Nice one Isaac! I like what you have done there, this was how I was visualizing it. You explained it well. You definitely have a compressed sound going on there in the samples and instantly recognisable on the short intro in the first video. Nice playing all round BTW - I don't like reggae.....I love it.
I'm sure you're already thinking how to tidy the prototype up and one thing that sprung to mind was to get some caps to fit on the ends of the tube, like binocular lens caps shape so you can slip them on and off easy when changing harps. Or you could make the tube a bit longer to leave room to fit some circlular bungs made of sponge or foam in the ends.
Maybe experiment with sticking some rubber (bicycle inner tube on the inside of the tube) cut round the mic for a heavier compression. Might not sound as good as you've got already though.
@GreyOwl: Thanks! Yeah, I experimented with some end-caps for that diameter piping, but the issue is that if you put the caps on, then you can no longer pull open the slot to insert over the harp, and once you've inserted the harp, the pipe is no longer round, and the end caps don't fit. I also have converged on your second idea, which is to put some sort of dense foam rubber plugs in the ends after the harp is clipped in. I don't t hink you'd necessarily even need to leave the pipe longer than the harp. Just notch out a section of the plug to go around the harp... The inner tube idea might work a charm over the ends too! Especially if you cut the pipe a little longer than the harp...
Speaking of that, I do have some longer pieces of that diameter of piping (but in white). I might try to make one that is longer than the harp and see what that does. I'm not sure if longer is better, however, as this short one seems more manageable and discreet. The length of the one I made was predetermined by the size of the offcut that I had laying about, but actually, I think it's pretty much ideal. It fully covers the open part of the back of the harp, leaving only the ends free...
Let's keep experimenting and see how to make this thing perfect! ----------
It wouldn't work for a rack, and I haven't actually heard any sound samples, but if you left one end open you'd be pretty close to having yourself a Suzuki Pipe Humming harmonica.
I know there is also a harmonica stand attachment, looks kind of like a wide brush for a vacuum cleaner, that has a built in hole and a pipe inside with another hole. By rotating how much of the two holes overlap you can control how much compression you get. For a DIY model I don't think you'd run afoul of any patents.
I'm also trying to think if there is an easier way to secure the harp tightly in there that would be less prone to wear and tear. My default is always magnets, but they wouldn't necessarily give you a good seal.
@nacoran: yeah I thought of the pipe humming connection as soon as I first snapped the.prototype on the back of a harp! Haven't actually messed with it like that (one end open) yet, but clearly there's an added application in that vein... I know that mic thing u r talij g about. Yeah, way too complex for me. I think the idea of removable plugs or covers for the ends is the way to go. Plug both sides for heavy overdrive. Remove one plug for a medium over drive. Remove both for a more acoustic sound...
@barleynectar: Now you're talking! That'd be the classed up version for sure! ----------
Following Isaac’s neat setup, here is quick cupped sound lo-tech solution if you want to try this out for rack playing (or if you want to approximate a cupped sound without your hands.) It looks like you’re playing a chrome from a distance ;)
I’m using an OOTB well er… box (a glasses case to be precise) running my clip on mic loose inside the case and clamping the harp in place with elastic bands round the case. I’ve then stuffed some foam in the ends for an almost complete seal (this could be improved with more precise cutting or using stretch rubber ends to complete the seal.)
I held the case loosely for the sound sample as I haven’t got a sprung harp rack.
Nice!! Sounds great! And cool to see yet another riff on this concept. This is totally doable, folks! Let's see some more variations and innovations! ----------
Probably was trying to do one too many things, but here's another video of the $5 harp-rack mic in action -- this time more bluesy and with cigar box guitar and foot-pedal cajon!
Main problem is that my foot pedal mechanism is weird and throws me off the beat if I'm not really careful, which I wasn't. One more thing to keep tinkering on! :) ----------
