Re: [Harp-L] MIDI Harmonica - revisited

[Richard Hammersley <rhhammersley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

There are certainly quite a few computer-based systems that will  
convert tones to MIDI, from voice etc. But why use MIDI rather than  
working with the digitized acoustic signal itself? In my view, MIDI is  
being supplanted by real time processing of the acoustic wave form,  
which gives greater flexibility. Nowadays this processing can occur in  
real time.

It used to be that computers tended to be fragile for live performance  
but modern laptops are tougher (and the no smoking bans in bars etc  
probably help). I haven't used this facility myself, but I have used  
computers for adding live (in the house live that is) effects to  
harmonica and with a fast processor and no other software running  
there are no longer problems such as time lag that used to afflict  
live performance using computer processing. I use a Mac powerbook G3  
because I have one for work.

For instance John McLaughlin live uses an Apple power book in  
preference to an effects rack. He doesn't always use a guitar to midi  
converter, but also processes the acoustic signal in the computer,  
including synth sounds.
http://www.johnmclaughlin.com/

Given that McLaughlin not only delivers a very high (and varied)  
standard of sound and plays extraordinarily fast, a set-up like his  
would probably work for anyone. It seems to be made entirely of  
industry-standard bits of software and hardware.

One might use a cheaper pc laptop too, but I have never done this so I  
cannot comment on it. However, because macs are popular for music  
processing, there is loads of cheap, or even free software for macs,  
some of which does not exist for pcs. This may turn out to be a saving.

I recently downloaded ixiquarks  (www.ixi-audio.net) which is a free  
suite of software to facilitate free live improvisation using  
synthesis and many other things, some of them unimaginable. Once I  
have learned how to use it a bit more, I will certainly put a  
harmonica through it. It bases synthesis on a digital waveform, not  
MIDI. People who want to stamp on a big button will not like it  
however, as it requires some technical understanding of acoustic  
processing, computers and a lot of fiddling about.

However I have no plans to change the valves in the powerbook to get a  
sweeter tone :).  Decades ago it became obvious to me that despite the  
romance of analogue electronics, digital was way more flexible and  
powerful.  With sufficient patience you can program any 'analogue'  
sound or effect digitally - so why use analogue?

... I await the equivalent of the comb materials storm re tube amps,  
effects pedals etc etc. Indeed, a similar blind comparison of analogue  
amps vs digital simulations would be interesting.


Richard


Richard Hammersley
Grantshouse, Scottish Borders
http://www.last.fm/music/Richard+Hammersley
http://www.myspace.com/rhammersley
http://www.myspace.com/magpiesittingdown