Tap-A-Whirl ME?

[Cusack Effects]

I'm thinking of making a Rate-A-Whirl. It would be a simple version of the Tap-A-Whirl with just 3 waveforms, Rate, Volume and Depth. No Tap Tempo, or any of the other features. This would be for those who think the Tap-A-Whirl is too complicated. If I put it in a Small box without Tap Tempo, would people buy it? What three waveforms? Square and Sine (Yes I would make it assymetrical), but what for the third? Ramp?

[Red Jumpsuit]

Thats a cool idea! Probably appeals to a larger customer base and yet it doesn't affect the niche that the original tap-a-whirl fills.

[fatback]

Sounds like a cool idea. Sine, square, and triangle are the big three, but I'm sure you could throw something a little more interesting in there.

[Last Nerve]

I think it is worth exploring! :)

[iggs]

Great idea but I would still miss tap tempo ... if it still had tap tempo but no programming features and only 3 waveforms, I think it would rawk!

Now ... what would be really cool if it would have a tone control to brighten or darken the tone of throb. Red Witch tremolo has something of sorts with the "bottom" control.

[starfish]

I recommend you keep the tap tempo but add the rate knob too. This seems to answer the complaint most have with the TAW, that it doesn't also have a rate knob. Never bothered me! But I would consider downsizing since I almost exclusively use your great sounding sine wave and rarely touch the others. Please make the sine wave one of the three waveforms. I've been in a downsizing mood lately. Moved to a Pedaltrain 2! The TAW is on there. A smaller footprint with the features you described would be killer!

Sign me up for beta testing and/or a tourbox!!! :)

Any crazy remote chance of cramming in a stereo panning feature? This would also make it worth owning both the TAW and RAW for many of us. A tap tempo stereo pan would be insane!

[mr.mattphisto]

Rate-A-Whirl would be awesome!

[Cusack Effects]

Oh yeah, the new TAW will probably have an external Volume, maybe a "Whiner" Knob (Rate), and if I can fit it, maybe stereo panning too? Tap-A-Whirl 2, Electric Boogaloo!

[iggs]

From what I understand, right now, the tap tempo is set by the last two taps ... any way to make the tempo be set by the average time of taps?

That would make it much easier to tap tempo vs. it being dependent on the accuracy of last two taps.

[Cusack Effects]

It sounds simple, and in theory is is simple to average taps. The issue is how do I ("I" being the software I have to write), know when you are "done". In other words, if you tap three times, and then pause and then tap a fourth, should I average the the last 4, which would totaly srew your tempo.

I did alot of research, and found a few things:

Your first two taps are almost always WRONG. (I had multiple drummers try, and in two taps, they could not get within 5 of a 110 tempo.) But if you tap four times, by the fourth tap, your tempo is usually pretty good. So what I recommend is to tap at least four times, or keep tapping beyond that if you don't feel it.

If I average the four taps, your tempo would be off by 2-3 (On a 110 tempo), but if I use the last two taps, you will be easily within 1. Again, the first few taps are almost always wrong.

I'm probably giving away too many secrets here, but if you don't know how to optimise your tapping, you can't optimize your pedals. This concept applies to ALL tap tempo pedals.

Try it, you'll like it!

Jon

[iggs]

It sounds simple, and in theory is is simple to average taps. The issue is how do I ("I" being the software I have to write), know when you are "done". In other words, if you tap three times, and then pause and then tap a fourth, should I average the the last 4, which would totaly srew your tempo.

I did alot of research, and found a few things:

Your first two taps are almost always WRONG. (I had multiple drummers try, and in two taps, they could not get within 5 of a 110 tempo.) But if you tap four times, by the fourth tap, your tempo is usually pretty good. So what I recommend is to tap at least four times, or keep tapping beyond that if you don't feel it.

If I average the four taps, your tempo would be off by 2-3 (On a 110 tempo), but if I use the last two taps, you will be easily within 1. Again, the first few taps are almost always wrong.

I'm probably giving away too many secrets here, but if you don't know how to optimise your tapping, you can't optimize your pedals. This concept applies to ALL tap tempo pedals.

Try it, you'll like it!

Jon

Thanks Jon, that's great info!

[soli528]

Oh yeah, the new TAW will probably have an external Volume, maybe a "Whiner" Knob (Rate), and if I can fit it, maybe stereo panning too? Tap-A-Whirl 2, Electric Boogaloo!
I love a Breakin' reference. http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1995_breakdancing.gif (http://www.clipartof.com/)
A possible simpler altenative to the stereo thing would just be to add a dry output, then you could modulate the throbs anyway you like to feed a wet mix while keeping your dry sound...

BTW, I've got a Tap-A-Phase arriving today and I couldn't be more excited. Complicated shomplicated. :AOK