HarpNinja app review
Review of “HarpNinja” app:
Disclaimer: I was asked to review this app and to pass on my comments regarding its features and usefulness. If I felt it was not worthwhile, I would not bother commenting at all.
Although the description says the target is beginner, intermediate, I found that at my level (almost five years), there was still a lot I could get from this app. I particularly liked the attitude of the developer when I contacted him for clarification and found some of the upcoming features to be exciting. There is an OSX, PC and an iOS version. At $14.99 (iOS) and $20.(PC & OSX) it seems expensive compared to other apps, but there is so much here with the described future updates, that I believe it’s worth checking out to see if it would be worthwhile for your use. The web site “ harpninja.com “ is a good place to start exploring. There is a demo version (full bore) available for PC and OSX that is good for 14 days
It is divided in to three sections: Circle Dojo, Tuning Dojo and Melody Dojo. The Circle of Fifths section initially looks like so many others but there are some cool features. It is interactive and very quick and easy to check positions (beyond 1, 2, 3), keys and major, minor and diminished chords. The graphics are excellent on my iPad.
In the Tuning section there is a graphic showing a harmonica with all the bends and if you select it in the settings, the overblows and overdraws. You set the graphic to the harmonica key and the key of the scale or chords you want. The graphic changes to show the appropriate notes of the scale or chord. When you play your harp it highlights the note and indicates tuning (sharp or flat as well as volume). You can also change the display to show intervals in place of the note names. Another feature is the ability to select the type of tuning of the harmonica (natural minor, country, powerbender etc.) as well as the type of scale/chords. Selecting a tune type (which position you want to play in) and a song (fairly basic list of songs depending on position chosen) then moves you to the graphic of the harmonica where the note is played, hole highlighted and if you choose the pause mode, it waits for you to play the correct note before it moves on to the next. There is a setting to choose speed of play. The Tuning Dojo has a recording/playback feature that was useful especially in an upgrade.
In the Melody section you are asked to choose a Tune Type (beginner, 1st position, 2nd, 3rd or 4th) and then based on type, a selection of songs is presented. You then select the desired key for the harp you are using and the key of the song. If it is ‘inappropriate’ a message comes up - “Harmonica missing notes for this key”. The graphic here looks like ‘falling bars’ that are coded by colour and symbol for blow, draw, bend and if selected OB or OD. Like the Tuning section, the pause feature caused it to wait until you play the right note.
The help section is pretty straight forward and where needed, there is also a direct link to the web site which provides much more information.
The most exciting thing that I saw was in the Tuning section where I could play a song, phrase, riff and it would show me the notes I played by name (or interval) in the location played (eg. 2 or 3+). I could record what I played and when I played it back, I could then write down the notes as it played back the tune. What is really of interest to me is that when I asked, Paul (developer) indicated he was working on having the app record the tune and then show the tabs. He also indicated many other features he was looking to include in future upgrades. An upgrade version will include chromatic. I am anxious to get that one as I definitely fall in to the appropriate category of beginner/intermediate there.
Hope this helps with any interest you may have in this app.
Very interesting!
Is this available for the iphone? I looked and could not find it...
Thank you Hank, your time is much appreciated!
I asked, no due to small screen size.
Re: iPhone
No, only iPad. This is due to user experience issues with the small screen size of the iPhone, as well as possible performance limitiations.
It should work fine on the new iPad mini though.
I found an app Pitch Lab which is a free app for droid. I use it to check that I hit the bend notes right. For me at least I find it very useful if I can get a visual display so I know the note/bend I'm aiminng for is correct. This little app has really helped me with my bending.
Jeff
Most of you have seen David's post on videos he has put together on the use the HarpNinja program. I downloaded this app to my i-pad about a week ago and it is really great for dialing in bends. I highly recommend to the members out there to check it out if you haven't already. Of course check out David's videos around this program as they are useful.
Brian
Even though I did the original review, after watching David's excellent review video, I downloaded it to my MAC and have found new uses for it as I work my way through the test songs. It really is helping me get an understanding of the chromatic as well. It has come a long way and like David said, his attitude in continuing to develop this app is impressive!!
One drawback with HarpNinja is that if you are playing with a jam track such as the study songs, the program will not likely pick up the notes you are playing. This can be an issue on the study songs to ensure you are hitting the right pitch, especially when bending. However I did find one way to get around this. The HarpNinja app can play for you the correct pitch if you tap on the note (Check out David's video on this functionality). When listening to my recording I would tap the note on the program when the note of concern in my playing came up to hear how close I am. I would also loop back on any areas of concern, such as bends, listen to my playing, pause, and then listen to the program note to see how close I matched the pitch. This was really useful to tell if my bends were matching the correct pitch. It also helps train the ear.
Brian
Thanks for the thumbs up on HarpNinja.
It's starting to get there now. and I have a long list of features I'd like to implement (though it has to compete with other projects at the moment)
re: Jam Track
Unfortunately the backing track and the harp need to be isolated from each other otherwise it's impossible to do real time pitch recognition on the harp.
The best way would be to play your jam track through headphones so it's isolated from the mic/harp input.
Or if you have a very directional mic you could play the jam track and the harp mic should not pick up the jam tracks audio.
I have developed (another project) a multi track jam track app that I may roll into HarpNinja at some point, so I do have some ideas on how to integrate jam tracks into the app itself. I'm also looking at how it might be possible for users to play their own jam tracks but still have the harp seperate.
Even in that case though you would still need to isolate the jam track output so it does no "leak" into the harp mic therefore disrupting the pitch recognition.
As always, feedback/suggestions/bug reports are more than welcome, either via the forum @ http://harpninja.com/smf/index.php or direct email via http://harpninja.com/wp/#contact
Cheers,
Paul Cohen aka Komuso Tokugawa
Shibuya-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
Skype: sonicviz
http://chordskilz.sonicviz.com/
Linked In: Paul Cohen
Twitter: @sonicviz @komusotokugawa @harpninja
I've used the headphones for the backing track and that system works very well! Thanks for your work Paul
I downloaded Harpninja for Windows. I am running it on Win7 64 with a studio quality outboard sound card (V-Studio 20). I love the idea of the program, but, on my system, there seem to be some problems. The most annoying is that the program does not pick up the low notes on the harp. It is fine from the 5 hole to the top, but it has trouble with the 1, 2, and 3 hole. I have fooled with the input settings, but they don't help.
I got a free android app call 'harmonica tuner'. It does exactly what Harpninja tries to do, but right now, it does it better. I will stick with Harpninja. I am hoping that things improve with future upgrades.
Bill
Hi Bill,
re: The most annoying is that the program does not pick up the low notes on the harp. It is fine from the 5 hole to the top, but it has trouble with the 1, 2, and 3 hole.
The issue here is the microphone position in relation to the harmonica, especially for lower tuned harps due to the physical nature of the soundwave of the lower frequency notes.
For example: G harmonica is a very low tuning. You will find that depending on the microphone type, position, and gain you may need to adjust your position of the harmonica relative to the mic to get proper pitch recognition on the lower frequency harps.
You might only get the higher octave enharmonic note lighting up as the mic is only picking up that part of the audio spectrum. Try moving closer to the mic for these notes.
If you are using a cupped mic via an audio interface you will not usually experience this as you are playing right into the mic, not acoustic style.
Also, some of the lower quality computer mics lose the low frequency very easily unless you are playing right on top of them.
I looked at the audio interface you mention, http://www.rolandus.com/products/details/1100/specs/ .
Are you using the inbuilt mics? Try moving physically closer for the low end and you will see where it starts to pick them up. You might want to use an external mic instead.
I myself have a range of test systems (as do my beta testers) so I've come across this scenario before.
I've actually been intending to make a video on this problem, but only a very small number of users encounter it.
For example, I recently implemented a low tuning switch so you can set a low F harp which is even lower than the standard G. In my testing I found the cheap PC mic I was using would lose tracking on the low end, as would the MacBookPro I use unless I physically changed my position to get closer to the mic (this is playing acoustically).
Actually even my Audio Technica AT 2030 condensor mic (fantastic mic for the price) will not pick up these low end notes properly for pitch recognition unless I'm in the sweet spot of distance and directional angle.
Hope that helps.
Paul
Paul,
Thanks for your response. I will fool with a few different mics and see what happens. From your response, it sounds like there may be an issue that needs to be addressed. I am running the android app on a Galaxy 8 and simply using the built in mic. There are no problems at all with the note recognition - and, I have the Galaxy on my music stand which is three or four feet away from me.
I hope I can solve this problem. I am very impressed with your interface, and with scope of your program.
Bill
Hi Bill.
It's a combination of things, but primarily the type and location of the mic if playing acoustically.
I've done extensive testing and it really is dependant on the device, the mic, and how and where you play into it.
I just did a quick confirmation test on my iPad 2 and I can stand off 5-6 feet and the 1st octave G on a G harp is detected just fine.
I have HarpNinja running on my Android Galaxy S3 just fine, but beyond about a 2 feet it will start to lose lock on the low end of the G. That said, you can't see the smartphone interface from further than that anyway;-) (still working on how best to release a smartphone version)
More than 2-3 feet from my MacBookPro and the speaker in the left grill near the hinge and it loses pitch track on the bottom G.
I play 1-2 feet off my AT 2030, in the right pickup zone, it's aok. I play direct via a mic it's aok.
It's also a little hard to directly compare devices & mics anecdotally when you need to really compare them technically - type, frequency range, how they are positioned in device, detection pattern (cardiod, omni), gain control etc.
I always continue to refine the pitch tracking and test input scenarios, but the algorithm I'm using now gives me the best trade off in terms of responsiveness and accuracy - depending on input signal clarity - and that is very dependant on a number of factors as explained.
If you're not happy with that I'm more than willing to refund your money.
Paul
Yikes Paul,
I certainly don't want my money back. I didn't mean to suggest that Harpninja does not do a satisfactory job. I love the program, and I am very impressed with your commitment to manintaining it and improving it. If the program detected the lower register on the harp more effectively, then, from my point of view, it would be perfect.
It may be a difficulty with Win7. When I moved my DAW system from WinXP to Win7, I had a number of annoying problems with the sound interface. After a ouple of years using it, there are still issues and, in most cases, I had to solve them outside Windows. I use the V-Studio 100 on my recording system and the V-studio 20 on my 'practice' system. Moving the sound processing out of Windows made a big difference.
I have been busy with a recording project, but I will move some of my studio mics over to the 'practice' system and try them with Harpninja. I will let you know if there is any improvment in the response I am getting.
Sorry if I gave you the feeling that I didn't like your application,
Bill
Hi Bill,
No worries, I just meant if it's not working for you I'm happy to refund.
(though I prefer people to try the demo first to ascertain any technical incompatability or workflow issues!)
>>It may be a difficulty with Win7.
I don't think so, I suspect it's more as I outlined previously.
I'll keep investigating the issue, but for now the mic workarounds as suggested previously are the best way to work with HarpNinja especially when playing the lower tunings.
Let me know how you go.
Paul
This would be an issue with the sort of mic you're using. i had this problem when I used the integrated mic in my laptop but I don't have this issue when using my Zoom H1 mic.I love the program and all it's abilities concerning scales and such. What I find particulary handy is that you can create the desired pitch by just clicking on the note. This is something so obvious but I haven't found this function in other programs...Keep up the great work, you are truly providing a great program!!!
I am running HarpNinja on my i-pad, with the standard mic. I could not get it to pick up the 1 draw bend and the 2 draw full step bend on my A and G harps. At first I thought it was just me, but then I played the note in the HarpNinja and was able to match the pitch on my harmonica. So certainly an OK work around. I agree this is a nice feature to have. It also helps train my ears. I am sure over time we'll see various upgrades. Still great tool all around. I use it during all my practice times.
Brian
This is so obvious, I'm almost embarassed to mention it but I tried to figure out the low note thing on my Low F (haven't tried anything lower but then when I noticed it on the left side of the harmonica, I clicked on the "low" box and it made a huge difference. If you haven't noticed it, give it a shot
Thanks for the feedback. Really glad people are finding it useful!
I'm working on an update at the moment (date tbd) with a few tweaks like harmonising the sharps and flats to be consistant with standard music signatures.
@bccurtis
Try playing around with the distance position of your harp relative to the on board mic. (within reasonable comfortable playing position limitiations)
What version iPad do you have btw?
@Hank
Apologies for the confusion. It was easier (and better for not overpopulating the key dropdown) to just add a low octave switch.
I've got a bunch of ideas to add, maybe I'll run a poll online and see what interests people the most?
Paul:
I have a version 5.1.1 iPad.
I tried playing with the distance, but no luck. I may try it again the next time I am practicing.
Otherwise still a great tool during my practice time.
Thanks
Brian
@bcurtis
That's OS v5? And what model?
re: Low note pickups I'm still investigating if I can tweak the signal processing to pick up low octaves from lower mics from some on board mics, as noted by you and bill.
Cheers,
Paul
Paul:
Not sure on iPad model, I'll have to check and get back to you. I think it is the second version, but need to confirm.
Brian
Second iteration of the iPad.
BC
ty
@Brian @Bill
After a deep dive into the murky depths of Digital Signal Processing I've managed to tweak the signal processing to expand the low end sound capture. I'll include this in the next update, which I don't have a release date for yet as I'm still working on some other things with it.
Just thought I'd let you know I hadn't forgotten.
Harp On!
Paul:
This sounds great. Looking foward to this update. Great use of "voice of customer" to continually improve your product.
Thanks
Brian
After following this post I had better get my act in gear and try this program
I just spent a couple of hours working with the Chromatic Harmonica utility. I am practicing jazz concepts and a lot of what I do is running scales, playing arpeggios, working with simple improv over II V I changes, etc.
It occured to me that having a ledger line graphic above the harmonica graphic that showed the note being played in standard notation would be a big help to Chromatic students learning jazz or classical. None of the systems that I have experimented with use harmonica tab.
Even David's diatonic lessons on this site include the standard notation above the tabbed notes.
Bill
@Bill
Thanks for the suggestions. CPN (common practice notation) is on the todo list, but I can't project when at this point.
A quick heads up on HarpNinja development status:
http://harpninja.com/wp/2014/03/25/harpninja-2-4-development/
Aplologies for the delay's in the much requested low tuning pitch recognition improvement and proper note notation in sharps/flats. The good news is the work I've been doing on some other apps has fed back into these changes (and others) as they leverage HarpNinja's engine. So I'm rolling up a few changes into a point release *soon*. Stay tuned!
Have to say I'm not thrilled. Loaded it up and worked fine but now won't recognise any pitch, any harp. Wrote in and they suggested a fresh reboot which I have tried with no success. The ipad is less than a year old and the mic function works well still with other apps.
I'm just going to stick to using the tuner on the metronome rather than paying again to install on another device and risk the same thing happening.
Plus the reply on the contact from harpninja always gets MALER DAEMON so have given up with that
I'm sorry to hear that.
I was wondering why I never got a reply to my email suggestions to troubleshoot.
This is only a secondary support channel but I try to check it at least every couple of days.
The official support is via web contact as you did , and/or the official forum at http://harpninja.com/smf/index.php I'll look into the email issue with my web provider by submitting a bug report, as I recently had another user mention a bounce reply.
edit: My mistake, my auto reply email on my mobile was wrong which is why the reply bounced. Fixed.
I'm not sure why your iPad is not working, as currently I'm not getting reports from other users and the majority are iPad. Did you try all the suggestions?
Can you email me the responses to my initial questions at paul at sonicviz.com (replace at with @).
Edit: Sent you an email from my desktop which *should* work aok
I'm just about to release V2.4 and am in final testing on iOS 7.1 which has improved pitch frequency response and sharps/flats display properly + numerous bug fixes.
I did delete and then reload and still no luck. The mic function works on other programmes. Maybe I'll wait until the new version comes out and reload that. In the meantime will get by with my tuner, but its not as good as harpninja when functioning
Hi,
I still need more information.
What version iPad?
What version iOS?
After reinstall, did you get the dialog popping up asking for permission to use the microphone?
Is the iPad Jailbroken? (As mentioned, people do this and I need to know as it can impact app)
Are you running the app without any other apps in background?
My gut feel is a new app version will not solve this as a reinstall is essentially the same thing.
If it worked, then it works.
How long did it work for before it stopped?
What were you doing when it stopped?
Did it crash suddenly when you were doing something, or did it not work when you went to open it for a new sessions.
I'm just trying to understand the context of use. It's very strange that it worked and then doesn't so something unusual is happening and the only way to ascertain what that may be, due to lack of crash information from Apple, is to ask a series of searching questions.
I do have some remote crash reporting which I'm checking, but your answers may give me clues with which I can possibly reproduce in the new version I'm currently working on, if it is an intermittantly occuring bug.
I'd also appreciate if we could continue this by email. This is not an official support channel, as mentioned.
Cheers,
Paul
fyi HarpNinja V2.5 will be released very soon
More info -> http://harpninja.com/wp/2014/05/30/harpninja-2-5-close-release/
HarpNinja V2.5 PC and OSX are now live. iOS is still waiting for review.
I like the new look. I am going to try it more in details.
David has just to redo his lesson now ;-)
Thanks for the review
Very informative