Support
Looper's Delight
|
Support |
|
|
|
Yo! All of this talk of harmonizers both soft and hard had
me waxing nostalgic for the old Digitech IPS33b harmonizer I used to own. For
the last several years with the exception of Eventide, no one has made a
dedicated diatonic capable instrument harmonizer, (though a few companies like Digitech
and TC have offered vocal harmonizers that allowed an inserted instrument to
determine the key of the vocal harmonies). The other day I got to try out the
new Harmony Man stomp box from Digitech. The same size as a Digitech Jamman,
the HM will do two part harmony that is key based (i.e. .intelligent), parallel
harmonies, and detune effects. It is simple and strait forward, but offers very
little editing other than control over which two intervals you want to use,
over all mix, a quick key dial, and a handful of preset locations. It does have
a cool “key learn feature that by depressing one of the two pedals, you can
strum a chord and the HM will analyze it and change keys accordingly. It also
has an insert for a distortion pedal, and an insert for another guitar that allows
a second guitarist (or keyboardist) to control the key changes for you.
Intelligent harmonies tracked very well, but got wiggy if you tried to play a
chord. Parallel harmonies also did well and tracked chords better, the detune
functions where OK, kind of a light chorusing that worked well when used in
conjunction with a parallel upper octave to achieve a faux 12 string sound . I
ran a reissue tube screamer in the distortion pedal loop and was able to
achieve smooth singing harmonies. The HM also has a built in tune. This a
pretty cool box that does what it does very well, and a bit cheaper than an
Eclipse. Closet Wishbone Ash fans and Allman Bros and Queen junkies take note J Bill |