This was really interesting -- I've only just recently gotten into effects thanks to Emily Hopkins, and it's been a lot of fun. Right now, I'm trying to work out how to get the sound into something like Audacity or Garage Band where I can capture both the harp once it's been through an effects box AND the dry sound of the harp off of the pickup, and mix the two in the software. I use a Fishman pickup meant for harp and piano soundboards, so it's got a good, broad response. I bought the Dusty Strings pickup, but the process of mounting it in the harp stood my hair on end (turning the harp onto its column), plus the clamps didn't seem to fit well in a semigrand soundbox. 😞 I should sell it and the jack clamp; I could get another effects box for that much money! I haven't investigated loopers yet, and I've been wanting to arrange some Zoe Keating on the harp that might require one. Off to check out your looper video -- thanks!
In re: looper. The kind of looper you choose makes a huge difference in terms of how you can control the tracks that you make. The Boss RC-500 (and higher) allows an amazing level of control of two loops, plus these loopers allow MIDI control to take things even further. And there are other looper pedals of equal (and greater) sophistication. And then there's the software loopers... (Ableton Live, for example)
I guess I have a question…..with Camac having Ulysse, a carbon fiber harp, and all integrated, would you prefer to add a pick up and preamp to acoustic harp as you did made of wood?
I see most harp-specific pickups go for over $100. But i see several 2-4 piezo pickups (marketed for acoustic guitar) go for a lot less. Is the pickup you installed specifically designed for harp? Or is it a “guitar” pickup. The sound is very nice
Thanks! The looper pedal demo, and the effects demo, are just both improvisations - made up on the spot. I was in E flat and the pattern that I looped was C minor chord followed B flat major.
Did you use a pre-amp or just plugged the harp directly to the amp? I'm reading up on all this stuff as I'm planning to make myself a smaller electro-acoustic harp and from what I've read pre-amp can make a whole lot of difference.
Hey, thanks so much Laurie! The Chopin is an arrangement by Barbara Brundage (Nocturne Op 9 No. 2) - available as a standalone or in "Classics on Request Volume 2" (which includes her wonderful arrangement of Sheherazade) at www.harpcenter.com/product/brundage-classics-2/harp-music-books-barbara-brundage
Thanks for this information. What kind of a cable do you use to connect the harp pickup to a Mac computer, if you want to use Garage Band for effects? I have a Camac with an installed pickup, which I love, and a cable that goes from the harp to a pedal or to the amp. I am curious about how you make the connection to the computer.
You can use an audio interface of some sort - it will plug into your mac with a USB or thunderbolt plug, and then you can plug your instrument cable into it. Tons of options out there from $100~ up. Julian Krause does lots of reviews: th-cam.com/users/JulianKrause
This was really interesting -- I've only just recently gotten into effects thanks to Emily Hopkins, and it's been a lot of fun. Right now, I'm trying to work out how to get the sound into something like Audacity or Garage Band where I can capture both the harp once it's been through an effects box AND the dry sound of the harp off of the pickup, and mix the two in the software.
I use a Fishman pickup meant for harp and piano soundboards, so it's got a good, broad response. I bought the Dusty Strings pickup, but the process of mounting it in the harp stood my hair on end (turning the harp onto its column), plus the clamps didn't seem to fit well in a semigrand soundbox. 😞 I should sell it and the jack clamp; I could get another effects box for that much money!
I haven't investigated loopers yet, and I've been wanting to arrange some Zoe Keating on the harp that might require one. Off to check out your looper video -- thanks!
If you're looking for an audio interface Julian Krause does very thorough reviews: www.youtube.com/@JulianKrause/featured
In re: looper. The kind of looper you choose makes a huge difference in terms of how you can control the tracks that you make. The Boss RC-500 (and higher) allows an amazing level of control of two loops, plus these loopers allow MIDI control to take things even further. And there are other looper pedals of equal (and greater) sophistication. And then there's the software loopers... (Ableton Live, for example)
This was incredibly helpful and awesome! Also love the pieces you chose to play.
I guess I have a question…..with Camac having Ulysse, a carbon fiber harp, and all integrated, would you prefer to add a pick up and preamp to acoustic harp as you did made of wood?
great info thanks
I see most harp-specific pickups go for over $100. But i see several 2-4 piezo pickups (marketed for acoustic guitar) go for a lot less. Is the pickup you installed specifically designed for harp? Or is it a “guitar” pickup. The sound is very nice
It was marketed as for the harp. I'm not sure what if any difference there would be from a guitar pickup.
Thank you for theses insights, really helpful. Also could you please inform about the name of the piece played at 15:30?
Thanks! The looper pedal demo, and the effects demo, are just both improvisations - made up on the spot. I was in E flat and the pattern that I looped was C minor chord followed B flat major.
Where did you buy your pick-up? And how much was it?
Did you use a pre-amp or just plugged the harp directly to the amp? I'm reading up on all this stuff as I'm planning to make myself a smaller electro-acoustic harp and from what I've read pre-amp can make a whole lot of difference.
With a quality preamp you'll certainly improve the sound. I'd suggest LR BAGGS or Fishman preamps as they also have EQ, gain, volume, DI out...
Thank you so much for the information! Very helpful as always. Is that a published arrangement of the Chopin at 8:06?
Hey, thanks so much Laurie! The Chopin is an arrangement by Barbara Brundage (Nocturne Op 9 No. 2) - available as a standalone or in "Classics on Request Volume 2" (which includes her wonderful arrangement of Sheherazade) at www.harpcenter.com/product/brundage-classics-2/harp-music-books-barbara-brundage
@@JoshLayne Thank you! I bought the Brundage Scheherazade after your Harp Tuesday recommendation some time ago. It’s great!
Thanks for this information. What kind of a cable do you use to connect the harp pickup to a Mac computer, if you want to use Garage Band for effects? I have a Camac with an installed pickup, which I love, and a cable that goes from the harp to a pedal or to the amp. I am curious about how you make the connection to the computer.
You can use an audio interface of some sort - it will plug into your mac with a USB or thunderbolt plug, and then you can plug your instrument cable into it. Tons of options out there from $100~ up. Julian Krause does lots of reviews: th-cam.com/users/JulianKrause
Can the pick up be removed incl adhesive
I would assume so? But dunno for sure, haha :)