tascam bass trainer or korg pandora?

ryla · #1 11-15-2006, 03:55 PM

i need a looping practise that also slows down tune, either mp3 or cd, im a techno pobe, whats my best bet to learn new songs/licks?

srxplayer · #2 11-15-2006, 05:55 PM

The Tascam unit works good. My daughter has one that I bought her for Christmas last year. I have used it a couple of times and now I think I'll buy one for myself. It's a good little tool.

**WillPlay4Food** · #3 11-16-2006, 06:23 AM

If you go for the Tascam (which is what I recommend) make sure you get the mk-II version, not the original version. The mk-II has been out for awhile but you never know where NOS may reside.

The CD-BT1mkII looks like this:

The non mkII version looks like this:

There were a bunch of useful features added to the mkII model which makes it a much more usable unit compared to the original version. New features include a tuner, metronome, and the ability to change the pitch of the song you're playing with.

For example, say you're learning a bunch of tunes and most of the songs are in standard tuning, but one song requires your bass to be tuned down 1/2 step. You could stop what you're doing and retune your bass. Or, you can pitch shift the song up 1/2 step. The Tascam will play the song in E instead of Eb for example.

ryla · #4 11-16-2006, 12:28 PM

thanks very much for that guys, i'll make sure santa gets me the mk2 for xmas, cheers.

Dickie · #5 11-16-2006, 01:27 PM

Get a digitech jamman and a 1 gig card. I have one and I live by it!!!!! Works great with a band too. You can record band practice!!

**BluesyCat** · #6 11-16-2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryla

i need a looping practise that also slows down tune, either mp3 or cd, im a techno pobe, whats my best bet to learn new songs/licks?

I have both the Korg Pandora and the Tascam and I like both for different reasons. The Tascam MK II will most likely be superceded by a newer model at NAMM 2007. I'd wait.

You see, I bought the original Dec '05 and then the MKII was introduced Jan '06. Arrrgh!!!

So wait....some of us are going to NAMM (like me) and we'll keep an eye out for a new one. I always visit their "booth". BTW: they're really nice people!

ryla · #7 11-16-2006, 02:17 PM

o cool, what month is the namm thingy?, maybe i can wait if its not too far off, thank you.

bassbully43 · #8 11-16-2006, 02:26 PM

I have the first Tascam trainer. It is awsome and for covers and recorded originals a must have.

ryla · #9 11-16-2006, 03:34 PM

the digitech jamman sounds like alot of fun, my band play 'money' and that would be nice for the 'cash register' intro but i feel the tascam offers more learning with less distraction.

**BluesyCat** · #10 11-16-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryla

o cool, what month is the namm thingy?, maybe i can wait if its not too far off, thank you.

NAMM is Jan 18-21, 2007.

lug · #11 11-16-2006, 07:00 PM

If you use an mp3 player instead of CD's, get the pandora. It has better effects and great drum patterns to play along to.

shanmag · #12 11-16-2006, 07:11 PM

if u get the tascam, make sure you get the power supply too! Especially if you are going to use it regularly, otherwise be prepared to buy A LOT of batteries!

**WillPlay4Food** · #13 11-17-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shanmag

if u get the tascam, make sure you get the power supply too! Especially if you are going to use it regularly, otherwise be prepared to buy A LOT of batteries!

+1

I use rechargeable batteries in mine, with the AC adapter as backup (or when I'm too lazy to recharge the batteries). I get about 90 minutes worth of use out of the 4 AA rechargeables.

eekmo · #14 12-09-2006, 11:29 PM

While I've not used any of these hardware utils I have used, and recommend Transcribe! by Seventh String Software. They've got a trial version you can check out here: http://www.seventhstring.com/xscribe/download.html
Enjoy.

Smallmouth_Bass · #15 12-09-2006, 11:37 PM

I have the original Tascam CD-BT1 and love it. This one changes pitch as well, but you can't slow down and change the pitch at the same time. I am not sure if the MKII will do that. It's a great tool to learn songs with or just to loop a section to practice.

**WillPlay4Food** · #16 12-10-2006, 05:55 AM

The mk-II model is a vast improvement over the original. Last Summer I was able to compare the two side by side and the mk-II version has more features including slow down & pitch shift (both up and down) as well as a built in metronome and tuner. The button layout is much easier to work with (more buttons) as well.

fourstringbliss · #17 12-10-2006, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryla

i need a looping practise that also slows down tune, either mp3 or cd, im a techno pobe, whats my best bet to learn new songs/licks?

I just learned that the free program Audacity makes it possible to slow a song down without changing the pitch. It sounds the same - just slower. Here's an example:

Bass Solo Normal

Bass Solo Slow

kristlik · #18 12-10-2006, 09:30 AM

Does the Korg Pandora have a metronome function to use as well?

tr68gt · #19 12-10-2006, 09:38 AM

I use a program called "Bestpractice" on my PC. And it's free, which is a good thing by me.

It can be found here:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~mp2004/bp/

Arizona Jones · #20 12-10-2006, 05:23 PM

"Does the Korg Pandora have a metronome function to use as well?"

Yes, it has seven different metronome sounds, and a ton of drum beat styles.

If I want to learn a song from a CD or MP3 I just plug my laptop into it. I can speed the song up or down to get in tune.

I couldn't live without mine.