Harpsound Page

Index of Stephen's Utterances (Best read in same order)

Harp Amplification……. Why Bother? Who need's it?

What is a Sound System? (in General terms)

Microphones (in General terms)

Phantom Power and how your knowledge of it can give you the power sort out the raw amateurs from the more gifted and the pro engineers.

Where to and not to use Amplification

Classical Harps and the Risk of Amplification

Feedback and Distortion

Very Ruff guide to being on an amplified stage

Foldback and sidefill

Amplified places other than stages

So what does a good sound system sound like?

Analogue Warmth versus Digital Transparency

Choosing a Microphone

How to mic a Harp

Can a harpist do their own sound?

Hiring gear

Guitar Amps - Harp Unplugged

What makes a potential sound engineer? My spouse the Roadie!

Wiring the Clue to how things fit

Preamps and Graphical Equalizers (EQ)

Amplifiers

Speakers

Reverberation (and Chorus)

Where do I start?

Home Stereo- Develop an "ear" cheaply

The well developed Bullshit Meter. Every sound engineer needs one!

Buying New or Used?

Upgrading Strategies

Finding a Mentor- How to save time, money and face

Digital Bankruptcy (Luddites Arise!)

Recording - Thoughts on do it yourself versus pro

Stephen's Links of Interest

Philosophy (to be continued)

I would like to say that I am passionate about sound. I am a incessant listener of the audio spectrum. I delight in reproducing live music, of extending the range and impact of a musician. Although I like fiddling and experimenting with wires and gizmos, more importantly, I like creating simplicity in how things function. I like the challenge of refining the essence from the bullsh.. and producing great sound without breaking the bank.

I have the good fortune to be married with a brilliant harpist, Alison Vardy ( I truly confess to no bias here!) with whom I have the luxury of listening to beautiful harp music every day. Listening to harps has become another of my passions. I have plenty of opportunity to develop my ear for the varied voices of the many versions and makes of the harp.

We are able to make our living from Alison's harpistry and on many an occasion my assistance with sound amplification. We lead a varied and exciting life; on the edge personally, artistically, technically and sometimes financially but things continue to grow surprisingly quickly. Aside from Alison's obvious talent and ability with the harp and her very effective networking and marketing; I believe that using amplification has had a significant effect on the speed with which we have become financially viable.

So what follows are my ramblings on the WHYs, WHEREs, HOWs, WHENs, WHATs and MAYBEs of playing harp using amplification.

This process of writing on the internet is very much different to writing a book or recording a CD. The older media become frozen in time while the author moves on to more learning, experience and humility. This cannot be incorporated into any previously published hard media. The web is different in that I can republish at will. My "ramblings" can remain current and can be updated with other people's contributions. In other words, I will edit out my foolishness and add a dash of brilliance from wherever it can be found on an ongoing basis :-) .

So please give me lots of feedback.

Stephen Vardy