Re: [Harp-L] Multi-Effects for (Electric) Harmonica

[Jorge Simonian <jorgesimonian@xxxxxxxxx>]

I think you should offer without the effect box at first.

And also do a few review vÃdeos by some good pro players of different playing styles. With different setups, PA, amp, effect box + PA
I think that is key for the potential client

Good luck!, hope there where more people like you for the harmonica world

Jorge

Enviado desde mi iPhone

El 13/10/2011, a las 12:37, "James F. Antaki, PhD" <turbodog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> escribiÃ:

> Dear Friends,
> 
> Those of you who know me will find this hard to believe. Because for the
> past ten (10) years, I have been proposing to introduce an electric
> harmonica; although only earnestly for the past 5 of those 10. Nevertheless,
> I must seem to some as  the boy crying "wolf." But wait... THIS time it
> really IS a wo... woo... woooolf!  Honest!  
> 
> About a year ago, we had built five prototypes of our "ELX" which we have
> been using for flight testing, and ultimatley has lead to a set of design
> improvements that we believe (hope) will make the "production" model viable.
> The most significant improvements have been to add a "rapid change" feature
> that lets you swap harp bodies in/out in a few seconds. We also added
> trimmer pots so that each read can be balanced independently. And we added a
> stereo option, such that the blow and draw notes may be separated. Which
> leads me to my question about effects units.
> 
> The ELX needs power. Up until now, I've been proposing to deal with this by
> combining it with a multi-effects box, and thereby provide phantom power.
> One ulterior motive is that the ELX also needs a noise gate - otherwise
> there is too much "idling noise" when it is not being played.  I've spent a
> good deal of effort shopping around for effects units, and have tried models
> by Yamaha, Line-6 (pocket pod), Zero G, Alesis, Behringer, Korg (Pandora's
> box), a couple of Chinese knock-offs, and ultimately decided upon the
> Digitech RP70.  I liked this unit the best because:
> 
> - it was highly versatile
> - the sound quality was reasonably good
> - it was more intuitive to program than many of the others (although still
> awkward)
> - it provides stereo output (although not stereo input)
> - it allows you to chain several (five?) effects togethr
> - it provides two very good noise gates
> - and last but not least, costs under $100
> 
> But that was several years ago... before harmonica players were really
> earnestly using effects units. Now that they have become more popular, and
> the technology has evolved.  So I'm facing a dilemma.
> 
> On the one hand, if I offer the ELX *without* an effects box, this would
> allow the musician the freedom to choose his/her favorite unit - which may
> change over time.  I could accomplish this by providing a powered patch
> cord.  The downside is that the ELX is kindof *booring* without electronic
> effects -- it produces a sinusoidal output, not as pleasant as a mic'd
> acoustic harp.  So I'm afraid that people might plug it directly into their
> amp, and be dissapointed.
> 
> If I *do* include an effects box, it would increase the price (from about
> $225 to $225+effects unit) which will most definitley turn people away.  If
> I include an "inexpensive" box, like the RP70, the price would be less
> exhorbitant, but the quality might be there -- and would perhaps do more
> harm than good.
> 
> Another problem is that the RP70 will not be able to process the stereo
> output of the ELX, and would combine it into a monaural output. Not a big
> deal, but dissapointing (for me.)  An alternative is the Lexicon MS200,
> which is stereo, but rack mounted, and a bit more pricey.
> 
> So I would be very grateful for your feedback, so to speak, on these
> decisions I am facing:
> 
> 1) Do we offer the ELX "as is" without effects box (rtl appx $225) or do we
> include an effects box in the ELX package; or do we offer both?
> 
> 2) If we do offer an effects box, would the Digitech RP70 suffice, or should
> we offer different options?
> 
> 3) If we offered "different options" would people be interested in the
> stereo option: whereby the blow and draw reeds could be separated?  This
> produces a more complex sound, that may sound like two people playing at
> once. (See, e.g. "stereo guitar.")
> 
> 4) If we offered a "different option" could you recommend one?
> 
> Sincere thanks, in advance, for your input. This project has been a labor of
> love for many many years, and although it is unlikely to become lucrative,
> it would be such a relief to bring it to completion... and it would also be
> nice to recover our significant investment to-date.
> 
> Most obliged,  
> 
> Jim "Turbodog" Antaki
> 
>