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Looper's Delight
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Date: Sat, 02 Jun 2001 20:54:17 From: tim@timhelmen.com To: loopers-delight@loopers-delight.com Subject: RC-20 >>My primary use of a looper would be to create grooves and backgrounds to solo over. There would be more to it than that, I know, but that's the main use. There seems to be one main drawback as far as I can tell. With the LD4, when you are recording a loop and want to set the end point, depending on the switch you use you can have the loop start again either in play mode or overdub mode, a nice flexibility.<< Hi Tim, the RC-20 will enable you to be precise with loop timing but you are right, you have to for the most part loop by ear, it also doesn't have a delete mode for overdubs so you have to be really careful in what you play for through composed music. The LD4 does a better job but as you already know has brief loop times. For live use you have to look at more expensive solutions. I prefer the Boomerang because although you have to learn to get your loops together you can have two different loops, what's more you have slower speeds, down to one octave which, if you record at will play guitar and bass with good fidelity while giving you close to 4 minutes of loop time. As for the RC-20 you can pre-program your songs and break down compositions to the 10 different memory structures, but that's not nearly enough for a full set if that's what you intend to do. Also, there is a lot of foot dancing going on with the RC-20. Personally, I like it as a tabletop unit although live I may just use it as a floor system. In my project studio it's usually on the desktop. >> But with the RC-20 it seems there is not that same flexibilty. You set the end point of the loop and have it restart by hitting the left switch. This leaves you with the loop playing, like play mode on the LD4. To get into overdub mode you have to hit the same switch again. I imagine with practice one could get this sequence down pretty well, but you'd never be able to get to a mode where you're overdubbing right from the re-start of the loop. << This is correct, but it is very easy to overdub as you are working, example; I make a loop, I press the left footswitch and the RC-20 plays back my previous music. I can tap the pedal as the loop is playing and overdub as I see fit. Again, you need to move up in price to get the features you are discussing. The Echoplex line has some nice features but are difficult to find and not always the most realtime friendly. I like the Boomerang but don't want to make this a commercial for the product. Even if you chose that device you'd still be unable to loop without immediately replaying. IMO any inexpensive looper will require some adptation, especially learning how to loop realtime and seamlessly. It can be done, it just takes a bit of practice. >> This seems like it would be a real pain. I'd love to know there is a way around this. << Not really. You could use the memory locations and switch between them, that's about it. >> The other thing is the lack of the function the expression pedal adds to the LD4 of controlling the loop level. << Yes, this is a serious oversight although you can control the pedal's loop level if you use it as a desktop unit, there are controls for inputs on the mic and instrument inputs and for the loop level, you just can't get to them with the pedal on the floor. >> The question is whether the much longer loop time compensates for this. I'm thinking it might end up doing do for me. But if someone could tell me I'm missing something about how to go right into overdub mode, that would be great... << You only have a minimal lag if you are not tying the RC-20 to auto quantize. Played without timing features you press the left pedal and you start looping, press agan and end the loop, you have to get it right but that probably won't be as hard as you may think. All you have to do to overdub is press the left pedal as you like to hit overdub mode. You don't have the luxury of access to existing controls beyond an optional footpedal for reverse and clicking forward through the saved loops. The LM4 isn't any easier to use IMO, again, the next step up for on the fly use is the Rang and is more expensive but has a control for loop level on the footpedal, lets you program it for 2 different loops and whether it's hi or lo fidelity. But you will pay another $200 for these features. The LM4 is nice as a taste of looping but if you have any kind of effects unit such as a GT series from Boss or Korg's AX1000G you can get many of the same effects found in the LM4 as well some good amp and cabinet simulations for about $250 - 300 USD. One thing to consider, the RC-20 can get noisy in it's output. It's not noticible when in a mix but as your sole pedal and if you're using it for song structures you will need a gate to keep it quiet. Hope this helps, Bruce http://www.artistlaunch.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/