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Electrifying the Tradition: Testing the MSP Pickup on the Japanese Biwa with Sumire Kaoru

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The Biwa is a traditional Japanese short-necked lute, known for its powerful, percussive accents and delicate, lingering resonances. However, capturing its complex soul through amplification has always been a challenge for performers—until now. Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sumire Kaoru, an innovative player of the Chikuzen Five-String Biwa, to our studio. We conducted an experiment to see how the MSP Pickup by 123sound.jp could handle the unique structural demands of this historic instrument. Reference articles: Revolutionizing Biwa Amplification: A Special Session with Kaoru Sumire A Seamless Blend of Magnetism and Tradition One of the most significant advantages of the MSP Pickup is its magnetic mounting system. For an instrument as precious and rare as the Biwa, permanent modifications or drilling are out of the question. Video Highlights: 0:44 Introduction to the Chikuzen Five-String Biwa. 1:53 How to attach carefully the MSP Pickup using magnets. 4:30 Gear setup ...
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Professional Harpist’s Review: Why the MSP Pickup is a Game-Changer for Performance

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Today, we are excited to share an insightful review video from Mikako Sakamoto , a professional harpist and certified instructor at the Miyabi Method Music School. As an expert who brings the beautiful tones of the harp to audiences, her perspective on gear is truly eye-opening!   In her video on the "Nezumi Harp Channel," Mikako covers everything a harpist needs to know: 02:21~ Introduction to the MSP Pickup 06:24~ Guide to choosing an amplifier She starts by discussing a fundamental question: "Why do we even need a microphone or an amp?" Understanding the importance of gear is the first step to a great performance. 💡 Real Feedback from the Field What impressed us most was Mikako’s practical take on the MSP Pickup. She highlighted two major benefits for performers: "It doesn’t get in your way" : Unlike vocal microphones on stands, it doesn't interfere with your hand movements. "The mic moves with you" : Since it's attached directly to...
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Exploring New Sounds: Kalimba with the MSP Pickup

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We’d like to introduce a creative way to use the MSP Pickup, as demonstrated by musician Yu Soda. By attaching the MSP Pickup to a Kalimba and connecting it to effect pedals, Yu Soda expands the instrument's natural sound. Instead of a simple dry tone, this setup allows for: Added Depth: Using reverb or echo to create a more spacious feel. Layered Sounds: Using delay to build up rich, rhythmic textures. Versatile Expression: Achieving a fuller sound that goes beyond a standard Kalimba. Simple and Non-Invasive Setup The MSP Pickup is a contact piezo pickup with an integrated magnet. If your Kalimba has magnetic metal parts—such as the pressure bar or bridge—you can easily mount the pickup. Because it uses magnets, you can move or remove it in seconds without any adhesives. Just remember to place the pickup gently onto the metal parts to protect the internal sensor. It’s a great tool for anyone looking to experiment with their sound! | 123sound.jp (MSP pickup company site) | 123sound...
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Recording with SEIGO: Capturing the Pulse of the Bongos

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  テーマ： MSP パーカッション関連情報 Today, we are thrilled to feature SEIGO , a versatile musician who is active internationally as a composer, producer, and performer. Recently, his original music was featured on Kamakura FM's Seaside Cafe 82.8 . During the recording process for these tracks, SEIGO used the MSP Pickup to capture his bongo performances through overdubbing. You can listen to the radio archive here: About SEIGO SEIGO wears many hats in the music industry, from producer to educator. Stay connected with his latest projects through his social media channels: SEIGO（@seigoes） / X 　 https://x.com/seigoes Instagram Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you. www.instagram.com   Seigo Maruyama 楽しいものならナンでもアップ！ www.youtube.com   Pro Tips for Percussion Setup When using the MSP Pickup on percussion, the goal is to find a "sweet spot" that captures your ideal tone without getting in the way of your performance. Since drumheads ...
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Easy Ukulele Amplification: MSP Pickup Unboxing & Wireless Test

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"Is the MSP Pickup really that easy to install?" This is a question we hear from musicians all over the world. We know that when you're ready to play, you don't want to spend hours fumbling with complicated gear. Today, we are excited to share a raw, "no-stop" video from one of our customers! They filmed the entire process from the moment they opened the box to the first notes played, showing exactly what it’s like to set up the MSP Pickup.  What’s great about this video is that towards the end, the user pairs the pickup with a wireless amp system. It’s a perfect example of how practical and versatile this setup is for real-world performance. Note: The specific kit shown in this video is a version exclusive to the Japanese market and includes some components not available for international shipping. However, the core MSP Pickup technology remains the same worldwide! Experience the simplicity for yourself—no drilling, no hassle, just pure sound. | 123sound...
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Revolutionizing Biwa Amplification: A Special Session with Kaoru Sumire

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We recently had the pleasure of welcoming Kaoru Sumire, a renowned Chikuzen Biwa player, to our studio to test out the MSP Pickup! elec.琵琶　 菫薫 （Sumire Kaoru） Instagram Create an account or log in to Instagram - Share what you're into with the people who get you. www.instagram.com Kaoru Inoue Kaoru InoueさんはFacebookを利用しています。Facebookに登録して、Kaoru Inoueさんや他の知り合いと交流しましょう。Facebookは、人々が簡単に情報をシェアできる、オープンでつながりのある世界の構築をお手伝いします。 www.facebook.com The Biwa is a traditional Japanese lute, a beautiful instrument that even many in Japan rarely see up close. It often raises questions for musicians: "What is its standard shape?" "Wait, does it even have a soundhole?" "How on earth do you attach a pickup to that?" To solve these mysteries, we conducted an installation experiment. Check out the results in the video below! What did you think? The mounting position was quite a surprise! In the video, Kaoru provides a detailed review, comparing the MSP Pickup with dynamic micr...
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Exploring the Sound of Madagascar: Rado Fentsu Tests MSP Pickups on the Valiha

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 Have you ever heard of the Valiha ?  A traditional instrument from Madagascar, the Valiha is a tubular zither typically made of bamboo with metal strings. It produces a crystalline, ethereal sound reminiscent of a harp. We are thrilled to announce that Rado Fentsu , a renowned Valiha player based in France, recently conducted testing with our MSP Pickup. ■ About Rado Fentsu A professional musician specializing in both Diatonic and Chromatic Valiha. Instagram YouTube Facebook ■ Feedback from Rado Fentsu "I would like to thank you once again for your trust and for giving me the opportunity to test the MSP Pickup. It is a real pleasure to discover your work. After my first tests, I wanted to share my impressions with you. The MSP Pickup is a truly high-quality microphone , easy to use and incredibly faithful to the natural sound of the instruments. On my bamboo valiha, I was genuinely impressed. This is the first time a contact pickup has been able to capture the color, resonan...
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