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MSP Pickup in a 300-Seat Concert Hall: Harp Trio & Contrabass Ensemble Showcase

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This post introduces a wonderful example of the MSP Contact Pickup used in a live ensemble performance. In a 300-seat concert hall, a trio of harps and a contrabass performed together, each harp equipped with an MSP Pickup to ensure a clear, natural amplified sound throughout the venue. A video of the concert is featured above, showcasing how well the MSP Pickup captures the warm resonance of multiple harps even in a large hall. Its patented magnetic mounting system (U.S. and Japan) allows players to attach the pickup securely to the soundboard without altering or damaging the instrument. We also included a close-up performance video where the MSP Pickup is clearly visible on the harp. Unlike the wide hall shot, this angle makes it easy to see exactly where the pickup is mounted. The MSP Pickup continues to be a reliable choice for harpists and acoustic performers seeking professional-quality sound reinforcement in both small and large venues. | 123sound.jp (MSP pickup company site...
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[ Irish harp with MSP pickup]　A Decade of Trusted Tone: Shiho Watanabe Shares Her Experience with the MSP Contact Pickup

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Our longtime customer, Shiho Watanabe , has graciously shared her impressions after more than a decade of using the MSP Contact Pickup . This pickup—secured using our patented magnetic mounting system in both Japan and the United States—allows musicians to attach it directly to the soundboard without damaging the instrument. The MSP Pickup is designed to capture the natural resonance of acoustic instruments such as harps and hammered dulcimers, producing a clear, expressive tone even in live environments. Its durability and ease of installation make it a reliable companion for performers who need consistent, high-quality amplification. We will feature Ms. Watanabe’s performance videos from a café concert, where she used MSP Pickups on both harp and dulcimer. We hope her experience will help other musicians discover how the MSP Contact Pickup can enhance their own sound. Comment from Shiho Watanabe I have been using the MSP Pickup for more than ten years, and it has become an essent...
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Effortless Amplification for Harp and Cello with the MSP Pickup

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Making Beautiful Acoustic Sounds Heard — The MSP Pickup in Concert Attaching a microphone to delicate instruments like a harp can be challenging, but with the MSP Pickup, installation is surprisingly easy. Because it uses a magnetic mounting system, you can simply insert the inner magnet through the sound hole and attach the MSP Pickup to the front surface — no tools, clips, or damage to your instrument. In concert settings where greater volume is needed, or when balancing sound levels between ensemble instruments, amplification becomes essential. The MSP Pickup offers a reliable and natural-sounding solution for such situations. Another advantage is visibility — since the MSP Pickup requires no mic stand, the performer’s playing remains clearly visible to the audience. It also reduces the amount of equipment musicians need to bring to a performance. We were delighted to receive feedback from the cellist featured in this video: “For years I’ve been looking for a good microphone for ...
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Transforming an Acoustic Kalimba into an Electric Instrument with the MSP Pickup

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Giving the Kalimba a New Voice — Using the MSP Pickup for Electric Expression The kalimba is often played as an acoustic instrument, but with the right gear, it can be transformed into an electric instrument, expanding its expressive range with effects and layers of sound. This time, we’d like to introduce a great example of that transformation. The video below was kindly shared by Yuu Souda (Earth Musician), whom we’ve featured before on our blog. In this setup, he attached our MSP Pickup—a contact microphone that captures the natural resonance of acoustic instruments—to his kalimba, then routed the sound through an effect pedal. This allows a single kalimba to produce deep, layered tones with rich spatial depth. The MSP Pickup is a patented magnetic contact piezo pickup, designed and manufactured in Japan. Its unique feature is a built-in magnet that allows it to be easily attached to any ferromagnetic metal part—such as the keys or bars of a kalimba—without any modification or damag...
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[ UKULELE with MSP pickup ] What is a Pickup? Let Our MSP Pickup Video Help!

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MSP Pickup is a unique contact pickup, developed and manufactured in Japan, that acts like a microphone for your acoustic instrument. Patented in the U.S. and Japan, its original design uses magnets to attach directly to the instrument's resonating body, providing a clear, natural sound without any sticky adhesives. Below is a video that helps answer common questions like "What is a pickup?" and "What is an amp?". The video also includes a sound comparison between our MSP Pickup and a typical stick-on pickup. We hope you'll find it helpful! |  123sound.jp (MSP pickup company site)  |  123sound.jp SHOP  | #pickup #acousticguitar #ukulele  #musicalinstruments #contactmicrophone #comparison #MSPpickup #amplifier
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[ Kalimba with MSP pickup ] The Best Way to Record Your Kalimba at Home

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Have you ever tried to record your kalimba at home, only to be frustrated by unwanted noises? Sounds from outside, family members, or even your air conditioner can easily get picked up by a standard microphone, making it hard to get a clean recording. We have a solution for you! The MSP Pickup is a type of contact microphone that captures sound directly from the vibrations of your instrument. This means it's great at isolating your instrument's sound and minimizing background noise. The MSP Pickup's unique magnetic design makes it incredibly easy to attach to your kalimba. You can simply stick it to a metal part of the instrument or clamp it onto the soundboard using the magnets. This allows for quick setup and ensures that you're capturing the purest sound of your instrument. By using the MSP Pickup and connecting it to a mixer or audio interface for recording, you'll find that your recordings have far less background noise and a much closer, richer sound than wha...
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Could a Watering Can Sound This Good? Ask Percussionist Noboru Ishida!

この投稿をInstagramで見る 石田昇(@office_amaoto)がシェアした投稿 MSP Pickup: Experience the True Sound of Your Instrument We're incredibly excited to share some amazing feedback from our valued customers about the MSP Pickup , our patented contact microphone designed for musical instruments. What makes the MSP Pickup truly special is its innovative magnetic attachment system , which lets you easily and securely fasten it to your instrument's soundboard. This clever design, protected by patents in both the US and Japan, means you get exceptional sound capture without ever having to permanently modify your beloved instrument. Here’s what one of our customers, percussionist Noboru Ishida, recently told us: A Game-Changer for Percussionist Noboru Ishida Noboru Ishida, a talented percussionist, creates unique rhythms using a watering can – you know, the kind you use for watering plants! He used to really struggle with his previous setup. He'd actually have to drill holes into...
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