I'm looking at getting one. Is the Boss RC2 (or RC20) good or what about the old Digitech ones...? Akai Headrush? Line 6? They're all pretty expensive, and I can't afford to drop loads of cash on something crap.
I just want something where I can play a riff, then loop it. That's it. I don't really want to add any effects to it. Not yet anyway.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
2Kerble yourself.
SO many threads on this.
Good info too. You'll have plenty of reading.
Best
-A
SO many threads on this.
Good info too. You'll have plenty of reading.
Best
-A
Itchy McGoo wrote:I would like to be a "shoop-shoop" girl in whatever band Alex Maiolo is in.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
4I have the Boss RC20. It seems to suck tone from my tube amp even when it's not engaged so I don't know if it's true bypass or not. It has input and output gain so my thinking is the power amp the signal must traverse is shit. It's sort of a crap Chinese pedal really, I mean it does replicate sound and loops efficiently but in terms of how it makes your rig sound is dubious.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
5i'd say an Akai Headrush or Line DL4 are the default choice for the looping newbie.
both sound ok and are very straightforward to use. Both have the added bonus of doubling up as decent delay pedals too...
both sound ok and are very straightforward to use. Both have the added bonus of doubling up as decent delay pedals too...
Disappointing the masses since 2006 http://www.low-point.com
Loop(ing) Pedal.
6pyxis360 wrote:I have the Boss RC20. It seems to suck tone from my tube amp even when it's not engaged so I don't know if it's true bypass or not.
Boss pedals are not true bypass, and generally can't be modded for true bypass. The workaround is to run them hot, either by running them through your loop (which is inherently hotter than instrument level) or, if you intend to run them through the front, use a Z-Vex Super Hard-On or Micro-Amp. The RC-20XL has an active trim control so you don't even need to do that.
gjhardwick wrote:i'd say an Akai Headrush or Line DL4 are the default choice for the looping newbie.
both sound ok and are very straightforward to use. Both have the added bonus of doubling up as decent delay pedals too...
The DL4 does do basic looping but nowhere near the same leage as a Loop Station. Plus DL4s tend to disintegrate. They do sound better, and can ape a "Frippertronics" vibe better than a Loop Station. Just be sure to carry a backup if you go that route.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
7Thx for the tip Fuzzbob.
I would offer that under no circumstances buy the Line 6 DL 4, it sounds good yes but it will break on you within the year. I've owned 2 and they both have died, one in the middle of a show.
Yesterday I just fried my Line 6 Verbzilla somehow as well, I've had it for a month.
I can't say enough bad things about Line 6 really. Just avoid them.
I would offer that under no circumstances buy the Line 6 DL 4, it sounds good yes but it will break on you within the year. I've owned 2 and they both have died, one in the middle of a show.
Yesterday I just fried my Line 6 Verbzilla somehow as well, I've had it for a month.
I can't say enough bad things about Line 6 really. Just avoid them.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
8Some potentially useful info is in this thread, together with tons of laughing at that blond dude.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
9I've owned an Akai Headrush since 2001 and I love it. I never bother with the delay or tape echo, i always just leave it set on the looping function. You can't use the functions at the same time.
My only complaint is that to loop multiple layers your loop needs to be less than 11.9 seconds (I think). I always seem to write sections that are just over that amount of time and then speed them up so I can fit within the constraints of the loop.
That said, I think it's the best money I have ever spent on equipment, because it's so fun to play with. I think you learn a lot about your playing style from it too.
My only complaint is that to loop multiple layers your loop needs to be less than 11.9 seconds (I think). I always seem to write sections that are just over that amount of time and then speed them up so I can fit within the constraints of the loop.
That said, I think it's the best money I have ever spent on equipment, because it's so fun to play with. I think you learn a lot about your playing style from it too.
Loop(ing) Pedal.
10I've been using a Headrush for the past few years and it's solid, and sounds pretty good, it's a workhorse for me, i use the delays a bit, but own the pedal for the looping.
Every person i've ever known to own a line 6 DL4 has either owned multiples or stops using it after a tour or two, as it craps out more than any other pedal i've ever seen, i've seen shows by "loop based bands" come to grinding halts when a DL4 decides not to work.
I recently picked up a ElectroHarmonix Stereo Memory Man (with Hazarai), and although the name is dumb, misleading and takes up too much space on the pedal, i'm pretty into it as a looper, it's a press button= record, release button=playback thing so being used to the Headrush it's a bit awkward to get used to, but not that bad. With this pedal you can loop + use any of the delay modes at the same time, loops can be pitch-shifted up or down an octave, filtered, or reversed, they can also be time stretched/compressed by tapping a new tempo in. i'm pretty into it.
that's my looping cents
Every person i've ever known to own a line 6 DL4 has either owned multiples or stops using it after a tour or two, as it craps out more than any other pedal i've ever seen, i've seen shows by "loop based bands" come to grinding halts when a DL4 decides not to work.
I recently picked up a ElectroHarmonix Stereo Memory Man (with Hazarai), and although the name is dumb, misleading and takes up too much space on the pedal, i'm pretty into it as a looper, it's a press button= record, release button=playback thing so being used to the Headrush it's a bit awkward to get used to, but not that bad. With this pedal you can loop + use any of the delay modes at the same time, loops can be pitch-shifted up or down an octave, filtered, or reversed, they can also be time stretched/compressed by tapping a new tempo in. i'm pretty into it.
that's my looping cents