Kev Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) It's funny, as I was dead set on a TC Ditto Looper as this just seemed to be ideal. But then I saw this had been sneaked out from nowhere: [url="http://www.boss.info/products/rc-1/"]http://www.boss.info/products/rc-1/[/url] From what I can see, it has over double the recording time of the Ditto and that really cool (although unsure how effective in a gigging situation) LED indicator, at the same price. Other than this being larger than the Ditto (which is not important to me, and to be honest I prefer the Boss switching system), why would you choose a Ditto over this? Genuine question. I know nothing about looping pedals, having just used multi effects and studio effects previously for this, so any advice would be appreciated. Edited June 14, 2015 by Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hubrad Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Probably worth having a good read here: http://looperpedalreviews.com/ as each pedal has its particular strengths and features. It might help you decide just what you want from such a thing. I bought one at random via the Bay, and actually use it more for some of its non-looping features! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='hubrad' timestamp='1434301165' post='2798464'] Probably worth having a good read here: [url="http://looperpedalreviews.com/"]http://looperpedalreviews.com/[/url] as each pedal has its particular strengths and features. It might help you decide just what you want from such a thing. I bought one at random via the Bay, and actually use it more for some of its non-looping features! [/quote] Interesting website, but the reviewer appears to be obsessed with complex looper pedals with all kinds of bells and whistles that, frankly, I'm not interested in! He seems to review these simplistic loopers negatively as a result. I am not bothered about multiple memory banks, slowing or speeding up loops e.t.c., I am just looking for a simple looper that will record and overdub a loop without having to learn to tap dance, with a high quality playback. The Boss seems to be that little bit better than the others, including the Ditto, but if there are difference I am not realising, i.e. sound quality, reliability e.t.c., lets hear it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976fenderhead Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 There's a few more Ditto versions now. There's also a Digitech looper that's simple like the Ditto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='1976fenderhead' timestamp='1434305405' post='2798514'] There's a few more Ditto versions now. There's also a Digitech looper that's simple like the Ditto [/quote] The other Ditto's do not really interest me, again it is just the basic one switch no memory banks looper pedal I am looking at. The Digitech looks good too, and again looks better than the Ditto, but has a slightly smaller memory than the Boss (10 vs 12, not that it would ever be used!) and no loop progress LEDs... Are they all the same sound quality? The Ditto and Digitech boast 24 bit, but the Boss does not seem to release this spec? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976fenderhead Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1434305696' post='2798521'] The other Ditto's do not really interest me, again it is just the basic one switch no memory banks looper pedal I am looking at. The Digitech looks good too, and again looks better than the Ditto, but has a slightly smaller memory than the Boss (10 vs 12, not that it would ever be used!) and no loop progress LEDs... Are they all the same sound quality? The Ditto and Digitech boast 24 bit, but the Boss does not seem to release this spec? [/quote] Well spotted omission. The RC-3, RC-30 and RC-300 are 16bit, so probably so is the RC-1 and Thomman says so on their product page. Edited June 14, 2015 by 1976fenderhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='1976fenderhead' timestamp='1434306205' post='2798529'] Well spotted omission. The RC-3, RC-30 and RC-300 are 16bit, so probably so is the RC-1 and Thomman says so on their product page. [/quote] Hmm, so there is the first downside for Boss. In reality, audiophiles aside, how much difference is there in 16 and 24 bit? In a mix, nothing I'm sure, but in solo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1976fenderhead Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1434306829' post='2798543'] Hmm, so there is the first downside for Boss. In reality, audiophiles aside, how much difference is there in 16 and 24 bit? In a mix, nothing I'm sure, but in solo? [/quote] CD quality is 16bit so you should be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliusmonk Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 All Boss RCs I've had (RC-20XL, RC-30, RC-2 I think) slightly changed the tone, so if you're a purist check before you buy. If you're playing live I don't think it will be too noticeable. On the other hand, timing is critical so switch type is an important aspect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jecklin Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) I started a thread similar to this a few months back. I was all set to get the ditto, but decided on the boss because of the longer memory and becuase it can run on a battery. The latter may be a non issue for you, but I will be playing at events where there is no power so it was a bit of a deal breaker. I like everything about the boss, however as long as you won't need loops longer than five minutes and have no need for batteries you'll be happy with either. Oh and the flashing dial saying how far a loop you are is useless. It is a very clear indicator of what mode you are in (record, overdub and straight playback and also and indicator of whether the loop ends after one playback - a brilliant feature BTW) but no real use in saying how far through you are, but as with all things like this Ymmv Edited June 14, 2015 by Jecklin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 [quote name='Jecklin' timestamp='1434311078' post='2798603'] I started a thread similar to this a few months back. I was all set to get the ditto, but decided on the boss because of the longer memory and becuase it can run on a battery. The latter may be a non issue for you, but I will be playing at events where there is no power so it was a bit of a deal breaker. I like everything about the boss, however as long as you won't need loops longer than five minutes and have no need for batteries you'll be happy with either. Oh and the flashing dial saying how far a loop you are is useless. It is a very clear indicator of what mode you are in (record, overdub and straight playback and also and indicator of whether the loop ends after one playback - a brilliant feature BTW) but no real use in saying how far through you are, but as with all things like this Ymmv [/quote] Interesting feedback. Out of interest, why do you find the loop progress dial useless? It seems like it works well enough in the video demo's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) This is all done with a single Ditto X2. [url="https://soundcloud.com/an-ending-ascend/26052015-live-improv"]https://soundcloud.c...015-live-improv[/url] I don't see an occasion when you'd need more than a single 5 minute long loop. What I like about the Ditto is its simplicity. Edited June 14, 2015 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jecklin Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1434314450' post='2798632'] I don't see an occasion when you'd need more than a single 5 minute long loop... [/quote] Depends how one makes their music [quote name='Kev' timestamp='1434311354' post='2798609'] Interesting feedback. Out of interest, why do you find the loop progress dial useless? It seems like it works well enough in the video demo's? [/quote] Hi Kev, I think the dial becomes useless (maybe too strong a word really) for my particular situation: I only use the pedal to playback (not over dub) one long loop once ( that's a specific setting). when in this mode the the green LEDS are circling and flashing. Combined with the gradual filling in of green LEDS to show how far the loop you are it all becomes rather unclear. I think if one were to use a shorter loop and in over dub mode repeating indefinitely it would be far clearer. However the pedal allows me to sonically do precisely what I needed so I am not at all worried by the LEDS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 I had a ditto and changed to the RC-1 as I wanted to be able to run my looper on batteries. Can't say I've noticed a difference in sound quality and the operation is identical. I did have to take two dittos back as they developed a fault with the foot switch but that's probably a moot point, just got a couple of bad units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted June 15, 2015 Author Share Posted June 15, 2015 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1434363007' post='2798853'] I had a ditto and changed to the RC-1 as I wanted to be able to run my looper on batteries. Can't say I've noticed a difference in sound quality and the operation is identical. I did have to take two dittos back as they developed a fault with the foot switch but that's probably a moot point, just got a couple of bad units. [/quote] I think you may have made my decision for me if there is not noticeable difference and you have owned both to testify, the footswitch and led advantages are enough for me to buy. Thanks for all of your input, folks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted June 15, 2015 Share Posted June 15, 2015 Just to piggyback on the thread a little, is there a smaller/cheaper looper with midi yet? i have an RC50 that i put after my board, but want a single phrase looper for the start of my signal chain. This will alow me to capture a smaller loop, play about with effects over it, and then record 4x it onto my RC50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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