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Easy simple live looping question

smeet

smeet

Gold Supporting Member
Nov 27, 2006
9,205
13,458
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Sammamish, WA
www.reverbnation.com
#1
I need to create live loops with a band, almost always just one layer. I need something very simple that makes it really really easy to make the loop perfectly in time. I want something small and not too expensive. Don't need lots of features, just want something easy to use that sounds good.

The two that keep coming up are the RC2 and the Hardwire DL8. Also the Headrush E2, although that's a bit big. Which makes it the easiest to get a nice solid loop that actually loops in time?

On the DL8 you have to step on the pedal and release to end the loop. How easy is that to use live? And I've heard the RC2 has a glitch so the loop may not be exactly in time when you click to end recording.
 
#4
With the RC-2 you can add an external footswitch (or mod it to add one to the Boss switch) for tap tempo. Then if you click to end the loop before the end of the bar, you'll be in time. (If you click after, the loop won't start until the next bar)
There is a tap tempo button on there already but it's a fiddly little thing not suited for live use.
 
#6
I don't currently have any interest in the built-in rhythm section stuff. Really just looping, start/stop, maybe add another layer.

I like the ability of the Headrush to be able to remove the last layer. Can the Boss do that?

And does the Boss require more practice than the headrush to get the looping accurate?

So far I have this vague impression that the headrush is easier to use live than the RC2, is that accurate?
 
#7
I've only used the RC-3 which has a longer record time than the RC-2 and yes at least in the RC-3 you can remove or add back in the last layer.

I've found it to be accurate but it took alot of practice. The bug in the RC pedals is when you're using the built in drum samples.
 
#9
RC-2 can remove the last layer. I'm using it in live gigs, handling the bass line during solo sections on tunes that have a two-chord vamp. I've also used it to loop full song forms. As others have said, it take practice to get it seamless. I use the "auto sense" for starting the loop. Then the only trick is keeping a groove while you're playing the line then hitting the pedal to finish the loop right at the right point. If you start with a temp and rhythm click you have a bit more latitude when clicking out.

All the Boss ones have a drum track. RC-2/20 have 20 or 30 different styles, RC-3/30 have 10. The RC-300 has a bunch of different styles and will do anything from 3/4 to 13/8 time (the other ones only do 3/4 or 4/4).
 
#13
smeet said:
So on the RC-2, can I record a loop for the verse, play over that etc, then switch and record a loop for the chorus and play over that, then switch back to the previously recorded loop for the next verse, etc.? All with just one footswitch???
Click to expand...

Not with one footswitch (you need an external) and you can't swap between loops unless you save the first one, which requires button pressing. And even then I think you need to mod the unit to be able to scroll backwards through saved loops.
The more advanced 20/30/300 etc could probably do that.
 
#15
i never noticed it being quieter on the output. it's got an effects volume knob i think? and the original signal is passed through at the original volume.

it's delays are good. the slap back is useful, the reverse is fun and the lofi sounds really neat.

the looper's good for a simple looper. it let's you overdub up to 40 seconds of mono time.

from the pdf manual......

Press the switch again to stop recording. Flashback immediately starts playing the loop. In this
play mode the LED is green.
To overdub your recording press the switch once more. The LED now blinks.
To delete all recordings, double-click the switch.

i had the DL8 too and hated the "hold footswitch down until end of loop" functionality. Flashback was way easier.
 
#16
Tread Lightly... I play with a VERY experienced guy (he plays 250x per year)... about 1/3 of the time the loops do not work out....

IF you have a sound guy, why not have them do the loop...

I've seen some fantastic bands that had sound guys who did stellar stuff. The issue is they have to be clean sober and have good timing.

Does ableton do this type of stuff?

Tim
 
#17
How do they not work out? Do you mean they don't sync up? Or something else?

No sound guy, and this will be used mostly on the spur of the moment in an improvisatory environment.

Abelton probably does everything, but a computer on stage is the opposite direction from simple and cheap...
 
#18
Live loops are awesome tools but very difficult to implement in a band.
A band by essence is not synced, unless the drummer plays with a click and the looper is MIDI.
I usually loop by myself. With a band I use loops that don't take much quantizing, either for single licks I throw in from time to time or for ambient background sounds.

If you have a rhythmic loop, say a repetitive riff you always end out of sync unless the whole song is built around the loop.
 

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