Christmas gift - RC-2? ZVex LFLJ?

[Alex Isaiah]

So, I've been asked by my folks if I want anything for Christmas.
I've said that I don't really, so they're going to give me some monies.
On top of that I have some of my own cash to put towards a pedal.


I'd like something for live solo looping and also looping in my band (mostly bass guitar in both cases).
No bells and whistles needed, which is why I've ruled out the EHX SMMH and Boss RC-20.

Solo, I will just be looping one or two layers (I could get by with one if I had the LFLJ) of counterpoint melodies or some chords. I won't be overdubbing lots of layers of percussion, vocals and whatever like some sort of one-man-band.

In the band, I'm in charge of bass and synth, so it'd be nice to be able to loop and bassline and play some subtle stuff on synth.
The basslines can get pretty repetitive (sometimes the same riff for the whole song while everything else moves around or over the top of it) so re-recording on the fly wouldn't be a problem.


The street price of the RC-2 seems to be about £120-130.
The LFLJ is about £200, but I think I can get one for £160.
I'm going to spend a bit of time with an RC-2 around my guitarist's house this week.
I've never tried a LFLJ but it looks so simple and I love the sound of it.

I don't have many pedals in my chain at all.
A DIY Overdrive/Fuzz, a DIY bass preamp and a Ibanez AD-9.

Solo stuff is like Low or My Bloody Valentine.
Band stuff is simple, catchy, perverted pop (sometimes heavy, sometimes really pretty) - a little like Burt Bacharach, Beck or the pop moments in Mr Bungle.
The other band is kind of black metal but I don't think I'd use a looper much at all with that band.


So, any recommendations or pearls of wisdom, please?
What do you love or hate about either pedal?
What would you consider the pros and cons of each?

Thanks,
Alex

[jdbernard]

I have an RC-2. It is awesome for just playing around with and practice. I love that pedal! I use it all the time when writing songs and practicing.

That being said, for me it has only been a little useful live. The main thing with the RC-2 is that you have to reach down and change phrases (loops) by hand. So if your band plays a song with different parts (verse, chorus) you can only loop one of them, unless you do your songs exactly the same every time (VCVCCVC, etc). If I had it to do over again, I'd go for the RC-20 just to be able to have multiple phrases available from foot switches. Definitely spend time with the RC-2 and see if it does all that you need, it may.

Just my $.02

[bongomania]

I had the Zvex Loop Junky and it was very cool, but also very gimmicky. What I mean is there are times when a low-fidelity background loop is the absolute coolest thing to add to a track, and then there's the other 95% of the time. It's the straight dope for moody shoegazing and ambient soundscapes and Tom Waits-type textures... but useless for anything more articulate or rhythmic (in the mainstream sense). For that reason I'd tend to steer most people away from it if they even think they might want to play something with a straight beat in time that doesn't vary, or if they want to play clear-sounding harmonies.

[syciprider]

Originally Posted by Alex Isaiah

I've never tried a LFLJ but it looks so simple and I love the sound of it.

[OhThePeacock]

Originally Posted by syciprider

He probably heard the soundclips or saw a vid.

[Ron Now]

I have both. The lo-fi has its total charm for parts, but I find myself using the RC-2 a lot more (RC-50 now) because it has more control and tends to be more accurate. I've also found the LFLJ to work better/more noticeable on guitar because it cuts most high frequencies, so depending on the bass line/tone the lo-fi-ness isn't always that redeeming.

Which is exactly why the Lo-Fi is on my guitar board and the RC-50 is on the bass

[Alex Isaiah]

Yep, listened to a lot of clips of the LFLJ.

Hmmm...
I guess we'll have to see how I get along with the RC-2.
I'm leaning towards the Boss for reliability and easy replacement (if I need to get hold of one quickly before a show for example).

I do love the sound of the LFLJ and the vibrato, but I am concerned about it's lifespan. The recording IC use (I believe it's an ISD or Winbond) is stated as being able to record (not loop, just make new recordings) 100,000 times.
I know I wouldn't over use it because I can tell (like most musicians) when something fits the piece and when something is used just for the sake of it

The Boss is the safer choice I think. I never have a lot of money to throw around, otherwise I might get the LFLJ, or maybe both.

Depending on how I find the RC-2, I guess it's time to start working on some sort of tapehead preamp or my own lofi looper

Thanks for all the replies so far!

[improvpwnd]

I have/use the RC-20xl and I love the thing. There is a Digitech Jamman which can hold more loops, has a mic input, and comes with the power supply--you have to buy the Boss one separately ($20). Anyway, the Boss is built like a tank and I love it, but people have said the Digitech has better sampling rates and so it sounds better...but still, that said and I still love my RC-20xl.

[tim oconnor]

Originally Posted by jdbernard

I have an RC-2. It is awesome for just playing around with and practice. I love that pedal! I use it all the time when writing songs and practicing.

That being said, for me it has only been a little useful live. *The main thing with the RC-2 is that you have to reach down and change phrases (loops) by hand. So if your band plays a song with different parts (verse, chorus) you can only loop one of them, unless you do your songs exactly the same every time (VCVCCVC, etc). If I had it to do over again, I'd go for the RC-20 just to be able to have multiple phrases available from foot switches. Definitely spend time with the RC-2 and see if it does all that you need, it may.

Just my $.02

*With the addition of a non-latching footswitch (FS-5U) you do have the capability of changing phrases via pedal.

Side note: When practicing alone, this pedal has remarkably improved my fretless intonation!