Boomerang Phrase Sampler

I've got the upgrade 2 version. Since there are a lot of parameters which are programmable, the functions of the switches is not so obvious anymore. But with the help of my computer and the laser printer, I produced a sticker with the essential programming info and attached it to the back of the unit. Once you set it up to your needs and got a little used to it, it's easy to use. The software version I had before the upgrade was even easier to use, but nor as flexible as version 2. Versatility comes at a price of course (not in terms of meney, the upgrade was relatively cheap, about 100 Swiss Francs)
With the upgrade also a new manual came. In there, everything is described carefully and it is easy to understand.

As with all digital equipment, the dynamic range of the Boomerang phrase sampler limited of course. I'm not using a compressor, and therefore have to attenuate the input signal by quite a big amount in order not to overdrive the Sampler. Because of this, there is a little noise. Since I'm not using the Boomerang for studio recordings :-) this doesn't bother me. I'm sure that I could improve the signal to noise ratio by a great deal, if I would use a compressor.
Apart from that, the sound quality is very good!

No problems upto now. Guess that the reliability should be quite good, since the case seems to quite robust and I'm not an elefant :-))

Marvellous!! I contacted the Boomerang people about 2 or 3 times by e- mail and always got a very quick and helpful answer! If I could give an 11 here, I would :-))

An extremely helpful tool! I'm using it mainly for practicing may guitar playing for about half a year now. If it would be lost or stolen, I'd definitly buy it again! There is no favourite feature, I love about everything on it :-)) Especially upgrad 2 offers a few very useful add- ons:
- direct change from record mode into stacking mode
- possibility to switch off stacking decay
- two independant loops possible
It more or less exactly meets my needs! The only thing I'm going to add soon, is a true bypass switch :-))

easy to use
great sound
manual is good
this was a 1 meg memory unit, took the memory out and installed a 4 meg chip for $10, hehehehehehe
this saved me about $200

heheheheheh

i have bought and sold many guitars toys, but i have always kept the boomer. i love it and will never sell
the unit is quiet
man, i can't get over tis unit, its just the absolute best guitar toy to have
just run your drum machine into the aux in, do a record
then, add some rythm guitar
then its time to JAM !!!
its just the ultimate for comen up with your own song ideas !

still run'n after 4 yrs

never contact

the only problem i have with this unit is price. come on !!!!
$450 for the 4 meg !!!! man o man
buy the 1 meg and put the 4 meg chip in for $10 or $5

so, other than that, i love it. i also happened to buy this baby at a big sale, thats why i got it so cheap.

i recommend a used one, since there so pricy

This thing could not be easier to use than it already is. Mine didn't have a manual when I got it but it was pretty easy to figure out. For help on what I didn't know about it, their website has the intstructions online. Once you have it set up right and can use it effectively it's very simple.

I'm currently playing an Ibanez RG 270 through a Digitech RP-20 into the Boomerang and then into my Ampeg Reverberocket. The sound quality on this unit is very good. Whatever you record into it comes out exactly the same. I read some people saying the bitrate wasn't as good as other units but if the sound it puts out sounds just like your guitar signal than it is perfect. With my Ampeg tube amp recording a loop and playing something over it sounds just like two guitars. I don't know if the outcome would be as great with a lower quality amp but for a great sounding amp it's truely amazing.

It has a fairly thick metal case that protects it pretty well. I knocked a metal chair onto it and when I turned it on it had a horrible distorted sound to it. I emailed my problem to the company and they told me how to fix it. A chip was knocked loose and all I had to do was take it out and snap it back in. It was very easy to fix and it sounds like new again.

When I emailed the company they got back to me pretty quickly and told me a number of things to try to see what would fix my problem. They were very helpful and I had it fixed within minutes of getting a reply.

This isn't just another effect pedal, it's a new way to evolve as a guitarist. I was very close to selling it since I didn't use it very much. But luckily I decided to keep it. When I got my Digitech Rp-20 the great tones available for solos of all kinds wether over metal distortion or clean picked arpeggios made this unit worthwhile. If you are looking for new inspiration for your music this is it. It has brought out a lot of music I would never have created without it. Look on Ebay for a good price on it. I got mine from Ebay as well as my RP-20. If you are every looking for a very good quality effect processor for a very cheap price the RP-20 is worth a look.
I give the Boomerang a 10 for the price I paid ($300). It was worth every penny. For $400 or more it's a lot of cash but if that was the lowest cost available I would definently still pay it.

Dead simple. It took no time to get going and about 30 minutes to get the hang of everything. It's a very intuitive device, designed for looping on the fly.

I've heard it trims highs a bit (especially in 1/2 speed mode). I currently only use it for bass (though I've tried it on guitar a bit) and haven't had any trouble.

The box itself is metal. The buttons look like they'll go eventually, especially if you have a heavy foot. Lot's of people here bitch about the location of the trim pot, but it doesn't bother me (it's on the back, but you can see it from the top). Someone else complained about the wal-wart, but it uses a standard adapter--like on most every other pedal. To me it looks solid. I've had it since May and it hasn't messed up at all.

Haven't had to deal with them.

I use the 'rang mostly for rehersal. I loop parts and then improvise on top of them. I also use it to build up contraptual bass parts which consists of several lines that intersect. If you love to improvise or like playing chords on the bass and want to be able to do high-up-the-neck stuff while keeping a bass line going, it's incredible. It's a great tool for putting music-theory concepts to the test. And it's just a great creative tool. For me, the real point of it is as a practice tool. But I've seen players use them live with great results and I'm going to eventually start using mine live as well (it has an auxilary out, BTW, so you can feed a line to your drummer--giving him/her a monitor so you can sync up when you're playing over loops).

Forgot to mention... the Boomerang PLUS eliminates the volume problem when stacking mentioned by other reviewers. You can still PROGRAM it to do that if you want to, but it comes set up with a "no decay" rate.

The Boomerang is pretty much a plug in and go pedal... very easy to understand. I think I spent more time setting a good level than I did trying to figure the thing out. I got the Boomerang PLUS (boy was I suprised when I opened the box... was expecting the regular Boomerang). In this version (2.0), there are some programming options which are pretty cool. The "STACK" and "SPEED" buttons are now programmable and there's now an "A/B" button in place of the "ONCE" button. You can record TWO loops and switch between them. The manual was fairly clear and helpful in explaining these programming options and upgrades for the new version. I never had the last version, so I don't know EXACTLY what the differences are...

I play bass and when I have my 'Rang plugged into my rig, I've found that there's a slight hiss. However, it's not enough to bother me. It sounds pretty good... not CD quality, but still pretty good.

This thing seems to be built like a tank. I've never gotten the chance to use it in a live setting, but I wouldn't be afraid to do so. The casing is all metal (which makes the pedal heavier, but that's okay by me) and the plastic buttons seem to be able to hold their own (but they ARE the reason I'm giving it a 9). It seems to be a solidly built unit that I wouldn't be afraid to bring to a live gig.

I haven't needed to call so far...

Overall, the 'Rang is a pretty fun pedal. Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to use and sounds pretty good. I bought mine new, and $500 seemed a little steep at first. But now that I've gotten a chance to use it, I enjoy it more and more and the half grand price tag is easier to handle. Right now, if it were lost or damaged or whatever, I'd probably replace it. The 'Rang is a very fun pedal... I can sit for hours playing and seeing what I can create next (stacking chords is very cool and the playing reverse leads is kinda trippy). It gets a 9 because $500 isn't exactly pocket change. Well, maybe it is for some...

Very easy to use, the ability to reverse and run at 1/2 speed are also a bonus. After you get used to the controls, you can create loops very quickly.

The sound quality goes down after several passes, the features and sampling time make up for this. I have a friend with a lexicon jamman and the sound quality is MUCH better, but I prefer the way the boomerang is set up. It just takes time to adjust the settings and you can get a pretty clean sound.

Built very well, haven't had any problems after about a year of stomping. Has a small adapter cord as do many of items like this, you just have to be careful where on stage you put it.

One of the buttons was loose when I first got the unit, I talked to the owner and they fixed it free and quickly. Very impressive!

I use the boomerang to make percussion loops and atmospheres for my band and I find it a very fun and creative tool. The sound quality could be a little better, but with some thought most loops come out great. It is one of my favorite pieces of gear, a very fun and easy to use tool!

Love the ease of use. Only wish I could add a remote trigger to it like Trey Anastasio of PHISH. Anyone know how? That way I could use my Whammy and Wah to record. The roller volume takes some getting used to but the other features make it worth the $$.

From my Paul Reeds I go into a ErnieBall Volume pedal to a Crybaby 535Q to a Digitech Whammy to an Ibanez TS-9 to my Rang then into a Digitech GSP 2120 with a Korg Kaoss Pad patched into the fx loop, then stereo out to a BBE 882 then powered by a Mesa Boogie Stereo Simulclass 295 to two matching Marshall 412s. Alot of stuff but the variety of sounds and effects I can generate. And if you think that 4 minutes of record time isn't enough, just try to use it all. I get lots of comments everytime I play live on the killer loops and wild sounds I have been creating since I bought the Rang.

So far the Rang has held up great. I mounted it in a ATA pedal case so that helps keep it from getting knocked around.

Waiting to hear from them about my remote trigger dilemma but otherwise OK.

The Boomerang is great for any style of music. Jazz, Funk, Rock, whatever. A must have for any musician. I put one in my home studio as well.

Simple to operate,

I use this unit for live, practice and recording, a set of congas and percussion wiyh a microphone. A wonderfull tool! Very cool! And a ton of fun!

Layout is fine - bad location on trim pot

Just plain bad - MY JAM MAN BLOWS IT AWAY. This is why I returned the Boomerang. I have a friend who dumped one for the same reason. Grainy, no highs, the layers decrease in volume as you "stack".My only question here is WHY????? Crikey, if you're going to go to the trouble of building this thing, get the sampling rate up there, and figure out the volume problem. Very unsatisfactory in this department.

I wouldn't trust that flimsy power supply for more than a dayor two. I really have trouble with a company that builds a potentially good and strong piece who then screw it up with the one thing that can ruin your gig.

I love the sound quality of the Lexicon, but wanted more than 32 seconds of sampling. The Boomerang sounded like the answer to all of life's problems, but deep down I suspected it was too good to be true, and I was right. Man alive, get the thing right, and charge a little more if yu must, but GET IT RIGHT! Glad I got my money back.