Looping the Big Sounds: Like, wow
I’ve been putting loops together using the Zoom G3 and Digitech RP355 running in parallel, and the sounds are amazingly big and colorful. The samples below, recorded directly to my Digitech Jamman Stereo, then exported as 16 bit WAV files, speak (loudly) for themselves. The chain starts with a Fireball V mic, followed by an ABY box, where the signal is split and sent to a Zoom G3 and a Digitech RP355, running in parallel. The outputs from the G3 and the RP355 go to the channel 5-6 and 7-8 inputs of a Behringer UB802 mixer, along with the output from the TC-Helicon Voicelive Play (for vocals), which goes to one of the mic channels. The stereo main outs from the UB802 go to the stereo inputs on the JamMan Stereo, and the JamMan Stereo puts out a mono signal to a Peavey KB2 amp. (I want a stereo setup sometime soon.) The amp is recorded with a Zoom H4, positioned about six inches from the center of the speaker grill.
These samples are copyright 2013 Richard Hunter/Turtle Hill Productions/ASCAP, and all rights are reserved. Enjoy listening.
2ndLine+AutoWah
A short sample of a funky NOLA rhythm with a juicy RP355 FX25 autowah. Autowah seems to work for harp, period.
WizofOzSloDwn
A short three-harp piece, all parts played on a Db country-tuned Suzuki Manji. One part, again with multiple pitch shifters and vibrato, is played with the G3, and it traces the notes of an Eb major 6th chord, then the same shape a major 2nd down. (It’s played in 3rd position, which is major on a country-tuned harp.) Another part plays midrange chords and melodies with a much more transparent RP355 sound; finally, a double-octave-down RP355 patch is used with a 12th voicing on the 1-6 draw and blow notes. The sound as a whole is deep, beautiful, and new; in fact, it’s a new sound for any ensemble.
Dig.
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Really like some of the sounds your getting from this setup. When you record why don’t you run into a small stereo mixer with your outputs from your pedals and record in stereo and monitor in stereo or mono from there?
I didn’t quite put that all together. That would work without the looper. To do it with the looper but to remain in true stereo from the RP, G3 would take another route. 🙂
That’s exactly what I’ve started doing–running the vocal, G3, and RP355 to a stereo mixer, then to the stereo ins on the looper, then out to the amp. For recording, that’s fine–I can take the outputs from the looper to the recorder. But to get the full flavor in live performance, I need a stereo amp too.
Think the stereo amp idea thru before making any investment. Points to consider . . .
1). Each part (left & right) of the tunes have different textures. Right?
2). Part of what makes stereo, stereo…is sound separation.
Consider using 2 smaller amps. When I had my BOSS GT8, I ran out, into 2 Fender Super Champ XDs. I recently bought a Line 6 JTV-69 Variax guitar, with an HD500 POD. Pretty sweet set up for under $2k. Will be trying that out with my harps soon. Same set up. Two amps, about 18″ apart. (or more, depending on the gig)
My point is, I can get much better separation using 2 amps. AND I can dial in each amp separately to get the tone and textures I want. Not to mention separate volume control.
I was thinking of a pair of Mackie Thump powered speakers for this job. I’ve already got a small mixer with stereo outs–send one to the right speaker, the other to the left, done.
I could of course buy another Peavey KB2 amp, which is about half the price of a pair of Thumps–but I think I’ll get more power from the Thumps, especially in the low end. The Peaveys don’t handle sub-bass frequencies very well.
What think?
Richard I recently added a single Behringer B210D Powered speaker to my setup to use as a personal monitor on stage and I’ve been really impressed by it. They are very light weight and a pair of them would make a lot on noise. The 12″ model is really not that much more expensive with a bigger amp 4h. I bought the B210D for $158.00 shipped.
We have 2 pair of the Mackie 408s and love the sound but the horn diaphrams haven’t been reliable.