Electro-Harmonix 1440 Stereo Looper review

Following on in the tradition of naming its loopers after the number of seconds of looping time they provide, Electro-Harmonix’s latest offers 1440 seconds (24 minutes) of uncompressed 24-bit/44.1kHz stereo audio with an unlimited number of overdubs. 

This pedal has the ability to store 20 different loops and can connect via USB to a computer running the associated free EHX 1440 Loop Manager app for download and upload of loop audio flies. It can also be synchronised to the external MIDI Clock. 

Operation of the looper is pretty straightforward: once you’ve selected a loop number with the Mode knob you use the Loop footswitch to carry out recording, overdubbing and playback. A two-second press will do the job if you need to undo or redo a layer, while a double tap will stop playback. 

The second footswitch, which is always available to erase loops when held down, offers a number of user-set functions. While its default use is to stop playback, it can also be set up to retrigger loops from the start or to bring in either of two effects that are otherwise operated by front-panel buttons: a reverse function that will play the loop backwards, and an octave function that drops a loop down to half-speed and an octave lower.  

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The other way to change the speed/pitch of a loop is with the Tempo knob, which operates either side of the 120bpm default looper operation in a range from 60bpm up to 240bpm. Should you want more foot control, the EHX Triple Foot Controller (£40) can be used both for selecting loops and undo/redo.

Sound quality is pristine, and you can choose how to build layers as an Overdub knob sets how quiet the previously recorded layer gets with each loop cycle, if you don’t want to keep the layers at a constant volume.

Verdict

With loads of memory and cool creative effects, this pedal is a solid choice if you need a compact looper either as a performance tool for live looping (or running onstage backing tracks), a practice aid or as a creative sketchpad where loop transfer means that any song ideas or elements you come up with can be easily transferred to a DAW.

Specs

• PRICE: $221 / £184
• ORIGIN: USA
• TYPE: Looper pedal
• FEATURES: Buffered bypass, 20 loop memories, 24 minutes of audio, 1 Shot playback, adjustable loop fadeout time, Reverse & Octave effects, MIDI sync
• CONTROLS: Level, Tempo, Overdub, Mode, Reverse button, Octave button, 1 Shot button, Ext Clock button, Loop footswitch, Stop footswitch
• CONNECTIONS: Standard inputs (L/Mono, R), standard outputs (L/Mono, R), FC, MIDI, USB
• POWER: Supplied 9V DC adaptor 200mA
• DIMENSIONS: 105 (w) x 120 (d) x 55mm (h)
• CONTACT: Electro-Harmonix