Re: that AABA thing; inherent probs in looping

["max valentino" <ekstasis1@hotmail.com>]

....There have been a couple of posts recently I have put off adding to, 
but 
would now like to address.
Someone wrote of a problem trying to their JamMan to do an AABA type song 
form with multiple loops. Remember that the JamBoy's max memory (with 
upgrade) is 32 sec. and that is for all your loops (not overdubs, but for 
each discrete loop...bank 1, bank 2 etc.), and that your second loop will 
be 
the same length as loop #1. If you are trying to do something with a 
"song" 
form I have found it possible to record loop 1 and then using MIDI program 
change commands punch in command #13 (cue loop 2), this allows you to 
"arm" 
(cue) loop 2 while loop 1 plays. When loop 1 reaches its start/stop point 
loop #2 will kick in...blank, and you are in record mode so start doing 
the 
2nd loop. If there is enough memory left, then you can repeat this for a 
third loop. You can then use commands #12 (cue loop 1) and #13 (cue loop 
2) 
while the other of the loops are playing so JamMan will toggle between 
those 
two song sections. Of course, getting the timing down for both loops is 
the 
problem. It REALLY helps if you are using a drum machine as the master 
midi 
clock, and that allows your tap in/outs to be (fairly) seamless.
On that same subject: When I first started looping (with the JamMan BTW), 
I 
felt compelled and drawn to the "one man band" kinda concept. Approaching 
looping from the point being a solo bassist, that aspect ("sack yer band") 
seemed the most approachable. AH...then I discovered the inherent problems 
in looping. A looper really is not a "band in a box", nor is it a 
sequencer. 
And setting up verse/chorus type structures to "solo" over, while being a 
great deal of fun, left me a bit artistically empty. Even using drum 
machines with looping did not fullfull the aesthetic. I also found that 
drum 
machines and "normal" song structures, alienated a great deal of my 
potential audience...we've discussed that in another thread. I discovered 
that the looper is much more like an instrument in its own right...albeit 
one that requires an outside sound source. This revelation allowed me 
embrace the inherent problems in using loops. Yes there are some 
limitations. Doing "song" type compositions is very demanding. Loop 
lengths 
(esp. on my JamMan and DL4) are limited. At first I felt this to be 
limiting, but I find those same "limitations" inspiring and welcomed. 
Having 
unlimited options, in my opinion, is not the answer (although all that 
memory in the EDP and the Repeater is intriguing). But rather I would like 
to make the most with a limited set of options; a finite universe which I 
know well. If I want to do "song" type compositions, with multiple parts 
and 
changes, or complex arrangemnets, I'll work with a band. In that sense I 
can 
fullfill the need for song forms and still do loops for texture.
For looping shows I now mainly play my acoustic bass guitar, provide my 
own 
percusion loops by preparing or "playing" with the many percussive 
qualities 
of that instrument, and use a JamMAn and DL4 un-synced! By having a 
limited 
set of options in this way I must use my own talents and knowledge to 
explore the depths of harmony and rhythm and melody to create finished 
music. Sure muted slaps and taps do not sound like a drum machine's snare 
or 
conga samples....but in way the work out better.
I can alter a melody over a repeated/looped chordal part and that changes 
the "quality" of the harmony in the loop (something we bass players have 
known about for a long time...)
Using a looper AS an instrument allows me to conceive and execute 
compositional and textural structures which are new and (sometimes) wild 
and 
working within the technical limitations of the machine allows me to 
explore 
further the depths of music.
Sometimes limitaions can be good things......
Max
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