Looping and Competing Frequencies

[ericmeyer4]

I got a looping pedal for Christmas (the Boss twin pedal... forget the name) and I know it is not the best looper out their, but I am not the best at looping either. So I got this pedal because it was in my price range and the better I get the better equipment I will get. Plus I didn't want to drop big bucks on something that might end up being a passing phase.

Anyways....

So I come up with these little rhythms, but when I go to solo I either have to turn the loop way down or input volume way up. Or if I get both volumes where I like it, the different lines all mesh together and get lost. To fix this would something like a POD or other modeler work/programmable preamp work? Basically something programmable so I can set it with different eq's so my rhythm can be a little scooped and blend in and my lead can be a little mid heavy and stand out. What I want is to have my rhythm and my lead at about the same volume, but get the lead to stand out. Right now there is such a large volume difference it is ridiculous, so I don't think volume is my issue here.

Am I on the right track with this?

Mincer you are the loop guy here any suggestions?

Right now my rig is some stomp boxes into a Hughes and Ketner Cab sim into the computer. It works for the music I make. This is why I am looking at molders and preamps. I'm not really looking to mimic a Fender Bassman or a Marshall Plexi just something programmable. And I don't want to spend an arm and a leg why I am at it.

This is the direction my music has been moving in...
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=386812&songID=4534836
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=386812&songID=3674094

I would also like to improve my overall sound with the item I purchase.

Thanks,
Eric

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

This is where those little knobs on your guitar come into play . . . seriously! Roll back on the tone and volume a bit and select your neck pickup. When it comes time to solo over your loop, hit the bridge pickup and bring your volume and tone up a bit. Sounds that don't always sound right on their own can work beautifully together. You can work wonders with the sound of your guitar by learning how to play with those little knobs . . .

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

This is where those little knobs on your guitar come into play . . . seriously! Roll back on the tone and volume a bit and select your neck pickup. When it comes time to solo over your loop, hit the bridge pickup and bring your volume and tone up a bit. Sounds that don't always sound right on their own can work beautifully together. You can work wonders with the sound of your guitar by learning how to play with those little knobs . . .

That really isn't an option, only a 1 pup/1 volume guitar.

 

[larry_emder]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

Yeah i somewhat have this issue too (have the same pedal as you too...rc-20xl?)

I have to use my volume controls a lot.....but yes, and eq pedal would probably work pretty well in this situation

Too much of the same tone of top of itself just sounds yucky

If you listen to mincers stuff, every layer has a different tone (from what i've heard)

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

Yeah i somewhat have this issue too (have the same pedal as you too...rc-20xl?)

I have to use my volume controls a lot.....but yes, and eq pedal would probably work pretty well in this situation

Too much of the same tone of top of itself just sounds yucky

If you listen to mincers stuff, every layer has a different tone (from what i've heard)

I know! His stuff is great! I regularly scan his site for ideas. I need to get one of the 1hr CD's.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

bump

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

thanks for the kind words!
looping is like constructing a song backwards- you really have to pay attention to the tones and how you layer stuff or else it can be come a mess- especially with dense rhythms. Use the oppourtunity to studdy arrangement and what types of sounds do sound good layered together. The Boss isn't a bad looper, for what it was designed for, which is practicing solos, ideas, etc, over a static background.
You could make a setup where you plug the looper into a mixer's aux send, and hook up a volume pedal to it, so you can regulate the volume of the loop. This isn't feedback control, but it is close. And it allows you to fade out over time if you want to 'morph' into another loop.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

thanks for the kind words!
looping is like constructing a song backwards- you really have to pay attention to the tones and how you layer stuff or else it can be come a mess- especially with dense rhythms. Use the oppourtunity to studdy arrangement and what types of sounds do sound good layered together. The Boss isn't a bad looper, for what it was designed for, which is practicing solos, ideas, etc, over a static background.
You could make a setup where you plug the looper into a mixer's aux send, and hook up a volume pedal to it, so you can regulate the volume of the loop. This isn't feedback control, but it is close. And it allows you to fade out over time if you want to 'morph' into another loop.

I will have to try that. How do you keep your loops from clashing? Vol/Tone adjustments? Different eq settings on your patches?

Thanks for the tips!

-Eric

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

i tend to use different octaves- eq adjustments, effects- just like making a recording. if i am looping acoustic guitar, it is very rarely a strummed rhythm, I tend to use single notes and layer them, so I can build something up. sometimes i do the same with electric- build up with single notes. they can be short quick notes or long sustaining ones.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Looping and Competing Frequencies

i tend to use different octaves- eq adjustments, effects- just like making a recording. if i am looping acoustic guitar, it is very rarely a strummed rhythm, I tend to use single notes and layer them, so I can build something up. sometimes i do the same with electric- build up with single notes. they can be short quick notes or long sustaining ones.

Thanks for that Mincer!