Routing on the Sheeran Looper X is a little different from most looper pedals just by virtue of all it's inputs and outputs, and there's going to be many scenarios where you're not using a straightforward Input #-to-Track #-to-Output # setup.
To start, let's go into the Audio Routing by going into the Menu, then tapping the Audio Routing icon from the selections at the bottom center.
For initial setup, we're going to want to go into the Track tab, which is where inputs are assigned to each track and outputs are sent from each track.
Track
By default, everything routed everywhere at once when you first start using the board. The reason for that is that if you wanted to start by looping guitar and vocals to a track at the same time, you'd be able to do so without even touching the screen.
If looping in Band, Song or Sync mode, I would recommend leaving your primary instrument recording to every track. Note that it will not record to every track at once, it will only record to whichever track is armed on the footswitches; but having the ability to go to every track will be key to setting up different sections at once in these modes.
In addition, note the Mono-Stereo toggle under the Output. Stereo groups the XLR(1+2) and the 1/4(3+4) outputs together; which is fine in many situations, but if using a Multi Mode recording, you may want to route your guitar out to an amplifier or send your vocals out to a specific monitor; in that case splitting up a track to only send to one or two outputs can be beneficial(like on Track 3 in the picture above)
Finally, for more advanced users, tapping the click output off of you main outputs, turning off the backing track to your headphones(unless using in-ear monitors) and changing the monitor behavior can be beneficial for how you record. We will touch upon this a bit in troubleshooting. For now, please make sure your tracks are receiving the inputs you want them to receive and sending to the outputs you want them to send. Then let's go to the Input tab.
Input
On this screen, you're dealing with the direct monitored signal before it hits any effects. It is a powerful screen for troubleshooting, as it can tell you if your inputs are receiving signals and more information. Note on the left that if using a stereo input like a piano, you'll want to link the two inputs together using the Stereo Link on the left.
Adjusting levels for this screen will involve adjusting the input gain knobs on the face of the unit.
Also of note is the Dry Sends/Monitor area- This is a direct monitored signal from the input directly to the output. If for some reason you are seeing a signal in the input tab but not hearing anything, try sending a signal directly to the outputs to bypass the routing altogether; and if that is working you may have a routing problem within your track or FX.
Finally, let's touch upon the Output.
Output
While simple, please note that the output screen has these Level limiters that at default sit at 0dB. For outputs that may be quieter due to having a less powerful sound system or using a TS 1/4, they can be turned up in here to boost the full signal, though be careful- raising here is adding an element of gain. Turning up an output that already has a strong signal will result in clipping.
Troubleshooting
I am not getting any signal
In this case, you're going to want to make sure your main volume knob on the unit is turned up, then check your input levels and output levels. If you have input but no output, try checking a dry send. If you have output without input, you may have pre-loaded a track with audio, and not assigned your live instrument to any tracks. If you have levels on both input and output but no sound coming out; you may want to check your physical connections in your setup.
My FX rack is not recording to my tracks
While we did not go over FX racks in this guide, please make sure that your FX Racks are set to Pre if you wish to have your effects written to your audio as it's being recorded; otherwise changes to the FX Rack will change the Track's audio. In addition, please make sure the Track you want to write the effects to has the FX rack applied.
A word on Live Signal: Live signals Auto vs. On can get a little confusing, so let's break this down- Let's say in a scenario, you have Input 1 set to go to Tracks 1 and 2. When set to Auto, the track is only monitored when the track is on. The FX Rack for that track applies while that track is active, and the signal is turned off when the track is turned off.
On is a little different; whether that track is on or off, recording or not, playing or not, the signal going through the Track's FX rack is on, and the signal from the input is just running through it. For example, say Track 1 you had a high distortion FX Rack for guitar and on Track 2 you had a clean guitar coming in for rhythm. If Track 1 was set to On and Track 2 was set to Auto, you would go to record and Track 1 would record the distorted guitar exclusively. When you go over to track 2, you'd be able to monitor the distorted guitar while only recording the clean guitar.
What is this useful for? Let's say you were in Multi mode and you laid out your accompaniment across the 4 tracks, had finished singing and now wanted to do some instrumental work. Live Signal On would allow you to keep that FX saturated sound for jamming out without needing to record or arm a track to record in this scenario.
Can FX Racks allow me to put a Volume Expression Pedal to my input?
In this case, FX racks are applied to tracks, and as such they will not apply directly to an input, especially if dry sending.
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