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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Ok, ok, ok...I admit I was skeptical, but the iDea preamp is FUN! And a lot easier to use than I thought it would be.
I have the OFC II 2080 with the OP Pro. I pulled the OP Pro, and simply did a one-for-one replacement with the iDea.
Started playing right away through a small Crate amp, and it worked just fine.
Played and jammed with some of the included MP3 tracks. Worked just fine, and was a lot of fun.
Recorded my own tracks with which to jam, and it worked just fine and was a lot of fun. Played 'em back through the amp and/or headphones. No hitches.
Haven't explored all the features, but I was surprised at how easy it is to use and to get used to.
I'm a computer geek (among other things), so I know user interfaces. Usually, when you have to put a lot of functions into a small place (the iDea preamp, for example), the user interface suffers and it becomes intimidatingly difficult to learn, retain and make useful. Not in this case! As long as you remember one simple rule: "the "joystick" can back you out of ALMOST everything" you'll be just fine.
Playback is quite nice. Directly through your amp -- along with your accompaniment, or through the included earbuds -- also with your accompaniment. In this way, it acts like a limited loop stattion, and is just EXCELLENT for capturing your musical ideas. This last is, of course, its primary advertised purpose.
Haven't hooked it up with the computer yet, but I suspect that will be a breeze. I say this, because I suspect that, like most mp3 playback devices, my Visat operating system will siomply recognize the preamp as another drive. simple.
No criticisms, but I'm guessing that the 100 or so mb of storage could prove very slightly limiting, in that it might be more useful to be able to cart hundreds of one's own compositions around, rather than (guessing here) dozens.
However, let's face it, for its ADVERTISED purpose, it's a home run!
I got mine as part of the Buy-A-High-End-Guitar-Get-A-Free-iDea-Preamp" promotion. As mentioned above, I bought the OFC II 2080. Sweet! Both the iDea and the 2080 get high marks from me!
Thanks, Ovation!
Any other experiences with the iDea? |
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Joined:
December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Question: Will the iDea play a backing track in the memory AND also record your improvisation at the same time as a separate mp3 file? |
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August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | I've used it to records some backing tracks so I can noodle around with scales. I also used it to record a sample of the Eric Bibb song I figured out for Muzza. Transferring it to the computer was exactly as you described Alan - plug and play. |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
Question: Will the iDea play a backing track in the memory AND also record your improvisation at the same time as a separate mp3 file? Hey, Tim! Good question. I don't know about that. Sounds as though you're asking whether it will record, then RE-record as you play backing track(s) and solo(es), so that eventually you have a multi-part piece of music, not just a two-parter.
If that's the case, as long as it can record AND SAVE two parts, then I would figure it can do the same for more parts.
After all, you just lay down a track, play (and record) with it, save it. Now your track is really two tracks. Just repeat the process to add more parts.
However, I'm not sure if it can do the play and record two parts thing. I know it can do ONE part and let you playh back with it quite nicely.
You may need a looper for the multi-part pieces.
I use the Roland one. I forgot model #, but it works nicely. You can record layer after layer, and it's kinda cool.
Of course, you have to have the means to play it back so it's not muddy. My litle Crate isn't up to that task at all!
I could be wrong about the iDea. I haven't explored ALL the fueatures. I'll keep you posted as I find out more. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
Question: Will the iDea play a backing track in the memory AND also record your improvisation at the same time as a separate mp3 file? NO. Play OR Record - not both.
To do this I just move the recorded MP3 to my computer and play it back routing the output into the AUX in of the iDea. It takes a few seconds between takes to move the file, but does allow you to layer on layer.
Btw, Miles recently added www.ideafordummies.com to the reference page. |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by CrimsonLake:
I've used it to records some backing tracks so I can noodle around with scales. I also used it to record a sample of the Eric Bibb song I figured out for Muzza. Transferring it to the computer was exactly as you described Alan - plug and play. Hi, Mike! Sweet! Does that also answer Tim's question in the affirmative?
P.S.:
Please say, "Hi!" to Nick and Amy from the Miner family! |
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April 2008
Posts: 1851
Location: Newington, CT | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
Question: Will the iDea play a backing track in the memory AND also record your improvisation at the same time as a separate mp3 file? NO. Play OR Record - not both.
To do this I just move the recorded MP3 to my computer and play it back routing the output into the AUX in of the iDea. It takes a few seconds between takes to move the file, but does allow you to layer on layer.
Btw, Miles recently added www.ideafordummies.com to the reference page. |
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Joined:
June 2009
Posts: 67
Location: Texas | I like the iDea preamp,visited the website and was sure user friendly,had no problem downloading jam tracks,Im still thinking how I could use it around here.........but anyway good stuff for sure.'
good luck |
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May 2009
Posts: 325
Location: Utica, NY | Does this pre-amp have a tuner that does not require one to have a jack plugged in to use it? |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by nervous:
Does this pre-amp have a tuner that does not require one to have a jack plugged in to use it? Sadly NO. You need to have "something" plugged in - 1/4 cable, XLR, Dummy Plug, or Headphones. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Originally posted by Tim in Tidewater:
Question: Will the iDea play a backing track in the memory AND also record your improvisation at the same time as a separate mp3 file? NO. Play OR Record - not both.
To do this I just move the recorded MP3 to my computer and play it back routing the output into the AUX in of the iDea. It takes a few seconds between takes to move the file, but does allow you to layer on layer.
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by The Wabbit Formerly Known As Waskel:
Dave, if your goal is to build a layered backing track wouldn't it be easier (and faster) to just build it by recording straight to the computer, then load the finished product into the iDea? [/QB] Yes, except I don't have my DAW software loaded on my PC at work. Yet. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | So you keep an iDea guitar at work? |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Not just ANY iDea guitar - the Koa 12 fret.
We all know that the best moments of inspiration come with the speaker phone on mute as a half dozen techno-knobs try to out dazzle each other with their brilliance. |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Wow. I think you're my new hero. |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
Not just ANY iDea guitar - the Koa 12 fret.
We all know that the best moments of inspiration come with the speaker phone on mute as a half dozen techno-knobs try to out dazzle each other with their brilliance. My family gets a big kick out of it when I'm sitting here on a conference call with 10 other people, I'm on mute and playing the guitar.
Not a bad way to make a living, eh? |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Still trying to figure out how it works :( |
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December 2005
Posts: 1234
Location: Tidal Mudflats of Virginia | Mine should be here this afternoon, can't wait to try it out. Just hope I can read the display without the glasses :) |
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Joined:
August 2006
Posts: 3145
Location: Marlton, NJ | Originally posted by AlanM:
Originally posted by CrimsonLake:
I've used it to records some backing tracks so I can noodle around with scales. I also used it to record a sample of the Eric Bibb song I figured out for Muzza. Transferring it to the computer was exactly as you described Alan - plug and play. Hi, Mike! Sweet! Does that also answer Tim's question in the affirmative?
P.S.:
Please say, "Hi!" to Nick and Amy from the Miner family! |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Don't laugh but what I probably do the most with it is leave the guitar at work and just bring the iDea home and load it up with a few regular MP3s (yes the preamp "works" out of the guitar) and then back at work I can strum along to my favorite tunes. Sorta like guitar karioki. |
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December 2008
Posts: 1456
Location: Texas | I like to use the iDea to lay down a chord progression and then set it to loop. This gives me an infinite amount of time to noodle around with playing leads. I have never been a great lead improviser, (and I'm still not,) but the iDea has helped me to improve quite a bit in a relatively short period of time.
Sure, there are many, many other ways to do this, but the iDea is so handy right there on top of the guitar, that it is almost effortless to do, and if the whim moves me while I am playing anywhere, anytime, I just push a couple buttons… Nice!
BTW, Alan, apparently you have added an OFC 2080 to your stable? Wow, you ARE the King of 2080's! How does the sound of the OFC special edition compare to the "stock" 2080? Care to give us a comparison/review?
Thanks! |
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April 2004
Posts: 103
Location: Verona,Italy | I'm intrigued...I think I'm gonna waste other money in this effort to record something good.
Any chances to make overdubs?Am I asking too much? |
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iDea preamp experience...
