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tape looping

Oneirogenic

Oneirogenic

Nov 10, 2009
777
306
#1
Shot in the dark here...anyone know how to put together a simple, inexpensive, functional for live performance tape looping system? I would be making loop based ambient music with it and the whole tape aesthetic seems like a logical step for how I've been making music lately. Emphasis on simple and inexpensive... I found ways of doing it on old 4-track units but I was also wondering if smaller Dictaphones would work. I saw pics of Grouper(ambient artist) using a bunch of little Dictaphone tape players and a big mixer but I have no idea what or how she was doing it. Anything would help, thanks guys and gals.
 
#2
There are a number of digital looping pedals available. Some of them are pretty affordable. If you want real tape mojo you can either splice loops on a 1/4" reel to reel or run a single reel of tape through two machines like Brian Eno. Those are the methods I'm familiar with.
 
#5
I've heard tell of folks using cassettes from old timely answering machines that had outgoing messages on a loop. Aside from that, I really think reel to reel is easier. I made some spliced loops many moons ago but the splices added noise. The two reel to reel set up is really ideal, IMO. You can adjust the loop time by moving the machines farther from each other, you get a hard copy of your performance at the end, and it's easier to work with open reel tape.
There is also the Echoplex. I've played with one a bit but the tape cartridge was insanely long, like several minutes. I'm sure it can't be too hard to shorten it, or get a shorter one. There are a number of places to get them.
 
#6
Buy an old Tascam or Fostex 4 track recorder ala porta studio etc.

Then find old answer machine cassettes and that will give you a 30 second or 1 minute loop (obviously this will depend on the tape you find)

Certainly not hard to do and with the cost of these units now pfft I mean it's like £20-£30.

Hardest part is finding the tapes.

Alternatively spend a lot on a reel to reel solution
 
#9
You could get a similar character with more control in addition to a reduction in maintance and setup concerns with a Strymon El Capistan, which has an awesome "sound on sound" tape loop mode, with conrol over tape warble, crinkle, age and bias.

Yeah, it is a totally different approach and you don't get the same old-repurposed-gadget-asthetic, but someone is going to make the recommendation so it might as well be me. :hiding:
 
#10
Oneirogenic said:
My local CL had several old tascam and fostex units. Now I gotta find tapes....30 seconds or less would be perfect. I could also make my own but it looks messy and potentially frustrating.
Click to expand...

Yeah oddly enough it was a popular looping technique back when those units were $200+

Answer machine tapes you might be worth going to a Good Will or something, it's more likely you'll find the tape in a machine than a collection of them outside of it. I do recall a few people welling them on ebay as well.

It's definitely Ghetto cool :p, try and find broken tascam/fostex machines as well, like where the motor slows down randomly for more glitchy pitch shifting fun.

Dammit now I want one :D
 
#12
For sure. It could be a few weeks or more before I can splurge on a tape setup but at least I have a good idea for how to do it without too much hassle. I will definitely make recordings when I get it. I can probably get extra cool points for using tape loops live too.
 
#14
I had a couple bands back in the 90's where we use tape loops. I would just pick up some random tapes from a thrift store (making sure to get the kind with the shell that screws together). I'd take them apart and then cut out a small length of tape, about 6", and splice it together with regular scotch tape.
The fun part was using old consumer cassette decks to play them back, and rewiring the headphone jack to the motor. That way I could use a standard footswitch to stop and start the tape.

The plusses to using a cassette based loop setup;
cheap. $20 should do it.
easy.
nobody will steal it.
changing loops is as simple as changing tapes.

Minuses
bulky.
unreliable.
if you want sound-on-sound looping you will need a 3 head cassette deck
a lot of used tape decks are in dreadful condition.
you will need to clean the heads regularly.
 

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