RE: [Harp-L] Re: pedal train

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jeffery,

Any time- or pitch-based effect is a modulation effect, so pitch shifting is a modulation effect in that sense.  

The Digitech RPs have several types of pitch modulation:
1)  The pitch shifter allows you to set a fixed interval between the original pitch and the shifted pitch, up to two octaves up or down, and to set the mix between the original pitch and the shifted pitch.
2)  The "intelligent pitch shifter," or IPS, allows you to set a fixed interval between the original pitch and the shifted pitch that is in a particular key.  So, for example, you could tell the IPS to add a third above the original pitch, in the key of E minor, and then your melodies will be harmonized in 3rds in that key.
3)  The Whammy allows you to slide the original pitch up or down, up to a maximum of two octaves.  You can set the Whammy to a major 2nd, for example, and then you can slide precisely up or down by that amount.  

All of these have their uses.  The great thing about the Digitechs is that all the pitch-based effects work really well with harp--they track perfectly and instantly on chords and single notes up and down the entire range of the instrument, and the generated pitch sounds very strong, not weak or warbly as it does on some devices.

The only limitation on the Digitech pitch shifters is that you can't add multiple generated tones simultaneously--to do that, you need multiple RPs, or you need a dedicated multi-voice generator like the Electro Harmonix POG or HOG.  I prefer to use multiple RPs, because I already have them (!), and I can put each generated voice under footpedal control, which is very cool.  

A good pitch shifter does so many great things for a harmonica sound--it's the first effect a player should think about once he or she has a decent delay unit.  And of course, the Digitechs have that, too, and you can use the delay with any other effect in the device.

Regards, Richard Hunter

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Degregorio, Jeffery" <jeffery.degregorio@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Jun 24, 2011 12:18 PM
>To: Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Re: pedal train
>
>I recently bought the RP355 and the patch set by Richard.  As Richard mentioned, these are "out-of-the-box" designed for guitar and Richard Hunter has built some patches to "change" this to a harmonica processor - sort of speak.  I must say that I like the many sounds/settings his patches provide and it sure beats trying to get the many quality sounds myself - Thanks Richard - you saved me many hours getting great sounds!  Digitech RP355s now sell around $175-200, which I think is great.  Plus, I believe (hopefully not wrong here) you can get a $20 rebate before June 30.  
>
>Richard, if you have a moment, can you tell me more about pitch shifting.  Are you referring to modulation?  Haven't been through the entire guide yet.
>
>Thanks,
>
>JEFF
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Richard Hunter
>Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 10:51 AM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: pedal train
>
>
> "Splash!" wrote:
><I'm thinking... get a powered speaker on  a stand and a small powered 
><monitor and plug in my electric guit, acoustic guit (XLR from a DI) and plug 
><my bullet in the Aux 1/4" input.  It's got all the greatest amp models, and 
><speaker cabs, and a slew of effects.  And I can record the session direct to 
><the laptop via USB.
><
>
>This is basically what I (and a number of my customers) been doing for years with the Digitech RPs and my patch set.  It's a very versatile setup, and it can get very loud, all with less than 25 pounds of gear.
>
>The issue with the Line 6 HDs, as with ALL amp modelers currently available, is that out of the box they're set up for guitar, not harp.  It takes a lot of work to find the right settings for harp.  That's why my customers pay me to create the sounds for them.
>
>I've been doing some work lately with the Zoom G2NU, whose main advantage over the Digitechs is that it runs for hours on AA batteries.  I've thought about working up some patches for the Line 6 HD, but the fact is that the cheapest HD model sells for about $300, and that's half again as expensive as a Digitech RP355.  I don't think most harp players are willing to throw down that much on a very new (for harp players) approach to amplification.
>
>But I could be wrong.  In any case, I have no doubt that someone who's willing to put in the time could come up with a great set of sounds on the Line 6 HDs.  If you want something right now, my Digitech patch set and an RP355 will do a great job.  Did I mention that the pitch shifter in the Digitechs works a LOT better than the Line 6 versions? If there's anything in my Digitech that I can't live without, it's the pitch shifter--once you've heard a low octave doubler, it's hard to give it up.
>
>Regards, Richard Hunter
>
>
>author, "Jazz Harp" 
>latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
>Myspace http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
>Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
>more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
>Twitter: lightninrick
>
>
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author, "Jazz Harp" 
latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://hunterharp.com
Myspace http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
Twitter: lightninrick