Harpsichord options

[doorknocker]

I got inspired to start this thread because I just saw d fu's Harpsichord Mic Shootout but didn't want to OT that discussion.

We'll be doing keyboards next week for the project I'm currently working on and since the music is very 60ies-pop inspired and generally going for 'real' instruments I couldn't get the harpsichord out of my mind.

The keyboard player we're using is great but he hasn't got access to a real harpsichord nor the time to search for one and so I wonder:

- If we'd rent a real harpsichord, would we need to hire a piano tuner after transportation?

- Are there any Virtual Instruments out there that can be used within PT that provide a CONVINCING harpsichord sound? The harpsichord would have a textural role, doubling 12-string guitars and the like but I want to prevent any sonic digression into 80ies synth territory....

- Any other suggestions?

[soundeziner]

I have to record Harpsichords quite often in my gig. YES! You absolutely would have to tune a it after moving. If you go virtual, almost every sampled/electronic version I've ever heard sucks like a bilge pump. Soundscan Vol 23 'Historical Intstruments' will probably get you by in a pinch. I haven't heard Post Musical Instrument's harpsichords yet but I'll bet they're better than any keyboard factory preset version in existence

[idylldon]

Not only will it have to be tuned after moving, you'll have to check/tune it frequently while working with it. Harpsichords have very low string tension and tend to drift pretty quickly, especially if there are temp and humidity swings and/or the harpsichord hasn't been maintained properly. I tune pianos and harpsichords on a regular basis and learned quickly why most (all?) serious harpsichord players tune their own instruments (as opposed to piano players who don't): the harpsichords need constant vigilance to keep them sounding their best. The cool thing is that they aren't nearly as hard to tune as pianos, so you could most likely keep it in tune once a professional tuner has given it an initial tuning and made any adjustments. It's almost like tuning a guitar with more strings!

I love harpsichords, though, and there ain't nothing like the real thing. The sounds they make are well worth the extra care required to make them.

BTW, I've read that Brian Wilson and others used harpsichords quite a bit slightly under a piano track to get that crisp harpsichord attack before the "fullness" of the piano takes over.

Cheers,
--
Don

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by idylldon

BTW, I've read that Brian Wilson and others used harpsichords quite a bit slightly under a piano track to get that crisp harpsichord attack before the "fullness" of the piano takes over.

Yeah, that's about the idea. I recorded some direct electric 12-String guitar and would like to 'reinforce' that as well with the Harpsichord.

[Paul_G]

Hi Andy,

We rented a harpsichord for a year once and it was wonderful but we didn't record it very often so it was a bit of a waste. It did sound really great though. In recent times we have been using a south american guitar called a "Tiple" that has lots of strings and people often ask if it is a harpsichord. If you haven't used one it may be worth checking out the sound, it's different to a 12string and seems to ring more, we also track it up by plucking piano strings.

Cheers

Paul

[Paul_G]

Sorry I meant Andi!

[bakedpotato]

one of the better harpsichord soundfonts I've found is the Blanchet 1720:

The Blanchet 1720

(large, but free download)

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Sorry I meant Andi!

No problem. Thanks for the Tiple suggestion, gotta check that out.

It's funny, the very first time I've ever been in a proper studio was a Neve-equipped place run by a horrendous engineer. I did some capoed-up acoustic guitar tracks and he managed to make it (unintentionally) sound excatly like a Harpsichord via recoding thru a spot pickup!

Anyway, I'll see if anybody has a harpsichord for rent here in town, I just love the texture. Vintage stuff like Traffic's 'No Face, No Name And No Number', Hendrix 'Burning of the midnight lamp' and so many others.

More recently, Richard Ashcroft had a great song called 'Break the night with colour' that also featured a prominent harpsichord part. Maybe somebody has any info there?

[Paul_G]

Yes I meant to say the Tiple is traditionally strummed rather than plucked I believe, it may be of some use.
I know exactly what you mean about those cool old records. Especially Hendrix.
I always find Virtual instruments one dimensional sounding against deep, cranky, organic tones so I think you'll enjoy having a real harpsichord around even though you may not use it on everything.
The guy we rented ours off in london also used to rent us cheap prop planes to fly to festivals, he was bonkers, he even turned up personally regularly to tune it.
Peace
Paul

[doorknocker]

Hi Paul,

thanks for the help, love your work BTW, very inspiring in a retro-future, cinematic way!

[Beermaster]

Hi I've something which for me is the Holy Grail of Harpsichord Smaples:

PMI Historic Keyboards collection - Includes the two common forms fo Harpsichord: Flemish and French ( mechanics are sounds are dramatically different )

Each of these choices comes with a wide variety of alternate setups and 'stops' from linking upper 8 + 4 to Lute stops and many other combinations of release Quil etc etc .. THE DADDY !

Comes in all formats to suit your needs

Beer.

P.S.. Here's a link:

http://www.postpiano.com/products/pr...oric+Keyboards

[MattiMattMatt]

A word to the wise about harpsichord recording:

because harpsichords are naturally soft, with no dynamic range like a piano, there's this urge to over-compensate by increasing its volume in the mix beyond what it deserves. Especially if you've gone to the trouble of getting a real harpsichord, tuning and maintaining it, you want to favor all that hard work by giving it juice.

However, just like buyer's remorse, months after you've finished the production, you will be sitting back in your car listening to the recording and it will hit you: damn, we mixed the harpsichord too hot.

[doorknocker]

FWIW, I found out that there's a harpsichord and organ workshop right down the street from where I live! Now how cool is that?

I checked it out today and they have some beautiful re-creations of historic models, the lady in charge showed me a 9-foot model that had split black-keys (i.e say g-sharp and a-flat on a 'half-key' each for use with non-tempered scales)......

It looks like they will rent out a harpsichord to me for not too much money and we will just carry it down the street and have it tuned here at the studio then.

I'm really looking forward to the session, anybody that has some recording tips is warmly welcome to chime in.........

[baikonour]

I love the sound of harpsichords, lots of 60's recordings featured electric harpsichords (Baldwin was the most common brand and I think Farfisa made one too), some people still uses them (Stereolab...)