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Looper's Delight
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When you do map out your setup, think about everything you want to go into the looper. I have considered using a mixer in my setup, but again the issue of signal strength has to be addressed for every signal from every output that you have. For instance, if you want your guitar, the drums, and vocals all going into the looper, then you have one instrument output and two microphone outputs. In the mixer you just plug the microphones in to the mic inputs as you normally would, and your guitar you would run through a direct box, and then take the direct box output and put that into a microphone input. The mixer output will most likely be line level and stereo. To send that to the Boomerang, you will need two re-amp boxes (since you are in stereo). The Boomerang output then goes to whatever amplification you decide; and again you have to consider line level versus instrument level, etc.
Basically your setup is going to have two sides: Boomerang input, and Boomerang output. (I just call it the front and back)
With respect to mic preamps and mixers, some have direct instrument inputs, and you don't need direct boxes for them. On my front end, I have a Manley mono mic preamp (which is AWESOME... expensive, but worth it.) and it has a direct instrument input. I use a theremin and an analog noise machine in my setup with the saxophone, and either one of those I can plug into the Manley instrument input. The output from the Manley goes to the ReAmp box on my pedalboard, and goes to the Boomerang.
I like having a nice, single channel mic preamp that can switch from a microphone input to an instrument input on my front end like that because I believe that simple is better. You can easily make a complicated mess with all this, so take your time with your signal map, and shop around for what gear is out there that can suit your needs.
I'll do some more research and have a go at plotting this out as you mention (where you may hear from me again), Thanks!.As far as amp vs. PA goes, remember that although a nice PA can sound great, it is larger and more equipment to carry. Frankly I have considered getting a nice keyboard amp (Motion Sound Amps) just for the sake of convenience. Once you decide on what amplification to use, you will know what signal strength to use. If you use a conventional PA, you will need line levels. Regular amp, you need instrument levels. In my setup I have a Korg MR2000s High-Resolution mastering recorder, (line level) so all I have to is push a button and I can record everything I do in any live looping situation. That's the advantage of line level; I can use pro audio gear in my signal path.
My best advice is to map out your entire setup, and your signal path beforehand. Determine the signal strength at all points. You will understand your setup and how to change it should the need arise.
On Aug 3, 2014 10:38 PM, "jarrod" <sinclairsigns@hotmail.com> wrote:Thanks Bennett, This Definately gives me somewhere start, I will look into the specs and appreciate the set up 'principles' you have provided. Is there some standard pros and cons I should be aware of when looking at an amp as opposed to a PA system? Thanks in advance.
I use my looper for saxophone, and I have to lower my signal from the mic preamp output from line level to instrument level. I do this with a "Re-Amp" box. Mine is a passive unit made my Radial, and it sounds great. I love that it is passive, and does not color the sound at all. Now that my signal is at instrument level, I run it through a compressor, then a couple pedals, and then into the Boomerang. Then the signal goes to an Eventide Space reverb unit, and the output there is stereo. I run the stereo instrument-level signal into a Radial JDI Dual stereo direct box, and that goes to a stereo mic preamp and into the PA rig from there. Below is a link to the image of my rig.Jarrod:The first thing you need to remember is that the Boomerang (along with most loopers) operates at instrument levels, not line levels - when referring to signal strength. If you are running your signal from a mic preamp to the Boomerang, that signal is at line level, and is too hot for the Boomerang. It will distort and clip your sound. If your acoustic has an instrument output, then that signal is fine for the boomerang. Once all your signals are at instrument level, then you can get a simple A/B-Y switch (Lehle makes an excellent one) and run whatever one you need into the Boomerang.
Just keep track of the levels of your signals, and make sure they are all the same. Reamp your line levels first, run instrument level signals through your pedals & boomerang, then bump them back up with a direct box and a mic preamp and you're good. I hope this helps.
Yours,-BennettOn Sun, Aug 3, 2014 at 7:37 AM, jarrod <sinclairsigns@hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi, I am new to looping and was wondering if anyone would be happy to provide some advice on looper/amp set up?. I have a boomerang phase lll with an electric acoustic and small amp. Ready to upgrade the amp I'm looking at a fender acoustasonic 150. I plan to run a mic (Shure sm57) for vocals directly into the amp. But I would like an additional mic for some percussion instruments that I could loop through the boomerang along with my guitar, and I'm not sure how to do both, and what else I might need?. Appreciate any helpful assistance.
Cheers, Jaz.