Re: I ask the impossible

[mech <mech@m3ch.net>]

At 1:27 AM -0500 8/10/05, Jesse Kates wrote:
>
>I have a DL4.  It's fine, but I am at a point where I need two things -
>
>1. Stereo looping
>2. Longer loop time
>
>I am not that concerned re: preserving the half-time and reverse 
>function, cool as they are.  I do need feedback control or a unit 
>that overdubs with a slow decay like the DL4.

If you wish to stay on familiar ground with the Line 6 stuff, you 
might also consider upgrading to the Line 6 Echo Pro.  It has the 
same feature set as the DL4, but is in an upgraded rack-mount chassis 
with extra RAM (up to 60 seconds loop time in normal mode) and MIDI 
control.  You're going to run into two Achilles' heels with the Echo 
Pro, however:

First, it won't sync to MIDI Clock.  All of its major functions can 
be controlled by MIDI commands, however.

Second, like the Jamman and the DL4, the Echo Pro collapses the loop 
itself into mono, while everything else (direct sound, echoes) 
remains in stereo. (argh! and again: argh!)  This is and always has 
been my major gripe with the EP, as well as all the Line 6 echo 
modelers in general.

One way to get around this is by using two Echo Pro's in a "dual 
mono" configuration, then have them sync to the same set of MIDI 
commands.  It works passably well, and can even be pretty interesting 
on ambient pads as the left and right loops will eventually start to 
drift slightly over some minutes -- adding somewhat to the stereo 
effect.  I posted an article to the list a while back on this, so you 
can have a look through the archives if you're interested.

Wow!  I just took a look at prices, however, and it seems as if Echo 
Pro's are going up in demand.  While I was able to pick up a pair 
pretty cheap during a blowout, it's starting to look like the above 
workaround is getting a bit spendy now.  Used EP's seem to be going 
for about $425 apiece on Ebay, but you can occasionally catch a "Buy 
It Now" for ~$250 if you keep your eye out.  If you've gotta go full 
boat, though, I'd really consider instead getting one of the new 
Repeaters when it finally ships.

As I said, the main advantage for the Echo Pro is that you'll be able 
to expand on territory that is already well familiar to you.  The 
downside is that you'll still inherit a couple of limitations of the 
DL4.  Still, it's an option worth considering...

        -- m.
-- 
_______
"Now Simulcast on Crazy People's Fillings"