Why did I move from the Boss RC50 to the Boomerang III instead of the RC300
Randolf Arriola
From Singapur based livelooper Randolf Arriola:
One of the most popular questions i get from fellow live loopers and new enthusiasts is why did i move from the Boss Rc50 to the Boomerang III instead of the RC300. So I post my most recent reply to this question here to share with others hopefully of use to whom it may concern;
I was previously using the RC50 since 2005 to 2010 and decided to move onto the Boomerang only when Rc300 was released as i realized that the Looper functionalities of the RC300 was not improved from the RC50 and it was basically a newer bigger model with added on guitar and vocal effects which i didn’t need as i preferred the use of other effect units like the Evenbtides and TC Electronics gears and so moved on to Boomerang III with the sidecar instead which imho is the best hardware live looper device for my puposes.
For what i do in my live looping art i do not rely on the use of any prerecorded tracks or tempo metronomes, so i don’t use tempo and midi quantize but instead i do use loop quantize. This method i feel is more organic sounding and always creative but also understandably not something most folks get it that in Live Looping it requires alot more attention to basic fundamentals in music especially concerning “TIME” and “Dynamics”.
In Live Looping you are venturing into new expanded and exciting creative territories because you are no longer just a guitarist or singer but also a producer, arranger and engineer at the same time live, on the spot, it’s almost like witnessing tight rope walker live. LOL
So basically the Boomerang doesn’t do midi quantize but i understand that their most recent firmware updates are addressing it to make it possible to do so. The Boss Rc50 and Rc300 when played with the onboard tempo drum tracks immediately enables the midi quantize to function. Which is best for the individual live looper it really depends on the each respective persons intention.
You guys may also want to seriously consider the new flagship model from TC Helicon, The VoiceLive 3 which is an incredible 3 in 1 Device that has TCH’s best Vocal Processing/Harmonizing effects and almost every imaginable voice tweakeroo possibilities + A Great sounding Multi Effects with lovely wide Amp Simulation choices and Acoustic Body Rez options + 3 Phrase Live Looper which i think is especially Midi Quantize friendly. This unit makes it possible to create entire ensemble pieces with just a mic and instrument and your wildest creative imagination from just one box.