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There's something mesmerising about watching a musician building layers of sound, right in front of your eyes, using nothing but their instrument and a small box at their feet. This magic box, known as a loop pedal, has transformed performances from intimate gigs to colossal live shows. I had seen this before but Ed Sheeran really showed me how big this technique could be - especially when you consider that he did stadium tours with just his pedal and no backing band.
But, where did this looping concept begin? The earliest instances that I read about is the Beatles cutting up tape and also hearing it on my favourite album, Dark Side of The Moon.
How has the technique evolved? How did it go from simply a recording technique on big analogue machines to being in a tiny stomp box?
Let's explore the looping history from the start to the loop pedals we know today.
What is the history of looping sounds in music?
Looping, the process of recording and playing back a piece of music in real-time, has its roots in the tape experiments of the 1950s. Early pioneers like Pierre Schaeffer and Karlheinz Stockhausen used tape loops to create innovative soundscapes. In the 1960s, Terry Riley's "Time Lag Accumulator" and Robert Fripp and Brian Eno's "Frippertronics" brought looping to live performances. The first commercial loop device, however, wasn't a pedal but a tape delay system: the Echoplex, introduced in the 1950s, which laid the groundwork for the digital loop pedals that would follow.
1950s: Musique concrète artists like Pierre Schaeffer began experimenting with tape loops to create new sounds, marking the earliest uses of looping.
1960s: The Beatles and Pink Floyd incorporated tape loops into their music, pushing the boundaries of conventional music and influencing the future of looping technology.
The Beatles: Notably, in their 1966 album "Revolver," The Beatles used tape loops extensively in songs like "Tomorrow Never Knows." Their innovative use of looping with tape machines contributed significantly to the psychedelic sound of the era.
Pink Floyd: Similarly, Pink Floyd utilized tape loops for experimental soundscapes in their early work, including their 1967 debut album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn." Their song "Money" from the "Dark Side of the Moon" album in 1973 featured a looped tape of cash registers, becoming one of the most iconic uses of the technique in rock music.
Late 1960s to Early 1970s: Artists like Terry Riley and Robert Fripp (King Crimson), along with Brian Eno, explored and expanded the use of tape loops in live performances. Fripp and Eno's collaborations, known as "Frippertronics," heavily relied on looping.
1985: The DigiTech PDS 8000 pedal made looping more accessible to a wider range of musicians by condensing the technology into a pedal format, marking a significant shift in how artists could utilize looping in live performances.
1990s to 2000s: The development of digital loop pedals greatly expanded the possibilities for musicians, making it easier to loop live instruments and vocals with high fidelity and less complexity.
When did they transition into pedals?
A loop pedal is a compact device that records segments of input from instruments or vocals and plays them back in a continuous loop. The transition from bulky tape machines to foot-operated pedals began in earnest in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The first true loop pedal, which allowed for seamless recording, overdubbing, and playback of loops, was the DigiTech PDS 8000, released in 1985. This innovation marked the start of the loop pedal's journey into mainstream music production and live performance.
How do loop pedals work?
1. Record: Pressing the pedal once begins recording the audio input.
2. Overdub: Pressing the pedal again layers another audio segment over the first loop without erasing it.
3. Playback: Another press stops recording, and the loop begins to play back automatically.
4. Undo/Redo: Most loop pedals allow the removal or reinstatement of the last layer added.
5. Stop: A long press or double-tap stops the loop playback entirely.
What is the effect of a looping pedal?
Loop pedals enable musicians to create multi-layered soundscapes live, allowing for a richer, more complex performance. They can even mimic a full band by looping rhythmic backing tracks, solos, harmonies, and vocals. The audience hears a song that is built layer by layer, offering a unique experience that showcases the musician's ability to create a great song from the ground up.
10 famous musicians that have used loop pedals in their music & the type of pedal they use.
Ed Sheeran - Uses a custom-built loop station, based on the Boss RC-30 Loop Station.
Tash Sultana - Favors the Boss RC-300 Loop Station for their one-person-band performances.
KT Tunstall - Made famous using the Akai Headrush in her live rendition of "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree."
Reggie Watts - Utilizes the Line 6 DL4 for creating his distinctive vocal loops.
Keller Williams - A prolific user of loop pedals, including the Boomerang III Phrase Sampler.
Howie Day - Utilized the Lexicon JamMan to ground breaking effect in his song "Collide."
Jack Garratt - Integrates a Boss RC-300 into his multi-instrumental live performances.
Top 10 list of loop pedals that you can purchase
Boss RC-300 Loop Station - A staple for serious loop artists with extensive control.
Digitech JamMan Stereo - Offers a perfect balance between functionality and simplicity.
TC Electronic Ditto - Compact and user-friendly, ideal for beginners
Line 6 DL4 - Favored by vocal loopers and guitarists alike for its versatility.
Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper - Provides 720 seconds of looping time with unlimited overdubs.
Boomerang III Phrase Sampler - Offers unique features for live performance looping.
TC-Helicon VoiceLive 3 - Combines looping with vocal and guitar effects.
Boss RC-30 Loop Station - A solid choice for performers who need a reliable, mid-range looper.
LEKATO Looper Guitar Pedal Guitar - Versatile looper with 9 loops, 40 minutes of record time, and USB connectivity.
MXR Clone Looper Guitar Effects Pedal - Compact looper with 6-minute loop time, speed adjustment features, and high-fidelity sound.
Boss RC-500 Loop Station - Advanced looper with two-track operation, 99 phrase memories, and MIDI control.
Boss RC-5 Compact Loop Station - High-quality compact looper with 13 hours of stereo.
In Summary - The History and Impact of Loop Pedals
Loop pedals revolutionized live performances, allowing solo artists to create complex, multi-layered soundscapes.
The technology evolved from tape delays to compact, digital devices.
Looping encourages creativity and spontaneity in music creation.
Famous musicians across genres have embraced loop pedals, integrating them into their signature sounds.
A variety of loop pedals are available, catering to different needs and skill levels.
Products listed in this article
