Looping board?

[Tommygunn]

I am pondering stringing my steinberger with piccolo strings, it got me thinking about a looping board. I play stuff on it that goes with other stuff I play but a las I can't play two things at once. But having a piccolo bass, fretless, and 2 tracks on a regular bass (one muted slapping and popping for a kinda drum beat) would be kinda cool. I understand these are pricey but my budget is low, I want something that can loop multiple tracks and won't crap out on me.

Suggestions? Thanks

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

All loopers can record parts on top of other parts- by tracks, it usually mean completely separate loops, so you can stop your rhythm track while the others are playing, or have two parts playing while two others are stopped, etc. The cheapest multitrack loopers out there that I'd recommend are the Boomerang II and the Boss RC-50. Still not "cheap" at all mind you.

 

[Yools]

The Boss RC-50 has three separate "tracks" and would probably work well for what you want to do. You can pre-record the loops if you want, or build your loops on the fly. They also have the option to play the three loops in series, so you can do separate loops for verse-chorus-bridge, for example. They have a bit of a learning curve, but once you get past that I found that they're actually pretty easy to use.

Not sure what your budget is, but you can find used ones in the $250-350 range (there's [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]).

-Y

 

[Herr K.]

I've got an EHX 2880 Looper. It's a little pricey, but it's a wonderful piece of gear. 4 mono tracks plus a mixdown track, all with independent volume and panning controls (the pedal is stereo in/out), as well as a two octave range of speed change, reverse, and a couple of other useful features.

 

[Tommygunn]

Is the Classic one worth the $300 more than the regular 2880?

 

[Rickett Customs]

Digitech Jamman solo is around $200, all you would need to get is a 8-32gb SD card.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Is the Classic one worth the $300 more than the regular 2880?

The Classic?

Digitech Jamman solo is around $200, all you would need to get is a 8-32gb SD card.

The Jamman isn't a multitrack looper. The best you can do with it is prerecord tracks then bring them up to play- it won't function like a live multitrack will.

 

[Tommygunn]

The Classic?

http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix-Super-Multi-Track-Looper-Controller/dp/B000T4V53S

v.s.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...153338&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26018754

 

[Insouciance]

I am a huge fan of the Akai Headrush. You can pick one up for $200 new, or a refurbished one from Akai for $150. It really gets it done, plus it has normal delay and tape echo simulator.

 

[Awesomenaut]

http://www.amazon.com/Electro-Harmonix-Super-Multi-Track-Looper-Controller/dp/B000T4V53S

v.s.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...153338&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26018754

The first link is for an optional foot controller. It is useless without the 2880 and is used to access certain functions with your foot that wouldn't be accessible with your foot otherwise.

 

[Tommygunn]

Darn. I'll look into the headrush tho!

 

[superbassman2000]

The Jamman isn't a multitrack looper. The best you can do with it is prerecord tracks then bring them up to play- it won't function like a live multitrack will.

you can do live looping with the digitech jamman--you can also do prerecorded tracks as well, but you can also do loops on the fly too...it even has undo/redo so you can take out and reintroduce loops too

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

you can do live looping with the digitech jamman--you can also do prerecorded tracks as well, but you can also do loops on the fly too...it even has undo/redo so you can take out and reintroduce loops too

I know you can use it live- I said it won't work as a live multitrack looper. He won't be able to record a few parts live and be able to start/stop each of them at will.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Or if you want to try something out and have a computer try Mobius. http://www.circularlabs.com/
It's free and fantastic.
Dirk

 

[Tommygunn]

Can you give me the details? The site doesn't give much. Also, how can I find a cable to go into my computer from my bass?

 

[Herr K.]

Can you give me the details? The site doesn't give much. Also, how can I find a cable to go into my computer from my bass?

You're going to want an internal soundcard or external audio interface for that. There are 1/4"-to-USB cables, but I've never heard anything good about them.

 

[Tommygunn]

Anyone else? How much are those things gunna run me, and how hard are they to set up.

I have a korg pandora deal, wouldn't that work?

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

You still didn't answer if you're looking for a true multitrack looper, or just a normal single-track looper (which lets you stack loops onto the original loop).

 

[Spacelordmother]

As far as the 2880 is concerned, I skipped the foot controller and went with a Behringer FCB1010 midi controller instead. WAY more flexible and adds a TON of creative things you can do with the looper.

 

[Herr K.]

As far as the 2880 is concerned, I skipped the foot controller and went with a Behringer FCB1010 midi controller instead. WAY more flexible and adds a TON of creative things you can do with the looper.

That's what I plan on doing, but in the mean time, dextrous toes with a light touch suffice for playing alone or jamming with friends.