tc electronic Quintessence Harmony

Since my first encounter with a harmonizer, I've been wondering what on earth I could use it for in my own music. The added tones always sounded strange (unless rocketed through a fat distortion) and seemed a challenge to use without creating a cliché solo sound, let alone using it for clean purposes.

But then this unit came along. It's lovely: clean, overdriven, however you like it - but it wants very clean power. I recommend a Boss PSA 230S. Also, make it the first pedal in your chain, before a compressor, booster etc. It works best with a direct guitar signal. If not, it will produce rumble and clicks, probably because it's confused :-)

The poly feature isn't great, but for single tones this harmonizer is the best ever... and cheap, by the way. It's superfast, and its added tones easily match my strat's different pickup signals, and pitch bending, vibrato, slides, tapping... Now I find myself wondering WHERE I can use this harmonizer on the new album.

Fast tracking, great sound and a slew of features (many accessible through TC's TonePrint Editor) make this a top choice among harmonizers. Built to TC's usual high standard, everything feels nice and sturdy (jacks, pots/knobs, power input, switch). The MASH switch is a great innovation, opening up a lot of possibilities (especially simulating pedal steel bends!). There's only one downside and that is the functionality of the switch - the difference in pressure and timing when using the MASH and when switching the pedal on/off is something you have to get the hang of if you want to use it live. It takes quite a lot of practice and make sure you take your time with it. other than that - fantastic.