Question on how to integrate a looper/sampler into a racksys

[valvefury]

As I embark on moving to a rack based guitar rig from pedals I have a technical question as I'm am currently limited to what I need a racked rig to accomplish.

I currently, out of necessity, (being the only guitar player) use a looper (stereo is key whether a Boomerang III or a Ditto x2/X4) at the end of my signal chain. The key for me is to sample something with effects. Change the effects and play something over that loop.

Currently I run a stereo rig with everything in front of the amp(using no effects loop) so the ability to do this stereo is a must. However I am limited in my current setup to pedals so running through the effects loop isn't an option with all the OD/Distortion.

The other 'must' is I would like to be able to sample something in my looper on one amp and play something different on the other amp. I currently accomplish this by using an a/b switch at the beginning of my chain to turn off one amp and sample the loop. Hit the switch to the other amp and loop completely different something there.

I was hoping there is a way to run some effects through the effects loop(s) and some front side like a distortion or overdrive.  However if I can just use the clean and distorted channels on the racked amps that would be fine - so long as I can sample POST the chain so I can do different samples to each amp that would be fine.

I far prefer using the amps tubed distortions so moving to a racked rig makes more sense to me. I am also shoe gazing way too much so having a nice programmable midi controller on stage limits the pedals as I can hit a switch and everything I want for signal path is dialed right in for one hit of the midi pedal board switch.

I read both the first edition and new edition of MGR.  My only wish was it was available on the kindle.

[scottkahn]

First, thank you for supporting my book!

I'm a bit confused by this. How are you running a stereo rig? Can you tell me what amps/cabs you're using? Are you just taking the stereo output from your looper and running that to the inputs on two mono amps? Not sure where to start on this one yet...

There are products from Radial that would let you share your FX with the FX loops on two amps if needed. Easiest answer... move beyond shoe gaze and go back to mono :-p lol. Will talk more when I have a better picture of the rig in my head...

Scott

[valvefury]

Yes I run a stereo rig. I run two heads (KSRs) and they each have their own cabinet. I run through mono effects like OD/Distortion first then into an Radial AB Bones box that then runs through stereo effects (like the Strymon line). Last in the chain is my looper (currently a boomerang III). This way I can sample to one side, and play something completely different on the other side. Since I am the only guitarist this helps fill the sonic spectrum quite a bit. If I did mono I would still want the ability to loop/sample something on the left or right independently. And each of those independent loops/samples would need its own effects. For example if I did an ambient reverb sound on the left side, then wanted to go with a faster delay sound on the right side I want the ability to loop/sample something for each side with owns effects settings.

lbj

[scottkahn]

Your rig is rather complex due to your needs. First, since you've got KSR heads, lose the distortion pedals and make your life easier. They have great tone inside. :-p

One good product to consider from Radial -- Twinline. It lets you share pedals across two effects loops in your amps. You could use your Radial Bones AB switcher in front of the amp, and keep the looper in front as you've done.

[valvefury]

There is no doubt I want to get away from front loaded distortion pedals it will never compare to tubed amps, especially the KSRs.