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Looper pedals?

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I always wig out anytime I see videos of people stomping on effects pedals with their naked toes......*shudders* Put some shoes on for crying out loud people are looking at you!!!

Cool looping....can't wait to get one for meself. :)
 
Tim said:
I can't keep up with the videos. Has this one been played? He starts at the beging and shows it all. Great video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ-V-Kd7o38

Also for you B string benders.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUAULCawbMs&mode=related&search=
Click to expand...
Tres cool! I love that B-bender!

I looks like a microphone would be a fun thing to have with a looper. You make do rythmic scatting like looper girl.

That bass sitting on some sort of stand so he just wanders over and play a riff is pretty wild too.
 
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Very nice to see. Oooo, a mixer AND a looper. I didn't think of that.

I'll bet Warren was somewhere in there doing the pancake thing, right?
 
When (not if) I get a looper, I plan on doing the following for headphone practice.

Guitar > (any pedal I may have) > Tonelab > Looper > mixer > headphones.

I own the Tonelab & mixer already.

Is this possible. Do any loopers have headphones out negating the need for the mixer?

Do any loopers have balanced inputs which would acept the line out on the Tonelab, or would I need to use the amp out setting?
 
I think the idea is to be able to be able to use the mixer so that your inputs into the looper are better balanced. One of the problems with the looper is that it is very sensitive to input. By that I mean if you overdub a layer and it is too loud then you are hosed and have to undo it and redo it at a different level. It's real easy to NOT get the balance you intend.

With the mixer you can vary the other instruments like the guy in the video so that your percussion is at the right level compared to your melodic instruments and your synth string patch isn't burying the guitar.

Does that make any sense?

What I would do is: Guitar>effect pedals>tonelab>mixer>amph

Use this if you are going to add a bass or other sounds or instruments. Then plug those into other channels on the mixer.
 
Spudman said:
I think the idea is to be able to be able to use the mixer so that your inputs into the looper are better balanced. One of the problems with the looper is that it is very sensitive to input. By that I mean if you overdub a layer and it is too loud then you are hosed and have to undo it and redo it at a different level. It's real easy to NOT get the balance you intend.

With the mixer you can vary the other instruments like the guy in the video so that your percussion is at the right level compared to your melodic instruments and your synth string patch isn't burying the guitar.

Does that make any sense?

What I would do is: Guitar>effect pedals>tonelab>mixer>amph

Use this if you are going to add a bass or other sounds or instruments. Then plug those into other channels on the mixer.
Click to expand...

Cool. So for headphone practice just replace the amph with 'fones?
 
I just got my RC-2 & tried it out. It took a little bit of time to figure it out & then it is easy to operate. For a beginner like me, having drum tracks to play with is extraordinarily helpful; it forces me to stay in time. The ability to quickly record & playback to hear all the mistakes I've made is a humbling but helpful learning experience. Add to that the capability of layering, so that I can play lead to my own rhythm track & you've got a nifty little practice tool.

I can tell that it'll be one of the best purchases that I've made.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Does anyone have any loop quantize hints?

Do you start recording exactly on the first beat & end exactly on the first beat
of measure following the phrase that you are recording?

---------------------------------------------------------------
OK, I just put my bad monkey in front of the RC-2. Does anyone know why I had to crank the phrase volume on the RC-2 to get a decent level even when the Bad Monkey was off?
 
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tot_Ou_tard said:
OK, I just put my bad monkey in front of the RC-2. Does anyone know why I had to crank the phrase volume on the RC-2 to get a decent level even when the Bad Monkey was off?
Click to expand...


Gotta keep these discussions going!

Do you mean you have apparently low clean guitar sound (without using the Monkey pedal) when you record a phrase? I noticed that too at first but once I got a good balance between the clean guitar sound and the rhythm (drum) playback on the pedal then I just tweaked the level on the OD (your Bad Monkey) pedal when I kick that in until everything balances out. I'm sure by now you've straightened this out on your end.

I did use my MXR Micro Amp pedal though to boost the signal slightly when I played my Jazz Bass through the pedals and amp to overdub bass parts. The RC-20 limits the input of the bass guitar. I guess so that it doesn't overpower your amp. With my guitar levels set for clean and dirty...and the playback volumes set for balance it still wasn't enough signal for the bass. The Micro Amp pedal fixes that and brings the bass guitar level up enough to get a good clean recording without having to readjust all my settings on my pedals/amp just to record the bass guitar.

I sent you a PM about stepping on the pedal to record but I'll ask it again here. When I step on the pedal to record I'm getting a small bump in playback on the drum guide. Is that because I have to step on the pedal at the exact moment of the 1st downbeat of the measure? I may be stepping on it too early and it bumps. What do you think? Oh I also got the FS-5U pedal today too. I think I posted that on the "other" looper thread.
 
Turn down the rhythm knob on the RC2 > hit the pedal > record what you wish and try to keep the meter pretty steady > hit the pedal again to stop recording.

Now turn up your rhythm knob. You should have a quantized rhythm track behind what you just recorded. It does the math for you.

If you are trying to start a capture while the rhythm is playing you will often miss the beat by a micro second and that could be the 'bump' that you hear.
 
I got a Boss rc-20xl on the way , I dunno why..but I do.. anyways..

Question: I can't find any docs online for this thing... and I was anxiously wondering.. there is a Mic Input, an Instrument Input and an auxilary input... can I actually use this as a mixer also? all going into the mix at one time? or is it button controlled as to which input your using? The reason.. I have two inputs now for mic and instrument and would be nice to just have the one.. just wondering if the mic by-passes all effects also?
 
Justa
Tou're going to love it. Don't worry.
There are no effects in the unit. It is a capture device. What goes in is what comes out. When you get it hook stuff up to all the inputs and experiment then you'll know what they are about.
Congratulations.
 
Spudman said:
Justa
Tou're going to love it. Don't worry.
There are no effects in the unit. It is a capture device. What goes in is what comes out. When you get it hook stuff up to all the inputs and experiment then you'll know what they are about.
Congratulations.
Click to expand...

Ummm I knew it didn't have any effects... I was just wondering if they all came out together mic/guitar/aux which I found out they did.. I found a manual over at loopers delight..:) so I can read a bit while I wait...
 
Well she made me open it... We finished wrapping all the other presents.. except it and MUCH wood for her project (I hope I get to it now..:) )

Boss RC-20XL
First impressions: Ok after a hug and a kiss..umm to her.. I "glanced" at the docs and proceeded to hook it up.. ofcourse the lil pedal board has no more room but I squeezed it on there and removed a few with a promise to return them when needed. Plugging it up was like any other pedal, power and in and out 1/4 inch.. Note: no power on or off.. it's always on... Ok so I remember from the first glance at the book left pedal starts this thing and right stops it.. click on the left and there goes the little red light flashing away and me strumming away... cool.. ok hit right pedal to stop it.. hit left again to start it playing.. cool.. Now, I am looking down at this thing and thru my ignorance... I am thinking, now wait if I want to add something to this I have to turn that little knob there called phrase select to 2... My ignorance is telling me this is gonna be a pain! bending to do that each time... than it dawns on me... after seeing videos etc of people using this thing... just dub it now dude... clicking the left foot control once again there is a cute lil yellow light blinking.. cool... I start a lil notey thing over the strums... press the right pedal to stop it.. press left again to play it... cool.. they are together... now that was sweet..and easy once ignorance gets out of the way... Ok, so now I see how to lay it all together.. lets do another.. I select phrase select and put it to 2... repeated most of the above and hit play again.. coool... but was it as cool as the first one... I know I will go back to 1 and see... click to 1... what the... Ignorance forgot to have me write that little loop to 1.. ahh well... I got it now... save/write if you dont want to lose it.. than you can store up to 11 of those bad boys..if the 16 minutes doe not run out...:)

Ok, now a few things that kinda bug me while I am figuring this pedal/looper out.. First.. if you use tap tempo.. there is a very faint clicking in the back even with tap tempo turned down to off (I assumed it was for the sound as the light always flashes) .. so in your mix you have the click too.. but if you do not use tap tempo..no clicking is heard.. Also.. Quantize only works with tap tempo...(clicking again)... If you just start playing and then end.. without this feature..it kinda lines up anyways..so I am still lost here as to whats going on... I can see I may finally learn to keep rhythm..seeing there are so many idiot lights that pull me in..:)

There is also a cd included with 45 loops..some pretty darn nice ones..
This setup is a learning tool.. I can see that now.. it can't make me play or sound any better than I am.. but its a stepping stone to be there.. and although I mentioned earlier in a post that there is a software program that does this with midi foot control.. it's not the same or same feel.. this is pretty darn neat as a first impression that is... If I was creative.. I might use this for a long time to come... Hope I do...

It records out pretty good to.. as easy as it gets.. its just there with your signal... below is my very first loopy..You guys know I have no shame... so just cause I wanted to.. I did the fade in and out.. its not the pedal there.. although there suppose to be a fadeout function but I have yet to get that far...

Oh and its built like a tank.. hope it last like one..
 
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Congrats Justa! It's a great tool to have. I find it works great for practicing rhythm playing and timing. You can tell right away if your timing is off.

I still haven't learned all my JamMan can do either, I guess I should print out the manual (it didn't come with one since I got it used.).
 
Nice, Justa!
I think you will like it. I used the RP 50 into the Jamman when I recorded that "Surfabilly" clip. Used the RP's built in drummer with the tap tempo turned off to lay down the rhythm guitar and then played the lead over it.
Loopers are great to lay down chord progressions to play with later, then you can try out different leads and chart your progress as you go.:D
 
I can already tell in the charting progress oldguy.. I have tried metronome programs on the computer.. but have always wandered away from them... although the sounds you can change to on the boss rc-20xl are not many for the tempo.. you can adjust the volume and they do pretty good... tap tempo backings.. in the short week.. this tempo stuff has gotten me to see how much I really really needed one.. such a poor beginner.. I speed up...slow down and never realize it... till I listen later... what a great learning tool this will be to help me slow down and try to stay in time... and one more feature I have already grown fond of on the boss.. the fade out feature... pretty neat.. I tried the reverse feature... i keep getting flashbacks when I use it.. but I assume there must be a use for it...:)
 
I found a triple button Boss fsu type footswitch on E-Bay for the Boss RC-20xl and thought for the price (under $50.00 including the shipping) I would give it a shot although the size may be to small to hit it properly.. From what I noticed in the little time playing with this looper, A footswitch for phrase switching would - should really add to the flexability of the looper.will let all know how well it was made once it gets here. below is the description and a picture.



If you have a Boss Loop station RC-20XL Phrase Recorder, this Custom made triple unlatching Footswitch is a MUST-HAVE! it can be used with the RC-20XL both to change loops (it goes in numerical order in conjunction with the minus and plus switches -ie... tap "UP arrow" 3 times, it jumps to 3 stored loops away...tap "down arrow" 2 times, it jumps to 2 loops before the one your on) and the third-front footswitch to toggle between forward and reverse loop playback. With this pedal, you have FAR more operation of the RC-20XL completely hands free. Best thing about this switch? It's much smaller than the size of 3 Boss FS-5U pedals....and far more cost effective.........it measures 4 inches by 2 inches by 1 1/8 inches (height).. .way more practical as far as pedalboard space goes! ..2 1/4" inch
jacks(one stereo) on the back you simply plug into the unit with (EASY!) .. Brand new, used only to test, and works perfectly......This auction DOES NOT include any patch cables. You will need one STEREO cable 1/4" and one regular mono patch cable 1/4" - STEREO cable is NECESSARY to shift loops in
both directions. any music store or even radio shack has them.!)...we are only making a few at a time, once in a while, so there are only a few available - don't wait if you need one!...
 
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Justaguyin_nc said:
will let all know how well it was made once it gets here.
Click to expand...

The 3 way switch for the 20xl got here and it works. I did think without actually asking, that it would be metal and about the size of the MXR pedals. Well, its all plastic including the switches (how long can one step on plastic?) and about 3/4 the size of a mxr pedal. I never go out any place to play, so for home use it will be fine and does enhance the use of the looper.. I had to velcro it down or its to light to stay in one spot once the cables are connected. Also, the switches should have been mounted the other way in my opinion as you have to run the cables past under your feet. Although I saved about 50 to 75 bucks going this route I would not suggest it for someone that actually plays out and has a heavy foot... but for us clowns in the comic relief section its a good savings and does the job...;)
 
That's good to know. I saw those too and almost sprang for one. Plastic will hold up pretty well unless you stand on it. Still, the buttons being so close together would present a problem while standing and gigging I'll bet.
 
Well, I have a RC20 XL coming. After consulting with Sr. Spud and my own gut, I decided getting something to practice with myself and canned loops/rythyms was more important than getting a second electric guitar right now. Found it used and pretty cheap online. I am excited to try it, record a couple things I have been playing around with and just goof around. Also, want to use the drum/metronome aspects for disciplined practice as Jimi75 suggests. Robert, I have not noticed that you have posted a review of the JamMan. How has that been going for you? Well, here's to getting loopy! :)
 
I was leary about getting one..
But now that I got the rc-20xl, it's always on! (well it does not turn off anyways)
Does not seem to add anything to the tone.. works!
I think-hope it's improving my timing... makes for great practice!
You will enjoy it!!
 

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