H9 max issues

[FOXXE]

Hello there! I purchased an H9max today and I have to say I am quite disappointed… It feels slow when harmonizing (the possessed voice feels like it is lagging and it sure as hell can not follow the phrasing speed of the dry input) , the wha effect is a bit weak and there is quite an audible difference between mute and active mode… I connected it in parallel mode in my guitar rack since I use a mixer. A couple more things: Is there a way to use more than one algorithm at once or am I supposed to create presets of one algorithm at a time? Is there a way to create a bypass preset with NO effect in it, as opposed to using one with zero settings? I hate to rain on your parade but these issues are, to me, unacceptable when we are talking about the company that INVENTED harmonizing to begin with! I mean I had a dream about owning an Eventide processor since I was 25 years old and now that I finally got round to it (at 59!) these issues are quite a setback! Can you offer some kind of remedy for these?

[PRSGUY513]

I think you need to spend a little more time figuring out how to use it. I would first plug direct into it with your guitar and into an amp to get some clue to what it’s capable of doing. Parallel processing (with mixer) takes some tweaking to get right especially with pitch effects. Try a 4 cable method. There are algorithms with multiple effects in them. The main effect will have the highest degree of quality. Having said this you are dealing with a processing unit that is quite old now. Although I still use it and so do thousands of other pros to great effect.

Did you buy it new? If so, return it.

[FOXXE]

PRSGUY513, are you a tech from Eventide? I only ask since your suggestions do not sound too professional… Return it? ( I do not know how this works in your country but here in Greece returning a unit that is not malfunctioning, at least as far as the dealer is concerned, is easier said than done). It is old? Plug my guitar directly into it and then to an amp? What part of “I connected it in parallel mode in my guitar rack” did you miss? I do not own amplifier heads or compos, only pre-amps and power amps. Are you familiar with the differences? It takes a bit of tweaking? My 30year old Digitech Quads never presented the lagging issue on the harmony part… I sure as hell did not expect that from an Eventide unit…

[PRSGUY513]

No I’m not a tech from Eventide! This is an open forum I don’t need to be. Eventide people will have it designated in their avatar. Return it was my last suggestion. The H9 was primarily built as a guitar pedal. it’s obvious to me you do not understand enough about the H9 to be so crude in your original post. You complained about the pitch and harmony detection. Then if you don’t use a guitar, whatever it is you’re trying to harmonize (vocals w/microphone) plug direct or at least out of a send/return loop one time to get a feel for it’s ability. However the input of the H9 is optimized for guitar level.

This is a fully digital unit and even state of the art processing has a certain amount of latency and delicate pitch detection that if not done properly will cause artifacts. Maybe an Eventide rep will be more diplomatic about your issues, but with your attitude I’m not sure how far they’ll get. You seem to have your mind made up that it sucks. You gave lots of complaints, but very little specifics about issues and your exact setup and what you’re trying to achieve. What other algorithm DSP based FX have you used? The H9 works great and works great for everyone I know who uses it properly. It is getting to be older tech, but for its price point is still a great product.

I have many different processors that are newer and more powerful and am on forums and help people, but there are certain types that seem to not really want to be helped and they’re certain they know what the problem is yet are asking for help. Many times they just want to complain and have no desire to be helped. The tone of your OP had red flags all over it. Sorry.

[PRSGUY513]

Finally it would be better to have FX with pitch and harmony in a serial setup with the guitar source as direct as possible. That’s why I suggested a 4CM approach. Also, I have used every type of rig possible in my 45 years of playing. Right now I’m using Fractal modeling gear and use the H9 in its loop as an added FX. However when using it in the loop I set it up in a serial100% fashion for pitch and synth presets. Honestly, I still debate whether putting the H9 in front of the Fractal because it takes pedals so well would be better. Truthfully the Fractal can do everything I need by itself and sometimes I think about retiring the H9, but there are things the H9 can do that I still love so it’s a tough decision.

[FOXXE]

I know I will regret answering but I will give it one last try… So I repeat the question: “What part of “I connected it in parallel mode in my guitar rack” did you miss?” GUITAR RACK!!! Marshall JMP 1 preamp, Hush Ultra, BBE 882i, DMC mini stereo line mixer, 2 Boss se 50 processors, Marshall EL 34 100/100 power amp!!! The preamp output feeds the mixer and the DIRECT SPLIT OUT of the mixer feeds the Eventide. As I stated, my Digitech quads, in this EXACT signal chain,  never had a lagging issue!!! True, they do not have the best quality sound wise but still, in LIVE situations, they delivered. So I find it really annoying that you would presume my attitude raises red flags and such. You are not woke by any chance, are you? I have been a guitarist for 45 years and the only time I encountered similar issues was about ten years ago with the TC Electronic G Major 2 that had the same issues and which I got rid of in two months!!! It is not MY fault that Eventide states that the H9 can be used in PARALLEL mode!!! If it is supposed to perform better in serial mode they SHOULD HAVE MADE IT CLEAR IN THE BLOODY MANUAL!!! You did imply that I am one of those people who are certain that they know what the problem is and still they are asking for help. I DID NO SUCH THING! I am not a cry baby. My questions are sincere and to the point. Apart from that I have NO OBLIGATION to explain myself to you. You do not like my tone and that is your prerogative but maybe, just maybe, you should consider that there are people out there that cannot afford the LUXURY of wasting 710 euros on a piece of equipment that is supposed to be that good and then disappoints! You do not know the extend of my expertise as a musician and sound engineer so that you can form an objective opinion. I did not insult you, in any way, so it comes across as somewhat suspicious that you would rush in to defend the company and their products like some high and mighty self appointed protector… So please let this slide and I will do so too. Do not tempt me to go down that road of exchanging accusations, since it would be mutually disadvantageous…

[PRSGUY513]

OK, now throughout this process you have made your setup way more clear. What I would like to know is does this same issue with latency, tracking, etc., happen when you plug your guitar direct in to the H9 and into the front end (or at least a direct out of your preamp. I ask to do this as an experiment to eliminate anything that might be causing a poor signal of some sort. AND, I only ask this because I have no problems with any sort of unreasonable latency or poor tracking, detection etc. of the harmonizer. More importantly the H9 has been on the market for years used by many, MANY people and this is not an issue. If you DO have the same problems then I would start to wonder if the unit you have is malfunctioning. If doesn’t then troubleshooting what may be degrading the signal to create your issues. Also, I’m not saying the H9 CAN’T be used in parallel just that for the algorithms like the harmonizer/pitch and synth (things that rely on a solid clean signal) there can be issues when the signal is noisy or not strong. I’m have a background in Electronics and always troubleshoot methodically. The first step is always to eliminate everything unnecessary between the source, the device under test and whatever is doing the measurement or in this case the output and your ears.

One somewhat of a more obscure issue I have seen some people have problems and not necessarily with the H9 is with active pickups or the Fishman Fluence pickups. Truthfully I never quite understood why some people have had these issues. I only say this because it’s has been something I have seen mentioned with other gear.

LOL, “am I woke”…actually just the opposite. I do not suffer people lightly. I’m direct and lay it on the line. I even try to be cognizant to language barriers that can be an impediment, but it appears you have a complete handle of western English. It really comes down in my mind that your issues are not my experience or the experience of others. So much so that many people own two H9’s. Thus the release of the H90. Sorry you’re having these problems and I’m hope you figure this out and have success and happy with purchase. Oh and I would definitely contact Eventide support directly and talk with a tech one on one. The US just had a holiday weekend so if did try to contact and didn’t get an immediate response I imagine their regular business is back to normal today.

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