Shawn Here is the latest I have from Boomerang Here's the latest news regarding the Boomerang(R) III Phrase Sampler
which will be available worldwide. If there isn't a dealer near you we
will sell directly to you.
I wish I could give you a definite release date, but unfortunately its
just not possible short of consulting a fortune teller. Here's exactly
where we are as of today, 9 Jan 08. We have ordered and received all
parts necessary to build a few hundred Rang(TM) III loopers.
The low level software is complete, i.e. power up initialization; LED,
knob and button control/response; memory management system; etc. The
unit records and plays with incredible sound quality and no loop
boundary glitches. The basic functions of recording multiple loops is
complete. Erasing loops is complete. Stacking should be complete by this
weekend.
We have implemented a software architecture that makes inserting changes
faster. I'll spare you the gory details but it means that progress
should accelerate as we go along.

Boomerang® III Phrase Sampler (E-156) $559 (full retail price)

This powerful pedal continues the Boomerang tradition of a simple
user interface but adds many new features customers have requested. It
records in true stereo (or mono), and has over 18.5 minutes of mono
recording with a sampling rate of 24KHz. Recording in stereo at 48KHz
provides about 5 minutes. Up to six independent loops can be played
sequentially (verse/chorus/bridge use) or simultaneously. In the latter
mode the loops may be synced or played totally independent from each
other.
After the primary loop is recorded, there are 3 additional "layers"
that can be recorded. The layers can be silenced, played or re-recorded.
Additional material may be stacked on (added to) any of the layers. This
provides a multilevel undo/redo capability.
The user can assign a number of interesting and useful functions to
two "Bonus" buttons: stack, erase, once, octave, reverse, reverse solo,
play-stop all, fade, undo/redo & copy to next.
There are a variety of signal routing options and a pedal linking
system so multiple units can be synced. It is about half the size of the
Rang™ Plus. As with our earlier models there is no MIDI or USB
connectivity, and no permanent loop storage. However, some basic MIDI
sync capability may be added later as the hardware is already in place.
We will insure the pedal is easy to operate and as intuitive as
the current one, but it will be deeper if you want to explore the new
features.
The Rang™ III has 4 1/4" unbalanced jacks for true stereo
operation. However when used in mono mode the output jacks can function
in a variety of ways.
1) Loop & instrument out Left, nothing out Right
2) Loop out Left, nothing out Right (no instrument through)
3) Loop & instrument out Left, loop out Right
4) Loop out Left, instrument out Right
This pedal has the same physical specifications as the Chorus*Delay
pedal with a 6" x 9.3" foot print and it weighs about 2.5 lb.

Comparison between the Plus and the III.

Spec ** Plus ** III

- Sample rate ** 12 rates from 24KHz down to 8KHz ** 48KHz and 24KHz
- Sample width (bits) ** 16 ** 20
- Noise floor ** -92dB ** -104dB
- Number of loops ** 2 ** 3 to 6
- Max record time ** 4 min 18 sec ** 18 min 38 sec
- Undo/redo capability ** no ** yes
- Record/play modes ** serial (1 loop after the other) ** serial, sync &
free (simultaneously playing loops in last 2)
- Signal path ** mono ** stereo (or mono)
- Volume control ** built in foot roller ** external expression pedal
- Individual loop volume control ** not independently ** yes, independent
volume control in sync & free modes
- Auto fade out ** no ** yes, with adjustable time
- Loop copy ** no ** yes
- Use reverse solo effect while loops are playing ** no ** yes
- Size ** 6" x 17.5" ** 6" x 9.3"

--

Mike Nelson