Depending on your budget, the size of your band, and what you want to do with loops, the equipment you need to use loops will vary. Remember, there is no one “right” way to use loops. Be weary of people that swear by “X” setup, and don’t feel like you’ve got to use the same equipment as “X” church. Your budget and band is unique so you need equipment that fits your needs. In this article we’ll provide you with a framework of what is typically desired/required for using loops, and present you with a few options.
We will be starting a new section of the blog devoted to reviewing gear related to creating and using loops. We need your help to decide what Gear you want to see reviewed. We’d love if you’d take 30 seconds to fill out this quick form to let us know what gear you want to see reviewed. Also, if you consider yourself a gear-head or have access to gear and enjoying writing/blogging we’d love to bring you on board as a blogger for Loops in Worship. We’d love if you take some time and fill out this form. Thanks!
No matter your budget or band your going to need Equipment to meet two basic needs. Those are:
Loop Creation/Production-This is the basic process of creating loops. Even if your buying pre-made content set to pre-set arrangements you’ll probably want to tweak it a bit. You can go pretty heavy here as there is a ton of great Production and Recording tools available these days.
Loop Playback-Once you’ve got your content created and edited you’ll need someway to “playback” those loops in a live situation. Unfortunately people seem to spend the least amount of money/thought in this area. They create GREAT content using lots of great gear, but their playback is reduced to a mono loop ran off an I-pod (You don’t have to be restricted to an Ipod, but if it works for you thats great).
To meet those needs you’ll need to use a combination of both Hardware and Software. Some people are purely Hardware guys and some people are purely Software guys but the most power and flexibility comes when you use a combination of both. Explained by a guy named Moore , Computers are getting more powerful and cheaper everyday. This means that the tools available to people with a few bucks and a laptop are limitless. So lets jump in and take a look at what tools are available to us for using loops.
Loop Creation/Production
Recording/Editing Software-You’ll need to be able to “chop” up audio, “record” audio and rearrange pieces of your loops to fit your needs. Most DAW’s include tools for generating sound as well, so everything you need can be tucked away nicely in your recording software. Realize that you don’t necessarily need another software for “generating” sounds, you most likely could get by with just your Recording Software (we’ll look at some VST’s in a second).
Protools-The industry “standard” when it comes to Recording and Editing Audio ($149+). On the web.
Logic Studio- One of the other “industry” standards, know for its great built in Plugins/Instruments ($199+) On the web.
Garageband-A versitle “free” DAW included on any Apple Computers. A great introduction to Logic (Free w/Mac’s, $79 in iLife suite) On the web.
Live-Originally created for DJ’s its found a great home with Computer based Live Performers ($99+) On the web.
Cubase/Nuendo-Great solution for Windows guys, and Post-Production Audio guys (Cubase-$149+,Nuendo-$1799) On the web.
Audactiy- A “freeware” solution for Recording($0) On the web.
Sound Creation-If your creating your loops from scratch you’ll need some sort of “sounds” to use.
Vst’s-Virtual Instruments hosted in your Recording Software
Motu Instruments-From the same Cat’s that brought you Digital Performer ($279+) On the web.
Reason-A Virtual Rack full of great synth’s, Effects, and Drum Machines ($299+) On the web.
Native Instruments-Great Instruments of all kinds, Synth’s, Pianos, Organs, and more…($79+) On the web.
Arturia-Great Virtual versions of Classic Synths ($99+) On the web.
Ivory-More piano than you can shake a stick at ($279+) On the web.
Spectrasonics-If you’ve ever watched Tv or a Movie your familiar with their work. They’ve redefined the sound of Commercial music as we know it. ($279+) On the web.
Drum Machines-Loop production for the OG’s.
Akai xr20-A great Beat Production Box ($299) On the web.
Akai Mpc Series-The Original “Music Production” tool for Rappers, still heavily used today ($599+) On the web.
Korg Electribes-Cool little production boxes ($469) On the web.
Keyboards-Not just for Piano Players, or Piano sounds they are chock full of great sounds and super stable
Yamaha-From their CP series to the Motif, many people consider Yamaha’s sounds and gear second to none. On the web.
Korg-Great Synth sounds and Workstations. On the web.
Nord-Great Rhodes and Organ Sounds. On the web.
Open Labs-If its good enough for Lil’ John and Timbaland its good enough for you. On the web.
Loop Playback
Software Based Solutions-Portable “in the box” solutions for playing back loops
Digital Performer-Functioning both as a Recording Software/Sequencer, we saved it for Loop Playback as its great for Live Performance with loops. ($495) On the web.
Live-Listed as a Recording Software as well, Live is considered by most the Go to Solution for Live Performance with Recorded Material ($99+) On the web.
Logic (Mainstage)- Included with Apple’s Logic Suite, it provides lots of great tools for Live Performance with Loops ($199+) On the web.
Hardware Based Solutions-For those looking for a more hands-on “out of the box” solution.
Open Labs-Quickly becoming a standard for Studios and on-stage performance with loops. ($2799+) On the web.
iPod- Most people have one and can quickly start using it for loops. ($59.99+) On the web.
Interfaces-For people that want to run loops in Stereo and want more outputs. They often Provide a “cleaner” and more flexible output.
Presonus-Tons of great Audio Interfaces for Recording and Live Performance ($99.95+) On the web.
Motu-Great High Quality Portable and Rack Based Interfaces ($549+) On the web.
M-Audio-In-expensive Audio interfaces that work great and even work with Pro-Tools Systems. ($79.99+) On the web.
Apogee-Know for super High Quality sound, they have great mobile and studio Interfaces. ($249+) On the web.
Digidesign-From M-boxes to their “OO3″ series Interfaces, they work great along side Protools ($249+) On the web.
Controllers-For people that want to get away from using a mouse and keyboard in their Music Creation. They work great to control your DAW as well as firing Loops live.
Korg-Their Micro Series looks super cool and is incredibly inexpensive so you can buy a few ($49/$59) On the web.
M-Audio-From their now discountined “Trigger Finger” to their “Oxygen” series keyboards they have tons of great controllers ($99+) On the web.
Novation-The “Launchpad” is one of the coolest new Controllers around. ($99+) On the web.
Akai-From their “laptop” series controllers to their “Mpd” and “APC” series, they make great “feeling” controllers ($69+) On the web.
Behringer-Their FCB 1010 is used by many guitar players and Worship Leaders to control their loops from their feet ($149) On the web.
Roland-Their FC 300 is another well used foot pedal for guitar players ($399.97) On the web.
aBility Foot Controller-Baron Youn’s creation for use with Ableton Live is an awesome controller for Worship Leaders wanting to control loops from their feet ($275) On the web.
In-Ears-To get the most out of loops you should definitely be using some type of In-Ears.
Westone-Great Quality In-ears for every situation.($299+) On the web.
Ultimate Ears-In-Ears to the stars.($129+) On the web.
Shure-Great In-ears that have been around for a while.($99+) On the web.
In-Ear Monitoring Systems-From Wireless Packs to Personal Monitoring Systems, you’ll need to get audio from your board to your In-Ears
Senheiser Wireless Packs-Hands down they have the best Wireless Packs around($699.99+) On the web.
Shure-If you don’t use Senheiser then your probably using these. ($599+) On the web.
Aviom-They’ve quickly become a standard in Churches across the US ($5000+) On the web.
Hearback- A low-cost Personal Monitoring System that works great. ($1495.97) On the web.
Remember when your starting to use loops start where you are with what you have and make a plan to complete your setup. You can use this guide to help find what other pieces of gear you need. Take your time and slowly over time build up your Equipment list.
Need help figuring out what gear you need and what suits your Worship Ministry the best? Let us help! We can help with consulting and act as a “Personal Shopper” to help you pick out what gear you need. Drop us a line through our Contact Page. We’d love to help!
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