Not only did you have Roland rolling out their new RC-50 unit as the next step in their Loop Station series of phrase samplers, you also saw Electro-Harmonix (architects behind the now-infamous 16-Second Digital Delay reissue) jumping full-blown into the fray with their new 2880 four-track Looper.

Judging from the reaction out here, however, the biggest splash has to have been made by the new Looperlative rack-mount unit. It features eight completely independent stereo loops — each with full control over feedback, volume, reverse, and double/half speed to say the least. In addition, the tracks can be “unlinked” from each other so loops can either be synced together or entirely asynchronous and free-running. That latter feature is just the thing for all kinds of Frippertronics-ish goodiness!

Electrix was supposed to be at NAMM promoting their upcoming (SIC) Repeater MkII Looper and were supposedly sharing space in the Body Glove booth (”??!??”), although no-one I spoke with could ever find a single representative from Electrix itself. However, I hear the leggy 6′5″ Body Glove models did make quite the nice impression while the other guys at the booth tried to figure out who the hell Electrix were. Let’s hear it for booth-babes!

Also, kudos for mentioning Z.Vex! Zack is cool — as are all his products — but his Lo-Fi Loop Junky has got to be one of the kewlest still.

I haven’t seen such an influx of neat new Looping gear announced in many a moon. Dig!

– glitch.@#$%!