[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 12, Issue 13

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Ronald J. Parker" <rjparker1213@xxxxxxx>
 wrote:
"...I am interested in trying the best units for both delay and reverb
in my 2 amps if the cost is not prohibitive.
I am not a tech-geek....so any advice is better than what I know.
 Ronny,

First, check the Harp-L archves, this question comes up frequently.  

Here's what I posted on this issue a little while ago.
Regards, Richard Hunter
hunterharp.com
**************************************************************
Regarding reverbs, ask first whether you want a stompbox reverb
(i.e. a floor mounted unit operated via footswitch, used mainly for
stage
performance) or something more flexible that can be used in studio
as well as onstage.  If you want a stompbox, the new Digitech X-series
reverb is a very nice unit for about $100. "Nice" in this case means
the reverbs sound good, the pedal has very low self-noise, and it's
built to withstand stage use. I've tested it, and certainly thought it
suitable for performance.

Others on this list have mentioned the E-H "holy Grail."  Boss also
makes a stompbox reverb that's highly regarded, more or less in the
same price range.

On the stage-and-studio side, consider first the Lexicon MPX 110, at
about $200 retail an absolutely terrific value, excellent for home
and project studios as well as stage.  It has wonderfully lush delays,
flanges, and choruses as well as reverbs.  You very rarely see these
units for sale used, because no one who's bought one ever gets rid
of it.  The TC Electronics M-300 is in the same class in price and
performance. At about $100, the Alesis Nanoverb is a good, flexible unit
with good reverbs, a decent but less flexible delay, and relatively poor
effects like flange and chorus.  The Alesis Picoverb offers decent
reverbs at about $80.

On the no-longer-in-production-but-good-stuff side, try a Yamaha
R-100. These can be acquired from used instrument dealers like Daddy's
Junky Music for $40-50 used, and they produce very nice reverb sounds
with very little noise.  I've used one on recordings as well, and no
knowledgeable listener ever told me the reverbs weren't good enough.

Final comment: choice of sounds is very personal, and what any
player needs ultimately is gear that inspires him or her.  There's no
way
to know what will inspire you until you hear it; what inspires you does
not necessarily inspire me, and vice versa.  Therefore, I strongly
recommend that you make a trip to a well-equipped musical instrument
store, money in hand, plug in your mic, and test all the available
reverbs, one by one, until something blows your mind.  Then buy the unit
that blew your mind.
*************************************************