All user reviews of 3/5 for the Boss HR-2 Harmonist

Boss came out with this harmonizing pedal back in 1994 and it was a pretty big hit. This pedal had some good functions to hit that made it fun to find great octaves harmonies with two different harmonies. This pedal was design for guys to find interesting new effects to add to their rig. this pedal unlike most effects including delay, phasers, chorus, and flangers this effect tackled the need to take an existing guitar line and double or triple it with a chorus of harmonies. This would essentially give you a wide range of possible tones within one little pedal.

UTILIZATION

Controls

Effect level knobs for A/B: These knobs are used to independently adjust the volumes of parts A and B. If either of the knobs are turned completely off, then you only have a 1-part harmony instead of a 2-part harmony.
Voice switches A/B: These knobs adjust the harmonic interval of voices A and B. You can select any of the following setting for each voice, A or B, independently: -1 octave, -6th, -5th, -4th, -3rd, detune, +3rd, +4th, +5th, +6th or +1 octave.
Key switch This knob allows you to select the key that corresponds to the song being played. The HR-2 then creates 1-part or 2-part harmony parts automatically.

Specifications

Controls: E. Level, Voice A switch, Voice B switch, 12-way Key Switch
Connectors: Input, Detector In, Output A, Output B, AC Adaptor
Current Draw: 75 mA (DC 9V)
Recommended AC Adaptor: PSA Series


SOUND QUALITY

You can set this pedal up to match the key to which you are playing and allow that harmony to either be played above your octave or below the octave and the great feature of having one play above and below at the same time. This was great for getting Brian May/Queen type harmonies. Queen used to pull off vocals harmonies and Brian May would also pull off guitar harmonies and used a pedal similar to this one to get that effect.

I find this pedal suits best for lead line playing. I don't really like how it sound when you play a full chord. It sound very unique and interesting when you are soling or playing some sort of lead playing. It is a fun pedal and can give you hours of exploring different tones and effects.

OVERALL OPINION

This pedal is not disconnected and is only available on the used market. You can check the classifieds for what they are going or you can pickup the newer model the Boss PS-6 which has an array of features that top this pedal. I feel that the newer one is more user friendly and has more to offer the guitarist.