Electro-Harmonix 45000 looper

hover · #1 03-04-2013, 09:44 AM

I was interested in this "pedal" as part of my rig, but have heard conflicting views on EH products in general, either regarding robustness of build, and/or longevity of service.

This is not an effort to start a flame war, nor am I attempting at spreading poor word on EH, I just want to know if anyone has any views on this via first-hand constant use, AND any first-hand experience with the 4500 looper in general. It's not exactly a cheap product (@460 bucks) and I want to be sure it can take moderate abuse.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Ron

cheapbasslovin · #2 03-04-2013, 09:57 AM

IMO there are two reasons people trash EHXs reliability. One is because EHX uses weird power supplies and people destroy them by not using the right one. The other is that EHX does have some quality control problems out of the factory, especially with new pedal designs.

They are pretty good about repairing them on the cheap (or for free if they're under warranty) and IME if they make it past a year, they'll make it to twenty.

hover · #3 03-04-2013, 04:27 PM

I appreciate that perspective. Anyone else? First-hand?

Bakkster_Man · #4 03-04-2013, 07:11 PM

Well, I have no first hand experience, but if it's good enough for Reggie Watts it's probably good enough for anybody.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gKWfvd-chA

mgalat · #5 03-04-2013, 07:41 PM

I have an EHX Bass Micro Synth (~$200 investment). Solid pedal that hasn't failed me yet and allows for some crazy sounds.

That's my only EHX experience, but so far it has been a good one.

And for all the bad rap, they still maintain a decent price secondhand.

sunbeast · #6 03-04-2013, 07:52 PM

I haven't heard of any long-term failing issues with the earlier 2880 pedal and have a few friends that own them. The sliders could be sensitive as compared to knobs (I know of people that have had issues breaking those on other EHX pedals), and as mentioned- the larger EHX pedals often need to be used on their own power vs. a daisy chain for whatever reason (even if they are spec'd at 9v center-) or they can cause excess noise or other malfunctions. I've also heard mixed reviews about the MIDI functionality of that pedal, though none of my friends use that function and it may be improved on this one.

I've never heard of mass issues with reliability of the newer EHX pedals, but sometimes people do have issues with the larger aluminum box pedals- I know I have had issues with the jacks coming loose on my Small Clone more often than on a normal pedal enclosure, which has resulted in broken wires multiple times. If you make sure they get tightened on a regular basis that shouldn't be an issue. I'm guessing the loopers have the jacks attached directly to the circuit board or attached with ribbon wire (like their other nano digital pedals), so it wouldn't be an issue with them.

My biggest issue with EHX pedals is more design/execution related- they come up with some really cool and unique ideas that seem to fail in the execution in some major way. The most annoying for me was the Stereo Memory Man w/ Hazarai- such a sweet and tweakable delay, but with a volume drop when engaged that makes it totally unuseable for me (at least with bass). The only reason I haven't looked seriously at their loopers is the fact that they are "multitrack" as opposed to multi-loop, which means the length of your first track sets the length for all the following tracks which to me is far too limiting for such an otherwise feature-laden looper. I want to be able to switch between verse and chorus that have different lengths from each other which is a common feature of all other multi-part loopers that I know of...I'm glad they at least fixed the issue on the 2880 that only allowed you to record one loop per SD card no matter how short the loop!

chuck3 · #7 03-04-2013, 07:53 PM

I have the EHX POG II and it's a great pedal. I haven't had any problems with it.

hover · #8 03-05-2013, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

I haven't heard of any long-term failing issues with the earlier 2880 pedal and have a few friends that own them. The sliders could be sensitive as compared to knobs (I know of people that have had issues breaking those on other EHX pedals), and as mentioned- the larger EHX pedals often need to be used on their own power vs. a daisy chain for whatever reason (even if they are spec'd at 9v center-) or they can cause excess noise or other malfunctions. I've also heard mixed reviews about the MIDI functionality of that pedal, though none of my friends use that function and it may be improved on this one.

I've never heard of mass issues with reliability of the newer EHX pedals, but sometimes people do have issues with the larger aluminum box pedals- I know I have had issues with the jacks coming loose on my Small Clone more often than on a normal pedal enclosure, which has resulted in broken wires multiple times. If you make sure they get tightened on a regular basis that shouldn't be an issue. I'm guessing the loopers have the jacks attached directly to the circuit board or attached with ribbon wire (like their other nano digital pedals), so it wouldn't be an issue with them.

My biggest issue with EHX pedals is more design/execution related- they come up with some really cool and unique ideas that seem to fail in the execution in some major way. The most annoying for me was the Stereo Memory Man w/ Hazarai- such a sweet and tweakable delay, but with a volume drop when engaged that makes it totally unuseable for me (at least with bass). The only reason I haven't looked seriously at their loopers is the fact that they are "multitrack" as opposed to multi-loop, which means the length of your first track sets the length for all the following tracks which to me is far too limiting for such an otherwise feature-laden looper. I want to be able to switch between verse and chorus that have different lengths from each other which is a common feature of all other multi-part loopers that I know of...I'm glad they at least fixed the issue on the 2880 that only allowed you to record one loop per SD card no matter how short the loop!

Thank you again to all of you for your thoughts and insight / personal experience, and big thanks for the above, this is the exact minded info I was looking for. Many thanks...it may just keep me from getting it....I will admit though, that linked video is a compelling argument, that dude obviously knows that thing inside and out (I'm inclined to believe he had plenty of face time with it prior to taping, belying the opening statements)...that guy was hilarious on Comedy Bang Bang.

sunbeast · #9 03-05-2013, 10:59 AM

I think Reggie Watts is good enough at looping composition that he could get the most out of any looper you put in front of him. His technique also doesn't really require a multi-loop setup to work well as his songs generally follow one rhythm that he starts and stops at will and corresponding overdubs that can be switched between. If that is the kind of looping you are wanting to do, then this pedal looks like a great competitor and definitely has some unique functionality that others don't. If you want to mess around with more complex arrangements with different length parts, then the EHX just isn't capable.

hover · #10 03-05-2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunbeast

If you want to mess around with more complex arrangements with different length parts, then the EHX just isn't capable.

This is the part that may kill it for me. I just wanted to be sure...I won't profess to be terribly skilled at looping right now, but would hate to be limited in the future...perhaps firmware updates would be available in the future...I will contact them about that. Thanks again!

sunbeast · #11 03-06-2013, 03:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hover

This is the part that may kill it for me. I just wanted to be sure...I won't profess to be terribly skilled at looping right now, but would hate to be limited in the future...perhaps firmware updates would be available in the future...I will contact them about that. Thanks again!

They advertise it like a 4 track recorder, and its functionality all seems to point to the fact that it is essentially a digital 4 track with a really well thought out footswitching punch system- a cool idea, but I think the design limits the 4 tracks to be tied together much as they are on a dedicated 4 track (ie- they don't function independently, you just chose which tracks you are monitoring at any given point).

DirkP · #12 03-06-2013, 04:51 AM

I like the EHX-stuff and have ordered the 45000. I hope I get it the next days. In Germany it's still not available. Thomann says in April...

But btw a 250,- 8 track recorder like the Zoom R8 can not just do loops - it has pads to trigger them - and tracks of a different lenght at the same time, it can do so much more.
I'm into looping cause I'm lazy and I only have the time to play about 4 hours a week and I don't want to mess around with submenues or mouses or sit on a desk with a bass on my knees just to record my ideas or play around with them.
It just pushes my creativity to record ideas with a kick or my feet without having to setup anything at all.

Dirk