|
What is midi, and why would I want a harp that does this? The easiest way to explain this harp is to picture a keyboard synthesizer. This is similar, except that you are playing harp instead of a keyboard instrument. When you pluck a string on this harp, it sends a message to your sound source (computer or synthesizer) to turn that particular note on. When the string stops vibrating, another message is sent saying that this note has stopped. What does the harp sound like? Since there is no soundboard, the harp makes almost no sound when disconnected. You must connect the included midi cable to any synthesizer or sound module that you like, and select whatever sounds are in there. The harp does not have a sound module on board. Obviously, plucked sounds such as guitar or harpsichord (or harp) work well, but it is great fun to have the full church pipe organ under your fingertips. Percussion sounds are amazing, and extremely useful. Is it touch sensitive? Yes. There is a threshold adjustment for each string, When you release a string, the current generated by the pickup rises in relation to the strength of the pluck. As it passes the preset threshold, the note-on message is sent with the initial velocity (midi talk for volume). When the string decays in strength past this same threshold level, the note-off message is sent. Why are there no mechanical levers on this harp? Because you are not concerned with the actual pitches of the strings. In fact you don't even have to tune the harp at all if you don't want to. The computer embedded in the harp only evaluates the strength of the vibrations, there is no pitch recognition involved. The computer (microprocessor) is programmed to output a diatonic scale with no sharps or flats. A switch unit is attached to the microprocessor with which you can set the sharps and flats that you desire. You quickly learn to ignore the faint sound of the actual strings, since they don't change pitch when you flip a switch.
What else do I need? The harp comes with a power supply and a midi cable, the two things that you need to connect to the harp.Obviously, you plug the power supply into the wall. The midi cable will need to be plugged into a sound module. I find the Roland JV 1010, or the 2020, sound module to be very useful. It is small (half rack), and has great sounds that are easy to dial in. Or, you can plug the harp into the back of your keyboard synth and use the sounds in there. If you opt for the Roland or other stand-alone sound module, you will need an amp and speakers. The other item supplied is the sustain pedal. You do not need to connect this for normal functioning, but it is very useful for sounds that sustain- organ, brass, etc. Also, it is important as a tap source when entering music on your computer. You tap the pedal at the start of each measure, to tell the software where the bar lines are. |
   
Can I plug into my computer? Yes. If you are accustomed to entering music into a notation program on your computer, you can use the harp instead of a piano style keyboard. (It works quite well!) Midi connectors are available from several sources that plug into the USB port on your computer. Many soundcards have a MIDI-in port on them. Once you have connected to the computer, you can utilize software synthesizers and samplers to dramatically expand the sonic possibilities. |
