Eventide's H9 Harmonizer Gen 2: A Comprehensive Update to a Classic
The Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 is a significant upgrade to the beloved H9, offering a wealth of new features and capabilities while retaining the core functionality that made the original a staple in many musicians' pedalboards. This pedal is a powerhouse, packing a punch with its expanded algorithm set and intuitive controls, making it a versatile tool for both live performances and studio recordings.
What's New?
The H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 boasts a faster processor, enabling it to run over 74 effects derived from the H90 and H9 Max libraries. This results in a vast array of sounds, including delay, reverb, pitch shifting, granular textures, vocal effects, and looping. One of the standout features is the high-fidelity polyphonic pitch shifting via SIFT technology, which can harmonize chords, ensuring clean and harmonious sounds.
The pedal comes with more than 1,000 presets out of the box, providing a wide range of sounds to choose from. The four modes - Select, Perform, Presets, and Parameters - offer a user-friendly interface for sound selection, setup, and on-the-fly adjustments. The larger 2.5-inch display, three Quick Knobs, and button pads make navigation a breeze, while the two footswitches and assignable macro controls allow for hands-free adjustments.
Versatility and Compatibility
The H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 is designed to fit seamlessly into various setups. It supports stereo, MIDI, and pedal inputs, as well as separate connections for guitar and studio-level gear. This versatility means it can be used on a pedalboard, in an amp's effects loop, or directly in the studio. The pedal also carries over trails between presets when switching, ensuring smooth transitions between sounds.
The H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 is fully compatible with H9 Classic presets, allowing users to access their favorite sounds from the previous generation. It also pairs with Eventide's MixingLink preamp (sold separately) for vocal processing, and Bluetooth control from the app on Mac and iPad is on the horizon.
In My Opinion
The Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 is a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and quality. The expanded algorithm set and improved processing power make it a more powerful and versatile tool than its predecessor. The intuitive controls and user-friendly interface ensure that musicians of all skill levels can quickly find and adjust sounds, making it an excellent choice for both live performances and studio work.
The pedal's ability to harmonize chords and its high-fidelity pitch shifting set it apart from many other effects pedals on the market. The inclusion of over 1,000 presets and the ability to create custom sounds make it a versatile tool for a wide range of musical genres and styles.
In conclusion, the Eventide H9 Harmonizer Gen 2 is a must-have for any musician looking to expand their sonic palette. Its combination of powerful effects, intuitive controls, and compatibility with previous H9 models make it a valuable addition to any pedalboard or studio setup.
