Effects Bay

Last week I had a request to build a tap tempo switch for a friend. He has a Boss RC-3 Loop Station and needed some external control that could be managed via the tap tempo switch. Figured it would be a quick and fun project and I just happened to have a small enclosure laying around. The only thing I needed to order was the momentary footswitch.

The concept is pretty simple. You basically wire tip to ring on the mono jack.. and that’s it. You could go a little fancier with a LED etc. Also apparently you can go with a stereo jack and use a TRS cable for additional control. Here is a shot of the finished tap tempo box:

When my friend came over he brought his Boss RC-3 Loop Station to test the tap tempo switch, I was blown away by this pedal. I’ve played with loopers in the past. They’re definitely useful, but really fall short for me. I guess I should clarify why/how I use a loop pedal first. I don’t really think of using them in performance.. well.. not now at least, but the reason why I get excited about loopers is for writing. I think it’s an incredible tool for writing parts or leads to songs and is super easy to get going vs. playing with a recording, etc. For a while now I’ve been using my Line 6 DL 4 to loop parts, but the downside is when the pedal is powered off, you lose the loop, so I would have to record the loop idea to wav via my Tascam so I don’t forget it. This is where the RC-3 Loop Station takes it to the next level. You can record up to 3 hours on it! You can have up to 99 memory slots (vs. the single loop with the Line 6). There are some handy drum loops and tempo adjustments there too, so to hear the idea sped up is not a problem at all. The other cool thing, there is a USB jack on the back where you can pull your loops or upload files to the pedal.

After checking this guy out, I pulled the trigger and it’s on the way as I write this post. You can pick up the Boss RC-3 Loop Station for $198.00 at Amazon.com.

If you’re interested in a tap tempo switch shown above, shoot me a email.

Popularity: 9%

Incoming search terms for EffectsBay.com:

• boss rc-3
• boss rc-3 review
• boss rc 3 review
• Boss RC-3 Loop Station review
• Boss RC-3 Loop Station
• boss rc 3 loop station review
• boss rc-3 test
• boss rc 3
• boss loop station rc-3
• boss rc 3 test

I found it pretty interesting that the three of the top five best selling guitar effects pedals at Musician’s Friend were looper pedals. I’ve been kicking around the idea of picking up a looper. I have the Line 6 DL4 which can loop, but I might be getting rid of that pedal in the near future. I’ve had my eye on the Akai E2 Headrush in the past… and also these three loopers.

#1 DigiTech JamMan Solo Looper

The JamMan Solo looper is perfect for the guitarist or bassist looking for a full-featured looper in a compact, stompbox-sized design. Store up to 35 minutes of CD-quality loops in 99 onboard positions, or up to 16 hours of material using the SD memory card expansion slot (with optional 8GB or higher SDHC card) to add 99 more slots!

The JamMan Solo looper pedal also has a USB port to transfer loops to and from a computer, a metronome with multiple rhythm sounds and time signatures, automatic recording, and increased Hands-Free™ functionality with optional footswitch. Power supply included.

#2 Boss RC-2 Loop Station

The Boss RC-2 Loop Station not only records, layers, and loops, it also provides a wealth of other handy and powerful features in a pedalboard-friendly stomp box. You get rich looping features like jam-along Rhythm Guide, Auto Start, Tap Tempo, Loop Quantize, and Undo/Redo functions.

In traditional Boss fashion, the RC-2 benefits from a clean and friendly user interface. As powerful as this little Loop Station is, it’s a dream to operate. The clearly labeled buttons and knobs put everything directly under your fingertips with no hidden menus or commands to impede the creative process.

Due to its standard compact-pedal shape and size, the RC-2 fits perfectly alongside other Boss pedals. Great for fast setup and convenient transportation.

The RC-2 stomp box can record and store up to 16 mono minutes of audio, either from your own instrument or other external input devices, such as MP3 players/recorders. Each of your layered loop creations can be stored to one of 11 internal patch preset locations.

#3 Boss RC-20XL Loop Station

With the Boss RC-20XL Loop Station loops and riffs can be stacked repeatedly until the entire massive 16 minutes of recording space is full. Never before has it been so easy to create a large one-person-band sound in real time. Save up to 11 loops at a time. Undo function makes it easy to create perfect loops. Built-in auto quantize for simple and accurate loop timing. Change loop tempo without changing pitch. Footswitchable loop select with optional FS-6 footswitch. (See accessory box on this page.)

Popularity: 10%

Incoming search terms for EffectsBay.com:

• best looper
• best looper pedal
• best looper pedal 2011
• best guitar looper
• best guitar looper 2011
• best guitar looper reviews
• best looper 2011
• best looper for guitarists
• loop pedal reviews 2011
• best guitar loopers

So I just got an interesting email in my inbox via Boss. Looks like if you have some mad looping skills and own a Boss Loop Station, you can have a chance to win some serious prizes and a trip to Winter NAMM 2010!

Here is the quick rundown:

Los Angeles, CA, June 1, 2010 — Guitarists, bassists, keyboard players, beatboxers, looping musicians of all sorts: BOSS® wants you to bring it on. BOSS Corporation is pleased to launch the Loop Station World Championship. Start by submitting a video performance with any BOSS RC-Series looping product, and the result could be a trip to the U.S. Finals in Hollywood, California. Or, better yet, $3,000 in BOSS gear and a trip to the International Championship at Winter NAMM 2011 in Anaheim, California.

This is a open competition from June 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010. All you need to do is shoot a video (5 minutes or less), upload it to YouTube, and then fill out the entry form (http://www.BossUS.com/LoopStation). The entries will be judged and selected by Boss. They’ll be looking at creativity, musicianship, stage presence and technical skill of the looping performance.

After the finalists have been selected, the six entries will be flown in to compete at the Boss US Loop Station Finals at the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA.

Performances will be judged by a panel of music industry insiders, including:
> Jeff Baxter (The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan)
> Michael Molenda (Editorial Director — Guitar Player, Bass Player, EQ, Keyboard Magazines)
> Paul Youngblood (Vice-President of BOSS U.S., Director of BOSS Japan)

Prizes include:
> 1st Prize – $3,000 in BOSS Gear; trip to the International Championship
> 2nd Prize – $2,000 in BOSS Gear
> 3rd Prize – $1,000 in BOSS Gear

The winner of the US finals will represent the United States in the Boss International Loop Station Championship in Anaheim, CA.

Performances will be judged by a panel of music industry insiders and celebrities.
Prizes include:
> 1st Prize – $3,000 in BOSS Gear (2,500 EU)
> 2nd Prize – $2,000 in BOSS Gear (1,500 EU)
> 3rd Prize – $1,000 in BOSS Gear (750 EU)

Popularity: 2%