LOOPEREYE: A new and smarter way to loop?
We first saw the LOOPEREYE back when it was looperEYE. But now it looks all grown up, with a capitalised name to let us know it means business. This looping solution uses an accompanying app to open up its looping possibilities, and has a synthesiser thrown in for good measure.
LOOPEREYE
By combining a looper engine with a user-friendly and interactive Android/iOS app, the new LOOPEREYE takes traditional looping to a new level, giving the user control over an almost infinite number of parameters. Whilst the previous yellow box incarnation had no footswitches, this new updated version comes with four user-configurable ones mounted to a rugged housing. The embedded synthesiser can be controlled using any external MIDI controller and adds another useful tool to the system. There isn’t much information about the synth itself, but it would, no doubt, be handy to have around.
LOOPEREYE-B?
You may recall the LOOPEREYE-B unit from when it was an upgrade option, back when the company was running its previous campaign for the non-footswitch yellow box. I assume the new LOOPEREYE is the same but has been developed further, based on user feedback. As before, I’m a little sceptical of app driven hardware, because if the app isn’t constantly updated, you are left with an expensive obsolete box.
LOOPEREYE · Source: Kickstarter
Ins, Outs, and MIDI
The low force metal switches seem easy to trigger, and designed to last. The main pedal enclosure includes USB ports, as well as stereo ins and outs. The input is rated at 24 bit 192 kHz, so it should sound good whatever you choose to loop through it. There is also MIDI support via standard TRS, USB, or over WiFi which means you can integrate a lot into this one stompbox.
LOOPEREYE Ins, Outs and MIDI · Source: Kickstarter
App Control
The accompanying smartphone app supports the recording of multiple tracks that you can add, change, or remove as needed. Multiple button banks can be stored, which you can then scroll through using the app or by mapping the scroll function to one of the footswitches. The fact that a user can assign the four footswitches to the most needed parameters/functions may be the strongest selling point of this new version, as it essentially gives you the ability to customise your pedal and have it set up just how you want it.
LOOPEREYE App footswitch assign · Source: Kickstarter
Crowdfunding
LOOPERYE is currently on Kickstarter and has already reached its target goal, which means it should be in production soon. Early supporters pay half the recommended selling price of £399, with various other price points based on when you backed them. If you like looping, then you may want to get onboard with this one. In theory, it sounds pretty flexible, and the included smartphone/tablet app looks fairly easy to use. You can see it in action in the demo videos below, or follow the link for the full specifications, or to back the project.
RRP – GBP 399
More Information
Video
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2 responses to “LOOPEREYE: A new and smarter way to loop?”
If you already have a smartphone just buy an app for it and a foot controller.
To make a valid comparison, along with the app and foot controller, you would still need a professional stereo interface, and then you have to contend with the latency of the phone connected with these other devices, etc. With LOOPEREYE all this is implemented on dedicated hardware, it’s compact and competitively priced. In fact, you don’t even need the app to use the pedal, it can be used standalone and the action assigned to the footswitches is defined by you, so you can create your own pedal. The Kickstarter campaign page goes into more detail, please have a look.