Loop machine

**Ray Neuman** · Apr-17-2012, 5:00pm

Hey guys, anyone found a performance loop box? Something like on the Fender DEC amps where you have a loop that plays selected styles and keys for praticing with? I am working on getting some blues mando chops down and would love to jam with a loop but want it in different keys to learn the flexability with. Hope this makes sense, been a really LONG day at work! LOL.

Thanks for any suggestions. BTW- I am TOTALLY loving The Loar 520!!!!!!!

**Folkmusician.com** · Apr-17-2012, 5:45pm

Hi Ray, Glad to hear you are enjoying the new mando.

I would look into Band-in-a-box if you don't mind using the computer. For a hardware device, you are looking for a sequencer/rhythm machine). There are quite a few nice choices available. I havn't kept up on the dedicated sequencers, but owned a few in the past. The last one I had was a Yamaha QY70 (quite a few years back). I think a lot of the new digital recorders have sequencers builtin as well. The BOSS Micro BR plays midi files. I assuming it will transpose.

**eadg145** · Apr-17-2012, 6:05pm

For practicing, I second the recommendation of Band In A Box. Plus, there are a lot of titles already worked out in BIAB and easily obtained on the internet.
For performance looping, I have very little first-hand experience, but a close friend (guitarist) swears by the Boomerang. He likes it so much he's purchased a second one! NFI

**Padre** · Apr-18-2012, 5:49am

check out Boss RC-3 or RC-30
i've seen a lot of folks using them over here.

**Verne Andru** · Apr-30-2012, 2:46pm

I use Ableton Live on my computer mostly. I have a Boss RC2 for quick and dirty stuff, but the audio quality is really bad.

**Marc Woodward** · Apr-30-2012, 3:06pm

I have a Boss DD7 digital delay/loop. Pretty basic but inexpensive compared to the fancier units you can get. I paid about £75 here in UK I guess thats about $115 ish dollars stateside.
Useful to lay down a rhythm track to then play over and it'll do a long enough cycle to handle that. You can layer up your loops if you want though that's not my thing...
An example here - I play the verse through then sing and play lead over it...

Don't know if this is any help but wish you luck!

Cheers,
Marc

**Pipeous** · May-03-2012, 2:33pm

google "dowload music backing tracks" and there are a million free out there.

**lukmanohnz** · May-03-2012, 2:50pm

I have a Boss RC-50 and really like this unit, though it is no longer in production (used ones might be available for a good price on eBay). It has now been replaced with the RC-300. That's the high end of the looper market (in case you have cash burning a hole in your pocket). This DigiTech unit has gotten good user reviews. As Padre points out, Boss also has a 'budget' RC-3 loop pedal without as many bells and whistles as the RC-300. But it might be all you need. It looks as though a decent stand-alone phrase recording/looper will set you back around $200 for a new unit (maybe just a skosh less if you shop around). But I am sure there are many good used deals out there on the units mentioned in this thread. Good luck..... luck..... luck...... luck......

**250sc** · May-03-2012, 3:19pm

I love playing with a looper on electric instruments. You get to practice playing rhythm and leads/melody and work out arrangments. Digitech seems to be the most popular.

**Pipeous** · May-03-2012, 3:25pm

if you do get a looper, get one that quantizes the loop so it's even. I have a looper built into my vocal harmonizer (voicelive touch) and if you don't step on the button at exactly the right spot, it won't synch up. frustrating at times.