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

[Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx>]

thanks for all the advice, I will be going with an RP unit/Richard's
patches and no dedicated amp...will just run direct both recording at home
and live.

not spending money on the amp will free up $$$ to upgrade my 57 to a better
mic more suited to harp tone, not 100% sure what mic that will be yet.  I
was going to put a bulletizer on my 57, but now I'll have to figure out
what mic to get.


On Tue, Feb 5, 2013 at 10:24 AM, Mike Fugazzi <mikefugazzi@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> 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
> >> >>>
> >> >>
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
>