Re: [Harp-L] recommendations for an all in one effects unit

[Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>]

Pretty much.  Depending on mic choice, you can get the RP and a really nice
and loud keyboard amp or powered speaker for less than the cost of a
traditional rig...with more inherent flexibility.

I would very much suggest getting some sort of monitoring with at least a
three band EQ.  I use a QSC K10, which doesn't have an onboard EQ.  That
makes it harder, although not impossible, to make quick and basic tweaks to
the room.  Hence, why I stick with something like the Para DI in the chain.
 I pretty much use it solely for EQ.  Changing things like EQ on any amp
modeler can get overwhelming.
----------
Mike Fugazzi
vocals/harmonica
http://www.mikefugazzi.com
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/MikeFugazziMusic>
YouTube <http://www.youtube.com.user/mikefugazzi>
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
<http://www.mikefugazzi.com/fr_customharmonicas.cfm>


On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:03 AM, Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> so...you are suggesting that it might be wise to fore-go the amp and
> instead use the RP/Richard's patches *only* to get the same type of tones
> the amp might have provided, and then just go direct.
>
> that makes tons of sense.
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:56 AM, Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
>> Low and behold, I've owned a VHT too.  I have a pretty strong opinion on
>> this too, but if I am going to have to mic a small amp to hear it, and I
>> am
>> getting a small amp because of portability, size, and cost, I'd go with a
>> pedal board in lieu of an amp.  I did this all already...I played with a
>> VHT miked and a M13.
>>
>> http://youtu.be/CF-yMpwcFiw
>>
>> http://youtu.be/XPR71UXegKU (not me singing)
>>
>> Bottom line was I still needed a vocal monitor, still used a pedal board,
>> and then had to lug the amp, mic, and stand.
>>
>> In theory, you can get a DT, Richard's patches, and a keyboard amp to run
>> the rig (see his site) and be covered nearly all the time.  Here's a clip
>> of a RP255 with one of his patches straight to my desktop mixer.
>> http://youtu.be/4IVwJmfODSU
>>
>> IME, using a Fireball or maybe a SM57-ish mic work best in regards to
>> managing volume and feedback with a band.  Why I ultimatley, twice, moved
>> away form the RP stuff was due to tweakability live.  I found my Tech 21
>> Para DI and M9 to work better.   That is a costly rig, though.  Over the
>> last year or so, I've hardly gigged at all, failed to get into home
>> recording, and decided to put my energy into other avenues.
>>
>> In doing so, I tried to unload a lot of my "extra" gear and go pretty
>> barebones.  While not the cheapest route, I would be content doing pickup
>> gigs and recording with simply the Zoom G5 as it is very easy to edit on
>> the fly and the layout involves less scrolling than the RP stuff.  It
>> covers amped tones and effects well.  That and my Ultimate 57 would allow
>> me to go back in time and do all the gigs I've ever done while being
>> content save potential feedback issues based on how loud former bands
>> played.
>>
>> Flashing forward, I have three live projects in the mix that all came to
>> me
>> at the same time.  I am insisting to myself that I have to be able to set
>> up and tear down quickly.  The G5 meets that criteria.  I put together a
>> Lone Wolf Board mostly because I got great deals on the pedals, had the
>> Nano already, and sold off most my old PA gear to more than fund the
>> purchase of a pedal or two, lol.  I am not sure if I'll use it a lot or
>> not.  Heck, I have a great wireless, but it is 12v and would require a
>> bigger board, so I am not even using that.
>>
>> I have had, and will continue to have, a rig based off of "modern" gear,
>> but I want it to be small and easy to use LIVE.  Generally, I use my PA
>> when gigging, and that means I also need to have room for a mixer and
>> light
>> controller.  I went through my stuff last night and was still crabby about
>> the space it takes up and trips needed to load in and out, lol.  I did,
>> though, find a way to mount the mixer to my harp stand and the light
>> controller to my vocal stand.
>>
>>
>> ----------
>> Mike Fugazzi
>> vocals/harmonica
>> http://www.mikefugazzi.com
>> Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/MikeFugazziMusic>
>> YouTube <http://www.youtube.com.user/mikefugazzi>
>> Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
>> <http://www.mikefugazzi.com/fr_customharmonicas.cfm>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 8:07 AM, Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Thanks guys, that's great info.  I'll look into the digitech units based
>> > on your recommendations, and the availability of Richard Hunter's
>> patches
>> >
>> > is the VHT amp a good route?  seems to be based on what I've read.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 9:01 AM, Mike <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> >
>> >> Digitech RP255 or RP355, Line 9 M9 or M13, and the Zoom G3 or G5 are
>> all
>> >> great units.  If I use compression, I generally use a dedicated pedal,
>> and
>> >> I find distortion pedals to be hard to tame live, but all of those unit
>> >> will give you all of those things in spades.
>> >>
>> >> Having used the RP255, M9, M13, and G5, I find the M9/M3 to be the best
>> >> units overall.  First and foremost, the layout and interface is WAY
>> easy to
>> >> use and very easily tweaked live.  Secondly, the delays sound great
>> and any
>> >> mods other than pitch shift are VERY useable live.  The mods aren't as
>> >> great as other manufacturers, but I had zero issues with phase, chorus,
>> >> rotary, and vibrato with harmonica.
>> >>
>> >> I am experimenting with using a Pedal Train Nano with my G5.  The G5
>> >> would work for me as a stand alone unit, including amp tones, but
>> scrolling
>> >> is hard compared to the other units.  On the Nano, I currently have a
>> Lone
>> >> Wolf Flat Cat and Tech 21 Para DI.  I have a HarpBreak and Delay V2
>> headed
>> >> my way and the final board will be the three LW pedals with the Break
>> >> acting as distortion.  I will use the delay only when I don't take the
>> G5.
>> >>
>> >> The G5 is setup strictly for effects.  I use a 12AY7 tube as the boost
>> >> for my straight-to-PA tone.  If I need more, I just use the Para DI as
>> a
>> >> traditional DI for tone shaping.  I will start gigging again in
>> February
>> >> and am anxious to check it out.  I essentially have two small pedal
>> boards
>> >> - one for blues, one for rock, and one for modern sounds.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Tuesday, February 5, 2013 7:16:07 AM UTC-6, Eric Miller wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> As I'm building my harp arsenal, it's time for me to graduate from
>> >>> recycling all my guitar effects pedals and guitar amp, and purchase a
>> >>> dedicated rig for the harp.
>> >>>
>> >>> for the amp, I'm considering either a kalamazoo or a vht amp based on
>> >>> these
>> >>> articles <http://bluesharpamps.**blogspot.com/2008/06/best-**
>> >>> harp-amps.html<
>> http://bluesharpamps.blogspot.com/2008/06/best-harp-amps.html>>
>> >>> by
>> >>> Rick Davis
>> >>>
>> >>> just curious what is considered the best All-In-One effects unit for
>> >>> harmonica, that sort of has all the stuff you need compression,
>> >>> distortion,
>> >>> delay, verb, etc.
>> >>>
>> >>> thanks as always
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >
>>
>
>