Can pedals attached to a looper be used independently?

[mattyb5000]

I did a search on this and couldn't find anything so I'm hoping folks can give some help on this. I have six pedals that I use frequently, including several that I typically use in combination with one another, sometimes as many as four pedals at once. I'd like to be able to access this multi-pedal sound with the click of one switch. I have been researching loopers, and I'm confused as to whether a pedal that's attached in a chain that links to a looper can also be used independently.

Example: I love the psychedelic sound of a flanger along with with a fuzz pedal and an octave pedal. But sometimes I prefer to just use the flanger on its own, or the fuzz, etc. So if I have these three pedals together attached to a looper, is it possible to have the three-pedal effect using the looper, but then to be able to use the flanger or any other pedal attached to the looper on its own by simply tapping the actual pedal?

 

[MightyMiloQuinn]

You could do something like that with a programmable looper, but not a straight-up bypass looper.

 

[Lebowsky]

well yeah, you just put them in all in one loop, and if you only need one of them, you turn only one of them on...


edit: not sure if "turn on" was used appropriately here?

 

[alfonso_bundis]

I think that the simpler solution would be to get a bypass strip with several loops and a master switch. That way you can connect each pedal to a different loop which will allow you individual use while having the single switch access you want with the master switch.

 

[dannybuoy]

Check out some programmable loopers - the Joyo PXL4, PXL8, and PXL-PRO might be a good starting point.

 

[Feral Feline]

OP,
As already mentioned, a simple true-bypass looper strip won't suffice for your intended use and needs. However, any of the programmable switchers, as noted above (Joyo and others) will do what you need ie group whichever effects you want together as well as have each pedal available individually.

In addition to the more affordable Joyo stuff Dannybuoy mentioned, there are several other options with varying levels of expense and complexity...

The Gig Rig - Expensive though very good and with a few different models to choose from including the incredibly powerful top-of-the-line G2, but the Pro-8 or Midi-8 (shown below) will handle your six pedals no problem. Run your FX into the back and flip whichever corresponding dip-switch to include that pedal in the one-button stomp. Very easy and intuitive. For example you've got chorus delay octave in one of the top row loops, and you're in the verse of a song. The lower row of stomp-buttons can be used to single out a pedal, let's say a brutal distortion for the bridge of the song, and when you stomp off the singled pedal, whatever batch of pedals you were using from the top row comes into play again.
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Carl Martin Octa-Switch, very similar to GigRig's Pro/Midi-8 and Pro/Midi-14 series with its dip-switches.

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Build Your Own Clone's Super-8 is my latest favourite for the GAS list. You could always get one pro-built if you don't wield a solder-iron yourself.
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Check out Premier Guitar's Pedal-Switcher Shoot-Out, which pits the following switchers against each other:

Not much of a shoot-out, not comprehensive at all, given how many other options are out there.



Not that I've used any of these, but from what I've researched, these would best meet my needs/wants:

For ease of use and versatility
I like the GigRig's Pro-8 with dip-switches, or Octa-Switch (also with dip-switches). I like physically moving knobs and switches on pedals and hate programming pedals digital pedals, so for example I prefer a Line-6 M-5 to a Korg Pandora; the dip-switches of Pro-8 and Octa are super intuitive for me.

For powerful programmable pedal-chain manipulation
The GigRig G2, or smaller more affordable BYOC Super-8. I like the affordability of the Super-8, and after watching the video, even I could deal with the "programming" of it. Another really nice feature is the Super-8's compact size. Price-per-feature easily rivals the GigRig Pro-8/14!
G2? Sure, when I go triple platinum...

 

[sunbeast]

You can definitely do what you ask with a simple single-loop true-bypass looper as long as you don't expect to go from three pedals on to only one on with only one hit. Basically you put all the pedals you'd want to use together in the loop, then arm whichever ones you want before the next part so when you hit the activate footswitch in the looper all the correct pedals will be on, regardless of whether it is just one or all the pedals...

 

[mattyb5000]

Thanks for all the great info, folks! And big thanks to Feral Feline for putting together an impressive list of options with links. When I'm playing I want to have the least amount of pedal stomping as possible, so I'm inclined to pay a little extra $ for a programmable switcher. It's gotten to the point where I'm kind of tap dancing around my pedalboard and I'd rather focus on my playing than making sure I hit all the right switches.

 

[mattyb5000]

I think that the simpler solution would be to get a bypass strip with several loops and a master switch. That way you can connect each pedal to a different loop which will allow you individual use while having the single switch access you want with the master switch.

Alfonso, are you talking about something like this? [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Feral Feline]

Forgot about [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]...

“Pop Stop” circuit
2 inputs (Tip/Ring).
Tuner Out with Mute. (Tuner always on option).
Selectable Buffered / True Bypass Input.
2 Selectable Buffered / True Bypass Outputs.
Tap Switch with 3 Tap Tempo Outputs (RCA).
6 or 9 Effect Loops Total, last 3 Loops are Stereo.
All loops can be upgraded to stereo.
9VDC input power.
Mech Mode: acts like a Mechanical Looper Pedal.
Preset Mode: 6 or 9 programmable Presets.
Programmable by Footswitch without bending over
ALL OFF switch.