Line 6 haven't quite done it again re: Looping.

[octatonic]

So there are two new Line 6 products released recently with loop functions.

The M13 stompbox modeller with looper and the dedicated JM4 looper pedal.

They already have looping in the DL4 but it suffers greatly from not having single function buttons, ie to get between 1/2 speed and reverse you have to single or double tap a single button.
This sucks.
Also the DL4 is a total tone sucker.

The M13 has single function buttons for the looper but of course you have it integrated a huge pedalboard with bunch of other effects you may or may not want.
I don't.

Their dedicated looper the JM4 has only 4 buttons, like the DL4 and hence isn't any improvement on the DL4.

What the hell are they thinking?
I've been hoping they would release a useful looping product but both these products are just not going to do it for me.

All I need in a looper is Rec, Play, Overdub, 1/2 Speed and Reverse in a single unit with no other effects and a single button per function.

Quite, quite annoyed right now.
I was really looking forward to being able to streamline my looping rig.

[klasaine]

Unfortunately this is really large but probably what you want ...
http://www.roland.com/products/en/RC-50/index.html


or the 'boomerang' ... http://www.boomerangmusic.com/

[jefrs]

Buttons? - luxury! When I were a lad, we had Watkins Copicat.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by klasaine

Unfortunately this is really large but probably what you want ...
http://www.roland.com/products/en/RC-50/index.html

or the 'boomerang' ... http://www.boomerangmusic.com/

RC50 cannot do reverse easily or 1/2 speed at all.

Boomerang Plus CAN but has very limited memory, also is rather large.
The Boomerang III will be great (potentially) although it is also rather large and suffers greatly from not being finished or released yet.

At the moment I use a Line 6 Echo Pro rack with a dedicated midi pedal, which is fine, although takes time to set up.
If the DL4 had ONE MORE BUTTON so 1/2 speed and reverse were on separate buttons then I would be set.

[winny pooh]

My RC-20 has a footswitch out you can use for reverse, and though there is no half speed, If you have set the tempo before the loop by tapping you can choose any tempo by then tapping the small tempo switch on the face. Which for me is way more versatile than half speed as you can slow down and speed up incrementally if you like. You also have one layer of "revert" if you have made a muck up, but this is not for live use unless you pause. Plus 10 loops you can save to memory.
Its a great unit and I can only imagine that the new blue Jamman could be better as it has lots of memory and removable media.
If you are south of the Thames anytime time soon Doc OC, you are welcome to come try it out.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by winny pooh

My RC-20 has a footswitch out you can use for reverse, and though there is no half speed, If you have set the tempo before the loop by tapping you can choose any tempo by then tapping the small tempo switch on the face. Which for me is way more versatile than half speed as you can slow down and speed up incrementally if you like. You also have one layer of "revert" if you have made a muck up, but this is not for live use unless you pause. Plus 10 loops you can save to memory.
Its a great unit and I can only imagine that the new blue Jamman could be better as it has lots of memory and removable media.
If you are south of the Thames anytime time soon Doc OC, you are welcome to come try it out.

Hey WP,

Thanks for the offer- I did have a play with the RC50 a while back- thanks for the 'reverse' info- that is good to know.

1/2 speed is really what I want as it drops the loop by exactly 1 octave.
I make a lot of Belew-esque whale noises by dropping to 1/2 speed before I record anything then returning to normal speed pitch shifts it up an octave.
Often I'll already have the whammy set up two octaves so the resulting pitch shift is 34 octaves above the normal pitch of the guitar, which is into dogs-only territory, almost.
The revere is also true, pitching it two octaves down, tracking at normal speed, then going to 1/2 speed.

The whole process gives me 6 octaves to play with on top of the guitars usual 4.5-6 octave range (depending on how I have tuned it).

The little blue Jamman seems like a great pedal but again it cannot do 1/2 speed or reverse easily (or I believe at all)

I reckon in the end it is going to be a Boomerang III.

Here is a pic:


The Bonus buttons can be assigned to whatever, which I would assign to Reverse and Octave.
Job done.

Also it is 9" x 6" x 2" and I can easily route the loops to a second amp, just by plugging into it.
Currently to route the loop to a second amp I need to carry a mixer with me.
Irritiating.

When it is released I will be driving to my local music shop like my hair is on fire to buy it.

[winny pooh]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Hey WP,

1/2 speed is really what I want as it drops the loop by exactly 1 octave.
I make a lot of Belew-esque whale noises by dropping to 1/2 speed before I record anything then returning to normal speed pitch shifts it up an octave.
Often I'll already have the whammy set up two octaves so the resulting pitch shift is 34 octaves above the normal pitch of the guitar, which is into dogs-only territory, almost.

I reckon you'll forgive me for not having taken these considerations into account when replying.

That boomerang looks like a control panel on a ship set for the heart of the sun.
SERIOUS.

[octatonic]

Originally Posted by winny pooh

I reckon you'll forgive me for not having taken these considerations into account when replying.

LOL... Yes, I know I'm being a bit specific- but I have my own way of working with loops and so many products out there are ALMOST, but not quite, there.
It is frustrating.

Originally Posted by winny pooh

That boomerang looks like a control panel on a ship set for the heart of the sun.
SERIOUS.

Yeah, I am really looking forward to it.
I'll be able to sell a bunch of rack gear that is frankly a PITA to carry around everywhere.

Do you do a lot of looping work?
I'm always up for collaborations.

[winny pooh]

Some looping work, will PM you

[tiktok]

Originally Posted by octatonic

Boomerang Plus CAN but has very limited memory, also is rather large.
The Boomerang III will be great (potentially) although it is also rather large and suffers greatly from not being finished or released yet.

Limited memory? How long are your loops?

The DL-4 with all its drawbacks is one of the best selling pedals ever. The looper was an afterthought--it's all the delay models that sell that green loaf.