It's a collection of buttons to activate different effects. Custom made, and I've seen different versions of it, some look like they're made from duct tape.
I'm not sure, but it looks like it's all held together with black duck tape. It's a new enough post on YouTube you might have luck posting the question on YouTube in case Popper checks to see what people are saying.
JB, a member here, has a button-clad one he made himself, very similar to what the Popster plays. I played through it last year-very cool, although it would take some getting used to. ---------- Todd L. Greene
It does look heavy. I also noticed that it looks as if he flattened the top of his harp mic. Probably so the harp can fit flush against it. ---------- You Tube = goshinjk
Dean Blues has several albums dedicated to creating such a mic on Facebook. A hand held midi controller like this would be pretty sweet, but I'd imagine tough to pull off.
There is a fair amount of general info on it on the Net. My understanding is it was built when Popper was confined to a wheel chair and it is a bit of a mess - held together with duct tape, etc.
My buddy Rob Lowe (also on Facebook) has jammed on stage with it a few times sitting in with Blues Traveler. He said it was pretty awesome to play with, lol.
Here is what the mic does:
>> Shure SM-58=> >> Behringer Ultragain Pre-Amp=> >> >> A: >> Mesa Switcher=> >> Amp1: Heartbreaker Clean >> Clean EQ: 2 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock >> Heartbreaker Dirty: >> Dirty EQ: Treble: 10 o'clock, Mid 7 o'clock, Bass 11 o'clock >> Amp2: Pedal effects >> Amp3: Feedback >> >> Slave out of the head (that would be the Heartbreaker, right?) goes to >> the Leslie >> >> B: >> Digital/Midi FX >> harp mic had 4 buttons, the knob, and the toggle switch. >> >> Switch: Clean/Dirty >> Knob: Leslie volume >> Button1: Amp1 >> Button2: Amp2 >> Button3: Amp3 >> Button4: leslie slow/fast
I've seen detailed pics of his pedal rig as well as his current rack-based rig. It is so complicated it is impossible to describe, lol.
My understanding is that he controls the amped tones and Leslie via the mic and uses a midi foot controller for effects. In other words, he would hit button 3 for the amp with the effects on it and then pick an effect via midi.
I chatted online with John about meeting up at a Duskray Troubador gig in MN, but the gig fell through. When they come to MN next, I really hope I can get a tour of the rig!
I am in the process of setting up a setlist in my POD HD500 to have similar options - clean, dirty, and effects amp models...then have the footswitches control the effects and expression pedal be the level of the rotary drum/horn. I haven't set it all up as I am still trying to get a good solo setlist done. ---------- Mike VHT Special 6 Mods Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas - When it needs to come from the soul...
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2012 8:25 AM
