Re: THE BEST OF THE BEST LOOP STATIONS

[Philip Conway <Philip.Conway@bristol.ac.uk>]

Every foot pedal-type looper has limitations.  There's no do-it-all solution that I'm aware of.  The only platform where really anything is possible is software looping on a PC or laptop or whatever.  Is that a possibility?  You can design any number of systems with a software setup.  For that you need a stable computer with a decent sound card and a midi foot controller.  It doesn't need to be a supremely powerful computer, it just needs to be relatively glitch free.  And then there are absolutely brilliant free or donation-ware bits of looping software that you can download.  If you have any of the above bits of equipment then that could be a good place to start.  Once you get to know what features you really need then maybe you could look for a bit of hardware that meets those requirements.

Philip.

On 10 June 2013 12:09, Per Boysen <perboysen@gmail.com> wrote:

Well, you are describing a studio but calling it a looper ;-)  So I
don't dare recommend a looper for that because you will run into
problems. Things you should look into are for example why do you need
to add effects to the recorded instruments in different tracks? I
doubt there are many loopers that allow that. A less demanding method
(which often means "more musical" as well) would be to apply effects
to the instruments as you play them and let the effect be part of the
recorded and looped instrument part. By choosing this work flow you
also eliminate the need for having several parallel tracks running (as
hosts for your loops) since you can just as well layer all loops of
all instruments using all effects into the same loop (and that way you
get rid of issues with synchronising multiple loops as well as
processing power issues). Just one example... your decisions on how to
perform dictates the need for looping gear. But as I said, not really
knowing much details of what you're planning to do the 505 seems to
offer up a good bunch of options even for a trial-and-error creative
approach (which can be just as rewarding)

Greetings from Sweden

Per Boysen
www.perboysen.com
http://www.youtube.com/perboysen

On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 12:49 PM, Michael James

<livinguniverse@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Per....
>
> Greetings from New Zealand.
> Thanks for Your suggestions regarding the RC505.
> Because I'm a beginner at recording and looping,
> I arrived at the idea of purchasing a loop station with only
> the desire to simply record separate instruments
> onto different tracks and have them layered into one song.
> Effects would be wonderful to have on a station and I'm
> sure that as I get more skilled, I will enjoy using various
> effects to enhance the instruments I record, and even
> use pre-samples with effects to create totally synthetic songs.
> So, from the point of view of a station or machine that
> covers the basics of multi-track recording and playback
> and leaves room to grow into very sophisticated sampling and effects
> production, what machine or station would You recommend?
>
> Thanks,
> Michael
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Per Boysen <perboysen@gmail.com>
> To: Loopers-Delight <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
> Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 10:15 PM
> Subject: Re: THE BEST OF THE BEST LOOP STATIONS
>
> Hi Michael,
>
> It's hard for people to make recommendations as your description of
> what you want to do in looping is rather vague. I just read through
> the spec's for the 505 on this page
> http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2013/04/04/boss-intros-rc-505-tabletop-loop-station/
> and it seems it in some ways meets your ideas about post loop effects.
> The 505 also offers pre loop effects, to be recorded into the loop's
> audio, so you get a chance to practice both workflows with this box.
> Check out what can be done with the 505 and think about if the implied
> performance flow would work well for your music. That's the only way
> to go. Roland is known for good product build quality so what it's
> about here is whether the feature set matches your needs.
>
> Greetings from Sweden
>
> Per Boysen
> www.perboysen.com
> http://www.youtube.com/perboysen
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 11:53 AM, Michael James
> <livinguniverse@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> Hi Z....
>>
>> Thanks for Your reply.
>> In reply to Your question: 'What do You want to use it for?'
>> I have to say again:
>> "I basically want a loop station with all
>> the bells and whistles that allows
>> excellent sound recording, layering and
>> playback and that doesn't have software
>> and or hardware problems.  I'm playing
>> a lot of actual hand percussion and the saxophone
>> and want to multi-track record with effects if desired."
>> If this answer is not technically sophisticated enough,
>> then help Me to give You more detailed information
>> by asking Me questions that will clue You in.
>> I'll put it this way:  the Boss RC505 (five hundred and five) looks very
>> complete
>> and it seems to be the go to machine for basic looping with
>> all the bells and whistles, but I've heard that Boss looping
>> stations can be and have been problematic.  So if the RC505
>> doesn't have any problems, is it the go to loop station
>> as of June 2013?  If not, then what is the basic looping station
>> with all the bells and whistles that's totally reliable for laying down
>> multiple
>> tracks with crystal clear recording and playback?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Michael
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Z <zzz@zzz.ch>
>> To: Michael James <livinguniverse@yahoo.com>
>> Cc: "Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com"
>> <Loopers-Delight@loopers-delight.com>
>> Sent: Monday, June 10, 2013 9:35 PM
>> Subject: Re: THE BEST OF THE BEST LOOP STATIONS
>>
>> Hehe, I guess everyone here will agree 'loopstations' should be understood
>> as a family of instruments, like 'wind instruments' that include
>> saxophones..
>> Again, how do you plan to use it?
>>
>> Le 10 juin 2013 à 10:12, Michael James <livinguniverse@yahoo.com> a écrit
>> :
>>
>> Thanks Andy for Your reply.
>> I am a total novice regarding looping.
>> I've seen live looping done by a very accomplished
>> looper named Mihirangi.  She uses an RC50,
>> but in researching that machine, I found that it's
>> somewhat dated and then found that there are
>> many complaints about the RC50, and this makes
>> Me wary about Boss products.
>> I basically want a loop station with all
>> the bells and whistles that allows
>> excellent sound recording, layering and
>> playback and that doesn't have software
>> and or hardware problems.  I'm playing
>> a lot of actual hand percussion and the saxophone
>> and want to multi-track record with effects if desired.
>> There must be a go to loop machine or station that
>> is the agreed upon standard as of June 2013 and I'm simply trying
>> to learn what that standard is.
>> I'll give You an anology: for saxophones, if someone said
>> the Yamaha 62 Tenor is an excellent, safe horn to go with,
>> probably 95% of saxophone knowledgeable folks would agree.
>> It's simply a good horn that is well made and has a very reliable track
>> record.
>> I'm interested to know the equivalent for a looping machine/station.
>> Thanks, Michael
>>
>>
>>
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