Gear article

Electro-Harmonix Pico Looper 360 Plus

The Electro-Harmonix Pico Looper 360 Plus is a compact, high-fidelity guitar effect pedal providing 6 minutes of uncompressed 24-bit recording time across 11 memory banks. It is designed for musicians requiring a space-efficient looping solution without sacrificing features like dynamic overdubbing and adjustable fadeout times.

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Overview and Construction

The Electro-Harmonix Pico Looper 360 Plus is an ultra-compact digital looping pedal housed in the brand's 'Pico' chassis, designed to occupy minimal real estate on a crowded pedalboard. Despite its small footprint, it offers professional-grade audio fidelity with 24-bit uncompressed recording. The pedal is built for durability and ease of use, featuring a single footswitch architecture that handles recording, playback, and overdubbing functions.

Key Features and Operation

The unit distinguishes itself through its 11 dedicated memory banks, allowing users to store and recall different loop segments. It provides a total of 360 seconds (6 minutes) of recording time. Notable advanced functions include:

  • Dynamic Overdub Level Control: Allows the user to adjust the volume of the layers being added.
  • Undo-Redo Functionality: Provides the ability to remove or restore the last recorded layer for error correction or performance dynamics.
  • Adjustable Fadeout Time: Enables smooth endings to loops rather than abrupt stops.
  • Independent Mixing: Separate knobs for 'Dry' and 'Loop' levels ensure the user can balance their live signal against the recorded phrase.

Sound Character

As a digital looper, the Pico Looper 360 Plus is designed for transparency. The use of 24-bit uncompressed audio ensures that the recorded signal remains faithful to the original guitar tone, avoiding the digital artifacts or 'thinning' sometimes associated with lower-resolution loopers. This makes it suitable for layering multiple parts—such as clean rhythms and high-gain leads—without the mix becoming muddy or degraded.

Target User and Integration

The pedal is primarily aimed at gigging guitarists and bassists who need a reliable looper for practice or live performance but have limited space on their mobile rigs. It works effectively alongside other industry standards, such as the Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor or the EHX Big Muff Distortion, where it can capture the processed signal for complex soundscaping. Its simplicity also makes it an excellent entry point for beginners who require more than one memory slot.

Comparison with Alternatives

Compared to standard single-track loopers, the Pico Looper 360 Plus offers more storage via its 11 banks. While it lacks the larger physical interface of pedals like the Boss DD-3T or multi-switch loopers, it compensates with its tiny footprint. For players who need expression control or complex pitch shifting, pedals like the Digitech Whammy Ricochet offer different creative avenues, but for pure phrase sampling and layering, the Pico Looper 360 Plus provides a more focused toolset.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the total recording time of the Pico Looper 360 Plus?
The pedal offers a total of 6 minutes of recording time. This time can be distributed across the 11 available memory banks.
What is the audio resolution of the recordings?
The pedal records in high-quality 24-bit uncompressed audio. This ensures that your loops maintain the same fidelity as your original signal.
How many memory banks are available on this pedal?
There are 11 independent memory banks. This allows you to store different ideas or song sections and switch between them as needed.
Does the pedal have an undo and redo feature?
Yes, it includes undo-redo functionality. This allows you to delete the most recent overdub if you make a mistake or bring it back for added texture.
Can I adjust the volume of the recorded loop separately from my live guitar?
Yes, the pedal features independent Dry and Loop level knobs. This gives you full control over the mix of your live playing and the playback.
What is the purpose of the adjustable fadeout time?
Adjustable fadeout time allows the loop to decrease in volume gradually when stopped. This creates a more natural and professional-sounding conclusion to a musical phrase.
How small is the Pico Looper 360 Plus?
It uses an 'ultra-small footprint' design, often referred to as a micro or pico chassis. This makes it ideal for tight pedalboard setups or mobile guitar rigs.
Does it offer overdub level control?
Yes, it features dynamic overdub level control. This allows you to specify how loud the new layers are in relation to the existing loop.
Is the pedal suitable for live performance?
Absolutely, it is described as a 'no-fuss gig-ready pedal.' Its simple controls and reliable housing are designed for the rigors of live use.
Can the behavior of the looper be programmed?
Yes, users can programme the looper's behaviour after recording. This adds an extra layer of customisation to how the pedal responds to footswitch commands.
What power supply is required for the Pico Looper?
Like most EHX pedals, it typically requires a standard 9V DC power supply. Given its compact size, it does not support internal battery operation.
Does it maintain the signal quality after many overdubs?
Because it uses 24-bit uncompressed audio, it is designed to handle multiple layers without significant signal degradation. This allows for complex experimentation and refining of musical ideas.