Boss Loop Station vs. EHX Memory Man

GeneralElectric · #1 04-14-2008, 07:36 PM

Howdy.

So I bought a Boss loop station some time ago, used, for $200. Its complicated as hell, and I can't work it. I'm stupid, I know. (I also have trouble working graphic EQs....)

I've been looking into simpler look stations and the EHX Memory Man with Hazarai looks to be the ticket. However I haven't seen one in person ever, and no one keeps these in stock.

The idea is to sell the Boss to my friend (who offered $200) and buy the EHX for only $20 more. It looks pretty simple (just hit the button, play, and lift your foot when you're done) and thats what I want.

I don't care about storing presets or any of that nonsense. I just want to pick up and play.

Does the Memory Man work good on bass even though its a guitar pedal?

Please help an effects n00b.

...and yes, I did use the search function but after sifting through a few pages of irrelevants threads, I just started a new one.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #2 04-14-2008, 07:43 PM

The Memory Man is very limited as a looper- learning to use the rest of the controls on it properly will be far more complex than operating a Boss RC-20XL. Unless you really want the delay pedal (it's a good one)l and want to loop only as a minor novelty, then take the 10 minutes to learn the Boss looper. Seriously- it's not hard at all; one of the most simple loopers on the market. I wouldn't allow someone to drive if they couldn't figure it out within an hour

tomvelsor · #3 04-14-2008, 07:49 PM

i have a lot of experience with the boss loop station..(RC20XL..same layout as the RC20 only more memory) and i absolutely love it..all you need to know to work it is whats written on the pedals..

but your talking about a graphic eq..? what model do you have? if its not the RC20XL i'd reccomend trying it. ive heard the digitech equiveland to the RC20 is quite nice as well, however i definately reccomend the boss over digitech.

as for EHX..=/. i've had 3 EHX pedals. all of them stopped working after only a few months of (delicate!) use.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #4 04-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomvelsor

but your talking about a graphic eq..? what model do you have?

He said that as a means to express that he also has difficulty with other fairly simple effect devices.

GeneralElectric · #5 04-14-2008, 08:02 PM

As I said, I'm quite stupid when it comes to effects and I don't have patience for it.

I also don't have the manual for the Boss, which only compounds matter.

I only want to use the looper to play by myself every now and then, maybe for some band stuff. I'm not looking for much in the pedal. Just looping and delay. The other added effects are icing on the cake, but unfortunately I don't eat sweets very often.

And yes its the RC-20XL that normally retails for $300+

GeneralElectric · #6 04-14-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

He said that as a means to express that he also has difficulty with other fairly simple effect devices.

And hey, I admitted to being stupid

GeneralElectric · #7 04-14-2008, 08:16 PM

Other options being the Deluxe Memory Man ($300) and the regular Stereo Memory Man ($180)

wdinc01 · #8 04-14-2008, 08:20 PM

I say go for it. I've got one myself, which I kinda planned on using primarily as a looper. But I doubt I'd need to save riffs and stuff (although now I'm starting to doubt my doubts. Oh well). I think it's a very simple looper, and it does what it's supposed to do. However, it's a bit different to operate.

Most loopers, you press the record button, play whatever you want, then press it again to stop recording. With the Hazarai, you hold the button down for the duration of your recording. Now to me, that makes more sense, or it seems more natural. But I think it's a little harder to get the timing down, which takes practice no matter what you use.

Other than that, I think its pretty cool that you can do delays and stuff ontop of your loop. And you can get a nice reverb or chorus or flangey sound. I even got something that I would describe as something like a synth effect.

I'd go for it.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #9 04-14-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I also don't have the manual for the Boss, which only compounds matter.

Here ya go- typed in "Boss RC-20XL manual" on Google, and it's there as the first link

http://www.roland.com/products/en/_s...sp=0&iCncd=537

GeneralElectric · #10 04-14-2008, 08:48 PM

Its PDF and I don't have adobe. I'm a phailure.

**Bryan R. Tyler** · #11 04-14-2008, 08:50 PM

C'mon, man- what does it take? DL the Acrobat Reader- it's free.

GeneralElectric · #12 04-14-2008, 08:53 PM

I have adobe, but it doesn't work. It keeps asking for my product code, which I don't have.

JJBass30 · #13 04-14-2008, 08:59 PM

If your looking for a looper stay with the boss. I have the SMMH and it is awesome though I use the looper mostly when im on my own but I have used it with my jazz band. The looper on it has some set backs (30 second max loop time) but its fine if your just messing around. The best reason to get the SMMH is because of its delay which is really awesome.

JJBass30 · #14 04-14-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

I have adobe, but it doesn't work. It keeps asking for my product code, which I don't have.

get foxit reader i got it when my adobe broke. just google it, it should come up

**TheMutt** · #15 04-14-2008, 09:35 PM

Another option would be the Akai Headrush E2. I've never used one, but I currently have one on the way via a trade on here.

Happynoj · #16 04-14-2008, 09:44 PM

I love my EHXSMMWH!

It may not be as function filled as the Boss loopers, and you can't delete overdubs, but you are getting a decent basic looper, with a decent recording time, and a ton of cool delays as well!

EDIT: Also, it is pretty.

Swimming Bird · #17 04-14-2008, 09:51 PM

Why do you need the manual at all...?

Push rec/play to start recording then again to play it. Hit stop to stop. There's a button for reverse mode, etc.

Not only does the SMMH only have looping as a novelty, but it is much harder to get a loop timed right when 'play' is you lifting your foot.

GeneralElectric · #18 04-14-2008, 10:04 PM

The boss has loops already on it from the previous owner and I can't seem to delete them. :-(

Ben Lesser · #19 04-14-2008, 10:04 PM

Yep, if you're just looking for basic looping, it should be as easy as what Swimming Bird said.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

The boss has loops already on it from the previous owner and I can't seem to delete them. :-(

Take the previous advice and get something to read that PDF file. The whole manual will be there, and you'll be much better off.

KarateKid25 · #20 04-14-2008, 10:23 PM

I own both the RC20XL and EHXSMMWH

The memory man isn't much of a looper as such... It has a fairly limited loop time and can get a bit confusing to use. Its an awesome pedal, but takes some getting used to. The delays on it are great though and I would definately say Its more of a delay pedal with a loop feature than a looper.

The RC20XL is a straight out simple looper... You need to have a read of the manual as mentioned above and you'll be looping in no time.

As I said, the memory man is great as a delay and has uber features, but to get into them requires things like holding down the hazarai button, whilst standing on one leg, hopping in circles screaming madly while you flick the light switch on and off repeatedly.