Getting into loopers? Help!

Bunny64 · #1 03-23-2019, 01:40 PM

Hi there
My gigging experience is completely Church based. I accompany the songs at Messy Church with my guitar. I am not a religious person but my neighbour is and asked me to fulfil this roll. I basically play through my Marshall amp and the Church PA system and for strumming along to songs its fine. There is a guy there who sets up the sound and I just play and sing and the youngsters join in. I am a complete novice when it comes to the electronics side of performing. I have a Shure Mic and the amp is set up with a little reverb and chorus. I thought it was time to look into some more effects to add some colour to the experience. I was thinking I would start with a looper pedal and then investigate backing tracks et al. So can anyone suggest a good looper pedal for an effects novice? Would really appreciate some guidance and in layman's terms so to speak as i really don't speak the Tech lingo.

thechariot1x · #2 03-23-2019, 02:42 PM

I have the Boss RC-3 and it's awesome! It is pretty easy to use and doesn't break the bank (I got mine for under $100).

big jilm · #3 03-23-2019, 02:45 PM

If you want to try a simple looper, I recommend the Boss RC-1. Nice simple pedal that has a visual representation of where you are in the loop in the form of a small ring of lights that count down the loop. Stomp and play, stomp again and you are overdubbing. The double stomp to stop is a pain, but you get used to it - or you can add an extra foot switch like I do for a one-stomp stop.

If you want more features, there are others - but for a simple no-nonsense looper that works, for under a hundred bucks it can’t be beat.

GuitarLuva · #4 03-23-2019, 03:01 PM

Another cheaper alternative to consider is the Digitech Jamman Solo XT. Price wise you'll fine it in between the Boss RC1 and RC3 (brand new of course). It packs a lot of nice features in it at that price.

Bunny64 · #5 03-23-2019, 03:34 PM

Many thanks for your suggestions. Boss and Digitech came up on a search i did so looks like this could be a quick fix. Do they tend to come with the appropriate leads and instructions or is that another purchase?

GuitarLuva · #6 03-23-2019, 03:38 PM

Instructions yes, leads no you need your own. Another thing to note is the Digitech comes with a 9V power supply while the boss units do not.

Bunny64 · #7 03-23-2019, 03:48 PM

All useful info many thanks again. So far it would appear to be one of the Boss pedals or the Digitech.

jricc · #8 03-23-2019, 07:13 PM

I had the Boss RC-3 and it's a good Looper but it's a single pedal for looping and stopping, which means a double stomp to stop the loop. For simplicity, I would recommend a pedal with dedicated looping switch and a dedicated stop switch.
I use the Electro Harmonic 720 looper, it's easy to use, and it has 10 places to store loops.
There is also the Ditto X2 Looper with 2 switches.
Hope this helps.

Paultergeist · #9 03-23-2019, 08:04 PM

I don’t think anything beats the Ditto X2 looper for ease and simplicity.

krisls · #10 03-23-2019, 09:26 PM

I use two loopers at different times. My main one is the Ditto x2 and that second button is a godsend. Perfect for simple rhythm overdubs and such.

I also have the Boss RC1 with a homemade footswitch, for my busking smaller setup. The switch is a big thing for said two button operation. Much harder to use without that in a live situation.

If you're going fancier or really long loops/overdubs a more intricate machine may be needed but I don't go there.

Kris

Rudy4 · #11 03-23-2019, 09:53 PM

I use the RC-1 with a secondary home brew foot switch.

51 Relic · #12 03-24-2019, 01:03 AM

I also lead our worship music in two churches every week and indeed Messy Church for the last 8 years . Must confess I use Worship Pads ( drone backing tracks) for Church Worship during reflective times but using a looper for Messy Church , never . With Messy Church we just love to get all the children singing and joining in with home made and small percussion instruments etc . Due to the hectic nature of the sessions 60 - 80
Children I would find a looper another issue I didn’t need . Loopers aren’t as easy as they look and need a lot of practice . Good luck with Messy Church . Just a thought why don’t you ask to play some fingerstyle pieces during communion if you don’t already , one of my favourite playing environments . Please don’t think I’m knocking your idea but from experience it would be a difficult one in practice .

51 Relic · #13 03-24-2019, 01:07 AM

Just another thought if you have access to Apple Music type in Worship Pads and there a quite a few to choose from in all keys and can be downloaded as required . I use them on my iPad into the mic channel on my AER amp as a drone backing for fingerstyle arrangements

christian_t · #14 03-24-2019, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paultergeist

I don’t think anything beats the Ditto X2 looper for ease and simplicity.

That’s also my experience. Also the smaller Ditto looper is very simple to use and ships for around 70 £ (don’t know any US prices). But having a second foot switch as with the X2 is definitely easier.

Bunny64 · #15 03-24-2019, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 51 Relic

I also lead our worship music in two churches every week and indeed Messy Church for the last 8 years . Must confess I use Worship Pads ( drone backing tracks) for Church Worship during reflective times but using a looper for Messy Church , never . With Messy Church we just love to get all the children singing and joining in with home made and small percussion instruments etc . Due to the hectic nature of the sessions 60 - 80
Children I would find a looper another issue I didn’t need . Loopers aren’t as easy as they look and need a lot of practice . Good luck with Messy Church . Just a thought why don’t you ask to play some fingerstyle pieces during communion if you don’t already , one of my favourite playing environments . Please don’t think I’m knocking your idea but from experience it would be a difficult one in practice .

Many thanks for this. As i said in the original post I am a newbie when it comes to the effects side of performing. I tend to like a natural sound anyway but am open to all advice for improving the experience for the listener. In that regard i take your point that for the Church sessions some simple backing track additions would be another good idea. I tend to play some fingerstyle as the folks are coming in at the start. I think the looper will still be a good move for my own practice and experimentation. Thanks for this sage advice.