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Harmonic Converger

As I mentioned in an old post, I bought something called the Harmonic Converger. I put the device through its paces and have done my first full-length review of the thing – actually it’s my first full-length review of anything.

I’d like to remind people that I am not affiliated with the creator in any way, nor do I claim that this review be considered as “definitive.” However, through the methods I’ve used to test this device; I am confident that this review, at this point in time, has a fairly accurate representation of a device that ultimately, will remain a mystery to everyone (due to the creator’s secrecy).

If you wish to link to this review with a more user-friendly URL, you may use any of these:

http://www.nargalzius.com/hc
http://www.nargalzius.com/harmonic_converger
http://www.nargalzius.com/hcreview

Goal

The goal of this review is to invite people to have a listen, and hopefully relate to the potential benefits the Harmonic Converger may have on one’s tone. It, in no way, is asserting that people need the HC to solve anything that may (or may not) be existing in their current “setup.”

If you are perfectly happy with your tone, then good for you and you can stop reading now.

If you aren’t, or at least feel that what you’re getting out of your current setup isn’t enough – or at the very least open to the possibility of improving what you already have, then read on.

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The intricacies of the guitar

A while back, my girlfriend and I were walking in that new bookstore in Galleria… the one that’s “owned” by National Bookstore, but not named as such. Anyways, it’s a pretty cool place, very “maaliwalas” as we Filipinos would call it (don’t even know how to articulate that word in english) – I myself, not being a “book-person,” didn’t mind spending time in that place.

There was a book there however, that caught my attention, and which my girlfriend surprised me with a couple of days later:

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Why I am NOT a virtuoso

For all the guitarists who might be looking for reasons to quit playing – here’s something that might just do the trick hehehe.

People like this badass Brazilian player who has awesome technique(s) [and melodic solos to boot] are the reason why I have given up trying to be a “lead guitar” player looong ago – and instead just focus on creating/arranging/singing songs hahahaha. It’s much more easier to be a composer/arranger or vocalist than to develop this type of hand-dexterity.

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Leap of faith

In an interesting turn of events, I’ve purchased something on faith rather than doing any proper research on it. Actually I didn’t really have a choice since the product’s “nature” to this day is hidden in total secrecy.

One of Neil Diamond’s guitarists Hadley (aka “Radley”) Hockensmith is selling units of his invention called the “Harmonic Converger.” It is a passive device that among other things, eliminates the “fizz” commonly present in digital modelers.

The official information page of the Harmonic Converger (which from this point on I will refer to as “HC”) can be found here

So I’ve purchased one – and thanks to Mara, I’ll [hopefully] be getting it at the end of May.

I’ve also taken the liberty of taking some select audio clips from the internet showcasing what the HC can do. Most (if not all) taken from a really old “HC Test Drive” page created by Radley and a couple of HC users down at Boss GT Central

Obviously the pedalboard being used was a Boss multi-effects processor – specifically, a GT8 like mine if I’m not mistaken. Read More

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AlphaTrack

So I finally got the AlphaTrack after all this time. Actually I already had the unit since Pia came back – however, the unit had outdated firmware. And for some strange reason, Frontier didn’t have software available to download that can upgrade it.

Yet, as mind-boggling as the decision not to have such software seems; Mr. Brian George, the head of the AlphaTrack development, was kind enough to take the time to find a way to send me a new updated unit as a replacement.

Today, I just spent 3 hours in the post-office/customs to get my replacement unit of the AlphaTrack. I just have to say that I hate Philippine customs.

They are, quite frankly a bunch of bloody thieves. They really find ways to swindle you out of your money and not give you a choice about it. You’re literally at their mercy, and it pisses the hell out of me that you can’t get these motherfuckers fired for their unreasonable actions. Read More