Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: practice tools...recorder, looper?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    31
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default practice tools...recorder, looper?

    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.

    Guitars: 2001 Fender Fat Strat (MiM), Epi Les Paul Plus Top, 2004 Taylor 310ce, Washburn Rover
    Amps: Vox AD50VT, Fender Blues Jr.
    Pedals/Gear: DVM's ZYS, Fulltone OCD, Dunlop Crybaby 535Q, Boss TU-2, Digitech JamMan, Presonus TubePre, Boss BR-600

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Exterra Cognita
    Posts
    5,724
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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?
    Last edited by tot_Ou_tard; January 27th, 2007 at 01:50 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    31
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tot_Ou_tard
    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.

    Guitars: 2001 Fender Fat Strat (MiM), Epi Les Paul Plus Top, 2004 Taylor 310ce, Washburn Rover
    Amps: Vox AD50VT, Fender Blues Jr.
    Pedals/Gear: DVM's ZYS, Fulltone OCD, Dunlop Crybaby 535Q, Boss TU-2, Digitech JamMan, Presonus TubePre, Boss BR-600

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    Idaho (I-duh-ho)
    Posts
    12,581
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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.

    "No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi

    Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Exterra Cognita
    Posts
    5,724
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by scorona
    Haven't heard that since high school... ;-)
    Sooo, do you want to beat me up now, or can we wait until after school?

    Quote Originally Posted by scorona
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by scorona

    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by scorona

    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.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Posts
    19
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    NW Missouri,
    Posts
    4,097
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    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.
    Guitars
    Wilburn Versatare, '52 FrankenTele(Fender licensed parts), Fender USA Roadhouse Strat, Fender USA Standard B-bender Telecaster, Agile AL 3000 w/ WCR pickups, Ibanez MIJ V300 Acoustic, Squier Precision Bass,
    Amps
    Ceriatone Overtone Special, Musicman 212 Sixty-Five, Fender Blues Jr., Peavey Classic 30, Fender Super Reverb, Traynor YCV-40 WR Anniversary w/ matching 1x12 ext. cab, Epiphone SoCal 50w head w/ matching 4x12 cab (Lady Luck speakers), Avatar 2x12 semi-open back cab w/ Celestion speakers
    Pedals
    Digitech Bad Monkey, Digitech Jamman, DVM's ZYS, Goodrich volume pedal

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    New York, NY
    Posts
    88
    Post Thanks / Like

    Question Fender G-DEV vs. Modeling & Looper pedal combo

    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.
    Last edited by NPauly; January 27th, 2007 at 09:29 PM. Reason: tyops toyps typos
    My Gear ...
    Roland Micro Cube, Traynor YCV20WR
    Ovation Cedar Balladeer, "Super-cute" Fender Strat, Squier M-80

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    31
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

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

    Quote Originally Posted by tot_Ou_tard
    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.

    Guitars: 2001 Fender Fat Strat (MiM), Epi Les Paul Plus Top, 2004 Taylor 310ce, Washburn Rover
    Amps: Vox AD50VT, Fender Blues Jr.
    Pedals/Gear: DVM's ZYS, Fulltone OCD, Dunlop Crybaby 535Q, Boss TU-2, Digitech JamMan, Presonus TubePre, Boss BR-600

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    Exterra Cognita
    Posts
    5,724
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by scorona
    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.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •