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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Know any harmonica-inspired electronic instruments
Know any harmonica-inspired electronic instruments
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zadek
1 post
Oct 30, 2013
2:36 PM
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I am currently preparing a Master thesis in Music Technology on the topic of harmonica-inspired electronic instruments. I’d like to compare the different instruments people came up with. So far, I have
-The Millioniser 2000 (Walt Miller/Ronald Schlimme, CH, 1983, http://www.millioniser.com)
- Electronic Chromatic Harmonica (Ron Schille, USA, 1991, http://www.google.ca/patents/US4984499)
- Jamboxx (Dave Whalen/Mike DiCesare, USA, 2010, http://www.jamboxx.com/)
- XHarp (Wayne Read, 2013 (prototype), http://www.xharp.com/)
Which ones did I miss?
Criteria:
- electronic controllers for any kind of sound synthesis rather that electric harmonicas that only amplify the harmonica sound
- has to make use of the gestural repertoire of harmonica performers (diatonic tuning, picking or tongue blocking, note bending, overblow/overdraw, hand cupping technique etc.)
Feel free to add some comments on the listed instruments if you know them!
Thanks!! :D
Last Edited by zadek on Oct 30, 2013 2:37 PM
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nacoran
7288 posts
Oct 30, 2013
5:13 PM
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Zadek, it's still technically a harmonica, but over at Turboharp.com they've got a harmonica with built in optical pickups, that goes out to a box. It prevents feedback, but it also give you the ability to do some pretty neat sound effects on it. It would probably be on the far edge of your thesis.
Jamboxx is right up in my area. I keep trying to get to one of their local presentations, but some weird scheduling thing always comes up.
Turboharp also has a harmonica that changes pitch using a magnet. Not quite electronic, but at least electromagnetic.
Pat Missin has the reverse list, sort of, the instruments that influenced harmonica, but he has several esoteric articles on his site (patmissin.com) I can think of some other, not electric ones, like the acordina.
I'll keep thinking.
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Nate
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isaacullah
2562 posts
Oct 31, 2013
10:58 AM
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This: http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Wurlitzharmonica/
and an earlier patent along the same lines: http://www.google.com/patents/US3322875
I'm working up a prototype from these to see if it really can work in a practical sense. It's a bit on the back burner for the time being though...
Please keep us informed of your findings, I will be really curious to see what you come up with!
EDIT: I see that you are interested in harmonica-like controlers, and not alternative amplified harmonicas. In this case, my links don't really apply. However, because you can't get any feedback with an electrostatic (or optical) pickup, you can put them through extreme effects processing that you simply couldn't do with a mic. IMO that means they effectively become a different instrument...
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Last Edited by isaacullah on Oct 31, 2013 11:01 AM
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nacoran
7291 posts
Oct 31, 2013
9:53 PM
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http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q27.html
Pat mentions a couple other, older ones that would fit the bill in the article.
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Nate
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