Looper suggestions

[xxxplorer]

I know a few of you use looper pedals here so I figure I'd ask for some recomendations here.

I'm looking for a balance of simple but useful features. I think I've ruled out the line 6 JM4, but if someone has it and convinces me it's worth it I may change my mind. I just don't forsee needing the effects and amp stuff on it, but you never know.

I use a fairly straight foward rig, guitar into fuzz to wah then modulation and overdrive into a JCM 800 2204. I'm mostly interested in looping a rythem and creating melodies on top of it like most are I would imagine. I am lured by the thought of some drum patterns and such as a practice tool.

I am honestly pretty new to the concept and all so I don't know if you need something huge like bigger boss units to do multiple layers and trippy late night experimenting, or if something much smaller (and cheaper) is just as usefull.

Any and all recomendations are appreciated and thanks in advance. Joe Gore is part of the inspiration, I love his videos! Took my wife to see KT Tungsel years ago too, and thought that was cool too!

 

[Spudman]

Re: Looper suggestions

The Boss RC20Xl has been faultless for me for many years. At times I think I'd like to get the larger RC50 for the extra features, but still haven't yet.

I also have the L6 JM4 and it's good if you jam at home and want drum tracks to play to. However, I find it very limiting as far as setting volumes and intuitively looping. It sounds good and has some great guitar sounds available, but I find I'm happiest with just the Boss unit.

I'll be selling the JM4 and just sticking with my M13 into the RC20XL.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looper suggestions

Digitech's Jamman series has more loop time than most of the Boss units. I tend to use loops for more live improvisations, so my needs are a bit different, but for static chord progressions with drums, I like the Digitech the best.

 

[indie folk guy]

Re: Looper suggestions

my vote has to go the Digitech Jam Man loopers I use the solo model. they just have so much bang to buck, they are easy to use, and can hold the most stuff.

They can handle simple stuff or advanced stuff with ease imho.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

cool. There is a boomerang + on my local CL for $150.00, I like the simplicity, but it's huge and doesn't have as many features but it's still intriguing.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looper suggestions

The Boomerang is a great looper (the new model is much better than the old one), but it is more of a live performance/improvisation tool than a tool for soloing over backing tracks.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

I'm really liking what I see on the boomerang stuff. Seems to be made for live on the fly use. The one on my local CL is tempting. The volume roller seems really cool and it seems to bee easy to use... only down side is the size from what I can see. The Rang IIIs look VERY cool, but that's a lot of cash to throw into my first looper. I am thinking maybe of picking up the used unit and IF I feel I need some of the drum beats and stored stuff I can get a boss RC-3 or Jamman solo used somewhere.

Mincer: Your site is very helpfull! I went to see what you were using and stayed for the playing and music. Inspiring stuff there and very nice playing!

 

[jcthejester13]

Re: Looper suggestions

I use an RC-20XL and a Memory Man w/ Hazarai.

The RC-20 is *****in'.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

From what I've read, a lot of folks like the RC-20XL over the RC-30. For what I am THINKING I want to do, the Rang III seems like the best, but I don't want to dump that kind of cash into this yet lol. The Rang + I have found looks good, but no undo and fading out seems not there unless you do it manually with the wheel.

The whole reason I even want to get into this is my Line 6 filter modeler I got last week lol. I have had WAY to much fun making obnoxious noise with it and was jamming with it to some of my band's old recordings and I figured having a looper to do it would be better and easier. Also can help me write stuff and make more noise lol.

Having drum beats would be cool, but I don't know if it's a necessity. I can loop beats with my guitar and do it all on the fly if I want to I imagine and it would be all 'created'.

Keep the suggestions coming! Thanks!

 

[ImmortalSix]

Re: Looper suggestions

I have a Digitech JamMan - it's great, but it it does not have a built in method for going to a different loop.

I put a clothespin on the rotary knob that selects the loop, and nudge it with my toe and it works great, though.

Edit - this is the last-gen JamMan.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

^ Interesting!

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

I said screw it and ordered the rang III. Seems the most intuitive to me and I know i'd get the boss and be happy for 5 min and order it anyway so in the long run I saved money the way I see it!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looper suggestions

Thanks for the kind words! I think you will love the Rang III. For the stuff I do, if I was going to buy a modern looper, that would be it.

 

[xxxplorer]

Re: Looper suggestions

You're very welcome Mincer. At first I wanted the drum sounds, but then I realized my drummer's elecric set has a bunch of 'practice routines' built in so that's covered, so then I looked at what was practical for what I really wanted to do and I think this is the best option for me. We'll see if I can figure out how to loop! I'm excited!