First Loop Pedal

[J. Crawford]

Guys, I plan on buying a loop pedal and need some ideas. Im going to use it to record my own songs on YouTube, MySpace, etc.

My dad said he will split the cost, but I dont want to spend too much. I was thinking ~$200.

I have only seen the Boss RC-20, 50, and 2. Any other options are welcome, of course.

Thanks!

[RCCollins]

are you interested in using loops for live performance, or just for recording? if the latter, you might think about getting an audio input device for your computer, and going the (free) software route. Looper pedals can be tricky to use!

[gnasher1993]

Digitech Jam Man
EHX 2880
Akai Headrush Delay/Looper
Hardwire DL-8
Line 6 JM4

I can't really think of any more but Boss definitely isn't your only option.

[Din Of Win]

I have both the Akai Headrush E2 and the Line6 DL4.

They are both loop/delay boxes but have pretty good Loop functions to them. However, i like the delay on the DL4 better than the delay on the Akai, and the loop on the Akai better than the loop on the DL4.

Combined though, they are AWESOME! So much so that i haven't had the need (yet) to go and look into getting a Loop specific pedal.


Just my 2 Cents

[fivestringgecko]

I currently have a Boss RC-2, the smallest Loop Station. I've also owned a Boomerang+ looper.

Boomerang
- Pros: Separate switch for each control, reverse mode is fun, very easy to use.
- Cons: Big... Like, pedalboard size big and loops have a little extra hiss (but not unusable)

Boss RC-2
- Pros: Small pedalboard friendly package, 11 memory slots for loops, drum tracks don't sound the greatest, but can be helpful.
- Cons: Only one footswitch makes it a little trickier to use than the Boomerang, have to lean down to change balance, settings, etc.

(note: you can add an external foot controller to the RC-2, but that kind of defeats the purpose of it's small size)

I guess it really depends on what you're looking for. Both are great pedals, I'm really happy with my RC-2. It's got all the same controls as the Boomerang (except reverse). I don't have any experience with other loopers other than messing around with the Digitech Jamman at a local shop. It seemed pretty user friendly and has a memory card for 99 user memory slots I think?

Other people might have more info other pedals if you try searching around, but I re-posted a looper comparison chart in this thread (thanks to whoever originally posted it!):

Loop Pedals

I know some of them are over your price limit and it doesn't include the Hardwire looper, but it might be of some help to you!

5sg.

[J. Crawford]

I plan more so on using it live, and for messing around in my room.

The RC-2 is cool, being so small, but it seems hard to use with one button. I have heard of the Jamman, but havent used it.

Thanks guys.

I want to be able to easily loop on stage. I plan on using it for a solo project at my school's Talent Show.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Jordasch

I plan more so on using it live, and for messing around in my room.

The RC-2 is cool, being so small, but it seems hard to use with one button. I have heard of the Jamman, but havent used it.

Thanks guys.

I want to be able to easily loop on stage. I plan on using it for a solo project at my school's Talent Show.

I have a Line 6 JM4. I would avoid it for live use. Its a good practice tool, but not really suited for live use (too easy to stuff it up and get some weird sound or drum pattern come up!).

[Din Of Win]

Originally Posted by Jordasch

I plan more so on using it live, and for messing around in my room.


I want to be able to easily loop on stage. I plan on using it for a solo project at my school's Talent Show.

Akai Headrush is SUPER live-friendly

[fivestringgecko]

I haven't had any problems using the RC-2 in a band situation because of controls. It just takes a little getting used to having only one switch to do everything.

The real problem you'll run into (with ANY looper) is getting the band to stay with the loop. The looper is a machine, the time will never change. Ideally, you'll want to run a monitor for the drummer that has just the loop going to it. That way, he'll know when it's on and he can stick with it better.

That's an ideal situation of course... typically I just position myself as close to the drummer as possible so that we can lock in to the groove. That way when I use my looper, I'm right next to him so he can hear when it's on (and I can make sure to draw his attention to it!).

5sg.

[skulletwhip]

headrush. very simple to use especialy live.

[J. Crawford]

As I said, this will be for personal use only. Im sick of all the metalheads at me school, so Im making a solo project.

I will be on stage alone, looping different pieces and jamming over them.

Thats the plan, at least.

[fivestringgecko]

Good for you for expanding as a player!

Along with the fun/solo side of a looper, you'll find that it's great tool to help develop a good sense of time (they're essentially just glorified metronomes after all ). It's not even work... just loop & jam!

My best suggestion would be to try as many as you can and pick the one you like the best, with the features you want. Since you're doing more of a solo thing with it, I'd suggest getting something bigger than the RC-2 though, or plan on adding the external foot controller.

5sg.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

If your goal is songwriting and play live as it seems to be, then you'll be much better off saving up for a looper with more than one track, like the RC-50 or the new Boomerang. Single track loopers only let you build up on top of the original loop and only remove one layer (the last one) at most, and they also require that all of your loops are the same length as the first loop. These things can be extremely limiting after a short while as far as songwriting goes.

[kevteop]

The world needs more bedroom bass players with delays pedals uploading to Youtube.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Totally I've been doing it for three years now- I'm a vet

[groooooove]

Originally Posted by RCCollins

are you interested in using loops for live performance, or just for recording? if the latter, you might think about getting an audio input device for your computer, and going the (free) software route. Looper pedals can be tricky to use!

i disagree.. i LOVE my boss rc20XL. if i had never bought it im convinced i wouldve never developed the chops that i have now. its easy to use, everything you need to know is litterally written on the pedal itself.

go for the boss. its awesome, and the reverse function is sick too..

[McHaven]

The RC-2 also has an 1/8" input for recording different sources.

[J. Crawford]

Originally Posted by McHaven

The RC-2 also has an 1/8" input for recording different sources.

Im not sure what you mean.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Im not sure what you mean.

An instrument cable is 1/4". A 1/8" input can record from things with an 1/8" output cable, like hand-held recorders, etc. Not that an adapter is expensive or anything

[McHaven]

Originally Posted by Jordasch

Im not sure what you mean.

You could plug in your Walkman/Ipod whatever and record a small loop from it, then dub over that.