Turboharp TurboSlide TS-003 User manual

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
User Guide
PATENT PENDINGModel TS-003 rev: 05.05.2011

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
Congratulations on being one of the first kids on your block to own a TurboSlideTM harp – the
latest innovation from our development bench. We hope you have fun with it, and greatly
appreciate your support... and constructive criticism.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
BACKGROUND
Since the very origins of the harmonica, dating back to the early Chinese Sheng 3000 years
ago, its physical principles of operation have remained basically unchanged. The sound
generator, the free reed, produces a note by periodically interrupting the flow of air through the
instrument. The pitch of the note produced by reed is determined by three factors: its mass, its
stiffness, and the resonance of the air path (which includes the player’s oral cavity.)
draw blow
AIR CHAMBER
BLOW
REED
UPPER
REED PLATE
COMB
LOWER
REED PLATE
DRAW REED
REED SLOT
REED SLOT
RIVET
Cross Section of the Diatonic Harmonica
As you are probably aware, the player may alter the mass and stiffness the reeds by sanding,
scraping or filing material from either the tip or the root, respectively. He/she may also modulate
the resonance of the air path through bending or overbending.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
OVERBLOWS
2 SEMITONE
BLOW BEND
1 SEMITONE
BLOW BEND
BLOW TONES
DRAW TONES
1 SEMITONE
DRAW BEND
2 SEMITONE
DRAW BEND
3 SEMITONE
DRAW BEND
OVERDRAWS
C
1
D
E
2
G
G
3
B
C
4
D
E
5
F
G
6
A
C
7
B
E
8
D
G
9
F
C
10
A
262 330 392 523 659 784 1046 1318 1568 2092
298 392 494 587 698 880 9686 1191 1397 1760
Db/
C# Gb/ F# Bb/ A# Db/ C# (E) Ab/ G#
FA
Ab/
G#
C#/
Db (F) G#/ Ab C# Db
D#/
Eb F#/ Gb B
D#/
Eb D#/ Eb F#/ Gb A#/ Bb
A#/
Bb
HOLE
By appropriately altering his/her embouchure, a player can achieve several of the “missing”
notes not normally provided by the diatonic scale. Some notes may be “bent” lower, others
“overblown” or “overblown” higher. These are summarized in the diagram below:
The lower “bendable” notes typically provide a smooth transition between the natural pitch of
the draw reed and approximately a semitone below the pitch of the blow reed. The bends on
the upper register, as well as the overblows and overdraws involve more sudden transition of
pitch.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
The Chromatic harmonica offers additional possibilities by providing additional reeds in each of
the sound holes. A valved plate is typically needed to toggle between the natural note and a
sharped note. Again, this provides a sudden transition of pitch, precluding a gradual transition
and hence limiting the expression of the player.
HOW IT WORKS
The TurboSlide represents a NEW generation of harmonica, somewhat adopting the
characteristics of both the Diatonic and Chromatic harp. The physical principle of its operation
is shown schematically below:
N
S
FORCE
δ
δ
RESTORING FORCE
Forceduetoelasticityofreed
MAGNETIC
FIELD
MAGNET
DISPLACEMENT OF REED
magnetforce
TotalForce
The TurboSlide employs a permanent magnet adjacent to the reed to alter its stiffness. From
the diagram you can see that the relationship of force to displacement which is normally a
straight line becomes more shallow when the magnetic force is added to it. Lower stiffness
means lower pitch.
REED
PLATE
REED

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
Then by sliding the magnet towards/away from the reed, the pitch can be adjusted
manually. The current version TurboSlide is equipped with ten magnets attached to a
common carriage. One magnet for each blow reed. (For reasons explained later, this
model does not include magnets on the draw reeds.)
magnet
rack
magnet cavity
N
S
N
S
SLIDE
PRESSHERE
reed

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
OK, you might be wondering why there are no magnets on the draw reeds. There
are two reasons. One is that the draw reeds, at least on the lower register, are
already easy to bend. Therefore there is not as big an advantage of a slide. On the
other hand you might ask, “why not use the magnet in the opposite direction, to
make the note sharper?” This is indeed technically possible, but more difficult. We
therefore plan to add this feature in a later version of the TurboSlide harp.
Putting it all together, the TS-003 model TurboSlide provides the “missing” flatted
semitones on the blow notes (red box below) and greater control over the bent notes
of the top register (dotted box below.)
FLATTED
SEMITONE
BLOW TONES
DRAW TONES
FLATTED
SEMITONE
C
1
D
E
2
G
G
3
B
C
4
D
E
5
F
G
6
A
C
7
B
E
8
D
G
9
F
C
10
A
262 330 392 523 659 784 1046 1318 1568 2092
298 392 494 587 698 880 9686 1191 1397 1760
Db
C# Gb F# Bb/ A# Db/ C# EAb G#
HOLE
B
SHARPED
SEMINTONE
Bb
A# Db C# EAb
G#
SHARPED
SEMINTONE F
DC
C
AC
GF
DC
C
AC
GF
DC
C
AC
G
DC
C
D
EC
F
GCBD EC
F
GCBD EC
F
GCB
D
EC
G
ACCD EC
D
EC
C
A
BC
F
GC
A
BC
F
GC

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
4
5
BLOW
DRAW
Blow Bend
Draw Bend
TurboSlide-1
Over Bends
HOLE
6
3
2
1
7
8
9
10
CDCDECEFG CGACABCBCD
DC
Slowly for soulful expression... or rapidly, to introduce tremolo.... One at a
time; or all at once... By a half-step, or even whole step!
Better yet, because the TurboSlide allows the altered notes to be phased
in/out at will, the player is offered the ability to bend any of these notes
smoothly.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
TurboSlide of the Future
Here are some additional features from our development bench that we plan to add to future versions of the
TurboSlide:
1. Ability to bend (flatten) the draw notes. Although these notes are already bendable in the conventional
fashion; there is an advantage to the TurboSlide feature, namely: the ability to bend them all at once,
introduce tremolo, and special tunings.
2. Ability to sharpen (bend up) the blow reeds. This is technically more difficult, and has not yet been
perfected. If successful, it would provide a true “whammy bar” effect.
3. Static version: concealed magnets without slide, to allow easy tuning of reeds without filing.
4. Economy version: The current TurboSlide is based on the Seydel Silver, which is one of the only harps
having paramagnetic reeds. This is a very high quality harmonica, but also very expensive. We have
experimented with modifying brass-reeded harps to make their reeds more magnetic, thereby providing
the same functionality for nearly half the cost..
5. You tell us! What features would you like to see? We’re always listening.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
OK, you might be wondering why there are no magnets on the draw reeds. There
are two reasons. One is that the draw reeds, at least on the lower register, are
already easy to bend. Therefore there is not as big an advantage of a slide. On the
other hand you might ask, “why not use the magnet in the opposite direction, to
make the note sharper?” This is indeed technically possible, but more difficult. We
therefore plan to add this feature in a later version of the TurboSlide harp.
Putting it all together, the TS-003 model TurboSlide provides the “missing” flatted
semitones on the blow notes. (Green box below.) Future models of TurboSlide may
provide all the missing notes of the chromatic scale. (Red boxes below.)
FLATTED
SEMITONE
BLOW TONES
DRAW TONES
FLATTED
SEMITONE
C
1
D
E
2
G
G
3
B
C
4
D
E
5
F
G
6
A
C
7
B
E
8
D
G
9
F
C
10
A
262 330 392 523 659 784 1046 1318 1568 2092
298 392 494 587 698 880 9686 1191 1397 1760
Db
C# Gb F# Bb/ A# Db/ C# EAb G#
HOLE
B
SHARPED
SEMINTONE
Bb
A# Db C# EAb
G#
SHARPED
SEMINTONE F
DC
C
AC
GF
DC
C
AC
GF
DC
C
AC
G
DC
C
D
EC
F
GCBD EC
F
GCBD EC
F
GCB
D
EC
G
ACCD EC
D
EC
C
A
BC
F
GC
A
BC
F
GC

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
2.28.10 JFA
NATURAL (HARMONIC)
MINOR
BLOW TONES
DRAW TONES
MELODY
MAKER
C
1
D
E
2
G
G
3
B
C
4
D
E
5
F
G
6
A
C
7
B
E
8
D
G
9
F
C
10
A
262 330 392 523 659 784 1046 1318 1568 2092
298 392 494 587 698 880 9686 1191 1397 1760
HOLE
The future model TurboSlide could also be equipped with a non-moveable magnets, to offer static
altered tunings. For example.
A
ECECEC
F
altered
tone MELODY
MAKER
F
BC
NATURAL
MINOR BC
DG D F A D A
CGC GCGC
HARMONIC
MINOR DG D F DBACBAC
F
F
DG DBADA
B
CCGCGC
EEE
Additionally, the magnets may be used simply to allow the player
to re-tune his/her harmonica, without needing to file down the
reeds. Go to www.turboharp.com for details, or email
[email protected].

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
A future version of the TurboSlide will also allow tones to be sharped:
4
5
BLOW
DRAW
Blow Bend
Draw Bend
TurboSlide-1
TurboSlide-2
Over Bends
HOLE
6
3
2
1
7
8
9
10
CDCDECEFG CGACABCBCD
DC

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Its really very simple... and almost self explanatory. Just press the button, in the direction shown. You may
press the button before blowing to play a fixed pitch, or while you’re blowing to produce a bend. Think of it
as a whammy bar for the harmonica.
Here are a few additional fun things to try:
1. Press the button repeatedly while blowing to produce a tremolo effect. It almost sounds like a Hammond
organ.
2. Play a chord, then bend all the notes at once... a “slow motion” effect.
3. Try bending any of the lower notes on the harp in the usual fashion, then depress the slide: notice how
they go even lower! (You can also press first, bend later.)
4. If you’re in to overblowing, try pressing the slide just before attempting to overblow. Notice how much
easier they are to hit perfectly.
The possibilities have yet to be explored. Let us know what you discover!
MAINTENANCE
The TurboSlideTM should be treated with care... like any other harp. The exterior can be cleaned with a soft
cloth. The interior may be rinsed with water, the internal parts are corrosion resistant. If you wish to
remove the cover plates, help yourself – but please pay close attention to how everything fits together. It
takes a bit of finesse to get the slide to operate smoothly without sticking.
PRECAUTIONS
• Because the The TurboSlideTM employs high-strength permanent magnets, although small, it is advisable not to place your
credit card or ATM card in near proximity: like next to your wallet. There have yet been any reports of this happening, but
better safe than sorry.
• If adjusting the setscrews, do not overtighten so as to permit the magnet to poke out the bottom of the rack. This will distort
the rack, and probably get caught when you press the slide.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
TUNING & TWEAKS
Tuning: 0n some models1, the degree of bending (bend depth) of the TurboSlide can be altered somewhat by adjusting the
tuning magnets. To do this, you must first remove the cover plates. A small Phillips screwdriver has been supplied for this
purpose. Once removed, the magnet rack is exposed in which there are ten small screws containing the magnets.
Loosening the screws will diminish the flattening effect; while tightening will accentuate the effect. But be advised that the
screws do not have a lower “stop.” Therefore you should be careful not to over tighten. If you see the rack
bending as you tighten, or see the magnet protruding out the bottom, you’ve gone too far. This will not damage
the harp, but will throw off the tuning of all the other reeds.
Replacing Magnets: Your harp should have come with at least one “spare” magnet.* In the event that something happens to
one of the magnets, for example if the threads or screw slot becomes stripped. Replacing the magnet should normally be a
simple matter of unscrewing the old one out, and the other back in its place. The TurboSlide is usually shipped with high-
power magnets. Although they can be adjusted,* you might find they are just a little bit “too” strong. We also supply optional
“medium” and “low” power magnets which can be easily swapped in. You can purchase replacement magnets on our
website, or by contacting us directly.
Stiffness. The slide lever is intentionally designed to be stiff, so as to provide force-feedback the player. But you might prefer a
softer response. There are two ways to do this. One is to remove the screw marked “A” on the diagram below. This will
eliminate the right most leaf spring from the mechanism. The screw can be left out without affecting the function of the
harp. If you wish to make this permanent, you can simply “prune” the leaf spring with wire cutters, a sharp razor blade, or
nail clippers.
Stiction. If you find that the slide mechanism become “sticky,” it might be caused by over tightened retaining screws. Try
loosening screws D, B, and Aone a time to see if this solves the problem. Only a tiny twist will have a big effect. (Note,
screw Cis not currently used.) Another possibility is that the cover plates have become a little crushed (like when you sit on
it. Try sliding a piece of paper between the plastic magnet rack and cover plate. If it does not fit easily, then gently pry open
the cover plate just a tiny bit and try again. A
B
CD
Reed Gapping. Due to the attractive force of the TurboSlide
magnets, they tend to reduce the gap of the reed when the
slide is depressed. Sometimes this can cause the reed to
“choke.” If you find this to be the case, you might try enlarging
the gap slightly. Instructions how to do this are available on
several websites, including ours.
If you run into any kind of trouble, don't hesitate to contact us. We are committed to
making your TurboSlide experience a satisfying one. If we cannot solve your problem
remotely, we are pleased to service your harp in our shop.
(1) pre 5-2011: most harps
provided with adjustable magnets.
after 5-2011 this was made
available as an option.

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TurboSlide Harp – User Guide, page
VER. 05.05.11, ©AntakaMatics, Inc. 2010
Update: The TurboSlide S-20
We are now working on a new model of the TurboSlideTM harp, based on our favorite standby,
the Special-20. It will also feature our signature TurboLids rather than the metal cover plates.
And best of all: it will be less expensive! We’re aiming for $99.00 retail price. Stay tuned