How I Use the TC Electronics Ditto Looper for Live Acoustic Gigs

Many of you know that I play acoustic gigs locally so I wanted to show you how I use my looper pedal for these shows.
This is based on the TC Electronics Ditto Looper. I also share my signal chain and how I have everything set up.
You'll also hear some recorded clips of live shows (sorry for the sound on those!)
Oh, and at the end, I tell you why I made be selling this pedal and going with something else!
Keep it Metal,
Jason
🎸 FREE 'Metal Riffs & Licks' Course (Video and Tabs):
www.jasonstall...
🧙‍♂️ Metal Riff Master (Premium Course):
metalmastermin...
💿 CDs and Merch:
jasonstallwort...
🎧 Listen/Stream My Albums:
jasonstallwort...
⚙️ Gear I Use:
www.jasonstall...
🍺 Buy Jason a Beer or 3:
www.paypal.me/...
➔ Follow me at:
Facebook: / jasonstallworthmetal
Instagram: / jasonstallworth

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

I just got a Boss RC-20XL Loop Station, still getting the hang of my timing starting and stopping the loop. I run mine at the end of my effects chain so I can record with effects, then change effects to try soloing over it.

[@jasonstallworth]

🤘

[@RolandZertuche]

Trick I use, once you stop the loop between tunes hit start then stop fast and HOLD it down. It erases with minimal if any playback,

[@jasonstallworth]

Great tip! I have upgraded to the Ditto X4, which has a dedicated stop. I wish I had gotten the X2...the X4 is a bit more than I need!

[@cstonegroove]

Totally agree with you about the double click. It’s a little awkward. Thanks for the tips. Great playing too BTW.

[@jasonstallworth]

Thank you...I have another video coming out tomorrow from last night's show with the POD Go and using the looper for that (editing as we speak!)

[@jamyhengesbach38]

I have the same problem with the double click with my HoTone Wally Looper. Love the pedal but just can’t use the pause feature with the double click.

[@ViraDrama]

Thanks, I’m thinking about buying the Ditto with one button but you said it’s inconvenient to play live. The price for the two buttons one is almost double. I just want to use it for practice lead guitar over strumming chords, not play any gig. I saw Thai language of your name on the stage. You must have something that connect to Thailand.🇹🇭

[@jasonstallworth]

Yeah, I like the dedicated stop button and eventually got the X4 (I have a video on that here too). And yes, my wife is Thai...we're actually in Thailand as we speak! Here's the latest video from Music Concept in Bangkok: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hme0kKqJpLtjrrs

[@NINOA57]

Jason, Really great info and you communicate and explain things super clearly which is soooo helpful. Thanks

[@jasonstallworth]

Awesome to hear that

[@fatabeeno]

Thanks for elaborating on the Loop volume. I made that mistake last night. Good Tip and video, for me.

[@jasonstallworth]

You're welcome...yeah, I've screwed up a few times like that! Lol I now have the Ditto X4 and will be making a video on that one soon!

[@jasoncagle3079]

Good stuff. I actually just broke down and got one for my acoustic gigs after years of refusing to try one. Hardest thing I'm having trouble with is starting and stopping the loop timing wise so I can play a 2nd rhythm part over the first. Takes some practice!

[@jasonstallworth]

Man, I upgraded a while ago the Ditto X4. I have a video on that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKZfZR8pd6Lo7c

[@jasoncagle3079]

@@jasonstallworth Been playing around with the original but I may have to upgrade as well.

[@Gator198l]

A quick note, the Pod GO looper has 40 seconds max in mono, 80 seconds if set to half speed. The stereo time is 20 seconds in full speed, 40 seconds on half speed. Hope this helps.

[@jasonstallworth]

Thank you! I'm actually planning to use an external looper (getting the Ditto X2 that has a dedicated stop). This way I don't have to toggle back and forth so much with the POD Go Singing and playing is tough enough for me! lol, so I need to minimize the amount of stomps!

[@tomflynn2912]

Looping has been a mystery to me, thanks Jason!

[@jasonstallworth]

I’m definitely not a pro at it!

[@Emily_M81]

I used to use a Boomerang, made right here in Texas nearby where I live lol. It was overkill for me and my busking dreams XD But now I have a looper on my Zoom B6 :D Looping is a lot of fun; I have a MIDI foot pedal that I can actually use to make my DAW Bitwig a huge looper LOL.

[@jasonstallworth]

Loopers are cool to play around with and it’s a great way to work on your timing overall!

[@TheTimeProphet]

A guitarist I know does live gigs and he pre-records his backing tracks. He plays rhythm and when he goes into lead the backing track takes over. He uses a click track in his ear to keep time as well. I have been looking into the best way of doing this myself. PS. Your Sandals Rock

[@jasonstallworth]

I considered doing that and actually started to at one point. It’s just time consuming and I didn’t want to put that much time into cover songs. Plus I was really on the fence about playing to tracks like that.

[@dprice5280]

That’s guitar karaoke when you use Pre recorded tracks

[@TheTimeProphet]

@@dprice5280 Not really the backing tracks very often only have the bass and drums, and the rhythm only comes in when he plays his lead section. It would be impossible to play all those at the same time.

[@vinkybong]

Are you still only using one powered 1000 watt bt speaker or did you ever upgrade to two ? Is the ev1000bt holding up well.... I got a tone deq because of your videos... and it's great... I still need a PA. Looking at the EV 1000 bt or whatever that you recommended... is one of these speakers enough for small venues ?

[@jasonstallworth]

I’ve been using 2 for a while now. Same speaker and they sound really nice. But one is plenty for small venues!

[@techmundane3890]

Just bought one to play at my church. Great review

[@jasonstallworth]

Oh I think these are perfect for church!

[@tomusic8887]

Good call I tried it a week ago very awkward the double tap makes it to hard to get back without bumps to normal....my thoughts exactly!

[@jasonstallworth]

I'm using the Ditto X4 now, which has the dedicated stop. It's sooooo much easier and smoother to use! The only thing I'll say is that I wish I had gotten the X2 instead (found the X4 pre-owned for a good price, so I picked it up...I like it but it's a bit overkill on features for me)

[@riffingt0n]

If you hold the button on the second tap of a double-click, does it both stop (instantly) and delete (due to hold) the loop? That might be an end-around for anyone using this pedal. I ended up moving on from the ditto loopers after a bit, but they're great to start with.

[@jasonstallworth]

I ended up getting the Ditto X4 and have been using that since. There are some things I don't like about it but its been working for me, and much better than the original with one button! I've got a recent video on the X4 here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKZfZR8pd6Lo7c

[@CapoTripps]

Hey man, solid advice at the end about one click stop.

[@jasonstallworth]

It makes a huge difference! Here’s a video on the Ditto X4 with the stop: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoKZfZR8pd6Lo7csi=zeL3O7lPEm__v-eb

[@CapoTripps]

@jasonstallworth ended up going with a used Ditto X2. Game changer. Thanks Brother!

[@DarkerSideOfDawn]

Thank you for this I just bought me first looper . Probably should have seen this first but I’ll grow into it. I have the ditto stereo looper Only problem is I brought it home to realize they never mentioned the connectors I would need. Lol So I gotta get some . Any idea what they are called? I’m getting ready to start doing these type of gigs. I had been doing an acoustic duo & friends thing so my experience with tech was zero. I’m a work in progress . I’ve got a cute little fender passport. I have a couple of acoustic guitars but I just got my first ax two days ago so I’m psyched lol

[@jasonstallworth]

Awesome and glad this helped! I actually upgraded to the Ditto X4. I really want that dedicated stop button which has come in handy. Looping is definitely a different animal and it just takes time and practice!

[@markwhitehead9084]

Yo! I just got into looping and it sounds great using a clean sound but trying a distorted sound the loops drowned each other out. Are they only for clean ideas or do I need a more expensive model? Thanks for any information ✌️

[@jasonstallworth]

It depends on your guitar source. I use the POD Go for my guitar tones and have the looper places in front of that (Board > Looper > POD Go > Guitar). This way you can loop a clean sound, change patches and play a distorted lead over it.

[@jackloganbill605]

Love your acoustic gig clip, but man it's hard to play over the roar of conversation!!!!! Great video, thanks for sharing!!

[@jasonstallworth]

Dude thank you…I’m hoping to start record by some of my shows direct (this particular venue is packed and loud!!) It’s a lot to take on as a solo act but I’ll figure it out!

[@jackloganbill605]

@@jasonstallworth I live in Orlando, if you have a schedule of your "play dates" let me know...

[@jasonstallworth]

@@jackloganbill605 Absolutely, dude! Make sure you're following my FB page because I post my gig schedules there: facebook.com/jasonstallworthmetal

[@DutchDiederik]

@@jasonstallworth If you want to record your gigs, the Zoom Q2n-4K is worth looking into. It's a compact, high quality audio-focused video camera. Really amazing little device for musicians.

[@ShineDawg]

Dude, I'm in the area! How would it be best to follow where you're playing? I wanna come out and say hi brother!

[@jasonstallworth]

Definitely man! I post my gigs on FB: facebook.com/jasonstallworthmetal My next gig is at Bootlegger’s Brewing Friday Oct 1, 7-10

[@wo0dy62]

Great off metal topic. Still a great topic worth mentioning. I have a boss looper that has more fucntona than I will ever use. Frankly kind of too confusing and don't use it much for that fact. Thanks for the info

[@jasonstallworth]

Yeah man some of those loopers are pretty confusing!! I do like the TB Electronic version (Jam Man X2) with the dedicated stop button! And only 2 buttons, so it’s still fairly simple

[@glenmcarroll]

Great stuff thanks

[@jasonstallworth]

🙏🏻

[@philw8049]

You ever considered something like the TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 Extreme? That is specifically designed for looping and has tons of built in effects for both voice and guitar. It is considerably more costly than a basic looper but offers far more versatility. I opted for the voicelive play acoustic but I don’t do pro gigs either just for my own enjoyment I still may bump up to the Extreme (or something like it if there is better) if I ever do decide to start playing out.

[@jasonstallworth]

Yes I have a friend that uses an earlier version of that for gigs. I thought that was just for vocals and didn’t realize it was also a looper…I need to read up on that! Thank you

[@darrenwoolley51]

Innit crappy how guitar stuff has really really un- long names to drag us in, it's like they think all guitarists have had an academic education!!

[@ronswary]

Got a (9)channel looper use it a lot for working solos out against chords

[@jasonstallworth]

I do need to get something that has a little more power for this! We’re playing out 2-3x a month now

[@ronswary]

@@jasonstallworth LEKATO looper 🤘🏻 and it’s a mini pedal

[@jasonstallworth]

@@ronswary I would like a looper that had a one-push off switch, if that makes sense. I’ve been looking at several last night and today

[@ronswary]

@@jasonstallworth oh yea counting clicks is no fun lol

[@davidwarren5785]

Dude, your ToneDeq has a boost you can use for leads. You can dial in between 3 to 9 dbs.

[@jasonstallworth]

Yes, you can definitely boost for leads. However, when using the looper you still would need another pedal to get a different (or boosted) sound after the looper. If you record a loop, then click the boost button on the Fishman, then that's going to boost the loop.

[@davidwarren5785]

@@jasonstallworth Have you confirmed this ? I would think the recorded signal already within the looper after the ToneDeq isn't going back through the ToneDeq when you step on the boost switch.

[@jasonstallworth]

@@davidwarren5785 yep, it records that signal but it’s using the sound going into to pedal. So if you want a different sound on top of the loop, that effect has to be placed after the looper. But I believe the loopers built in to units like the POD Go work differently allowing you to record the loop and change patches for a different sound

[@kevinmcnally-theblindguyou7015]

I use my Ditto X2 - works very well

[@jasonstallworth]

I upgraded to the Ditto X4 but I should have gotten the X2. I just wanted that dedicated stop button and the X4 is a bit much for me.

[@MrD3000]

This video makes me want to move to Florida.

[@jasonstallworth]

It’s a cool place!

[@dlm425]

Just got this pedal but when i tap record my guitar cuts out I'm using a 120 v power supply not sure any thoughts

[@jasonstallworth]

My signal path is this: I run my guitar into my processor (POD Go), and processor into the looper, then looper into a channel on the soundboard. Hopefully that helps

[@ShineDawg]

Can you teach me how to sing, vocal lessons? I'm a 40 something who wants to ad vocals to my playing

[@jasonstallworth]

Man, I’ve never given vocal lessons and I’m probably not the best person for that.

[@gergemall]

Thx

[@jasonstallworth]

🙏🏻

[@freddiebowers1125]

I got the Grand Canyon but I feel like its time get off or it starts t sound mumbled up the longer it plays

[@jasonstallworth]

This is really the only looper I've ever used. I now have the Ditto X4 and need to make a video on that soon

[@dimahunter1797]

I advise you to look at some reviews about NUX JTC pedal, you will be impressed. It has drums also but focus at looper functions, they are better then Ditto

[@jasonstallworth]

I’ll check that out, thank you!

[@dimahunter1797]

@@jasonstallworth take a look at the main feature for me. We may start recording with NUX JTC by 2 ways: 1. Like a Ditto, start recording by tap and playing. We must do it in 1 time all together and I don't like it. 2. You may tap recording button before and the pedal will be waiting for your playing. It may recognize the signal from your guitar. And this is best for me. This is very important for life view.

[@jasonstallworth]

@@dimahunter1797 I also see TC Electronics has another version of the Ditto that has a true stop button on it, and that's mainly what I'm looking for.

[@darrenwoolley51]

Hey man, just an observation thing, noticing your background Posters, nowadays album art is almost non existent... So you should know that I really love the art work in your vid clips bro, yeah I miss that!!!, Manys a time I've bought a really crap album cos I used to judge a band by the album cover, (ahh the teen yrs). I used to wait so impatiently for a glimpse of my favourite bands album art, loved Iron maiden/Metallica/Megadeth for that, Slayer's would make my gut turn, not gonna mention Cannibal corpse, oh damn I done gone and mentioned them!!. Lol

[@jasonstallworth]

Thank you! I do need to get some posters made for my own album artwork!

[@Luisram956comics]

🤘🔥🤘 great review.

[@jasonstallworth]

🙏🏻🤘

[@amanontheland7892]

Looper goes last in the chain.

[@jasonstallworth]

Yes, but if you want a different tone or sound to play over the loop, you have to place that effect after the looper pedal. The looper doesn't actually record the tone, only that signal. So if you change any settings or effects placed before the loop during the loop, it's going to pick those up.

[@amanontheland7892]

@@jasonstallworth With the loop at the end you can record with reverb for example. When you finish recording and the looper is in playback. You can turn off the reverb, and your loop will still have reverb because you recorded it...then while your reverb'ed loop is still playing you can turn on fuzz and solo over the plain old reverb recording and your solo will only have fuzz effect. Putting the looper first is limiting your looping options, in other words you can only record the plain sound of the guitar. I hope this helps. Check other looping YT vids, they all say looper is last...for the reason I described.

[@jasonstallworth]

@@amanontheland7892 I will definitely play around with this some more

[@DutchDiederik]

Great video. Thank you.

[@jasonstallworth]

🙏🏻