If you are practising playing guitar, one of the most important tools that you need is a looper pedal. Professional guitarists also require it. It helps understand how chords and the scales relate.
It also helps you work on your timing and develop your skills. Looper pedals come with a wide range of features. You have to choose what you think is best for you. If you are having a hard time, you can put a few factors into consideration. Here are our best guitar looper pedals for live performances, bass and beginners
Best Looper Pedals for Live Performances
1. VOX VLL1 Guitar Looper Multi Effect Pedal
This is a looper pedal that allows you to be in control at all times. It is quite affordable and it comes with an ideal dual pedal design and a variety of effects for exceptional recording. It is quite easy to use and suitable for starters and intermediate guitar players. However, it does not have its individual power supply hence you will need six alkaline AA-size batteries that are similar.
Features
90 seconds loop length
The VOX VLL1 looper pedal allows you to record for 90 seconds on two loops that are independent. You can create additional overdubs and you can also make your ideal undo and redo edits.
Dual pedal
This looper pedal comes with a dual pedal design. It allows you to comfortably record and play back. You can also switch between the two loops.
Loop quantize
There is also the loop quantize feature that enables you to synchronize your two loops into your desired tempo. You can also create phrases of a length that you’d prefer.
12 built-in effects
The VOX VLL1 comes with twelve built-in effects that include guitar and mic input. With them, you can create your own loop; with your desired qualities.
Instrument & XLR input
This looper pedal also comes with instrument input as well as XLR input. You can loop one of them or both and there is no limit to what you can possibly create.
Additional features
The VOX VLL1 comes with extra features that include a tap tempo feature, a built-in metronome and a button to delete the loop.
2. Bonsai Looper Effects Pedal
If you are searching for a simple easy-to-use looper pedal, this is what you should get. It comes with great sound quality and performance. It operates smoothly and makes little noise. It is what you need to be a better musician.
Features
Easy operation
Using this looper pedal is unproblematic. It comes with one footswitch to control the recording as well as a single control knob for adjusting your loop effects. All you have to do is master its usage and you are good. You can easily import and export your content to and from your computer.
10 minutes looping
Providing up to 10 minutes of looping, this is one of the best looper pedals that any musician can ever have.
Durable
This Bonsai Looper Effects Pedal comes with a long-lasting metal casing. With it, you can use the pedal for a long time as long as you take care of it.
Unlimited overdubs
There is no limit to the overdubs that you can do with the Bonsai Looper Effects Pedal. It also comes with the undo and redo feature.
3. Zoom G1on Guitar Effects Pedal
You should also try the Zoom G1on Guitar Effects Pedal. It is simple to use and program. It comes with multiple effects so that it can help you become an exceptional guitarist. It is suitable for both amateurs and professionals. You can use it at home or live performances. It makes use of 4 AA batteries or an optional AC adapter (that has 20 hours battery life).
Features
100 effects
The Zoom G1on Guitar Effects Pedal comes with 100 effects. These include compression, modulation, delay, distortion and even reverb. You can use five of them simultaneously to fit your needs.
68 rhythm patterns
It also has 68 rhythm patterns. With them, you can always connect your headphones to the output jack, which is also compatible with amplifiers, whenever you want to practise silently.
Advanced features
The Zoom G1on Guitar Effects Pedal comes with extra features like the Copy and Swap that makes it easy for you to organize your patches whenever you are having a live performance. The Pre-select feature enables you to silently go through them while the current patch is still running. The Auto Save feature makes sure that all your edits are stored automatically.
Looper and Onboard chromatic tuner
The looper pedal also comes with a looper that enables you to record as much as a 30-second long CD-quality audio. The automatic tuner supports all your standard guitar tunings.
4. BOSS RC-30 Phrase Looper Pedal
The BOSS RC-30 Phrase Looper Pedal is designed to create quality loops. It comes with loop built-in effects so that you can process your loops as you want. With it, you can save your recordings externally. You can export or import them. It runs on batteries but you can also use a reliable AC power supply.
Features
99 Onboard memory phrases
The BOSS RC-30 Phrase Looper Pedal comes with 99 onboard memory phrases. This is more than enough space to store your loops.
Built in effects
This looper pedal has built-in effects. You can use them to process your loops and achieve your desired results even without using external devices.
Twin multi-track looper pedal
This is a multi-track looper pedal with twin stereo tracks that you can control. With them, creating loops is easy especially with the Auto Recording Feature.
Stereo tracks
The BOSS RC-30 Phrase Looper Pedal also features 2 synchronized stereo tracks. They come with dependable volume faders as well as tract select buttons.
XLR input
The looper pedal comes with XLR input that has phantom power. You can plug your instruments or microphone as you wish.
Internal memory
The BOSS RC-30 Phrase Looper Pedal also comes with internal memory. You can store as much as a three hours record as you add the effects of your choice. You can also save your loops eternally if you want. With the USB 2.0 port, you can import or export your files.
5. Donner Looper Effects Pedals
The Donner Looper Effects Pedals is very easy to operate and program. It allows you as guitarist to focus on playing and entertaining your fans. It comes with an input/output jack. It combines quality, simplicity and creativity to ensure that all your recording goals are achieved.
Features
Easy to control
The Donner Looper Effects Pedals is uncomplicated. It comes with a single function knob (Level) that enables you to control its volume. The pedal also comes with a LED indicator that always shows its working state.
Classic design
The Donner Looper Effects Pedals has a classic and rare design. The body makes use of aluminum alloy that makes it strong, stable and durable. The knobs come with a beautiful black color and a LOGO design that is pretty appealing.
True bypass
The pedal looper comes with a true bypass switch. It enables your guitar’s signal to go through a by-pass line (non-electronic) every time you disengage the effect. This feeds your amp with a direct signal, which is unaltered, from your instrument.
10 minutes of looping
The Donner Looper Effects Pedals gives you 10 minutes of looping. The overdubs are unlimited and it also has the undo and redo feature.
6. NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal, Yellow
The NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal is suitable for use while you are in the studio. You can also use it during rehearsals and live performances. It has an extension pedal so that you are in more control of your loops. With it, you can create and record amazing music phrases and switch them without latency.
Features
6 hours recording time
With the NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal, you can record quality audio loops for up to six hours.
99 user memories
It comes with 99 user memories that allow you to safely store your loops.
Built-in drum patterns
The looper pedal also comes with built-in drum patterns. They have the tap tempo feature so that you can control the tempo of your loops. You can change your playback tempo without necessarily altering the key.
Import phrases
With the NUX Loop Core Guitar Effect Pedal, you can import your phrases with your computer. You can also back them up7. Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Pedal
The Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Pedal is what every guitarist needs. It allows you to use the tone that you prefer. You can distort your loop and use the pedal effects of your choice. It is lightweight hence easy to carry. It uses a 9V battery that has a super long battery life.
Features
Foot controller input
The Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper Pedal comes with the foot controller input. It has three control buttons that even give you access the redo/undo feature.
Silent footswitches
This looper pedal comes with silent footswitches. With no noise distractions, you can create the best loops.
12 minutes recording time
You can record 10 independent loops for up to 12 minutes.
Ideal
With this looper pedal, you can record two instruments simultaneously. It has the stop, reverse, half-speed as well as the undo/redo effects.
8. Digitech Jam Man Stereo Looper Delay Pedal
This looper pedal allows you to store many hours of material. It lets you to create and organize your loops as you want. With it, you are guaranteed of growth as a guitarist.
Features
35 minutes recording time
With the Digitech Jam Man Stereo Looper Delay Pedal, you can create up to 35 minutes of stereo. You can store the loops in 99 internal memories. You can also use an SD card memory to store up to 16 hours content.
Footswitches
It comes with four durable footswitches. They allow you to have quality looping sessions.
USB connectivity
The Digitech Jam Man Stereo Looper Delay Pedal also has reliable USB connection. You can connect it to your PC and organize your loops using the quality Jam-Manager Loop Librarian software.
9. Hotone Skyline Series WALLY Compact Looper Guitar Pedal
This Looper Guitar Pedal comes with a beautiful orange finish. It offers more than 15 minutes of looping. It is very easy to use and program. You can therefore rely on it to perfect your playing skills and grow professionally.
Control knobs
The Hotone Skyline Series WALLY Compact Looper Guitar Pedal comes with level and tempo control knobs for efficiency during looping.
Volume knob lights up
The master knob lightens up in the dark. This allows you to play even when you are on dimly-lit stages.
Memory storage
The Hotone Skyline Series WALLY Compact Looper Guitar Pedal comes with Skyline Wally’s Memory. It enables you to securely store your loops.
Lightweight
With only 6.7 ounces, this is a pretty light looper pedal. You can comfortably move around with it when you are performing at many places.
10. Moozikpro Guitar Loop Pedal
The Moozikpro Guitar Loop Pedal comes with unlimited overdubs. You can use it for all kinds of music. It comes with an extra small footprint that can fit on all pedal boards. It is long-lasting hence it guarantees years of looping; all you have to do is use it properly. It offers 10 minutes of quality looping and it also comes with two free of charge patch cables.
Features
Imports and exports music
With the Moozikpro Guitar Loop Pedal, you can easily import and export music using your PC and in a convenient wave format.
Durable
Making use of aluminum alloy, the looper pedal has a lasting durability.
Lightweight
The Moozikpro Guitar Loop Pedal only weighs 11.7 ounces. It is one of the lightest available on the market.
Internal memory
This high quality looper pedal also has internal memory. It allows you to save your loops even when you power down or disconnect the device from the power plug.
There is no limit to the looper pedals that you can use as a guitarist. Your pick should satiate your needs and help you achieve your goals. Choose one that is durable so that you will not have to look for another after some months.
Factors to consider when buying a looper pedal
Why do you need it?
Before making the purchase, you have to think about why you need the looper pedal. Most of them come with a variety of features for different applications. Simple models are best if you intend to loop just one of your guitar sections. If you want to record better, you have to go for more loops hence you will require a more complex model.
The length of the loops
Some looper pedals come with a flexible recording length. They have SD card slots that you can use to expand it. They are best whenever you are looking for the best quality of sound. However, there are still others whose memory cannot be expanded. You can only go for them if you are not interested in a better sound quality which is unlikely.
Is it for home use or live performance?
You also have to think about where you want to use the looper pedal. If you plan on using it at home, you can choose a big one that takes some time to master. After all, you can create a lot of it to practise. If it is for live performances, you should go for pedals that are easy to use and visible even on a dimly lit stage. The last thing you want is to mess up in front of your fans.
Additional features
Do you need a basic looper pedal or do you need more? You can go for one that has other features like a rhythm function and a tap tempo function. Others that come in handy whenever you want to create the best recording quality are pitch changers and reverse buttons.
Footswitches
How many footswitches does the looper pedal have? The more they are, the more control you have. Some of them are for starting and stopping the recording and also deleting the loop. Most looper pedals come with two switches but some more complex and expensive models have more.
Some pedals give you the option of connecting external footswitches. You can go for it if you are not willing to spend more money on those with more.
Internal loop storage
Some looper pedals do not come with loop storage. Hence, they discard the loops the moment you switch them off. It also happens every time you add another one. You can go for pedals with internal storage space of you want to keep them for future use. Some models even allow you to insert an external card to store your loops.
Budget
The amount of money that you have eventually dictates the looper pedal that you take home. They come with different prices depending with the features that they have. Choose something that is affordable as well as quality. Make sure that it has all that it takes to suit your needs before you decide to buy it.