Can the 555 replace this?

MCL · Post by **MCL** » Sat May 03, 2008 5:43 pm

Firstly -Hello folks, new user here - got one quick question.

I've been looking at the 555 for a few weeks now, downloaded the manual, watched the youtube vids etc and it looks like a very good piece of kit. I'm currently having a bit of a clearout and reorganising things a bit in my humble home studio.

I'm really like the look of the 555s Loop Capture facility - and the ability to manipulate those loops in realtime, basically my question is - will the 555 be a good replacement for this looper that I currently own:

http://www.redsound.com/products/SoundBITEPRO

I really like this unit at the mo - but the loops can only playback with limited ability to mess around with them live. I realise that the 555 doesn't have the same BPM engine in it (ie the ability to detect incoming loop tempo automatically) but using tap tempo on the 555 doesn't really bother me.

Is it easy to loop incoming audio on the fly live alongside other sources (records, drum machine) as part of a DJ set?

Thought i'd ask you guys - as reading the manual and watching vids is really no replacement for getting real users opinions on a bit of gear...

Cheers

:wink:

Funkyoldcrate · Post by **Funkyoldcrate** » Sat May 03, 2008 6:09 pm

Is it easy to loop incoming audio on the fly live alongside other sources (records, drum machine) as part of a DJ set?

Yeah, its pretty easy. I record loops of whatever is on the tables via the footswitch or scratch out a drum pattern and continue to build. The main thing I dont like about the 555 is the time stretching/bpm issue. If you stretch a sample it sounds really chinsey. But most ppl here use a DAW to solve that prob, I believe. All in all, Im really happy I bought the 555, even with the little workarounds and things. I know its not always possible but is there a guitar center or some other musicians store where you could go play with it?

That sampler in the link is pretty cool sounding, btw.

Dj Frantic · Post by **Dj Frantic** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:08 pm

well. The loop capture on the 555 only catches about 16 seconds. and the auto start on it always starts late..its pretty much useless. But it is very easy and I use it all the time. I love my 555 to death. Do you plan on using this to play live PA, DJ, Produce ?

MCL · Post by **MCL** » Sat May 03, 2008 8:36 pm

I want to pretty much use it n conjunction with an Elektron Machinedrum, and a Waldorf Blofeld. After using software for years to produce and coming from a DJ background - I am getting back into hardware in a big way.

Basically I just want to have fun again - the idea of being able to capture loops of records with the footswitch feature using Loop Capture all synced with MIDI from the Machinedrum seems as if it would be a good laugh.

I would be tracking all these instruments live into Pro Tools where the 'liveness' of a performance would be captured and edited accordingly after the event.

So I would be using it in a live DJ setting, and in a production sense as well, - but like I say - I want to be able to perform in a more live sense than sitting for hours programming plug ins and editing MIDI data all the time, bringing back a traditional DJ hands on tactile way of producing tracks.

I was almost sold on the SP 404, and using it alongside the same equipment as listed above - but I thought if the 555 could do what the 404 does, and incorporates the same kind of looping capabilities of the Redsound Soundbite Pro I linked to in my first post - then I wold sell the Soundbite Pro and get a 555..

Frantic - this thread of yours sounds very usefull - and describes what I want this machine to be able to achieve for me:

viewtopic.php?t=1405

Phew! - hope all that makes sense!

I'm not too bothered about the 16 seconds of loop capture - as the Soundbite Pro also has limited time in that respect, but the 555 would offer WAY more creative possibilities over that unit...

Any other thoughts you guys have i'm open to suggestions!

jbl · Post by **jbl** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:01 am

that soundbite is pricey, eh? the 404+sbpro idea is kinda what i was thinkin' but you don't get velocity sensing pads and the 555 is really innovative plus it's a cotroller for the pc, which is nice. don't know if you will be satisfied with looper as some people tend say that it's not quite there yet, in terms of capabilities.

MCL · Post by **MCL** » Sun May 04, 2008 1:04 am

Yeah - it's the comments that the looping capabilities aren't quite there yet that are making me think along the lines of keeping the SBPro. It really is incredibly easy to use - and above all - accurate.

It was really the ability to manipulate loops with the extensive effects capabilities of the 555 that were beginning to seduce me, but I could just run the outputs of the SBPro through the inputs of my Machine Drum to mangle loops a bit more in there.

So all in all - i think the 404 is going to make more sense to me, just couldn't make my mind up which member of the SP family was for me.

jbl · Post by **jbl** » Sun May 04, 2008 3:20 am

i got a padkontrol now with my 404 and it's like butta...
seriously i would love a 555 but now that i have my pk/404 combo i doubt i will ever get a 555, actually the boss rc series was lookin' pretty good to me but i read a load of complaints on the rc-20 and rc-50 about the inability to sync on a pro level. i still like the rc-50 and would prolly get that before another sp :shock:

edit
the 404 and 555 are very similar in fx. i would think the 808 is the most extensive and the 606 can run two fx at a time which is pretty cool too but maybe not as much for djtype stuff :?:

drewzle · Post by **drewzle** » Sun May 04, 2008 3:39 am

^ i thought the 555 could run 2 FX concurrently too?
what are those extra 3 knobs for?

jbl · Post by **jbl** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:18 pm

i just checked, cuz i didn't know either. the other three knobs are mic in line in and metronome levels.

MCL · Post by **MCL** » Sun May 04, 2008 12:34 pm

jbl wrote:i got a padkontrol now with my 404 and it's like butta...
seriously i would love a 555 but now that i have my pk/404 combo i doubt i will ever get a 555, actually the boss rc series was lookin' pretty good to me but i read a load of complaints on the rc-20 and rc-50 about the inability to sync on a pro level. i still like the rc-50 and would prolly get that before another sp

edit
the 404 and 555 are very similar in fx. i would think the 808 is the most extensive and the 606 can run two fx at a time which is pretty cool too but maybe not as much for djtype stuff

Yeah - i'm pretty much sold on the 404 now, think i'll order it sometime this week - good to know that i'm not missing anything on the FX front either.

Cheers for your help!

drewzle · Post by **drewzle** » Sun May 04, 2008 2:36 pm

jbl wrote:i just checked, cuz i didn't know either. the other three knobs are mic in line in and metronome levels.

ah right
i guess it's handy that those functions are now not shared between just 3 knobs, but i figured they must've controlled an extra effect. i thought i read that you could use a 'mastering effect' but i guess i'm confused with the 606

Dj Frantic · Post by **Dj Frantic** » Sun May 04, 2008 6:45 pm

I think the 555 can replace your looper then. There may be certain small things that your looper does that the 555 wont but its nothing u cant work around I dont think.