Looper

[Cadgirl]

I know what your talking about. I have seen them before. I just pulled it up in google and will have write it down in my list of things to explore. This, is really cool looking. HOpefully you get someone to add to this post that has actually used one.

[the-old-coach]

It was all started & stopped with his foot. Each layer. Start/stop……. on/off.

It was cool watching him. He’s start out with just a simple chord progression. Then add a layer of percussion- (hitting his guitar with his hand or thumb, tamborine, maraca, whatever), then play a bassline, then some short solo-sections scattered thru, then “back-up singing” in short sections where needed.

After EACH layer/addition, the recording would then have ALL the layers in there. He’d just listen to each layer he had just added for a few seconds, and see if it sounded OK. Then when all that sounded good— he’d take off actually performing the song.

When he actually was playing/performing the song, I think basically he was really just playing more chords and really cool solos– ALONG WITH a backing track– one that he had just created!

It didn’t hurt that he was an excellent guitar all by itself– but adding in the depth of other sounds really changed things.

Some songs took only a few “layers”- (2-3, maybe 30 seconds)- some “bigger” songs too a little longer. It was really fun to watch.

I think it would a great TOOL to work on your own music.

I really wanna find out more.

theoldcoach

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  the-old-coach.

[DiscostewLA]

It’s called a ‘LOOPER’ – you can watch some youtube videos here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YGkCO8q6fk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MXPhb6jsa4

Maybe Tony has done a video on Looping but I couldn’t find it. This is what Ed Sheeran uses for a lot of his music:

I’m not a huge fan but it’s impressive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTlij1dtoPM

I haven’t used one but I’ve been really interested in checking them out – have fun!

[GerryB56]

I am just starting to dabble here but I can add my first impressions. I’ve been curious about these devices for awhile, so finally went and rented a basic Boss RC 1 Loop Station, as they call it, and have played around a little bit with it.

I’ve watched lots of YouTube videos on how to use them, and I’m convinced this will be a great tool for experimenting with creating my own backing tracks, working on my timing (boy does it need work!), and just goofing around having fun. I even bought a book that provides basic instruction, tips and about 3 dozen sample loop tracks to create.

I’ve only had the pedal for a week, and my first experiments were a little frustrating – it’s tricky to get your timing right for starting and stopping the loop. I was so nervous about hitting that switch at the right moment that I’d get mixed up with what I was trying to play. But I’m sure that will be overcome with a little more practice.

The rental fee was quite modest – $12 for a month. If your local music store has this service, I’d suggest taking advantage. The pedal isn’t terribly expensive (about $169 up here in Ontario) but I was afraid of buying one only to have it become another decoration in my music room that never gets used!

[the-old-coach]

Gerry and others-

Thanks for the reply(s)! And sorry about THIS long-winded thing…….

So, the Looper—- One part of me- (that’s just the way I am- always wanting to be “real”)- thinks that it’s somehow “cheating” to use a pre-recorded soundtrack to play music; that it somehow makes it less authentic- (even though **I** had just made the mini-recordings myself, right then and there).

Like you (maybe?), I would use it only as a TOOL.

1. A tool to improve my timing consistency as far as BPM goes- (never realized that FOOT-TAPPING is soooooo important!). I admit I have been waaaaay too lazy using a metronome.

2. A tool to learn and realize how recorded music is REALLY made these days- and help me when I do get around to building my own “home studio”. I’ll have SOME knowledge…..

3. A tool to separately identify all the “layers” within a song I hear- (you CAN hear them if you really listen for them!).

4. A tool for BRINGING ACTUAL SOUND TO SOME OF MY OWN TUNES- (this is the coolest part for me– the number 1 reason– it would bring my own songs to LIFE!!!!!).

5. A tool to improve my “ear” and my timing– within a song as it’s playing– with regards to improvising little licks, riffs, and solos. I think it would unlock a whole new level of creativity! It would “fit” PERFECTLY with the entire last section of Fretboard Wizard 2!!!!!

and 6. A tool to help me learn to add VOCALS to my own songs- (I can sing along with MY OWN music!—- (now, if I could just sing…… yeah, there is that…..)).

In another thread I mentioned seeing Vince Gill at the Grand Ol’ Opry recently- (fairly close-up)- and I was quite focused on just WATCHING him play guitar. With an unbelievable amount of creativity and expertise I might add)- he mainly just played little licks, riffs, and solos within a song that was mostly being carried by the Grand Ol’ Opry Band. It was AMAZING how small little chunks thrown on top of a song already being played by others can add sounds soooooo full and rich! And he was havin’ a blast– he wasn’t workin’— he was PLAYIN’!!!!

So—– that’s what has got me all jacked-up on this “Looper” thing.

While I don’t necessarily think it would make me a better PLAYER by itself, I think it WOULD
“open-up” my mind and my music world to new levels of knowledge and creativity.

Thanks, discostew, for the VIDEOS!!!!! They are spot-on!!!!

Back home- along the Washington Coast- and lovin it!- (forecast for today—- high of 40, rain, windy, gusts to maybe ~55😀).

theoldcoach

[DiscostewLA]

🤘

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by  DiscostewLA.

[mcarlson_sb]

One of my favorite artists who uses a looper is Tash Sultana.<div>

She really shows what can be done with a guitar, a looper, and a love of music

https://youtu.be/GVDJ8O3lPBA

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