How to make Cheap Looper setup with cheap foot pedal and free software.

[DougH]

Ok, in case you don't know about looping here are some vids. The controller I have below is for Ambleton live, but you can get the key mapping for ambiloop, a freeware looping program or any that has key bindings.

 

http://evenfall.com/ambiloop/features.html -Ambiloop looping software. This also has midi control, if you can build a midi control or make buy one it may be much better choice.

 

http://createdigitalmusic.com/2007/08/02/get-loopy-with-the-diy-10-ableton-footcontroller-no-soldering-required/ -how to convert a keyboard into a foot controller, no soldering, just a screw driver, some plastic and strong scissors and glue. You leave the keys you need for the software you use!

 

One problem with ambiloop is that the loops are numbered and this is a trouble for accidentally hitting the loop next to it, so you may want to reduce the amount of keys to four or five rather than 8. The start and stop recording as well as other loop making functions are close to the number keys and this is also a problem. So being creative and making paddle style foot switches that terminate at the top on the key below the number keys may help on some keys.

 

Another trick is to use an old school mouse and take the ball out of it and plug it into your ps2 input (the little round one) and get yourself (if you haven't already) a cheap laser mouse that plugs into USB. On my PC at least, you can plug both in at the same time and they both work. Just put the ps2 mouse on the floor and then use the USB mouse to position the pointer. this can be used for a button like a punch in button or a pause button while you play using both hands. You can also use it for VST effects if they have a bypass in the effect or on the mixer. The mouse will not move because it has the ball taken out! So it stays put, hopefully you haven;t bumped the USB mouse which will move it off of it's button.