This kind of technique was first invented in 1963 using two reel to reel tape decks for a Terry Riley performance in Paris. Riley aptly called it a time-lag accumulator. Later used by Fripp and Eno and extensively by Danna and Clement.
Yea, the organic methods that were used by what at the time were called New Age, now Ambient, creators is incredible. Many things like running a tape thru two machines playing and rerecording were done in rock as well. George Martin and the Beatles getting too much credit. But they were the biggest, most well known to create effects. It's just easier to lump credit their way. We used to make Arts n' Farts parodies using some of the technhques. Ah, fun with friends.
Watched the video and now I have a dd-20 on the way. Watched again with my son, and now he has a new set of lego on the way. My wife told me to watch it a third time... Good job dude, really enjoyed it!
Matt, this is lovely. Thank you. Each sound/drone/loop you demonstrated was compelling, but when you added the Julia vibrato, my heart leapt. I love that sound so much.
Isotherme Music Ah thanks so much man, means a lot! I love that sound too, just had to throw it in here even though this originally was just going to be basically a drone vid.
I do the same with DD20! It's the pedal I will never sell because it can create loops with exact bpm up to 23 seconds. Pan is the super stereo mode that always surprises me... Love your video!!!!
Hey man, really great stuff. I've been using this technique for years utilizing it in combination with my favorite program for ambient composition Samplr for iOS. The thing I love about Samplr's delay is that you can use this technique you've wonderfully demonstrated here, but the delay time also directly corresponds to a tempo you can set. So you can paint with these incredible sound on sound textures with beautiful little details. For example a 120 bpm loop will repeat for 2 bars of sound on sound looping time. The issue is it can't process incoming audio directly, it has to be recorded or imported in before it can be looped. For awhile now I've looked for a hardware delay pedal that has this kind of functionality. I find loopers really unreliable for this kind of work because no matter how skilled you are it's always microseconds off on the timing. For ambient music this less of an issue, but for someone like myself that makes beat driven ambient music it's problematic. I see this is capable of delay times of up to 23 seconds. My question is if you can set the delay time in conjunction with the tempo in order to get precise sound on sound repeats?
Hey thanks! If I'm understanding you correctly, I *think* that would work with the DD-20, as you can in fact set delay time by BPM rather than seconds/milliseconds. But in a sound-on-sound context with longer delay times, you're likely looking at a tempo of like 60bpm or even slower, to the whole note subdivision (as in, one repeat every four beats at 60bpm). In that case, it'd probably be prudent to have a click running in your DAW or something at 2x or 4x the tempo so you have a better sense of time as you play. So yeah, it can be done, but tbh I might suggest alternatively looking at a looper like the EHX 1440 or above, that can sync tempo via MIDI (though I don't personally have experience with any of those).
Love this dude! Especially the bit where you tweak the delay time and it kinda of glitches out and then keeps repeating that glitch. I’ve done that before on the ps-3 but it can only do 2 s of delay. I really dig how even though it doesn’t stick to a particular meter your ear still tries to find a rhythm.
Thanks man! Definitely a favorite trick of mine, though in retrospect it was probably a big oversight of mine that the DD-20 has much longer delay times than most pedals (oops).
This was probably my favourite thing to do with a cheap Zoom processor (which had 5 sec delay)! I've been wondering - is there a simple way to stop adding sounds to delay, but to keep it sounding as I play along with it (same as you can do with any looper)? Or I need to split the signal somehow to achieve that? Or I can do it with a basic looper pedal? Won't a looper cut phrases at the end of a loop?
Yeah! With the DD-20 you can just hit the bypass footswitch and it will keep going since it's a buffered effect with trails. But it also works with a looper-with this kind of ambient looping you can just record a length of silence first, which lets you loop things that overlap the loop start without cutting off.
@@ambienttrash5234 Thanks for the answer! Yep, just found a couple of videos on "an empty loop technique". Problem solved) Oh, nice, the bypass. I really should consider both options.
Thank you! I believe that was all in A, but in any case I have a couple bits of advice on that: 1) keep it simple. Less is definitely more when you're layering a lot of phrases over one loop. And 2) move slowly, listen, and be more reactive. I think of a loop as a full track in itself and usually think about balancing elements within it; there may be a "bass" track, a "melody", some texture, etc. And when I'm listening and recording, I'm listening for opportunities to add something that fits well. Might be a quick melodic phrase to fill a gap, or a counterpoint to an existing melodic line, etc., with the ultimate goal that it all kind of blends together into a single thought. Hope that helps!
Hey, I’m not really familiar with the DD-20 but I own several Boss and other brand delays. My question regarding the DD-20 is, does it not self oscillate when you put the repeats at max as other delay pedals usually do? Because watching this video really made me reconsider to get a DD-20 for this feedback loop feature you did. Thank you for the marvelous video. I hope you can help straighten me.
Glad you liked it! The DD-20 generally doesn't self-oscillate. The Analog mode will do it a bit with the feedback maxed, but otherwise you just get infinite repeats. The one exception would be Tape mode, though, which does fully decay over time.
Thanks! Don't remember specifically, but I generally noodle around major/minor 7 and 9 chords in A and E. Play around those scales and arpeggios and you'll probably find your way there
Never played the 200 but I did have a 500 for a bit-I assume the sounds are about the same and feel like the fidelity is better, but that's gonna be a matter of preference. Other than that, the 200 is probably "better" if you want a smaller footprint, MIDI, (probably) a better buffer, etc. DD-20 gets much longer delay times though and all the controls are on the face, which might be stronger selling points for some folks, so it just depends on your needs
In this vid I'm just using the DD-20. With infinite feedback, the repeats never fade out, so it effectively becomes a looper where the delay time is the loop length. You can of course do all of this with a normal looper-I just like the kind of unpredictable nature of using an arbitrary delay time with the DD-20 (plus it's awesome in stereo!)
This kind of technique was first invented in 1963 using two reel to reel tape decks for a Terry Riley performance in Paris. Riley aptly called it a time-lag accumulator. Later used by Fripp and Eno and extensively by Danna and Clement.
Yea, the organic methods that were used by what at the time were called New Age, now Ambient, creators is incredible. Many things like running a tape thru two machines playing and rerecording were done in rock as well. George Martin and the Beatles getting too much credit. But they were the biggest, most well known to create effects. It's just easier to lump credit their way. We used to make Arts n' Farts parodies using some of the technhques. Ah, fun with friends.
P.S. Thanks for the good informative video. Ones like this one provide a real service and help the economy.
Watched the video and now I have a dd-20 on the way. Watched again with my son, and now he has a new set of lego on the way. My wife told me to watch it a third time... Good job dude, really enjoyed it!
dmtr h. Thanks so much! Glad ya liked it, the DD-20 is seriously one of the best bang-for-buck pedals out there. Enjoy it!
@@ambienttrash5234 how much did it cost back then?
a year later-that still makes me laugh
Matt, this is lovely. Thank you. Each sound/drone/loop you demonstrated was compelling, but when you added the Julia vibrato, my heart leapt. I love that sound so much.
Isotherme Music Ah thanks so much man, means a lot! I love that sound too, just had to throw it in here even though this originally was just going to be basically a drone vid.
The DD20 indeed is a unique alternative to a looper. No cuts.Great for spacey soundscapes!
I do the same with DD20! It's the pedal I will never sell because it can create loops with exact bpm up to 23 seconds. Pan is the super stereo mode that always surprises me... Love your video!!!!
man, that's such a great technique, i'll surelly use this live, got a dd-20 last week
Love it dude! I like the concept and of COURSE the vibes! Keep it up!
Erik Hall Thanks man! Lots to learn, lots to be made.
Hey man, really great stuff. I've been using this technique for years utilizing it in combination with my favorite program for ambient composition Samplr for iOS.
The thing I love about Samplr's delay is that you can use this technique you've wonderfully demonstrated here, but the delay time also directly corresponds to a tempo you can set. So you can paint with these incredible sound on sound textures with beautiful little details. For example a 120 bpm loop will repeat for 2 bars of sound on sound looping time.
The issue is it can't process incoming audio directly, it has to be recorded or imported in before it can be looped.
For awhile now I've looked for a hardware delay pedal that has this kind of functionality. I find loopers really unreliable for this kind of work because no matter how skilled you are it's always microseconds off on the timing. For ambient music this less of an issue, but for someone like myself that makes beat driven ambient music it's problematic.
I see this is capable of delay times of up to 23 seconds. My question is if you can set the delay time in conjunction with the tempo in order to get precise sound on sound repeats?
Hey thanks! If I'm understanding you correctly, I *think* that would work with the DD-20, as you can in fact set delay time by BPM rather than seconds/milliseconds. But in a sound-on-sound context with longer delay times, you're likely looking at a tempo of like 60bpm or even slower, to the whole note subdivision (as in, one repeat every four beats at 60bpm).
In that case, it'd probably be prudent to have a click running in your DAW or something at 2x or 4x the tempo so you have a better sense of time as you play. So yeah, it can be done, but tbh I might suggest alternatively looking at a looper like the EHX 1440 or above, that can sync tempo via MIDI (though I don't personally have experience with any of those).
Sounds incredible, now I want a DD20 haha
Found this incredibly helpful. Just starting out on my Guitar Ambient journey. Soaking up as many ideas as possible. 🙏
Ah so glad to hear that! Enjoy the journey, friend
Love this dude! Especially the bit where you tweak the delay time and it kinda of glitches out and then keeps repeating that glitch. I’ve done that before on the ps-3 but it can only do 2 s of delay. I really dig how even though it doesn’t stick to a particular meter your ear still tries to find a rhythm.
Thanks man! Definitely a favorite trick of mine, though in retrospect it was probably a big oversight of mine that the DD-20 has much longer delay times than most pedals (oops).
Beautiful !
This is awesome! Loved every bit!
Thanks so much, glad to hear it!
Very cool. Thanks for sharing.
Instant sub. Great tutorial.
Thanks so much, glad ya liked it!
awesome!
This was probably my favourite thing to do with a cheap Zoom processor (which had 5 sec delay)! I've been wondering - is there a simple way to stop adding sounds to delay, but to keep it sounding as I play along with it (same as you can do with any looper)? Or I need to split the signal somehow to achieve that? Or I can do it with a basic looper pedal? Won't a looper cut phrases at the end of a loop?
Yeah! With the DD-20 you can just hit the bypass footswitch and it will keep going since it's a buffered effect with trails. But it also works with a looper-with this kind of ambient looping you can just record a length of silence first, which lets you loop things that overlap the loop start without cutting off.
@@ambienttrash5234 Thanks for the answer! Yep, just found a couple of videos on "an empty loop technique". Problem solved)
Oh, nice, the bypass. I really should consider both options.
Beautiful!!! What key are you using in the 1:30 min? And please... Any tips to build those arpeggios? I really love your content
Thank you! I believe that was all in A, but in any case I have a couple bits of advice on that:
1) keep it simple. Less is definitely more when you're layering a lot of phrases over one loop. And 2) move slowly, listen, and be more reactive. I think of a loop as a full track in itself and usually think about balancing elements within it; there may be a "bass" track, a "melody", some texture, etc. And when I'm listening and recording, I'm listening for opportunities to add something that fits well. Might be a quick melodic phrase to fill a gap, or a counterpoint to an existing melodic line, etc., with the ultimate goal that it all kind of blends together into a single thought. Hope that helps!
Hey, I’m not really familiar with the DD-20 but I own several Boss and other brand delays. My question regarding the DD-20 is, does it not self oscillate when you put the repeats at max as other delay pedals usually do? Because watching this video really made me reconsider to get a DD-20 for this feedback loop feature you did. Thank you for the marvelous video. I hope you can help straighten me.
Glad you liked it! The DD-20 generally doesn't self-oscillate. The Analog mode will do it a bit with the feedback maxed, but otherwise you just get infinite repeats. The one exception would be Tape mode, though, which does fully decay over time.
Awesome sounds in this demo, do you remember what chords you used in the opening loop , and also the one at 0:55?
Thanks! Don't remember specifically, but I generally noodle around major/minor 7 and 9 chords in A and E. Play around those scales and arpeggios and you'll probably find your way there
Do you know if the new Boss DD 200 is any better than DD20?
Never played the 200 but I did have a 500 for a bit-I assume the sounds are about the same and feel like the fidelity is better, but that's gonna be a matter of preference.
Other than that, the 200 is probably "better" if you want a smaller footprint, MIDI, (probably) a better buffer, etc. DD-20 gets much longer delay times though and all the controls are on the face, which might be stronger selling points for some folks, so it just depends on your needs
Are you using a looper or is the dd20 doing loop and delay?
In this vid I'm just using the DD-20. With infinite feedback, the repeats never fade out, so it effectively becomes a looper where the delay time is the loop length. You can of course do all of this with a normal looper-I just like the kind of unpredictable nature of using an arbitrary delay time with the DD-20 (plus it's awesome in stereo!)
👌... 🙌💞💕!!