Loopers...Recommendations? Grand Canyon?

[RumorsOFsurF]

Hey all, I have been looking at looper pedals recently, and was wondering what the best options were. I mostly play at home by myself these days, and I would like the ability to make some ambient stuff with loops.

I like some of the EHX offerings, such as the 720 and Grand Canyon, but the Boss Loop Stations look good, as well. Strymon makes a lovely one, but it's like $450.00.


I really like the demos of the Grand Canyon I have seen, but the looper function is secondary, and I want to make sure it stands up on its own. The delay functions look amazing, but I don't actually need more delays. The videos I've seen say they have 6 minutes of loop capability, but how many layers can one record? The 720 has 11 loop layers and 12 minutes, if I recall correctly.


What are y'all's thoughts?

[ryland]

I have been a solo guitarist doing creating looped pieces when I perform. I recommend thinking about how you want to use a looper and what features you will need, then go play them in person. Each looper feels and operatates a little differently and you may prefer one over the others.

I have no experience with the EH loopers, but I started out with a Boomerang, which is great and intuitive, but doesn't have a memory for storing loops once it is powered down. I've been using the Boss RC-500 and now 600 for a number of years and really like their flexibility and being able to assign different functions to the buttons, but the process of using them is different from the Boomerang.

[Shadoweclipse13]

I've had a bunch over the years (Boss RC-20, TC Ditto, TC Ditto X2), and have messed with a couple others. I finally settled on an EHX 720 and EHX 1440 (so I can record parts for stereo to different amps, or just record and loop different parts back-and-forth). I love the feel of the EHX loopers the best and the save function for writing a little something and being able to keep it for later.

I will say that, for me, the single footswitch loopers (original TC Ditto, and presumably the Boss RC-2 which I've never player) are too much of a pain in the ass in any situation other than playing at-home. Having to remember that one press is record, but you need 2 footswitch presses to undo or some other function, drove me nuts. If I ever fall out of love with the EHX loopers, I'd always get something with at least 2 footswitches.

[cestlamort]

Minor and maybe unnecessary aside: the Ehx 1440 can take midi commands so there are more control possibilities / future options there.

As Ryland suggested, think about what you’ll be using it for: simple loops, layered loops, sampling (and recalling), one track or multiple, for practice, do you need the loops to save etc.

Different price range but the Eventide H9 has a cool looper that allows you to manipulate the start and end points in addition to pitch, direction, etc. It does not save loops.

[zhivago]

I had the 720 for a while and it was great...easy to use, great sound...I moved it on as I tend to either play completely solo, or along to my records...but I do still have a Lofi Loop Junky for when I get the urge for some lofi loops.

You can't go wrong with a used 720, they are so cheap on ebay etc....at least in the UK.

[stevejamsecono]

I had the 720 for a while and it was great...easy to use, great sound...I moved it on as I tend to either play completely solo, or along to my records...but I do still have a Lofi Loop Junky for when I get the urge for some lofi loops.

You can't go wrong with a used 720, they are so cheap on ebay etc....at least in the UK.

Would double on this one. Liked that one a lot. I ultimately still have my TC Ditto because I do this so infrequently, but if I did it more, the 720 would be my choice.

Also nice to see you around, Nolan

[BoringPostcards]

Go for the 720. As you said, the looper is secondary on the Grand Canyon, and from experience I find it can be glitchy going back to the delay settings afterwards and vice versa.

The 720 is just a looper and it’s a good one. Also, they’re not expensive.

[JacobTheElder]

The TC Electronic Flashback is a looper that has 10 delays, and it's 100 bucks.

I have a few loopers:

CB Blooper
Line 6 DL4
TC Electronics x4 (also syncs to DAW Midi clock)
Hologram Microcosm

All do wildly different things. Blooper and Microcosm are wild and can get you lost for hours.

[Unicorn Warrior]

I started a separate thread about this new pedal, not realizing someone was looking for looper recs. Outside of the small footprint, this looks powerful for the price. The Zoom MS-90lp

[UpstairsDuck]

Boss RC-500 is the sweet spot for me. Anything smaller and with fewer buttons I tend to get confused by.

[RumorsOFsurF]

After a bunch of research, I found my way back to Boss. Almost pulled the trigger on the RC-500, but I think the RC-10 is a bit better fit. I love EHX, and I wanted to support them, but it's hard to go wrong with Boss. Incredibly consistent and reliable products.

[Jaguar018]

I have a Boss RC-10 (and a RC-3). Solid. Apparently you can edit and program patterns. I sort of tried to do that a little before I remembered I’m a lazy bum who will never need to do that.