A band, to perform at its best potential needs some electronic devices apart from the musical instruments. A looper pedal is one such instrument that helps guitarists to perform well and make the music more interesting.
What is a looper pedal?
As the name implies, a looper is intended to generate rhythmic loops. In other words, it allows players to record their guitar playing and then repeat that sequence of chords so that the player can compose and layer another part of the guitar over the previously recorded part.
A looper pedal effectively transforms you into a one-man band! As you add more layers, you can create a song with multiple layers, just like a band. It is why a looper is a handy pedal to have, whether you are a soloist or want to experiment.
Types of Looper pedals:
Looper pedals are classified into two types and these are stompbox loopers and loop stations.
- Stomp box loopers:
A stomp box looper is a standard loop pedal that provides the complete package for solo players who want to practice at home or perform alone on stage, including recording, overdubbing, and stopping. With three buttons for three functions, the player only needs to press one to begin recording, then another to save the rhythm, and finally to play whatever they want to layer over.
The guitarist can add more layers to the background track if he or she wants to create a more complex-sounding repeating beat. However, due to the simplicity of the stomp box looper’s operation, the player can only play on top of one musical phrase created at the start until he decides to delete it.
- Loop stations:
Loop stations, a more complex looping device designed for professional and advanced musicians, come in handy here. Though stomp boxes are great for practicing, they limit the player’s creativity while playing to some extent.
Guitarists can use loop stations to switch between different backing tracks while performing, slow down or speed up the looped patterns, and much more. These features make loop stations ideal for musicians who want to perform as a one-man band on stage or in the studio, but they may be too much for regular players who want to practice.
Why is a looper pedal necessary?
A loop pedal is an invaluable tool for any musician when it comes to practicing, composing, and performing.
- For practice:
A looper pedal gives musicians more opportunities to practice than any other tool by allowing them to play on top of a repeating rhythm without the assistance of anyone else. Creating the background loop is a form of practice in and of itself because it encourages the player to improve the timing and gradually perfect the playing. And, with a looper pedal the guitarist does not have to rely on someone else to repeat the exact musical phrase repeatedly for him or her by using a looper pedal, making it easier to improvise and experiment with any techniques he desires.
- For composing:
When it comes to songwriting, a looper pedal is an invaluable tool. You can experiment with different parts by making rhythm loops to ensure they sound good together. You can also use a loop pedal to save the parts you just played, so you don’t have to remember all the notes you came up with.
Simply put, a looper pedal is a memory card that saves all your ideas while composing for later use. Furthermore, the looper recording feature allows you to step back, listen, and evaluate your composition.
- For performing:
Looper pedals are most used in live sessions, particularly solo performances. Even if another guitarist can accompany the player, the looper pedal is handy because it can significantly improve your performance practicing on your own.
Overdubbing on top of the background loops allows the musician to bring in a complex song with multiple layers, creating a richer sound.
Conclusion:
If you are a beginner or a professional guitarist, you have probably heard of the “looper pedal” for short. This blog might have helped you to know better about this excellent device. This device is an exciting and valuable tool for playing any style. Therefore, if you have a dream to become a guitarist one day you must invest in a good quality looper pedal.
