Playing with looping pedals

On the plus side, people interested in the 'Rang (despite its comparatively slow sampling rate) might be able to get one on eBay for less than the current street price of $350--$450:

http://search.ebay.com/boomerang-sampler_W0QQfromZR40

I see one with a "Buy It Now" price of $278, which isn't much more than one would pay for some of the delay pedals we've been talking about.

P.S. In terms of hardware, the "Boomerang Plus" is nearly identical to the original "Boomerang"; they differ by only one computer chip and a few switch labels. (So, in 2002, I was able to upgrade my first-generation 'Rang by buying the new chip and writing a few words with a Sharpie pen next to the appropriate switches.)

P.P.S. Here's the link for price info on the upgrade to version 2:

http://www.boomerangmusic.com/upgradetover2.htm

But really, even version 1 was a lot of fun to use. As they used to proclaim in their promotional materials, it doesn't just make you sound better; it makes you PLAY better.

Bottom line: If you're prepared to install the new components yourself, the upgrade will run you ca. $100--$120 dollars. If you need to ship it to the manufacturer for them to perform the upgrade, that's another $24.

Ergo, for bargain-hunters on eBay, the holy grail would be a Boomerang Plus for $300 or less; the next-best thing would be an older Boomerang for $200 or less.

OK, really, I won't go on about the 'Rang any more.

so Teracaster, do I just send the commision check to you directly, or will they take it off the top?

Andy

Hi, Andy--

[b]Directly![/b] Always send me money [b]directly![/b] It's never a mistake to send me money--[b]directly![/b]

Ungrateful bastards at Boomerang have sent me nothing: no commission, no finder's fee, no freebie swag...

Seriously, though, I know whatcha mean... after my last series of posts, it seemed that I really ought to make clear that I have no connection to the company. I just really dig their device.

Okay, my VERY last comment about this, really, truly:

I acquired my Boomerang in the fall of 1999. Last year, when I first heard Pamelia Kurstin doing her thing with a looping pedal, my reaction was in two parts:

1) Wow! She's amazing!

2) So why is she using such a ridiculously short loop?

[i]"... why is she using such a ridiculously short loop?"[/i]

Well, only Pamelia Kurstin can answer that question. :)

One issue that comes to mind is a trade off one might consider for live audiences: namely that short loop times allow a faster buildup of the loop effect.

A long loop will allow time for a more involved progression, however risks "losing" the audience as it is being "built up".

There is also a practicality for the Thereminist... namely that the first iteration must be exactly on pitch so that the added tracks will all "fit". A long initial loop, played solo, simply exposes the player to more time in which the pitch can drift.

Short loops seem to be a bit more spontaneous (more easily improvised) than long ones that may demand more memorization prior to the performance.

Anyway, your question is thought-provoking and I have been grappling with the trade-offs between short and long loops.

Short loop: The hint is the twin loopers. You make a short loop on one, pass it to the next looper, record it 4/8/16/howevermanytimes on that and record a longer phrase over the top.

I do this with delays too. Set up a chord on a 4sec lexicon delay - when I'm happy with it I let it I let it into my 23sec gigadelay as a nice backdrop.

23secs is quite a long time, especially when improvising