[Harp-L] 2 new short pieces by Richard Hunter for download

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

As noted in previous posts, I've been experimenting with using a split microphone signal that runs in parallel to the Digitech RP200 and RP250, and today I recorded some jams using both devices.  I think it's a very exciting way to use these things.  You get a lot of sound--two amp models and effect chains at once--and a lot of control, because you can use the footpedal on each device to change the sound of that device in real time, without affecting the other.   

I've uploaded two short pieces using this setup to my website, and you can download them free at the following URL:
http://hunterharp.com/RP250/samples/

One of the big attractions of this approach is that you can get a lot of variety in your tones, and accordingly the sounds on these recordings are very different.  The first jam is on a natural minor harp; the RP200 is set to create a doubled pitch a perfect 4th down with a mesa boogie amp model, and the RP250 is set to double the pitch an octave down with a champ amp model and a wah wah.  It is a big, big sound.  In effect, every note is a power chord, and what's really cool is that the power chords track bends on the harp.  In this piece, as in the other, the bass line and drums are really not arranged at all--just there to fill in the rest of the sound.  

The second jam has two harp tracks, each produced using both the RP200 and RP250, so there are a total of 2 harp sounds blended on each track.  On the low track, the RP200 is running an envelope filter (autowah) patch, and the RP250 is running a direct model with low octave double. On the other track, the RP200 is running a clean amp model with flange, and the RP250 is running a tweed deluxe amp model with rotary speaker.  The amazing thing to me about this track is that the harmonica parts are easily arranged to mix cleanly--you don't have to worry about the sounds clobbering each other.  Again, the drums and bass here are dull--in fact, they're the same as the drums and bass from the other piece, except the bassline has been converted to a major scale.  Get over it.  It's about the harps.

I think this approach to amplification has some good things going for it.  One, the sound is huge.  Two, there are a lot of different variations possible.  Three, it's relatively inexpensive.  Four, it's very portable.

I will continue to publish pieces that explore these sounds.  Stay tuned.

Regards, Richard Hunter
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/.richardhunterharp
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter