Looking for a looper...need some guidance/insight

[rustywire]

I'm in the market for a looper, but have not found any that meet all desired criteria...and I have some concerns, to boot...

Criteria:
Ability to retrigger loops like an MPC (so far I've only seen the DL4 do this)
Varied ways to end loops: after the playing loop finishes, on a dime, or fade out (adjustable time would be ideal)
Ability to invert loops
Independent dual or multiple loops (this is probably the least important, so long as there is versatility in layering and routing)


Concerns:
Hum/noise floor is the primary issue, and I suppose "how to power it" is related. (I use a vintage amp with all effects in front)
Latency in triggering
I've been reading about firmware bugs/glitches with TC Electronic devices, in particular...which has me leery of going that route
Build quality, particularly the footswitches (not that I'm a stomper...and worse comes to worst I can replace them with superior options)



The only *looper* I've personally owned was a ZVEX LFLJ, which is awesome...but I think its most useful as more of a unique, lofi sampler than looper as it doesn't support layering. Sold it...and while I do plan on reacquiring one at some point because its sound is that cool...it does not meet my wants/needs in a looper.


Suggestions, insight, HALP plz.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

ehx 2880 or whatever the new one is called? 45500? is a really nice and flexible looper. has alot of features that most loopers don't
i think it meets all your requirements. i'm assuming what u mean by inverting a loop is "reverse"?

digitech jamman's
boss rc20xl
line6 m9


and as for the LFLJ, if u really love the sound, maybe look into the instant lofi junky? same sound w/o the looping feature. i have one and it isssssssss awesome.

[rustywire]

Yeah, invert/reverse.

And an Instant Lofi Junky is listed in my shortlist for trades re: B/S/T thread (see link in sig) but I've heard its sound is not quite the same as the LFLJ...

Either way, I'll look into that EHX, thanks fella

[Tristan]

The EHX can only loop / quantize in 4/4 if I understood correctly, so if that's of any concern it might be better to look elsewhere.
Off the top of my head the Boomerang III and the Boss RC-50 have dedicated footswitches for reverse playback.
I tried the Instant Lofi Junky but in my opinion it has this annoying compression tick in the attack that I couldn't get out no matter what and it really doesn't sound like a Lofi Loop Junky.
The only other square wave pitch vibrato pedal out there I'm aware of is the Mid Fi Electronics (Deluxe) Pitch Pirate so I just ordered that.

[rustywire]

Thanks for that.
I've taken a real serious look at the RC-30 but I've read numerous user testimonials citing hum/noise which would likely drive me nuts as my amp already buzzes a bit...behind a voltage regulator & line conditioner. Hence the apprehension.
The RC-50 is new to me, and my first impression is THATS A HUUUUUUGE BITCH!

From my understanding with the EHX loopers, pitch/tempo are linked.
Not exactly sure how I feel about that, but I suspect it's undesirable and the ability to link/unlink them would be much more useful.

In researching [them] I have discovered the Pigtronix Infinity Looper. GAS building...but that price is steeeeep. Sheesh.

Why must I have such expensive tastes?

[Tristan]

Yep, the good multifunctional ones are pretty huge.
I didn't mention the Pigtronix Infinity because as a looper it seems great but it doesn't have many special functions like reverse playback etc.
If that one interests you, you could also take a look at the Digitech JamMan and Vox VDL1 or Lil' Looper.
It depends how much looptime you need because the Strymon Timeline also has a great looper built in with lots of MIDI control possibilities, besides being a great (freak) delay offcourse (it only has about 30 seconds of looptime though).

[rustywire]

Yeah I've looked at the JamMans...they have some nice options, no doubt.
Unfamiliar with the Vox or Lil Looper... will have to research.
30s of loop time is probably enough...maybe... so the Timeline could be a legit option...but it too is at the top of the price spectrum.
Can you [or anyone] chime in on the looping function of the DD-7?

[sonidero]

2880 FOR LIFE... Don't get bogged down thinkin about quantizing and 4/4 and pitch tempo... Loops are for being creative and making cool shit not nerding out and having to have everything military lock step tight while reversing and pitching down 7%... I've used a 2880 for years and it works great, it's like a digital 4 track tape recorder that you can run with your feet... Just check out some Reggie Watts to see what you can do with it beyond guitar loops...

[kbit]

I had a 2880 briefly that I got rid of during my minamilistic purge and I definitely wished I hadn't. It's a really cool devices and it seems like the new one makes up for some of the 2880's shortcomings. The playback also sounds exactly like what you put into it, which is really important to me.

Also, those things are worth way more now that they're discontinued and I got it for a steal at the time. Ugh

[rustywire]

I dont quantize/gridsnap anything, ever. I'm all about dat swing and generally cant stand step-sequencers as I lack the patience to get the results I want.

I have an old school MPC and my method is to load up pads with samples and just start banging away until the groove emerges. When it does, I tap tempo and record however-many-bars in real time to get the fundamental loop. Then copy tracks and isolate the various sounds in each new track, the number depending on how many elements of kit I've used. It's common for there to be a mix of tunings and tempos. I dig mathy stuff but cant overthink it. It's gotta be done by feel or I hate the results.
I'm looking to be able to achieve a similar work-flow in a looper for guitar and bass.

One of my favorite things to do in the MPC is hit the converters hard and let the weird harmonics emerge when detuning.
Pitch/tempo shifting don't always go together and having them fixed as such only seems like a visible obstacle on the horizon.

Anyway, thanks for the replies, fellas. I wont write off the EHX...

[sonidero]

I'll half assed promise that I can record some looping with a camera on the 2880... I've got a bunch recorded already but no vids...

[Deltaphoenix]

The Pigtronix Infinity Looper is the shit and it does do Reverse.
The EHX is pretty dope too but I went with the Pigtronix.

[dubkitty]

i'm more than a little tempted to sell some of my stuff and use the money for an Infinity. i particularly like that you can fade back/forth between loop A and B with an expression pedal.

[rustywire]

Well, I did it.
Took the plunge; PGS has a 15% off which drops the price to about $380.
Less than any of the used prices currently available around feebay...and it comes with the PGS return policy.
Maybe I'll get one that hasn't been returned

This feels right. Cant wait to play.

[Eric!]