You might have already seen onstage a guitarist stepped on a particular gadget that you really can’t figure out. You might also have noticed that the sound’s quality of his guitar is altered afterward after having stepped on that gadget. Then, you might have also wondered what that foot gadget is. Well, that gadget may be a “loop pedal” or “looper pedal!” What is a loop pedal then?
A loop pedal is a tool that enables guitarists, singers, beatboxing singers, pianist and musicians to create awesome instrument sounds without necessarily needing an orchestra or the help of other musicians. With this versatile tool, a guitarist can bring out his musical genius even when playing alone in public. It can also enable him to be creative in various ingenious ways. With the looper pedal, a guitarist can easily work out solos, write tunes, and play along with those tunes. Moreover, during the live performance, looper pedals can enable a guitarist to utilize unique effects to create impressive depth in his performance.
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Ed Sheeran Live Loop Pedal Tutorial On Stage
Popular Brands of Live Performance Loop Pedals on the Market Today
Looper pedals, however, can be a bit complicated for some beginners. In fact, its use can be very tricky for some guitar loop pedals are not user-friendly and require time to master. Hence, if you are a guitarist or singer who wants to buy a looper pedal, you need to consider the brand and model that you would buy carefully.
First, you need to buy a model that allows you to record your loops easily and readily plays them. It should likewise be very responsive to your simple touch so that you can easily synchronize your loops with your bandmates’ rhythm. It should also make your live performance easy and cool. Hence, to help you in finding the best looper pedals for your performance needs, here is a perfect list of the most popular looper pedal brands and models that we are are going to show you in this review:
1) Boss RC-300
This very expensive looper pedal is definitely considered by many as the ultimate looper. Boss RC-300 is a real beast among loop pedals and literally supersedes other types of loopers. First, it provides you with perfect control over your track allowing you to record every instrument that you plug into it. It also features a vast array of input options. Moreover, it comes with XLR input together with phantom power for mics allowing you to join the musical act easily without a hitch. Its recording time period is up to 3 hours directly into its internal memory, enabling you to add effects along the way.
It is equipped with all the important features that you can find in smaller models; it has the necessary integrated effects likewise. It also has provision for USB via its USB port, allowing you to save loops externally.
2) Digitech Jam Man Stereo Looper Delay Pedal
This Digitech JamMan stereo delay pedal looper is capable of store up to 35 minutes of CD-like quality stereo loops in its 99 internal memory slots. However, you will have 16 hours of recording times with additional 99 memory slots if you choose to use the optional SDHC card.
It has 4 separated pedal footswitches for loop up, loop down, Rec/Play/Overdub and Tempo/Stop which will allow having more flexible and quick control during your live performance.
The advanced part of this lopper pedal is that you can connect it with the PC via USB cable to manage your loops with its Jam Manager software for easy expression pedal monitoring.
3) NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal
If you are a guitarist—who wants to pursue knowledge in the use of advanced loop pedal—but you’re on a budget, you should go for the NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal. It comes in its distinctive yellow metal casing. It can record and at the same time overdub many layers according to your recording and dubbing needs. It also allows six hours of recording using stereo or mono recording.
It features 99 user memories with built-in drum patterns and tap tempo. With this looper pedal, you can readily change the playback tempo of any recorded phrase without necessarily changing the key and sans latency. It also comes with an extensional pedal for greater control. Furthermore, it allows you to import and back up phrases using your PC. Lastly, you can run it using batteries or an AC adaptor.
4) Boss RC-3
This Boss model is one of the most popular among buskers. In fact, you would often see this among buskers. It comes with a truly massive three hours or 180 minutes of recording time. You can store up to 99 loops in its memory bank. It also comes with a “drums” rhythm guide. Buying this loop station can surely help you—if you are just new to looping—to learn how to engage a pedal. You can readily connect this looper via its USB port.
5) Boss RC-1
Among the range of Boss loopers that are available, the Boss RC-1 Loop Station is definitely the simplest. It carries a design that is very user-friendly, especially, for those who really don’t want to rely on instructional manuals. This looper pedal allows you to create your back-track with which you can play along, especially, when practicing and learning. It comes with a sharp-looking loop indicator that shows the current loop mode. It also allows for 12-minute of stereo recording. You can store recorded phrase into its memory even if you have already turned it off. Moreover, it provides stereo outputs and inputs of remarkable quality.
It is a straightforward looper that is quite easy to operate. Its stereo in/out jacks allow you to connect it with amplifiers and stereo effects. These in/out jacks also will enable you to connect to synthesizers.
6) TC Electronic Guitar Ditto Looper Effects Pedal
This is a stereo looper pedal that features intuitive format. This intuitive format equips it with the essential elements that a looper pedal needs to have. It is also very portable. This means that it leaves a minimal footprint; hence, it is very convenient to use in cramped spaces. It has a very minimalist layout and comes with a single switch that lets you control the recording and allows you to stop, undo, and erase functions using various foot commands. This allows you to record layers of loops easily.
The internal memory of DITTO allows you to record up to five minutes which is good enough for looping lines and playing back during actual performance. DITTO also carries a true signal bypass feature that enables the audio signal to pass through the pedal without necessarily converting this audio signal into a digital formal; thus, your sound remains unadulterated.
I think DITTO is surely your best option for the money. DITTO does not have an overwrought design. It has a single foot button and a single knob for adjusting the volume. Its design is so minimal and simple. Thus, making it easy to use with its single input and output. Lastly, it is a perfect example of a pedal that does all even with its tiny size.
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