HarpNinja
1397 posts
May 02, 2011
6:12 AM
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I've been through the search here and would like to confirm options for a looper. I have one on my Line6 M13, but would like to find one that can be sound activated and let me layer over top of it. Right now, I am thinking of getting the Digitech JamMan Solo.
For example, a "bass" line then a "rhythm" line. I am a total novice, and I don't think the Line6 JM4, as ballsy as it would appear, would be used to its potential.
I am looking to be able to do about a 30min solo set. Besides a few solo tunes like 9 Below Zero and Another Man Done Gone, I thought it would be cool to do some looping.
I have a multi-efx unit, so really, I think all I need is the looping. I don't do any beatboxing at the moment, but would may learn a bit...so I guess I'd want to be able to do at least three layers on the loop?
Other than that, the easier to use the better! I am also hoping to stay within $100-200. The JM4 is so tempting if just for the drum and jam tracks...I could see using a drum track here and there live.
Thanks!
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Last Edited by on May 02, 2011 6:18 AM
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Stevelegh
217 posts
May 02, 2011
9:19 AM
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I keep looking at them and I keep coming back to the JM4. Main reason is the drum loops. I think the whole harpboxing thing is awesome, but I don't want to look like Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon. Stuff for the kids and I'm just too old to pull that off.
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HarpNinja
1399 posts
May 02, 2011
9:20 AM
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Lol!
Yeah, the JM4 looks super sweet. I just don't know if I'd take advantage of it, though. It seems I can upgrade the Solo with a pedal down the road. It looks simple enough to use too. I don't know, though!
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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isaacullah
1485 posts
May 02, 2011
12:29 PM
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In your price range is really only the JamMan Solo, the BOSS RC-2, and the Akai Headrush. All are good choices. Brendan Power uses an RC-2, and Brandon Bailey uses a Headrush. I don't know if any well known harploopers use the JamMan Solo, but I know several use bigger looping pedals like the RC-20 and RC-50. Are you sure that you can't make the looper on the M13 be sound activated? The looper on my RP155 is sound activated, and that unit only cost me $85. It has unlimted sound on sound overdubbing, but no "undo", so after you layer, you are stuck with what you have.
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HarpNinja
1404 posts
May 02, 2011
12:36 PM
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Yeah, it isn't sound activated. It is sorta cumbersome if you are trying to go between looper and efx mode.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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MrVerylongusername
1685 posts
May 02, 2011
1:43 PM
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The new Boss RC30 looks the business - stereo, real drum sample rhythm guide, xlr mic in, usb out. 3 hours of recording time. I need to updrade my RC20xl now!
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boris_plotnikov
524 posts
May 02, 2011
2:31 PM
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I understand, that this is not perfect decision to get Boss RC-2, but this is just for fun. This is mine Boss RC-2 plus handmade footswitch made with knob, jack and coffee box
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
Last Edited by on May 02, 2011 3:11 PM
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boris_plotnikov
526 posts
May 02, 2011
11:57 PM
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AFAIK and IMHO, all cheap loopers sucks. They're all ok for solo playing, but for working with band they never will be in beat, no matter how good and precise are you stomping them. You need one which allow to set bpm tempo and to make drummer play with metronome in the same tempo.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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HarpNinja
1415 posts
May 04, 2011
7:13 AM
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I will try it soon, but I think I can overdub on top of loops with the M13. It will limit me to an extent, but I think I can at least practice it. I was under the impression I could only do one layer of looping, but I think I am wrong.
Ideally, though, a second looper would be needed as I can't change effects from the M13 looper mode. I have to get some harps done and a UST video this week, but I will try and share my experiment results soon.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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walterharp
597 posts
May 04, 2011
8:13 AM
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the overdub time on the headrush is 17.8 seconds, which is not long enough for many regular blues figures (12 bar, 8 bar) depending on speed.. I would look for at least 30 seconds of overdub time regardless of the looper
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MrVerylongusername
1688 posts
May 04, 2011
8:19 AM
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The Boss pedals have huge loop times - all your loops, overdubs and stored phrases can add up to a whopping 3 hours! How you choose to organise that is up to you. In theory you could have a single loop 3 hours long!
The new RC30 has two independent, but synched stereo loops. I was thinking about upgrading my RC20XL to an RC50, but now I'm glad I held off, I think the RC30 is a winner.
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HarpNinja
1418 posts
May 04, 2011
10:54 AM
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I am so dumb...I just read up on the M13 looper. Other than not being sound activated, it has a ton of options including using effects on overdubs. It has a 30s loop time. You can make it 56s by recording in half speed mode.
It isn't as sophisticated as others mentioned, BUT it should be more than enough for me for a long time. I think I can even control the playback levels so the lead part would always be louder.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
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Gnarly
30 posts
May 06, 2011
12:08 AM
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For me, the biggest problem with loopers is the lack of control over the volume of the regenerated signal.
This is referred to as feedback.
If you play something, then play something else, it starts to stack up pretty quickly.
If you have a looper with feedback control, the original material fades as new material is recorded.
I am currently using two loopers; the Digitech Jamman for sample playback, and the RC-20 for live looping. I am not, however, looping the harmonica--my main instrument is guitar. This enables me to play chromatic harmonica, as well as solo on guitar.
I still have my old Oberheim/Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro, and if I start looping harmonica, that's what I will use--it has loads of control, including feedback and has over 3 minutes of sample time. Mike Stevens used to use one--and he also was using the Looperlative for a time, not sure what (if any) looper he is currently using.
Last Edited by on May 06, 2011 12:10 AM
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