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Loopers

4

4StringsEnough

Mar 9, 2008
942
333
#1
I'm looking at the Boss RC-2/RC-20XL and the Digitech Jamman. Two questions:

1) I want to use the pedal as a practice aid not just for looping but to play drum tracks. I realise these are not drum machines, but just a few basic drum grooves is what I'm after. Having looked at the Jamman's manual, I am right in saying that it doesn't have full-on drum rhythms, just simple click tracks?

2) Yes I have searched! Is the ONLY difference between the RC-2 and RC-20XL the extra footswitch (which is what appears to be being said) or is there anything else to separate them?

Thanks!
 
#2
I got a Digitech BP200 multi-effects unit I'll sell ya that does drum tracks and you can add all the different effectsto jam along with but just no recording.

If you wanna record some loops then yeh; Im looking at the rc-2 as well for that for home practice. The BP200 served me well though.
 
#4
Does the Boss have drum tracks? I never knew that.

EDIT: Only the RC-2 has, the RC-20XL does not it seems.

On the other hand, the Jamman has an SD Card slot, so you can put your own drum loops (loads available on the internet) onto it!
 
#5
dannybuoy said:
Does the Boss have drum tracks? I never knew that. On the other hand, the Jamman has an SD Card slot, so you can put your own drum loops (loads available on the internet) onto it!
Click to expand...
Yes the Boss has them built in. I know you can load them onto the Jamman, but that just seems like a faff (is that a word? :confused::p ). Plus you're going to be limited to the tempo the beat has been recorded in (or lose sound quality if you change it) so I want them built in.

From your response I assume that you are confirming the Jamman has no built in drum tracks other than simple metronome-type beats?

EDIT: Just seen your edit - so the RC-2 has drum tracks but the RC-20 does not? So why does everyone seem to go for the RC-20? I know some people don't like the double press of the footswitch on the RC-2 but that doesn't bother me. Besides, if you really want, you can always plug in an extra footswitch to the RC-2 and it's still smaller and lighter than the RC-20.
 
#6
dannybuoy said:
Does the Boss have drum tracks? I never knew that.

EDIT: Only the RC-2 has, the RC-20XL does not it seems.

On the other hand, the Jamman has an SD Card slot, so you can put your own drum loops (loads available on the internet) onto it!
Click to expand...

The RC-20XL does have some drum beats in it. I used one in one of my first videos way back with I had it-
 
#9
RC-20 is easier to use. Didn't like the way the RC-2 worked even with an external foot switch. Had good sound quality and the drum beats were ok. Just thought the pedal was a PITA to use.
 
#11
4StringsEnough said:
What was it that you didn't like? With an external footswitch, isn't the operation just the same as the RC-20XL?
Click to expand...

Similar but not the same. If you look at the RC2 and RC 20 side by side you see several buttons that don't exist on the RC2 and a knob with lots of functions on the RC2 it has several of the same things as the RC20 but is not nearly as user friendly IMO.

That being said if you don't mind what I stated above and simply cannot afford the extra cash the RC 2 does sound good and does work.
 
#12
dannybuoy said:
Does the Boss have drum tracks? I never knew that.

EDIT: Only the RC-2 has, the RC-20XL does not it seems.

On the other hand, the Jamman has an SD Card slot, so you can put your own drum loops (loads available on the internet) onto it!
Click to expand...

I just bought the RC-2 yesterday, and yes it has quite a few built in drum tracks.

I've just scratched the surface of what it can do, but so far I like it. It's the first looper/delay pedal I've ever owned, so I've still got quite a learning curve to work on. :)
 
#13
As a proud Jamman owner. I would like to declare that the jamman does have drums in it. Its basic but you can adjust the speed via tap tempo and time signature. Another perk, you can upload your own, or premade beats to it. The learnin curve is a little steep though
 
#14
SG-Jazz said:
As a proud Jamman owner. I would like to declare that the jamman does have drums in it. Its basic but you can adjust the speed via tap tempo and time signature. Another perk, you can upload your own, or premade beats to it. The learnin curve is a little steep though
Click to expand...
But, as far as I can tell, the built-in drum beats are literally metronomic - looking at the manual on-line, you can choose the 'sound' of the metronome (i.e. wood block, kick drum, high hat or whatever), but it doesn't have anything even as basic as a 4/4 groove. Uploading drums to it has limitations for changing tempo and will never be as convenient as having them built in.

From everything said in this thread (and others) I think I'm going to plump for the RC-2. I don't need the mic input of the RC-20, yet I do want proper drum tracks. The small footprint is massively appealing as is standard 9V DC power. And the single footswitch doesn't put me off. The only other one is the Line 6 JM4 which does have drum tracks, but it's the size of a bus and seems very focussed on amp models and effects that I don't want.

So, unless someone can give me a good reason why one of the others would suit me better, the RC-2 will be on my board imminently! :p
 

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