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Looper's Delight
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> It's not necessary to use a MIDI controller. You can map functions to > the keyboard. Over on the Mobius list (I think, or was it here?) we've had occasional discussions of hacking cheap USB keyboards or numeric pads to make "footswitches". Pry the keycaps off and glue something to a few keys to make them easier to press with feet. I know several people have done this. It ain't pretty, and I'm sure you have to replace them often but it works. So, it's hard to state the "cheapest" configuration for software looping, it depends on how technically savvy you are, how concerned you are about audio quality, and how goofy you will look stepping on a broken keyboard. AUDIO If you can live with the partial latency compensation in Mobius then you can use the integrated audio device and don't have to buy an ASIO device. This will behave as well as a DL4 except for one thing: when you end the recording of a new loop we'll have to skip a bit forward when playing back for the first time. If you want low-latency then many people have had success using ASIO4ALL to add an ASIO device driver on top of the integrated audio device. It's hit or miss though, it looks like it works over half the time but sometimes it doesn't. It requires some tech knowledge and a willingness to dick around. Most people that take it seriously I would imagine will buy something like this, scratch-n-dent for $70: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product?sku=703606X There are at least a dozen audio interfaces clustered around the $100 mark, some have MIDI: http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Tascam-US122L-USB2.0-Audio-Midi-Computer-Interface?sku=242192 MIDI If you find the concepts of "Threshold Recording" and "Automated Recording" in Mobius acceptable then you don't need anything to get the initial loop down. You will have to reach over with a free hand if you want turn overdub on and off though. If you can live with the shame of stepping on a broken USB keyboard with your snazzy lizard cowboy boots, then you don't need anything. Buy a $10 USB keyboard and molest it. If you want a more substantial footswitch, then you first have to get a MIDI interface. If you bought an audio interface it may already have one. Otherwise this for $30 http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/CME-U2MIDI-MIDI-to-USB-Cable?sku=703036 If you're good with a soldering iron, this can be hacked to be a normal MIDI switch for $60 http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Randall-4Button-MIDI-Footswitch?sku=180290 Or this for $100 http://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/CME-GPP3-USB-Programmable-Grand-Piano-Style-MIDI-Pedal?sku=703039 Or more likely the industry standard FCB1010 for $150. This is usually the stumbling block for most people. SUMMARY The following options assume as a basis that you have a laptop that is less than 5 years old and is not factored into the cost. Option1: hacky/goofy $10 ASIO4ALL + USB keyboard Option2: audio/goofy ~$110 any 2 channel USB audio interface + USB keyboard Option3: audio/midi $280 $130 audio interface with MIDI + FCB1010 Jeff