tweak the reed gaps) on those harps, fit them with the upgraded combs, and start playing. I’ll record the audio from those tests, and I’ll add my comments, and I’ll publish the results.
THIS IS NOT A SCIENTIFIC TEST–we’re not dealing with all the many variables that affect the sound of a harmonica–but it’s certainly going to be interesting. Stay tuned.
In the last few weeks we’ve put some of the finishing touches on our patchset for the Line 6 Spider V series amps. I designed this patchset using a Bulletini mic for input, so it’s a very blues-friendly set. I’ve used a variety of amp models building these patches, and the Line 6 models have lots of individual character. I’m sure that most players looking for a wide range of basic blues and rock harmonica sounds will find these patches to be a lot of fun to work with.
The Spider V series amps come in 30, 60, 120, and 240 watt versions, with 8″, 10″, 12″, and dual 12″ speaker configurations respectively. I designed the patches using a V30, but every amp in the series has exactly the same amp models and FX. For my money, the best choice for a harp player would be the V120, which has stereo XLR line out jacks, 120 watts of power, and a 12″ speaker, and sells for $250-300 in excellent condition used. That’s comparable to the Fender Mustang 3, and it’s plenty of power for band gigs with the option to take it to the PA. The Line 6’s front panel is slightly more complex than the Mustang 3’s, but easy enough once you’ve changed and saved a patch or two. The Line 6 Spider Remote software is one of the best editors I’ve seen, and it’s very colorful and fun to use. Who doesn’t like looking at images of classic amps?
Once we’ve finished the documentation, this set will be ready to go. Stay tuned for samples and a new store page for our Line 6 Spider V patches. Coming up next is our new set for the Zoom G3N and G3NX.
Hear our patch sets in action:
the 21st century blues harmonica manifesto in sound
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the rock harmonica masterpiece
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Fender has announced that as of March 20 2020 they have dropped support for Fender FUSE software, meaning for computer support for the Mustang I-V series amplifiers. However, Fender Consumer Relations has advised at least one customer that the software can still be downloaded from these locations:
Mac version: https://www.fmicassets.com/fender/support/software/fender_software/fender_fuse/mac/FenderFUSE_FULL_2.7.1.dmg
Windows version: https://www.fmicassets.com/fender/support/software/fender_software/fender_fuse/pc/FenderFUSE_FULL_2.7.1.exe
We’re glad that Fender has not abandoned their Mustang and Mustang v.2 owners. They’re great amps with plenty of life and music left in them. Stay tuned for more information.
I did a search on “Digitech RP” in the Used section of guitarcenter.com. What I saw was a lot of Digitech RP1000s going for about $189 to $240, and a lot of RP360XPs going for $114 and up. Those are great prices for very capable devices.
Because of its size and weight, the RP1000 isn’t my favorite device for performance. However, it’s a pretty remarkable device, and incorporates an external amp loop as well as an external FX loop. If you’ve got it, you can use it with this thing as Control Central. It sounds every bit as good as an RP500, which is the smaller, simpler, lighter version of the RP1000 (and my favorite). At under $200 it’s a pretty remarkable deal.
The RP360XP has a stripped down operator interface, with only 3 footswitches for FX on/off, but it also has an expression pedal, and its sound engine is the best Digitech has.
Naturally, I offer patch sets for both devices, and my patch set will add $50 to the price of whichever device you buy. My patch set will also give you an immediate, big set of basic blues and rock sounds, clean sounds with delay and reverb, and hard-hitting electronic tones for when you want the audience to drop their drinks and stare.
Read more about my patch sets for Digitech RP here.
If you want to hear my patch sets in action, listen up here:
the 21st century blues harmonica manifesto in sound
Get it on Amazon
Get it on iTunes
the rock harmonica masterpiece
Get it on Amazon
Get it on iTunes
I saw a Facebook post from Jackson Kincheloe where he demo’d the Electro Harmonix Synth9 pedal. I liked that demo, and I bought the pedal.
I tried it with my RP500 and Joyo American Sound FX chains, with the Fireball V and Bulletini mics, and it didn’t sound good with any of those setups. Eventually I tried it at the end of my current vocal chain: an SM58 mic into a Digitech RP30XP running a compressor, delay, and reverb, with a low octave double under expression pedal control.
That worked. You can hear that chain on this loop recording. The beatbox rhythm is through the SM58 into the RP360XP; the bass and rhythm harmonica parts are courtesy of the RP500; the lead is through the SM58 and RP360XP into the Sunth9.
Enjoy. The audio was recorded live into my Zoom H4. I normalized the level afterwards; otherwise there is no post-recording audio processing.
If you liked that, you’ll like these:
the 21st century blues harmonica manifesto in sound
Get it on Amazon
Get it on iTunes
the rock harmonica masterpiece
Get it on Amazon
Get it on iTunes