TEST: Harley Benton Drum'n'Loop

 Everything was better before. It wasn't a damn thing, at least when it came to aids for the personal training program in terms of finger exercises etc. In the early days of my career, in a desperate move, I taught myself rudimentary drumming so that I could record tracks for myself that I could practice on. Drum computer, hard disk recording, loop libraries? Nothing at all, just an annoying metronome with the name Dr. Beat, that was fun.

Thanks to digital technology, such feats of strength are no longer an issue. In order to specifically “play with yourself” (roar!), loopers of all abilities open up a colorful mix of live performance and personal practice assistants, often with an internally installed drum computer. The Harley Benton Drum n'Loop is just such a looper, which is in the basic class and, with a retail price of 99.00 euros, remains below the three-digit retail price.

The triple lottery

It is probably well known that Harley Beton is one of the house brands of the Thomann music store. However, it is rather unusual that the same product is offered by three different manufacturers at the same time in exactly the same version. The Harley Benton Drum n'Loop is also available as Rowin Beat Loop and Fame Beat Loop, only the color version varies. Therefore, you choose color.

Concept and structure

As already mentioned, the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop has an internally built-in drum machine with 40 different drum beats, the speed of which can of course be changed. Up to 30 loops can be saved, with a loop length of up to 5 minutes. The total recording time is up to 50 minutes.

In addition to the looper itself, the scope of delivery also includes a double foot switch, a stereo connection cable and a micro USB cable. The Harley Benton Drum n'Loop receives its operating voltage via the USB cable; you won't find a power supply for stage use. Theoretically, you can of course also install your iPhone power supply or comparable 5V power supplies on your floorboard, but I can only advise against it in terms of road suitability.

The construction of the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop is quickly dealt with. In addition to 2 foot switches (Stop / Clear and Play / Record), the product has 2 endless controllers with push function for menu navigation. On the right side of the housing there is the input socket for the instrument as well as the connection socket for the supplied external foot switch, on the left side there are 2 jack outputs for a right/left stereo image. On the front side, in addition to the USB input and the connection socket for an external power supply, there is also a headphone output and an AUX in for playing external sound sources.

The built-in metal housing and the foot switches used make a very stable impression and suggest a long service life. When it comes to footwork, a little sensitivity may be required, as the multi-function endless controllers are in line with the foot switches and can cause an unwanted switching function through the tip of the foot if there is uncontrolled “kicking”. A metal protective bar would have served a useful function here.

handling

Word has probably gotten around about what a looper does, but with simple devices you need a good sense of rhythm in order to make the recorded loop run “smoothly” in the truest sense of the word. A non-circular loop takes away all the joy of playing, which is probably also responsible for the high return rate of the products. In the case of the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop, the built-in drum machine helps to keep the tempo and sounds a lot more varied than a metronome.

However, anyone who thinks that they can now replace an experienced drummer will unfortunately be disappointed. Unfortunately, the demands of the internal clock only make it to the lowest level, i.e. the quantization is extremely hard, the sounds generated are of the simplest design and there is no thought of dynamics in the sound. However, the drum machine serves well as a metronome replacement. To record a loop that matches the drum beat, you can either rely on your personal count-in, or you can use the external footswitch to set an intro after the recording starts automatically. The same footswitch can also initiate an outro or play fills in the loop.

Unfortunately, the originality of the interjections is also at the level of a first-generation solo entertainer. Not that they don't fulfill their function, but if you want to use the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop drum machine for a stage presentation or recording, you should think twice about it. The pure looper function, on the other hand, works perfectly, especially since the total of 4 foot switches available enable comprehensive recording management.

The concept of the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop is based exclusively on recording loop sequences yourself and layering them up. Once loop tracks have been put together, they can no longer be picked apart and deleted or edited separately; they can only be deleted completely. It is also not possible to import external content in the form of pre-produced loops via memory cards or other interfaces and then access them as part of a song within a performance.

Once you have created a loop, you can change the drum beat as you wish within the saved beats. What you can't change afterwards, however, is the speed of the loop. Unfortunately, synchronization with other devices is also not possible due to a lack of interfaces. Everyone has to find out for themselves to what extent these restrictions are relevant for their personal use

Placement in the signal path

Like almost all loopers used by a guitarist, the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop also has the problem of placement in the signal path if you want to use the gain component from your amplifier. If you switch the looper between the guitar and the guitar amp and use the drum machine with more or less gain, you will hear a distorted beat that has an interesting lo-fi character, but usually drifts into the annoying after a short period of fascination .

Two separate outputs would be ideal, which would route the guitar signal to a regular P.A. System or similar as well as to an independent guitar amplifier. Anyone hoping to be able to use the two right/left outputs of the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop in this way will unfortunately be disappointed, unless they can live with an unbalanced drum set.

If you want to use the drum machine, the only option is to place a preamp / multi-FX plus speaker simulation in front of the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop and route the overall signal to a console with an amplifier system or similar. However, if you only want to use the looper function, you can use the pedal normally in the signal path.

Practice

Now that we've listed in detail what the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop can't do, let's turn to the segment for which it was made. Above all, the little kicker is fun! With the simplest means you have a reliable practice partner when it comes to practicing patterns. Especially the supreme discipline of boredom, the daily finger exercises, get significantly more momentum with the small pedal than with the metronome.

Once you get used to the way you work, you won't want to stop, even though you still feel a little empty with the layering of guitar tracks in the bass range. If you own an octaver or similar, you should also switch it in front of the looper in order to possibly create a suitable bass track. This comparatively small intervention immediately significantly improves the loop, as long as it has a minimum amount of groove.

It's a real shame that you can't configure the two outputs individually in terms of signal flow; it would give the product a clear step forward in terms of flexibility. When using the drum machine, you are forced to cleanly amplify the overall signal, which significantly limits its suitability for stage use in conjunction with a guitar amplifier.

Conclusion

With the Harley Benton Drum n'Loop you have a good practice partner when it comes to metronome replacement and harmonic layering of melodic arcs or chord patterns. In just a few simple steps you can stick together a rudimentary replacement band, which is an excellent way to practice and try out. In addition, your personal hearing when it comes to harmony structures is sharpened.

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Additional Informations:

## Harley Benton: A Brief History

Harley Benton is a German brand of musical instruments and equipment, owned by the Thomann Music Group, one of Europe's largest music retailers. The brand is known for its affordable and high-quality guitars, basses, amplifiers, and other accessories.

**The Early Years**

The Harley Benton brand was launched in 1998 by Hans Thomann, the founder of Thomann Music. Thomann saw a need for a brand of affordable musical instruments that would be of high quality and appeal to beginner and intermediate players. He named the brand after Harley Benton, a fictional American blues guitarist.

The first Harley Benton instruments were guitars, and they were quickly met with success. Musicians were impressed with the quality of the instruments for their price, and the Harley Benton brand quickly gained a reputation for value for money.

**Expansion and Growth**

In the early 2000s, Harley Benton expanded its product line to include basses, amplifiers, and other accessories. The brand also began to sell its products online, which further increased its reach.

By the mid-2000s, Harley Benton was one of the most popular brands of affordable musical instruments in Europe. The brand's products were being sold in over 100 countries around the world.

**Recent Developments**

In recent years, Harley Benton has continued to grow and innovate. The brand has introduced a number of new product lines, including the Harley Benton Pro Series, which is aimed at more experienced players. Harley Benton has also expanded its online presence, and now offers a wide range of products and services through its website.

Today, Harley Benton is one of the most respected brands of affordable musical instruments in the world. The brand's products are used by musicians of all levels, from beginners to professionals. Harley Benton is committed to providing high-quality instruments and accessories at affordable prices, and the brand continues to be a popular choice for musicians around the world.

**Here are some of the key factors that have contributed to Harley Benton's success:**

* **Focus on quality:** Harley Benton is committed to providing high-quality instruments and accessories at affordable prices. The brand's products are carefully crafted and undergo rigorous quality control testing.
* **Wide product range:** Harley Benton offers a wide range of instruments and accessories to suit all needs and budgets. The brand's product line includes guitars, basses, amplifiers, pedals, strings, and more.
* **Excellent customer service:** Harley Benton is known for its excellent customer service. The brand's customer service team is available to answer questions and provide support.
* **Strong online presence:** Harley Benton has a strong online presence, and the brand's website is a popular destination for musicians looking for information and products.

**Harley Benton is a true success story in the music industry. The brand has demonstrated that it is possible to provide high-quality musical instruments and accessories at affordable prices. Harley Benton is a popular choice for musicians of all levels, and the brand is sure to continue to be successful for many years to come.**

**In addition to the factors listed above, here are some other things that have contributed to Harley Benton's success:**

* **The rise of the internet:** The internet has made it easier for Harley Benton to reach a global audience. The brand's website and social media channels have been instrumental in its success.
* **The growing popularity of affordable musical instruments:** The market for affordable musical instruments has grown significantly in recent years. This has been driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of music education and the rising cost of living.
* **Harley Benton's commitment to innovation:** Harley Benton is constantly innovating and developing new products. The brand is not afraid to take risks and experiment with new ideas.

**Harley Benton is a shining example of what can be achieved when a company is committed to quality, innovation, and customer service. The brand is an inspiration to other companies in the music industry, and it is sure to continue to be a major player in the years to come.**