Pedal Set
Boss Rc-20xl Loop Pedal
Playing or practicing the guitar alone can be a frustrating thing for guitarists. Unless you are just into chords, playing lead guitar really requires some kind of backing going on so you can understand the timing as well as hearing how the lead will eventually sound.
This creates a problem as it can be often difficult to find people willing to just play backings over and over for you to play to. It’s also difficult to find specific backing tracks to suit your needs.
I have been in this situation for years. Sometimes I have a good idea and think, I wish someone cold play this backing so I can jam over the top of it. Sometimes (though rarely) I am fortunate enough to have someone there that is prepared to do this. Sometimes I have the motivation to plug into to my recording devices and repeatedly record the backing then jam over it – though this does require a bit of effort which by the time I have set it all up, the inspiration has gone.
Recently I decided I would check out the Boss RC-20XL pedal. The idea behind this is that you play a loop, phrase or even whole song and the pedal will then loop it in perfect time for you.
This sounded great to me so I decided to buy one. The RC-20XL was quite expensive - £180 here in the UK although whilst I was in the states recently I did see it for $259 (why do you Americans always get things so cheap?) but never the less I decided it could well be worth it.
Often with these types of pedals there are too many functions and buttons to ever learn how to use it properly but in this instance it was very easy. Simply tap the right pedal to set the tempo required, left button to begin recording and left button to stop. Immediately the loop you have just created starts playing.
Being that I use the amps overdrive, I had to consider the placement of the pedal before plugging it in. Else there would be no possibility of having a clean sound as the backing with overdriven lead over the top. I added it in the final position of my effects loop. This does the job great but it should be a consideration for anyone who uses their amp for their overdriven sound but does not have an effects loop.
Now since getting this up and running I have been having some amazing jams with myself. You can be the poorest rhythm player in the world, but get that loop right once, its played perfectly for as long as you need.
I laid down 2 chords, picked gently, one to the other – once. This cycled and before I knew it I had been playing guitar over the top of this for about an hour. Over two chords! It really is amazing what you can teach yourself by having the opportunity to jam in this way.
If you want more information on the Boss RX-20XL then do what I did and check out youtube – there are videos on here that really illustrate the power of creating loops in both a practice environment but also a live situation.
About the Author
Olly is the founder of Olly's Guitar World - Supplier of Guitar Tab Books, Cheap guitars and other Instruments.
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