practice tools...recorder, looper?

[scorona]

I'm looking into adding some gear to make my practice experience a little more rewarding and fun. I'd like something that's versatile (integrated features to lay down multiple tracks, phrase trainer, drum machine, etc.). Not sure if I should be investing in a stand-alone mulittrack recorder with these capabilities (e.g. Boss BR-600) or in a looper pedal with recording capabilities (e.g. Digitech Jamman). What sort of gear are y'all using for practice/recording? I saw Robert's great demo of the Jamman on his site. Anyone have other experience with these products?

Thanks.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Hi Scorona (sung to the tune of My Sharona),

Great thread. I guess the first question is do you have access to a computer while playing or not?

I don't.

The two things that really take a practise session to the next level are some sort of drum machine and an ability to record at least a few minutes of playing.

The nice thing about a looper (I have the Boos RC-2) is that you can control everything with your feet & it makes a nice live tool when you have the chops. You also run it in front of your amp (although the drum sounds get ratty if the have has any significant gain).

I haven't had any experience with multitrack recorders. Anyone?

[scorona]

Hi Scorona (sung to the tune of My Sharona),

Haven't heard that since high school... ;-)

Great thread. I geuss the first question is do you have access to a computer while playing or not?

Yes, but I'd rather spend less time sitting in front of a computer (since I do that for a living). I'm getting a little "old school" on this...I'd rather have something with real dials and switches, etc. I'll use the computer for transfer or final mixdown.

The two things that really take a practise session to the next level are some sort of drum machine and an ability to record at least a few minutes of playing.

I have an Alesis SR-16 drum machine, that I feed into my computer's sound card, but it would be nice to have a drum machine built into the recording device, like the Boss BR600.

The nice thing about a looper (I have the Boos RC-2) is that you can control everything with your feet & it makes a nice live tool when you have the chops. You also run it in front of your amp (although the drum sounds get ratty if the have has any significant gain).

How are the drum sounds in general? Do you get preset patterns to use or that you can load?

I would have to invest in some effects pedals to use in front of the looper, right? (i.e. I wouldn't be able to use the effects on my Vox amp).

Thanks for the reply.

[Spudman***]

For outright practicing I strongly suggest a looper. You'll get some kind of beats included, and if you don't use those then whatever you capture is going to stay consistent. Consistency and meter are what make the biggest difference when practicing. Without these skills it is hard to play with others.

I'm not sure how captured loops translate into the computer. I haven't tried that yet.

[tot_Ou_tard]

Haven't heard that since high school... ;-)

Sooo, do you want to beat me up now, or can we wait until after school?

Yes, but I'd rather spend less time sitting in front of a computer (since I do that for a living). I'm getting a little "old school" on this...I'd rather have something with real dials and switches, etc. I'll use the computer for transfer or final mixdown.

Me too. I like the knobs n' dials.

I have an Alesis SR-16 drum machine, that I feed into my computer's sound card, but it would be nice to have a drum machine built into the recording device, like the Boss BR600.


How are the drum sounds in general? Do you get preset patterns to use or that you can load?

That depends on the looper. The RC-2 has some OK beats, no ability to ad fills etc. I use them just to keep time. The Boss Rc-20XL apparently has a CD that you load in (ask Spud, he'll tell ya 'bout them). I'm surre that your SR-16 has got all the loopers "beat" in that department.

I would have to invest in some effects pedals to use in front of the looper, right? (i.e. I wouldn't be able to use the effects on my Vox amp).

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, with a looper you'll need to get all your dirt from pedals. Light modulation will be OK, but remember every effect gets applied to the drum sounds too.

[pressthe6]

I like the loop pedal idea also. computer for final transfer or whatever. I have the RC-2 also and am really enjoying it so far! Layering loops on the same phrase is soooo fun.

[oldguy]

With a loop pedal, you could lay a good solid drum track down with your drum machine, layer clean guitar track(s) over it, make several loops of your favorite songs, played through one amph, and then use another amph to play lead along with it, if you want to use effects and not color the drums too much.

[NPauly]

This is the setup I have be considering ...

Guitar
|
V
Modeling multi-effects pedal (Pod XT Live, GT8, GNX3K, Tonelab, ect)
|
V
Looper pedal (RC20XL, RC50, Jamman, etc)
|
V
Keyboard amp (Roland, Yorkville)

Either that or I'll just buy a Fender GDEC.

[scorona]

With a loop pedal, you could lay a good solid drum track down with your drum machine, layer clean guitar track(s) over it, make several loops of your favorite songs, played through one amph, and then use another amph to play lead along with it, if you want to use effects and not color the drums too much.

Hey, I like that approach...plus it gives me an excuse to go score another amp. ;-)

That depends on the looper. The RC-2 has some OK beats, no ability to ad fills etc. I use them just to keep time. The Boss Rc-20XL apparently has a CD that you load in (ask Spud, he'll tell ya 'bout them). I'm surre that your SR-16 has got all the loopers "beat" in that department.

So, can you feed drum loops into the RC-2 via the 1/4" input?
Does the RC-2 have the ability to slow down a track without changing pitch?

Can anyone chime in with any experience with the Boss BR-600?

Thanks.

[tot_Ou_tard]

So, can you feed drum loops into the RC-2 via the 1/4" input?
Does the RC-2 have the ability to slow down a track without changing pitch?

Can anyone chime in with any experience with the Boss BR-600?

Thanks.

It has a 1/8" aux input on the back for CD input that you could use.