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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > In appreciation of Lone Wolf and Blows Me Away
In appreciation of Lone Wolf and Blows Me Away
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Ross Garren
183 posts
Feb 17, 2018
7:11 PM
Hey Ya'll,

I just wanted to drop a note in appreciation of the great work that Nathan and Randy at LWBC and Greg at Blows Me Away Productions do for the harmonica community.

I've been on a long string of fly dates over recent months and have relied time and again on their reliable products to transform very harp-unfriendly backline into good sounding rigs. Here's an example from a recent in-studio date in Chicago where the LWBC Harp Tone+ and Harp Octave combined with my BMAP Ultimate 57 delivered a satisfying tone against all odds from a markedly unfriendly harp rig!



I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences!

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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
dougharps
1725 posts
Feb 17, 2018
8:28 PM
Great work, Ross!

I rely almost exclusively on my Ultimate 58 these days for my playing. Greg does quality work.

Despite having acquired several pedals and effect units of various brands over time I seldom have used any effects in my playing in recent years, except a little PA reverb sometimes. I have tried the LW pedals out at SPAH and they seem great, but I don't currently use the effects I already own so I haven't upgraded to Lone Wolf products. I hardly ever use my tube amps, either. It seems that for your gigging and studio situation LW has made it possible to travel and maintain control of your sound, and that is a good thing!

I hear the LW Octave pedal in your video and I assume you used the Harp Tone+ to EQ your sound. As I began listening to the video you achieved a sound much like a flute. Very cool playing in this video (as usual).

Was the video sound captured as you played live in the video, or was it recorded or cleaned up with overdubs? Was the reverb from a pedal or was it added as part of the production work after recording? Did you play direct to the board or through an amp? If you used an amp ("markedly unfriendly harp rig"), was it one shown in the video, or was it in an isolation room?

I really like hearing harp used this way with vocalists. I enjoyed your playing!
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Feb 17, 2018 8:35 PM
Sarge
669 posts
Feb 17, 2018
8:44 PM
I thought it was very good!
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Wisdom does not always come with old age. Sometimes old age arrives alone.
Ross Garren
184 posts
Feb 17, 2018
10:35 PM
Hey Doug!

Thanks for sharing!

You are exactly correct...Harp Tone+ to EQ and the Octave to help give a bit of a bite. The Octave works well for me as a boost and/or to help give a little bright "rasp" (which is what LW advertises).

The sound was recorded (and mixed) live. What they captured is what you hear without any additional mixing or overdubs. I'm not entirely sure what they might have done as they were mixing but (at least the majority of) the reverb in the video comes from a Boss RV-6 on my board.

I played through the amp pictured behind me. I think it's a really nice amp made by Analog Outfitters --- just was not set up for harp in the least.

You might dig the rest of her set on this performance...great songs, and at least a couple of different sonic approaches to the harp. Here's the playlist:


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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website

Last Edited by Ross Garren on Feb 17, 2018 10:36 PM
Martin
1399 posts
Feb 18, 2018
7:15 AM
Lovely sound and playing, Ross.
I wonder, does that Harptone make a significant difference compared to other EQ devices? (I´m trying *not* to create a need in me for another gadget (already have a parametric EQ but I´m not happy with it), but you´ll never know ...)

How long do you go with the blend on the Harp Octave?
dougharps
1726 posts
Feb 18, 2018
10:24 AM
Ross, I just listened to the full Audiotree session on YouTube. What a wonderful live performance by the group!

Chelsea's mastery of looping her vocal harmonies and guitar for percussion and rhythm is wonderful, as is as your skilled use of effects to present this music live as you did in a studio while using an unfamiliar amp. Until the discussion mentioned John playing foot percussion. I wondered about that sound.

And you produced her CD, too!

Awesome work by all!
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Doug S.

Last Edited by dougharps on Feb 18, 2018 10:24 AM
Ross Garren
185 posts
Feb 18, 2018
11:25 AM
Thanks Martin!

Perhaps Nathan can weigh in on the Harp Tone. My impression is that it provides the possibility for a ton of low-mid/bass flexibility which may not be possible (or at least as easy) on standard EQ's. This seems to be pretty essential for getting a pleasantly beefy tone out of some less harp-friendly setups. But I'm not 100% certain on the difference between this pedal and your EQ.

The Harp Octave blend is totally to taste and I find the setting differ depending on the amp, it's breakup, and the key of the harp. Luckily when touring with Chelsea, the couple tunes I use it on are in a similar range harmonica key-wise, and so I don't have to touch any knobs throughout the set.

Hope that helps!
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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
Ross Garren
186 posts
Feb 18, 2018
11:27 AM
Hey Doug!

You might also enjoy her record (on Spotify, etc)...the record production is a fun comparison to (and very different from!) the live trio version. I'm really proud of the record! Thanks for your support!


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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
Crawforde
159 posts
Feb 18, 2018
11:31 AM
Great stuff Ross!
I had been wondering what you were up to.
Ross Garren
187 posts
Feb 18, 2018
1:08 PM
Eric!!!
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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
SweetBlood
50 posts
Feb 18, 2018
1:30 PM
I have never tried the LW or Blows me away products although I would like too...but...Wow, she is awesome. New fan right here. I really enjoyed what you are doing with her too.
Martin
1400 posts
Feb 18, 2018
1:48 PM
Thanks a lot, Ross. Read a little about it on the LW homepage and, well, maybe I have to turn my Boss Parametric in for a Harp Tone ...
scojo
607 posts
Feb 18, 2018
2:50 PM
@ Ross Garren: Very nice work!
Ross Garren
188 posts
Feb 18, 2018
3:32 PM
Thanks guys!
If you're interested, her new record is streamable to hear here:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0bP8H6KLKwcTHYK6Xvtqho?si=7uRnPtqLSqO29x4hmx0tpw
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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
dougharps
1727 posts
Feb 18, 2018
3:42 PM
I don't subscribe to any streaming services, so I bought the album "Boomerang" on Amazon and have listened to half so far. It is a really good lush layered production that IS an interesting contrast to the live trio versions. The album has very good versions of the songs presented in a different and more polished way. Nice job, Ross!

Has she considered releasing an EP from the live session? It is different enough that it might earn some more, if the rights issues for the live session recordings aren't too complicated. That live session is great.

Anyway, good album, good production, good playing. Please keep us up to date about your activities.
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Doug S.
BnT
147 posts
Feb 18, 2018
11:28 PM
I know Greg. While I use mostly vintage equipment that's (re)built to my specs I can say Greg provides great service, rapid turn-around, continuously innovating & improving his products...and, "he can play the shit", so his products and service reflect the needs and expectations of a professional player. Very knowledgeable too.
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BnT
Ross Garren
190 posts
Feb 19, 2018
11:10 AM
@Doug: Thanks for the support! The people who produced this live session have released the live session on Spotify (and possibly elsewhere). But it'd be a lot fun for us to do a live trio record!
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Ross Garren

The Sheriffs of Schroedingham
Ross's Website
florida-trader
1268 posts
Feb 19, 2018
2:42 PM
For the past 2-3 years, I have had a loose affiliation with Greg (BlowsMe Away) and Randy (Lone Wolf). Every order I ship includes one of their business cards and every order they ship includes one of mine. It has been a great partnership. I can't say enough good things about their commitment to the Harmonica Community at large, their work ethic and their dedication to Customer Service. These guys do it right. You simply cannot go wrong doing business with them.

And Ross, great playing.
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Tom Halchak
Blue Moon Harmonicas
Blue Moon Harmonicas
robbert
450 posts
Feb 19, 2018
7:33 PM
Thanks, Ross, for keeping us updated on your musical activities. It’s always interesting to see what the Sheriffs are up to and what collaborations are occurring. It looks like Chelsea’s career is gaining traction. You guys do a great job of backing a great singer/songwriter.
gmacleod15
300 posts
Feb 20, 2018
4:01 AM
I love watching and hearing the live music being made from all three of you....great work.
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MBH member since 2009-03-24
Littoral
1572 posts
Feb 20, 2018
7:07 AM
If you make good food, serve it for a fair price, keep the place clean and smile people will keep coming back.
I enjoyed the tune. Tasty.
Octave, yeah, it's different in most applications, which shouldn't be a surprise. The opposite may be to not expect it to act the same and really look for its response given the amp or PA it's run into. The fact that it responds differently by harp key is true too. It certainly likes E and keep the delay short.
NathanLWBC
130 posts
Feb 20, 2018
11:05 AM
Ross, we always appreciate the fantastic music you put out. We're so glad to work with you and we greatly appreciate all the kind words.

The Harp Tone+ is a clean EQ centered around frequency bands the harp resides in. Most "bass" controls are below the harp "bass" frequencies, so the Harp Tone+ includes all the low mids, too. It's not rocket science, but it's very effective.
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--Nathan Heck
General Manager, Lone Wolf Blues Co.
customerservice@lonewolfblues.com


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