Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro

On a very basic level you may be able to get it going in a few hours (w/ a little reading). There are a lot of presets to tweak on the front panel. I have the Loop 4 upgrade, so there is a wide variety of settings that would yield different types of looping and performance styles. I still have only tapped into about 65% of what I'm currently doing.

The sampling rate is awesome; better than the RC-20 Boss Looper. It slightly compresses the sound and is very forgiving when the signal is too high. It handles layering eloquently, again with the compression and also with it's ability to average the sound out to a degree. Great for studio or live.

Two components 1) The Echoplex unit and 2) the foot controller. The unit is solid, but the foot controller has cheap plastic buttons on it. Everyone bitches about it. I ordered some new buttons (the same kind) and replaced them myself. You can also get more durable buttons and put them in. They lasted for about 3 years before I had to replace them though. Just don't stomp on them.

Never had to call them, but Aurisis has no tech support. They hand that off to Gibson.

This tool has exploded my music into hyperspace. I just recently synced it up with Cubase and now my computer switches the loops for me. I can also do amazing things with just an acoustic guitar, a mic and the Echoplex. It is a very technical piece of equipment so you have to dig into the manual (it's not very long) to understand the full potentiality of the thing. MIDI really opens up the door to the whole machine instead of just using the pedal. I wouldn't trade this for anything, esp for a computer looper. I want to get another one so I can do stereo looping. go to www.loopers-delight.com if you haven't already

There's a learning curve here. First to understand the various names and references used in the manual, the old poTAToe-poTATE-o, as well as new terms like 'multiply', 'insert', 'toggle', 'feedback' etc. As I re-read the manual, set up my default/power on preset 1, (there are 16 programmable preset configs, including tempo), and experiment with the footswitch it dawns on me what the manual is referring to! Reading about it is one thing and hearing it is another and that works for my dull brain. I got proficient at it through lots of use and determination to 'get it', and having fun with it.

Quality sound in. Quality sound out. Simple enough. Use 'clear','dryish', or very lightly 'wet' sounds , tones and chords. Looping strong 'verbs, delays, distortions and modulations will sound 'blurry' eventually, like too much paint on a canvas.
I like to let the loop breath a little with silent or near silent sections and it's very quiet. Use a contoller 'feedback' pedal to create fade-outs, volume of new overlays, overall volume. Note that 'feedback' is NOT howling speaker feedback-it's the playback volume of the loop or loop cycle, or elements within the loop overdub. See what I mean about the learning curve?

Now that I know what the hell I'm doing, I don't blame the machine!
I use it on live gigs regularly and dependably. Currently it is the sync-master, as it drives the drum and sequencers in PERFECT sync in and out and through the loop(s).Even though you could call it rackmount effect, I consider it more as an instrument and treat it with care accordingly and it's not cheap. The LoopIV version 1.1 upgrade from AuresisResearch was an easy enough self-install.

N/A

I love it for the music I play 'on it'. It allows me to improvise on the fly, make up weird stuff, lay cool grooves to jam with, loop sections (multiply) and tweak those, reverse playback/looping, tempo changes on the fly (with a midi controller or sequencer, using preset tempo set ups or what I call 'templates'). Yes the footswitch is kinda hokey but it is quiet and dependable. Yes the buttons are kinda small and crowded so I do have to watch what I'm doing and not accidently graze the record button on an overdubbed loop. I'm guilty of using my big toe on some sessions. Just don't wear clown shoes or scuba fins and ya don't need to stomp on it! Note there's a short and long press function on these same buttons. (The learning curve is back). With the upgrade the MIDI capabilities are pretty boggling enough, many of which cannot be accessed from the rack panel buttons.
Yeah I'd replace it. I'm saving for another for stereo tricks. While the input and feedback level LED's are helpful, the tempo, cycle, and beat reference LED's and readout are hard to see in daylight. Just making them larger or brighter would be nice.

Oh MY GOD, this Echoplex is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!! I have been looking for a "looper" to use in live situtations with my MIDI drums. I don't want to get too technical, this piece of equipment took me a certain amount of blood, sweat, and tears to comprehend (and a lot of calls to Gibson support) but it is ingenious in its operation. I used a Boss RC-20 looper and it was a mere toy. It didn't sync with MIDI and is alway a "bit" off using MIDI. The Echoplex syncs with the MIDI timing pulses. The footswitch can be programmed to start perfectly at the beginnign of each drum loop.... amazing!!!!!!! It can also be used in many other ways (cycles, quant, etc.). I give this a 5 rating because you really do have to read and ask some questions. Sorta like when got your first computer

The ECHOPLEX uses the same digital sample rates as leading digital studios, and sounds absolutely PERFECT. I us the ECHOPLEX in my effects loop. It sounds perfect, clean or dirty! This is the big time boy! Yep, I can sync the drums with the ECHOPLEX (either as a slave or master) and I run the sound of the drums directly into my PA, not the effects loop. Yes, you can play the chords to a song, and then solo over them, add overdubs, mute what you want, and move on... all live, real time, and with a footswitch. Most importantly, in perfect time with MIDI drum... This was a dream of mine, to do a solo act that covers the songs comprehensively. I love the harmony leads on "The Boys Are Back" and "Highway Star". I like to perform solo-Jazz versions of classic rock songs.

I have only been priviledged to use this ECHOPLEX for 2 weeks, and am getting my solo act ready. One note: other reviewers of the ECHOPLEX have been critical of the footswitch. I can see their points. The buttons are a bit fussy. I have solved the problems by wearing pointed, hard-soled shoes (geekeey). They "adapt" to the smaller footbuttons and are less clumsey. I have very few missed presses. Hey, what else can I do with old bowling shoes...they look cool?!

They know me at the customer support. Yep, Bob over at strings and support has done his best to work with me to understand this machine. The ECHOPLEX can act as a sophisticated sequencer-sampler and a delay effect as well. It can be used for many applications other than for my idea of a solo act. I have a lot more to learn about this thing, but it already has surpassed my expectations. Bye Bye rhythm guitarists, too bad drummers... ECHOPLEX is tak'n over (I think Hendrix said that!).

This thing is a dream to me. It is like playing with another guitarist who knows what you are thinking (at least musically!). I can jam out songs, solo with harmonies, and sync with MIDI drums; all live and on-the-fly. I sound like I work for Gibson or something...nope. I have been looking for a device like this for years. The Boss RC-20 looper was (is) at best, practice "toy". You can't possibly use a footswitch to start, then end a musical phrase and stay in sync with MIDI. It sucks, and would be a disaster to use live. I talked with Boss and they said that yes, it will NOT sync with MIDI drums (duhhhh) but, "...people are doing some real creative things with the RC-20". I say, yea and some people must like to play out of time too! Gibson must have some real "brains" working at their factory to produce this monster... I Thank Gibson. ECHOPLEXERs, please E-mail me if you want to exchange thoughts.