Kit: Boss RC 50
The Boss RC 50 is a more elaborate type of loop station as it has more than 1 channel to record on. A loop station is a device which enables one to record onto the device (and the device will loop it over). However, the only way it will work effectively is if it is in time, which can be made sure by watching the tempo tap light. It consists of 2 inputs and has 3 channels. The functions are the same as any other loop station; however some functions are different. For example how to redo a take. I have used this kit to record motifs that would loop over. By using the 3 channels (pedals) coherently, I gave them musical relations. For example, in the first slot having vocals; the second having rhythmic elements and the third being guitar. This would make using the loop station, and finalising a backing track easier as I know what is on each channel. Also, by doing so I would be able to manipulate the recorded track easily - in terms of deleting and general structure, when using live The pedal on the far left has a light, which when flashing, indicates that it is in recording mode (standby - if it is in auto mode). To record, firstly choose your phrase then click the rec pedal on the far left. To overdub, select the phrase again and click the rec pedal until it turns yellow. To stop a pedals phrase - simply click it then click stop. To start it again - simply press the phrase pedal and then the play\rec pedal on the far left. To undo the last recording - make sure you are on the selected phrase and press the undo pedal. To clear everything on a pedal - select it and then hold stop and it deletes everything recorded. There are level knobs above the pedals for the phrases, guide (drum pattern), inputs and the master. There is also a tempo which allows you to tap the tempo you want to record at - or the backing track to play at. The is a total of 49 minutes for recording and 99 patches to record onto. One can import and export WAV files using a usb which would save space on this loop station
The limitations of this kit, is that there are only two inputs which does not give enough space for variety - in terms of sound. For example, I could record melody, rhythm and vocals - however either the melody or rhythm would have to be recorded through the microphone, whichever way possible (beat boxing or playing drums near to the mic. However, Loop stations can be linked together which would mean more inputs - although it would be much harder to keep exactly in time with the other using the the loop station. I could use this piece of kit effectively in a performance to add more dynamics in the music. Many solo artists would possibly use this piece of equipment as it would provide more range in their pre composed music and give them more dynamic accompaniment. This Loop station is more suited for looping use for a song as the structure can be manipulated by mixing the pre recorded sounds.
The limitations of this kit, is that there are only two inputs which does not give enough space for variety - in terms of sound. For example, I could record melody, rhythm and vocals - however either the melody or rhythm would have to be recorded through the microphone, whichever way possible (beat boxing or playing drums near to the mic. However, Loop stations can be linked together which would mean more inputs - although it would be much harder to keep exactly in time with the other using the the loop station. I could use this piece of kit effectively in a performance to add more dynamics in the music. Many solo artists would possibly use this piece of equipment as it would provide more range in their pre composed music and give them more dynamic accompaniment. This Loop station is more suited for looping use for a song as the structure can be manipulated by mixing the pre recorded sounds.
This is a single input device. However, you can use the aux in as an input for a phone or mp3, however you cannot use this and an input at the same time. Some can use the input channel to attach a mixer which would ultimately give more inputs and therefore allow more scope in the recording. In the RC -2 itself there are 11 phrases which you can use to record on and up to 16 minutes of recording time. This can be upgraded by using a memory card as this give a few gb more - depending on its storage capacity. This kit has its own backing drum tracks in order to help the musician to keep in time with the tempo. This backing track (guide) can be turned up or down depending if they want to record their own rhythm section, as there is no button to turn it off completely. The phrase level knob coincides with the guide level knob as it literally surrounds it. There is the guide button which is used to control the tempo by tapping roughly how the beat should be.The mode knob can also change the time signature of the guide track by rotating it to the 4/4 time signature. If you move the mode knob to the musical note - that will allow you to change the drum beat itself - by tapping the guide button will go through the beats, and the pedal will go back. The different phrases are for completely different recordings and depending what mode your own, may ruin what has been recorded. On the mode knob there are also 3 modes to record in - auto, record and playback and tempo tap. Auto is most commonly used as you just tap the pedal to put the recording on standby, and as soon as anything is played the recording will start. Record and playback means as soon as you tap the pedal it will start recording - this may be used when one is recording separate sections and needs to wait a bit before actually playing something. To save the recordings done - just hit the pedal again. When the recording is being played back and you haven't hit the pedal again you can just play on top without recording. The tempo tap gives ease to musicians who have tempo changes in their songs. It does this by making the pedal the tempo changer and when they have the right tempo all they need to do is hold the pedal to save it. This saves having to bend down and click the guide button. Also, once you have saved the new tempo - it gives a 4 bar count in when you hit record. To quickly erase anything you have recorded - simply change the phrase and then go back to it. In my opinion, this loop station is best suited for solo artists who are practicing their songs and want to have a bit more fun doing so. I may recommend using this kit live however its parameters, in my opinion - aren't well suited for live performance as i think it will be too bland. However, if used by the right person I believe it could sound phenomenal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfPsN1tOBs
With both of these loop stations - to setup, one just needs to use a jack input in to the kit for their instrument. And the output goes to whichever speaker/amp.
Kit: Roland TD-15K V-Drums
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfPsN1tOBs
With both of these loop stations - to setup, one just needs to use a jack input in to the kit for their instrument. And the output goes to whichever speaker/amp.
Kit: Roland TD-15K V-Drums
This piece of kit is an electronic drum kit which is all midi data. This kit can therefore be use to record midi onto a computer. There are 50 preset kits, and 50 user kits. However, you can use a usb to add additional kits. All one would have to do is sample the sound and model it and then save it on their usb to be used on the v-drums. One can also put a saved and edited drum kit onto their usb for use elsewhere. There are two arrow buttons or a wheel that can be used to change kits. There is a built in eq which one can use to edit the sampled drums to their own taste. There are also backing tracks on the v-drums which one can play along to, however one can also use their usb to transfer any song they have that they want to play along to. This kit also has a quick record function which, when pressed, awaits for the player to start drumming - then it will record. By pressing stop it will halt the recording - and when you press the stop button again (its also the play button) - it will play the recorded pattern or loop. To edit a sound, hit whichever type of sound you want to edit (high hats or snare), then press the instrument button which correlates to instrument on the screen - then press edit, and then one will see a wide range of editing possibilities from eq to tuning to muffling. To navigate between the editing parameters use the up and down arrow keys. To use the editing tool use the wheel. There is also a tone colour which mimics where the microphone would be. This is great for live performance as it would sound more live. The editing parameters of midi instruments and sounds are usually there to make the sound sound more realistic. For those using a v-drum when recording, to make the drums sound even more realistic there is a snare buzz effect in the editing section which allows one to add snare buzz when playing other drums. To edit a kit - simply hit the drum you want to change - go to menu and then instrument and you can change what ever drum you want. To go back from whatever page you are on simply click exit. The function of this type of drum is to have more variety in sound. It is also more portable and easier to record. However the authenticity can never be replaced as it lacks acoustics. In my opinion, these types of drums are best to practice on as one can also listen to what they are playing through headphones and not disturb their neighbours.
