Re: [Harp-L] tremolo chromatic

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> I want one. I can't afford one. Is there any pedal I can connect my normal
> chromatic and magically get a tremolo harp effect?

Slim Heilpern wrote:
<Actually, any pedal that has a good chorus effect may be able to do the 
<job. You just need to set up a chorus preset so that it doesn't sound 
<too unnatural (tweak until it sounds good to you). An added advantage: 
<it's difficult to bend the notes on a tremelo chromatic, not so with a 
<standard chromatic going through a chorus unit.

Richard Hunter says:
Actually, "tremolo" harp is a misnomer, because a true tremolo effect (like the ones you see in guitar amps) is a rapid variation in volume, which has nothing to do with the effect produced by a tremolo harmonica. In a tremolo harmonica, two sets of reeds are slightly detuned against each other, which produces the "beating" sound of close (but not identical) frequencies colliding.  (I guess some pre-war marketing guy decided that "tremolo harp" sounded better to prospective buyers than "detuned harp.")

Slim is correct that a chorus effect--which is basically a very short delay that shifts in time against the source--might work, but it's not quite the same.  A detuning effect is more likely to do the job--it takes the incoming signal and plays it simultaneously against a signal that's detuned up or down by a fixed amount (say, 10 cents, or 100ths of a half-step).  That corresponds more closely to what's going on in a real tremolo harp.

The Digitech RP series devices all have a detuning effect, and you might give one of those a try.  (I'm sure others devices on the market can produce this effect too.)  For a start, you could bypass all the effects except the detune, and see whether you get the sound you're looking for.  I recommend a device with a footpedal--like the RP200 or RP250--since that will allow you to bring the effect in and out under foot control. 

For a tremolo harp sound, you'd want to use a detuning amount that produces an audible, rapid beat.  I feel obliged to mention that a very slight detuning amount produces a lush, beautiful tone without an audible beating effect. In other words, there's more than one way to use a detuning effect.

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