Sheeran Looper + Volume matching

[Scouser]

What is the best way to balance volume between recorded loop and live volume. This is something I could really use some help with. It seems no matter which way I choose to increase the volume everything goes up, ie loop volume and guitar, how do I control both volumes independently, that's what I need to know but can't seem to figure out ?

[Wonks]

It's the one main complaint for that pedal that I can see on the web. There isn't a way to do this within the pedal itself. Blame Ed Sheeran.

You need to adjust the volume of the input signal for the recorded loop bit if you want your live playing to be louder than that. So either a volume pedal or maybe something like a clean boost pedal set to reduce the volume slightly. Or the volume control on your guitar.

[Scouser]

Thanks wonks, excuse my ignorance but did you say a volume pedal would be a way forward or should i just use volume on guitar ?

[Wonks]

On other forum discussions elsewhere on it they've suggested using a volume pedal, though I don't like using them without either a clean boost pedal or a pedal with a buffer before it (if using a passive electric guitar). Most volume pedals are passive and have a pretty low pot value, so will reduce the treble of the signal. If you are using an acoustic with an inbuilt preamp, then a passive volume pedal is fine.

You can always drop the volume on the guitar, through it helps to keep the sound the same if you've got a treble bleed circuit fitted across the volume pot(s).

But I suggest using a clean boost pedal, as you can preset the volume drop accurately on that, especially if you aren't recording multiple loops at different volumes. A cheap Chinese-made one should be fine.

[Scouser]

Thanks again wonks, i think im getting the idea. if your saying a cheap boost pedal would be best then im sure you know more than me. So just to clarify im using LR Baggs Anthem on an acoustic. Does the boost pedal drop or boost volume or both excuse my ignorance ?

[Wonks]

It will have a gain knob, so you can cut or boost. But I’d suggest cutting as its an acoustic and you want yo avoid feedback.

The Anthem has a soundhole-mounted volume control, not the easiest thing to accurately turn up and down whilst playing, which is why something you can use with your foot seems the most convenient.

Some loopers do have a balance control so you can adjust the backing level to the live level, but unfortunately this one doesn’t.

[Scouser]

Any cheap boost pedal you could suggest all the ones i'm seeing are £100 +

[Wonks]

About the cheapest I could find.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sondery-Electr ... gQT=1&th=1

[Sam Spoons]

I have a couple of these and they are fantastic https://www.amazon.co.uk/TC-Electronic- ... 8SW3U?th=1

But this is even cheaper https://www.amazon.co.uk/LUOFANG-Guitar ... 145&sr=8-2

[Drew Stephenson]

I have one of these and it does the job nicely https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/big-top-str ... ster-pedal

[Wonks]

I’m not sure the TC mini actually cuts, unlike some pedals. I’ve got one but it’s currently in storage so I can’t check. It’s also slightly coloured, which probably isn’t what’s needed here.

[Wonks]

The EHX LPB-1 (linear power booster) is affordable and looking at the schematic will cut as well as boost.

[Sam Spoons]

It doesn't actually matter if it cuts or boosts as long as there is a change in level, either set it to boost and use it to boost the solo or set to cut for the recording of the loop and switch off for the solo* as long as the solo is louder than the replaying loop you have achieved the desired result**

* Many years ago I had a passive volume control in a die cast box with a footswitch (ironically labeled 'clean boost'), my rhythm setting was with the pedal engaged and bypassing it gave the full beans.

** This does, TBF, assume the looper has enough headroom to cope with the boosted solo level. If not then, WDR, it's time for a different looper?

[Wonks]

I’d still prefer to cut if I were doing it myself. Acoustic guitar with a mic and piezo. Just easier avoiding feedback.

[Sam Spoons]

Yes, I get that, for electric guitar boosting has it's uses as it can push a single overdrive pedal up a notch but as you say this is for an acoustic. For cutting only a pot in a tin with a footswitch will work* (though at the price of those cheap boost pedals mean it probably isn't the cheapest option anymore). WRT feedback it doesn't really make a difference, all you need to do is set the gain structure with the boost active?

* Assuming the guitar has an onboard preamp**, if it's passive the pot will affect tone as it is turned down, whether this is acceptable is down to the ears.

** Which it will if it has a mic and piezo, if you are using a outboard preamp most of them have a footswitchable boost feature so the discussion becomes moot.

[Jimmy B]

It would be good to understand how the manufacturer intended this looper to be used. Surely they tested it with a guitarist or two?

[Scouser]

You would think that they would have tested it, but sadly they have thought very little about what to include, as well as overlooking the one thing most people want to do, match levels.

I having boost and cut is a better option than just one or the other...

Be interested to know how people go about matching levels, although this is the only pedal I've had issues with. I think I will start again by checking all my pre recorded loops are at similar levels, then see if I can add loops on the fly that match with pre recorded material. Then concentrate on matching the volume for solo's over the top of loops. I think I am correct in saying that all volumes ie Guitar amp & Looper in & out will affect both guitar volume and looper volume and the only thing that will change just guitar volume is changing vol on guitar pick up ?

[Wonks]

You've got guitar (and mic) input gain controls, so they will affect the level of the signal being recorded and also the through signal. You can record at one gain level and then play back at another one. But you don't want to be bending down adjusting things like that if playing live.

The main output level controls the overall level coming out of the looper, so no good for setting individual track vs instrument levels.

[Scouser]

Hey Wonks, so where does the LPB1 fall in the chain ?

[Wonks]

guitar > boost pedal > looper.

It’s just for controlling the volume going into the looper.