"loop" machines/gear?

[CC86]

Hi, new to the forum and I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction. I'm looking to purchase whatever it is that people are using in youtube videos and whatnot to create rhythm back tracks to play lead over (guitar). They will play a quick riff/chord progression and just have it replay continuously and they will solo over it. It usually looks like they're stepping on some sort of peddle and doing it all hands-free.

I'm wondering what these would be called? I have no idea what to even search for.

Thanks in advance!

 

[guitarplayr82]

Yep, you've got the idea. It's called a looper. Also called a "sequence looper" or "sampler". Not to be confused with "true-bypass looper" or "effects loop".

Some affordable loopers are the DigiTech JamMan Solo and Boss RC-3 Loop Station.

I have the JamMan Solo and it is excellent. It only loops in mono, though, that's it's only big drawback. Lots of fun to be had with these things!

 

[CC86]

ahh thanks a lot. I kept searching in the recording gear sections and couldn't seem to find what I was after.

oh and I meant to say pedal, not peddle. Apparently not a word I use too often!

 

[Armistice]

I have the Boss RC-50 looper which I use in live gigs with my duo to create these big looped soundscapes in particular tunes. I always have a prerecorded drum beat to start with as getting a perfectly timed rhythm track down in a live situation featuring more than one person is problematic...

Then I layer over different things, or put together different parts of a song, and even do some mid song in one instance by erasing a loop and re-recording another one.

Sounds wicked, and if you're smart about it, can be a performance aspect.

Let me know if you have any particular questions...