Ortega Horse Kick Pro Review & Demo

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[@nickkellie]

I really got a kick out of this! Great demo and wonderful product

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thank you for the pun!

[@scottbecker3485]

Good one! Yeah, Aaron‘s review got us all off on the right foot, eh?

[@glisteningkabana8154]

That sounded super sweet! Very impressed. Love how you used it just in a chorus, or accent points. Thanks Aaron!

[@boryskowalewski7970]

Thanks Aaron for the review! Nice that you showed how to use it creatively and highlight some parts of your performance. Many other reviews on KZbin are quite uninspiring, you get a feeling they just got it out of the box and tried in front of a camera. Plus, they overuse those abysmal cowbell and tambourine samples that sound like straight from a 1992 Casio. In my opinion, the kick and cajon samples are the way to go. Nice to see that you actually know how to use it as a performing musician and allow us a sneak peek into it.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Borys! I try to test all products in a performance situation (either at a live show or a livestream show). This pedal has worked great for me and I think it sounds good!

[@matteocampostrini2770]

well, that guitar sounded just phenomenal!

[@aaronshortmusic]

An HD-28 with Baggs Anthem is a great combination.

[@theirishlassies7160]

Thank you for the review

[@makingmusiconline2309]

Great arrangement tips! Works even for standard acoustic stomp boxes. And I’m sorely tempted by the Ortega now :D

[@makingmusiconline2309]

For the tap tempo idea, I use the Digitech SDrum pedal.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Does it have ‘kick only’?

[@makingmusiconline2309]

@@aaronshortmusicI don't think so, never tried it for that :( and mine is packed up at the moment (house move)

[@robertlottmann]

A switch to lock the velocity would be cool.

[@tonybowen]

I’m gonna order one of these right now. Can’t wait to try it!

[@TheGoyogatta]

Just picked up A TC Electronics Loop Pedal. Planning to run the Kick Pro through the looper to relieve my calves as you alluded to in your video. I'll let you know how it works.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hey Gregg. It will work but you will have to record the guitar loop and then overdub the drum OR play sitting down so that you can hit record and the drum at the same time.

[@jstersam3676]

i would like to see blue tooth also be able to mix your horse kick sounds

[@Elvistico]

That 'automatic' feature you talk about does now exist with the laser stompbox by drumport. The only reason why I will not get it is that I love the simplicity of this AND what you can also do is tap your drum part in a looper and there you go:)

[@aaronshortmusic]

I have a review of the Drumport. It still doesn’t do it exactly how I want it to and it’s hard to create a loop while playing the drum.

[@caryheuchert]

Thank you for your review and performance. Very helpful😊

[@aaronshortmusic]

Thanks Cary!

[@joaoleiria3368]

Hi. Congrats for the video. I have the same stompbox. At first I had this thing that when I am playing it, it had to be on the same exact spot and same power otherwise it wont make ant sound. So I asked them to replace the product and it happens the same. Don't you feel that during your performances? You had that in this video demo. Minute 5'17. You 4st kick didn't make any sound!!!

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hi I didn’t notice. It is touch sensitive so if I hit it soft then the sound is softer. That takes some practice. The other option is to buy a drum that does not have touch sensitivity but then every sound will be the same like a drum machine.

[@xntricity6446]

Thanks for the demo, I am about to pick up one of these very cheaply. Can it go into a Hiz input or line input? If you know.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Either.

[@xntricity6446]

​@@aaronshortmusiccheers, thanks a mill

[@scottbecker3485]

Just ordered an Ortega QUANTUMLoop stompbox plus extra „Ex“ trigger box for the Bank B sounds. Should be an improvement over the single unit you reviewed, or even two of them, since it also offers simple looping, including removal and later reactivating of the last overdub. I intend to stomp in the basic beat with my left foot on the main stompbox (using a cajon bass sound or similar), and then maybe tambourine or rimshot or shaker using the extra trigger with my right foot, e.g. when the refrain comes, then remove that percussion at the end of the refrain, taking me back to the basic beat. When the next refrain rolls around, I‘ll just reactivate the percussion via the looper switch. This setup will replace my BeatBuddy (too much hassle setting things up and playing song parts) as well as my Roland SPD One Kick (which you apparently also dislike). The Roland is confusing with its two banks, and it‘s never clear which bank I‘m in. Also, the sensitivity knob keeps getting changed by mistake, and I find it triggers too readily when set to sensitive, and not readily enough when dialed back so it doesn‘t make a sound when I just bump into the mic stand or something. The Ortega should solve all my problems well. The only thing that remains to be seen is if one can actually start the looper AND start the rhythm stomping at the same time, without the looper missing that first downbeat. An old review illustrated this problem, so I hope they‘ve solved it in the firmware.

[@ZackPomerleau]

Have you had any issues with us responding? I’ve seen reviews claiming at the same volume hit it responds wildly different

[@scottbecker3485]

@@ZackPomerleau I ended up returning them. Didn’t like them much at all, much to my surprise. Instead, I got a Drumport StompTech Laser-Stomp 2-in-1.

[@ItsMe-ik8vj]

Hi Aaron. Thanks for the vid. I'm about to buy one of these. I generally stand up when playing/singing........do you think this pedal could work equally facing front or back so that sometimes you could play it with your heel, to help calf burn? And also, in terms of physical feet logistics........can you think of a way yet to be able to make a short loop with this pedal, as I also have a VL3X and switch 6, and would love to be able to make a quick beat that I could somehow loop through that and play over. Cheers.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Hey yes you could use it either way I’m sure. Regarding a loop you could connect it to the aux and as long as you have a count in and set bar length you could create a loop BUT the VL3 does have a metronome with a kick drum already. It’s not amazing but it’s there…

[@T5Zplayer]

You touched on the one thing that irritates the technology overhead for me, power supplies: have you looked at the rechargeable BoxKing power tank? No mains and hours of juice............Finhol do a pedal that kicks off from a stomp box in both manual and auto modes and has a wide range of drum rhythms.

[@aaronshortmusic]

I’ll check them out, thanks!

[@jasper_north]

Sorry for bumping this video again; How do I connect this to my acoustic amp (ACUS 8 FERDI)? I sing and pick acoustic guitar (D18/HD28) so do I need 2 or 3 inputs/outputs on my amp? Some say it is plugged in through the guitar? Bit confused here…

[@aaronshortmusic]

Some of these allow the guitar to plug in (saving an input) but I would rather have it plugged into its own input so that it is independently controlled from the guitar.

[@jasper_north]

@@aaronshortmusic thank you, yes thought so myself. AMP has 3 channels so I should be fine. AMP arriving in 2 weeks.

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@jasper_north 3 channels is perfect then.

[@micktmusic]

Where do you run it to your Tc mate ? I’ve got the same set up, TC Helicon Play Acoustic 🎸✌🏻

[@aaronshortmusic]

The ‘Aux In’ (mini stereo jack). I purchased a cable that is 1/4” mono to mini jack stereo.

[@tonybowen]

Hey man. What do you think about this vs the regular Donkey Kick? Is it just the multiple sounds? Is the cajon kick the standard on the regular DK?

[@aaronshortmusic]

There is an ‘Analog’ version but this is my favorite. Definitely get this one if you can.

[@jasper_north]

Aaron do you prefer this one over the Annalog version? Trying to make a decision between the two...

[@aaronshortmusic]

I like this one but I’ve worn a couple of them out now (I do play 4-6 shows per week). The Analog version may last longer since I imagine it has less parts. I am using a ‘Wild Dog’ Pup at the moment and will report on it when I have used it a little longer.

[@jasper_north]

@@aaronshortmusic Thanks. Just afraid that the Annalog will not sound bassy enough compared to the “digital” Horsekick version…

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@jasper_north I think the digital may sound better if I remember correctly.

[@fraserbrycelaing]

Can I put this through a regular guitar amp yeah? Want to put it through the auxiliary input of my fishman loudbox. Or do I need to buy a bass amp too?

[@aaronshortmusic]

You can use it with the loudbfx just fine. An amp with a larger speaker or a sub will have more 'kick' though!

[@maineguitarists]

Why not buy two of these and use your left and right feet to kick them. The 1 and 3 beats on the left, 2 and 4 on the right. It's only natural! MT

[@aaronshortmusic]

You can! They also make a version like this but obviously you would need to be seated to use it.

[@maineguitarists]

@@aaronshortmusic I am old and pretty shot lol. Anyway, due to some back issues, i play seated mostly anyway especially when playing instrumentals as a solo guitarist. What version would be able to play two separate things? thanks, tom

[@aaronshortmusic]

@@maineguitarists it’s this one plus the optional add-on pedal: ortegaguitars.com/en/products/quantumloop-m10801.html

[@JonathanWelle]

hey brother. good review. Your amazon affiliate link goes to buy a gift card tho.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yeah that link is generic. Anything you buy right after clicking the link will credit. Thanks for your support!

[@starke2908]

COW BELL

[@Bangbangetc]

play it thu distortion pedal

[@aaronshortmusic]

That would be interesting!

[@KirkLanier]

Have you checked out the Beat buddy pedal?

[@aaronshortmusic]

Yes I owned one and also the DigiTech SDrum. I prefer the simplicity of the Horse Kick right now.

[@KirkLanier]

@@aaronshortmusic You use it well.

[@aaronshortmusic]

Kirk Lanier Thabks Kirk. Honestly this thing adds so much for something so simple!

[@scottbecker3485]

Agree with Aaron on the simplicity of this (or any similar) stompbox. Have the BeatBuddy, and although it‘s fantastic in many ways, it always takes me away from the actual performing. First setting up songs and setlists (in the right and hopefully unchanging order), then remembering when to trigger which part of each song, needing an external footswitch to stop the thing so I don‘t have to double-tap it... It‘s just too much of a bother. Some folks have created „single-press“ songs for the BB, so one doesn‘t have to step through the various parts, but even to get those one needs to go online, look around, download, load them on the BB (via the not-so-inviting software), etc. With all that time spent, I‘d rather just play and sing. :-) I also found myself getting distracted by all the (admittedly great-sounding) drumset options for the BB, and deciding which drumset for which song. All and all it‘s a time killer, and for acoustic performances it can even be overkill, for why have a full drumset for that? It‘s a great product, for sure, but I prefer just stomping...and just ordered myself an Ortega QUANTUMlooper so I can even loop things. Should be fun.