Live Loop Loop Looping

[oscillospirem]

I thought I'd start a thread on live looping.

I use a pair of Line 6 DL4's and a guitar to create textures in my group. Our guitar player also has a DL4 he uses to compensate for being the only real guitar player. We wanted our loops to have the ability to sync, so we started looking into pedals that might have midi capability. The only thing we could find that would enable you to sync with midi was, of course, the holy grail of loopers Gibson's Echoplex which retails for $1,124.95(!) with the foot controller(!!). These are re-issues of the older digital echoplex Gibson used to make back in the late 80's early 90's. They are really cool, you can record and save 8 loops into the unit and the record time is ridiculously long. We used to play with a guy who had three of them and once he got them going, he really didn't need the rest of us.

Looking around though, I found out that Digitech makes a multieffects unit that has a built in 8 track. I called Digitech and found out that the 8 track can be set to loop eight separate loops individually or simultaneously. These are the same features the echoplex offers, only the digitech has a USB in/out for file transfers or interfacing with a computer, stores to flash, can store multiple loops and only costs $499.00. The sound quality of the thing is pretty descent to, with 24-bit capability, I can't think of a reason not to buy the thing. Other than it looks horrible.

What experiences with live looping do you have? What's your set-up? Any advice on low cost alternatives to a massive looper set-up?

[johnS]

The electrix repeater is supposed to be pretty cool. You can get one on ebay for not too much (at least, for way less than yer $1,200 Gibson Echoplex!)

I have an electrix filter factory and its real fun to play with live. Midi syncable, simple layout and large knobs. And not a menu in sight.

[Chaorta]

Originally Posted by johnS

The electrix repeater is supposed to be pretty cool. You can get one on ebay for not too much (at least, for way less than yer $1,200 Gibson Echoplex!)

I have an electrix filter factory and its real fun to play with live. Midi syncable, simple layout and large knobs. And not a menu in sight.

I had one of those. I never should have sold it

[johnS]

This looks like a good resource:

http://www.loopers-delight.com/tips/tips.html

And better yet:

http://www.loopers-delight.com/tools/tools.html

[johnS]

Chaorta,

What did you like about the repeater? What's it like working with that unit? Just curious.

[Chaorta]

Originally Posted by johnS

Chaorta,

What did you like about the repeater? What's it like working with that unit? Just curious.

Oh no, i meant the FilterFactory. I only used the Repeater once or twice at a pal's studio. I found it clunky.

[johnS]

Ah. gotcha.

I like the Filter factory cause it's not hi-fi at all. Great for putting wierd munge into your sounds. Vocals sound pretty cool through it with the envelope follower or the random LFO. And the distoriton is hideous.

[Chaorta]

Originally Posted by johnS

Ah. gotcha.

I like the Filter factory cause it's not hi-fi at all. Great for putting wierd munge into your sounds. Vocals sound pretty cool through it with the envelope follower or the random LFO. And the distoriton is hideous.

Yes, when i had mine, i would play the Mung game often.

...

[drewsifer]

i use a roland rc 20 to play solo jazz guitar. I loop the changes in the rc20 on the spot and play over them. I wish i had the rc20xl because it has 15 minutes of sampling. I am curious to try the digitech jamman, but from expierence a one year warrenty isnt gonna cut it for a digitech product. the rc20 is the best practice tool for jazz period. I love it.

[drewsifer]

Well I tried the Jam Man and I hate to say it.... but I liked it! haveing 100 user presets is incredible! It works the same as the rc 20 but it has no reverse function. I still dont think it is worth buying without a warrenty extension, but I saw that digitech teamed up with lexicon and the unit feels a lot more solid then most digitech products. maybe their turning over a new leaf? b t w "Jam Man" thats just a lame name.