Dennis G Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 So the Looper Pedal thread got me to thinking - how do you all use them, or should I say what do you use them for? I've had a Jamman for a few years and have almost never used it. If I want to jam, I've got a bunch of jam tracks on my iPod, a Boss Micro BR80, that has backing tracks, and I can use it to loop as well. I don't really create "layers" of stuff, and if I want to the BR is better suited given the editing capabilities. Also, I'm not gigging, just playing at home. So what am I missing, or aren't I? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Mostly its just a cool way to jam on a new riff or chord progression or something.. Well that's what I usually use it for... Of course there are many people who use them for live performances and if you search Youtube they have a world wide Boss Looping pedal competition... Lots of cool stuff out there (this one really kicks in at about 1:55) and of course useful if you have a triple neck guitar :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quapman Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I don't think you're missing a whole lot. I certainly wouldn't call it a "must have". Some might, I wouldn't. When I first got mine I had a blast with it. It was great for laying down a chord progression then soloing over top. Also was fun to layer stuff just for the fun of it and just because you can. But the next time you use it what you did is gone. (on my ditto that's how it is) But to be perfectly honest,, the novelty wore off. I hardly ever play with it much anymore. Maybe mostly because I just got together with some guys and am learning some new tunes so all my spare time is spent practicing. I would never use it for a gig for fear of having a mistake repeated over and over... lol. So my 2 cents is you're not missing much. They are fun,, but I could live without one just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabs Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I don't think you're missing a whole lot. I certainly wouldn't call it a "must have". Some might, I wouldn't. When I first got mine I had a blast with it. It was great for laying down a chord progression then soloing over top. Also was fun to layer stuff just for the fun of it and just because you can. But the next time you use it what you did is gone. (on my ditto that's how it is) . That's why the Boss one is cool... it remembers your stuff and it even has built in beats if you want it... its a pretty cool pedal, but as you say if you regularly jam with other people, not much use since jamming with real people will always be better.. but if you are a bedroom player then they are cool toys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twang Gang Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I use it a couple of different ways. First is fooling around at home when practicing - lay down the rythm track and then work on leads over it. I have used it that way recording as well, record a verse or two of the rythm while singing, and then when it comes time for the lead, you have a backing track. Also used it a few times with a three piece band same as recoring use, record the rythm during the verses, and then when it's time for the lead guitar break you have a rythm track to help fill out the sound. Using it live with a band is tricky though because if you start too early or too late recording, then you will be off a beat or two at the start of the break and that's no good. A lot depends on the song, if it is a very simple two or three chord pattern that repeats over and over again it's easier, but if it is a more complex arrangement you have to be very precise. Overall a useful tool. The Ditto is only about a $100 and I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of it, but it's not something that you can't live without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thommo Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I have an Akai Headrush E2 which I use for practice and live. I also use it for looping vocals. I got a looper after seeing Phil Keaggy use one live (although his is a Line6). Absolutely super. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nV3bLZLpqTQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis G Posted October 16, 2014 Author Share Posted October 16, 2014 Thanks all for the replies. I'm thinking that what I have is too many toys LOL. I may just sell the jamman and use the BR for the stuff I could do on the looper. I need more practice with the recorder anyway. Again, thanks all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moparguy Posted October 17, 2014 Share Posted October 17, 2014 Ive posted this before, this guy uses it to perfection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertAndersson Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I use my Ditto Looper to play blues classics: //Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I use mine to try to come up with a second and third guitar layer and later record that idea. I lay down a rhythm then I noodle on top of that knowing that my ditto looper will have eternal patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slk Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Has anyone done the update to the Boss RC3 to get it to ver 1.4????I tried and was getting an E4 in the display window of the unit. If anyone has had this happen what did you do to get the update to go through Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 But to be perfectly honest,, the novelty wore off. I hardly ever play with it much anymore. Maybe mostly because I just got together with some guys and am learning some new tunes so all my spare time is spent practicing. I would never use it for a gig for fear of having a mistake repeated over and over... lol. So my 2 cents is you're not missing much. They are fun,, but I could live without one just fine. This is pretty much my take. I had the Boss looper a few years ago and the beats were pretty lame. I think if you are just learning to play/solo with a groove they could be useful though. I have a Ditto now. I tried it live one night and we got just a hair off of the loop - 'twas bad. Better to let real people react to each other for sure. I did use the Ditto once to work out the solo to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" once, so it was handy for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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