Many guitarists don’t considerate it, but a guitar loop pedal is one of the best upgrades for your board. From a creative standpoint, loop pedals can completely change the way you write and practice music.
What Is a Loop Pedal?
A loop pedal lets you record a riff and play it back continuously. It’s an amazing tool for practice, since you can loop a chord progression and then jam over it. In the same sense, loopers are perfect for writing so you can work out and audition layered guitar parts in realtime.
Many modern loop pedals also let you trigger samples and sound effects. When your live show calls for a sample drop, you can conveniently do it from your loop pedal as opposed to a more complicated laptop or sampler setup.
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Become Your Own Band
Solo artists and singer-songwriters frequently use guitar loop pedals to layer up arrangements on their own. You can see how multitalented singer-songwriter Tash Sultana makes use of a looper to perform an entire song solo. The right loop pedal can open up a ton of creative possibilities in different ways than effects pedals.
The 9 Best Guitar Loop Pedals in 2024
1. MXR Clone Looper
The MXR Clone Looper is a high-quality, no-nonsense pedal. It features up to six minutes of record time and unlimited layers, whether you want to lay down a six-minute backing track or build up dozens of sounds.
Other features include 1/2 and 2x speed, as well as loop reverse for unique effects.
2. TC Electronic Ditto+
Ditto+ is a feature-rich mini looper from TC Electronic. It offers 60 minutes of record time, and you can store up to 99 loop sessions and recall them any time—perfect for live sampling. Arguably the best thing about this guitar loop pedal is the hi-res screen offering all the info you need. Plus, you can import/export loops, sound effects, and samples via USB.
3. Boss RC-1 Loop Station
If you want a loop pedal that just works, the RC-1 is great. Like any Boss pedal, it’s an indestructible workhorse—nothing fancy here, just good ol’ reliability. The Loop Station provides up to 12 minutes of recording time, and a 24-segment LED wheel lets you know whichever mode the pedal is using.
4. Boss RC-10R Rhythm Loopstation
This Boss RC-10R pedal is the polar opposite of the one we talked about above. It’s a loop pedal, sure, but it’s also a drum machine with 280 rhythms in various genres. That makes it a fun songwriting tool, letting you jam out with drums—likewise, you could use it for live solo performances.
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5. Headrush Looperboard Advanced Performance
The Headrush Loopboard is the professional solution for looping live and in the studio. This is an advanced four-track stereo looper with a 7″ touchscreen, onboard effects, an intelligent vocal tuner and harmonizer, unlimited record time, USB storage, and so much more. When you’re serious about your looping, you get a serious piece of gear.
6. Pigtronix Infinity 2 Looper Pedal
Last but not least is the Infinity 2 looper pedal by Pigtronix. It lets you record two independent loops for verse/chorus style workflow. But perhaps the coolest thing about this pedal is the loop boundary feature. It’ll snap your overdubs to the boundary of the current loop, so you don’t have to have pinpoint timing to get your loops in sync.
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7. TC Electronic Ditto X2
The TC Electronic Ditto X2 is an exceptional looper pedal known for its simplicity and functionality. With five minutes of looping time and unlimited overdubs, it offers ample creative space for guitarists. The Ditto X2 features two footswitches for easy control of loop and stop functions, enhancing live performance capabilities. Additionally, the pedal includes effects such as reverse and half-speed loops, adding versatility to your sound.
Its stereo I/O allows for broader connectivity options, making it suitable for a variety of setups. The Ditto X2’s durability and straightforward interface make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced musicians seeking reliability and creativity in their looping.
8. DigiTech Trio+
The DigiTech Trio+ stands out with its unique band-creation capabilities, automatically generating bass and drum accompaniments based on your guitar playing. This feature makes it an invaluable tool for solo performers and practice sessions. The Trio+ offers 12 music genres and 12 song styles per genre, providing extensive stylistic flexibility.
It also includes a built-in looper with unlimited overdubs, making it a powerful all-in-one solution for musicians. The pedal’s SD card slot allows for up to 12 songs to be stored, facilitating easy management of your musical ideas. The intuitive layout and robust construction ensure that the Trio+ is both user-friendly and durable.
9. Red Panda Tensor Pitch- and Time-Shifting Pedal
The Red Panda Tensor is a unique pitch- and time-shifting pedal that brings innovative sound manipulation to guitarists. It offers real-time tape stop, pitch shifting, time stretching, and reverse effects, allowing for experimental and dynamic soundscapes. The Tensor’s ability to record and loop up to 9.4 seconds of audio in mono (4.7 seconds in stereo) with overdubs makes it a versatile tool for live performances and studio work.
Its compact size and MIDI capabilities provide seamless integration into various pedalboard setups. The Tensor’s extensive range of controls, including blend, pitch, time, and loop settings, ensures precise and creative manipulation of your sound, making it an essential addition for adventurous musicians.
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