RE: [Harp-L] That great "Bluesy" stage sound

["Peter S..." <p.stris@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Richard,

I'm having trouble finding your samples from the link you posted.  Probably right in front of me and I've seen them before, but not today :-(  I did find this: "RP355 running a blackface deluxe amp model with slapback delay and reverb" and the video of a few samples on your store's homepage.  That first one sounds good through my computer, but it's really hard to tell without live listening.  I did say "subtle" sterility.

I also listened to your video with Annie Raines and am curious about the setup there.  Regarding tone/sound and not playing skills (which are considerable for both of you) I find Annie's sound closer to what I think of as "fat" or "chicago".  Are you using an RP in that video?  Is she using any processing?

I've both an RP355 and a Zoom G2Nu that I've been experimenting with.  It may come down to my limited ability to dial in better sound, so I'm open to seeing if that's true.  I'm mostly using delay/reverb/equalization since I'm using mic/amp that have distortion on their own.  If you want to share the settings for the blackface with delay and reverb from the MP3 above, I'd be glad to give my live impression.  If I'm convinced, I'd even spring for your patch set :-)

Regarding your statement:  "I also think that the sheer versatility and price-for-performance of this technology is amazing", I agree 100%.  You would have to buy a dozen pedals to even come close to what these effects processors offer for options.

I'm curious what others think about the sounds.


.....Pete in AK



> I've put dozens of samples of playing in different styles, including
> amped blues, with the Digitech RPs up on my website at
> http://www.hunterharp.com/category/hunters-music/recorded-performances-
> live-and-otherwise/, almost all of which were recorded live in various
> settings (on stage and in studio) without post-recording processing.
> Rather than argue that these devices don't sound "sterile," I invite
> anyone who's interested to listen for themselves.
> 
> I think that stuff sounds good, of course, or I wouldn't put it in
> public view.  I also think that the sheer versatility and price-for-
> performance of this technology is amazing.  And I know for a fact that
> modeling technology is used onstage by some very demanding players
> besides myself--Brendan Power and his Korg Pandora comes to mind
> immediately.
> 
> As people who've followed my posts for a while know, I try to avoid
> saying things like "this technology or that technology doesn't sound
> very good." There are lots of ways to sound good; amp modeling
> technology is one of them.
> 
> But like I said, anyone who cares to hear my pieces is welcome to
> decide for themselves. And of course, to comment as they see fit, here
> or elsewhere. I would naturally appreciate it if those who commented
> made a point of mentioning which piece they're talking about (as
> opposed to saying "I thought it sounded thin" without naming the
> piece), so we can all compare our impressions and learn something in
> the process. In my opinion, the more we learn, the more we're likely to
> appreciate the virtues of all the technologies we have available to us.
> I've certainly learned a lot about mics on this list in the last couple
> of years from knowledgeable members like Greg Heumann.
> 
> Regards, Richard Hunter
> 
> author, "Jazz Harp"
> latest mp3s and harmonica blog at http://myspace.com/richardhunterharp
> more mp3s at http://taxi.com/rhunter
> Vids at http://www.youtube.com/user/lightninrick
> Twitter: lightninrick