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Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Wed Jun 14, 2017 6:28 pm
by Brendan
The Lekholm DM48 is a very impressive MIDI Harmonica, only just released. As the first beta tester, I helped the inventor Erik Lekholm add extra tweaks to its amazing range of useful features. The DM48 has incredible functionality and expression, but two things about it make it less appealing to diatonic harp players: an inability to controllably bend notes, and a 12-hole chromatic-harmonica-size mouthpiece.

For my own playing and to help make the DM48 more user-friendly for all harp players, I decided to develop two add-on accessory parts to address these issues. Diatonic players are used to small 10-hole harps, so I designed a 10-hole mouthpiece with the same shape and close hole spacing as a blues harp - complete with real metal coverplates from the iconic Hohner 1896 Marine Band. It screws into the same sockets as the stock DM48 mouthpiece, and gives a familiar diatonic-size interface to the amazing world of MIDI harmonica.

The Mini PitchBender was something I could not develop on my own; it required a partner with sophisticated electrical and MIDI knowledge. After looking on YouTube I found the perfect person: London electronics guru Tim Jacobs. We struck up an online friendship and have been working hard together over several months to try various approaches to this gnarly issue. The first was based on a small pressure ribbon, and we also tried tiny pitch wheels. But the best approach turned out to be a mini joystick which allows a player to bend notes accurately to 4 different pitches with small finger movements.

After a little practice I was able to use it to mimic the kinds of bends I do on harmonica, and discover more cool bends that are not possible on any normal harp! This pitch-bending control adds so much soul to the DM48, which for me greatly increases the playing pleasure of this amazing instrument. Based on the success of the prototype, Tim and I have ordered the parts to make a smaller version on the Mini PitchBender for sale to DM48 and other MIDI instrument players.

MORE INFO, PHOTOS and DEMO VIDEO HERE:
http://www.brendan-power.com/DM48.php

DIRECT LINK to the VIDEO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZZkkb_qBqo

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Sun Jun 18, 2017 9:38 pm
by Lizzy
Regarding mini pitchbender.."To get the full bending range you need to set the patchbend settings to 3 semitones"?
Am i doing this on DM48 or...?

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:36 am
by Brendan
Sorry for the slow reply Lizzie. The adjustment must be made in the sound patch. Most are set for 2 semitones of bend.

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 10:01 am
by Lizzy
Brendan wrote:
Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:36 am
Sorry for the slow reply Lizzie. The adjustment must be made in the sound patch. Most are set for 2 semitones of bend.
Sorry, but still not understand. Sound patch..Where...on Ewi, Mixcraft etc or on DM48?

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:05 pm
by Brendan
In your music software. I'm using Reason patches on the demo, and I changes the default 2-semitone pitch bend for each patch.

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:04 pm
by Lizzy
Thanks, but obviosly not a option to change patchbend in Mixcraft. New to software but have checked all settings and not found anything. Would been nice to to have that option in IPad apps too.

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Fri Jun 30, 2017 9:42 pm
by Lizzy
Checked once more. Maybe i have found it. I only have to wait until the mini pitchbender arrives to see if it works.
Everything is like a antnest of hidden options if you not are used to these kind of software. :shock:

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Sat Jul 01, 2017 10:04 am
by Lizzy
I notice that some software dont allow more than 2 semitones bendpitch.

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2017 7:49 am
by Brendan
There is normally an area in most patches where you can modify it to between 0 and 12 semitones

Re: Blues Harp Mouthpiece and Mini PitchBender for the DM48

Posted: Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:29 am
by Lizzy
Brendan , if i understand it right you need 2 usb ports to use the DM48 and the mini pitchbender together. But there is no option to use them together in your iPad? Correct?