The Eventide Model H949 Harmonizer was introduced in 1977 as an upgrade to the original H910. It was designed to offer more advanced features and improved sound quality, while still retaining the unique sound that made the H910 so popular.
The Eventide Model H949 was a significant step forward in the development of pitch-shifting and harmonizing technology. It featured a much more powerful microprocessor than its predecessor, which allowed it to perform more complex calculations and produce more accurate and natural-sounding harmonies.
One of the key features of the H949 was its ability to create up to five simultaneous harmonies. This was achieved through the use of multiple pitch-shifting algorithms, which allowed users to create harmonies in a variety of different intervals and musical scales. The H949 also featured a “delay” knob that allowed users to adjust the timing of the harmonies, creating complex and intricate musical arrangements.
Another major upgrade in the Eventide Model H949 was the addition of a digital display, which made it much easier for users to adjust and control the various parameters of the device. This was a significant improvement over the H910, which relied on a series of knobs and buttons to adjust the settings.
In addition to its harmonizing capabilities, the H949 also had a wide range of other effects, including flanging, phasing, and echo. These effects could be combined with the harmonizing features to create rich, complex sounds that were perfect for creating atmospheric textures and unique musical arrangements.
The Eventide Model H949 was used by a wide range of artists, including Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Frank Zappa. Its unique sound and advanced features made it a favorite among musicians and producers, and it helped to shape the sound of popular music throughout the 1980s and beyond.
The Eventide Model H949 Harmonizer remains a highly sought-after piece of music technology. Its impact on the recording industry and popular music cannot be overstated, and its legacy continues to be felt today through its influence on modern pitch-shifting and harmonizing effects.