DLOOP-64

DLOOP-64

Expanding on the simple DLOOP-16 delay module design, we’ve quadrupled the delay time to 64 seconds and added quite a few new features, including an effects loop, lo-fi tape-like effects and CV connectivity. And with an optional cab simulator, you can even use DLOOP-64 as a simple guitar amp!

DLOOP-64 is a stereo in / out 64 second delay with old-school looping functions. The design is based on a classic effects pedal from the 80’s which became popular with looping artists and pre-dates units with dedicated start / stop controls to set the loop length. Instead, the delay is always running, and you simply toggle the effect in and out of “record” mode, so the length of the loop corresponds to the delay time.

DLOOP-64 handles mono or stereo inputs / outputs, and the stereo image is maintained throughout.

REC / PLAY toggles DLOOP-64 between record and play mode. As the delay line is always running, you can use this button to layer-up a loop in REC mode, then switch to PLAY mode to play along with your loop without overdubbing new audio.

STOP will stop loop playback and clear whatever’s in the delay buffer. Please note - when you press STOP, your loop is gone forever!

LENGTH sets the overall loop / delay time between 0.25 and 64 seconds. Changing the length while a loop is playing will result in a “warping” effect.

DECAY sets the decay of the loop from a single repeat, to infinite repeats. For shifting and evolving ambient loops, set the DECAY to around 75-80%. To gradually fade-out your loop, simply reduce the DECAY time.

Next to the large LED counter display, we have a mode switch. The top “%” setting displays the percentage progress through your loop, the bottom “B” position displays bars / beats (see below) and the centre position switches the counter off.

BEATS and BARS sets the length for your loop performance between 1 and 16 beats per bar, and up to 8 bars. DLOOP-64 will then do a calculation based on the current host tempo and display the duration in seconds. If the duration is between 0.25 and 64 seconds, you can set the LENGTH of your loop to this value by clicking the button, allowing you to create loops that perfectly align with your project tempo.

The BEATS counter and tempo calculation can be scaled using the switch to the right of the display. Selecting the X2 option for example, would change the BEATS to 1/8th notes which may be useful when using DLOOP-64 as a clock trigger for example.

With the display in beats / bars “B” mode, the counter will show a three digit number, the first being the bar, and the second two digits, the beat. For example, 304 would be bar 3, beat 4, and 212 would be bar 2, beat 12. The small LEDs above the BEATS / BARS knobs will also pulse in time corresponding to the current bar - 1-8.

With the display in percentage “%” mode, the counter will show progress 0-100%, and the small LEDs will light accordingly.

The FADE TIME section varies the time to “splice” in and out of record mode and fade out the loop gradually when you hit STOP. Longer times can be useful to avoid abrupt endings or overdubs sounding choppy. The adjacent LEDs will grow brighter or dim to reflect the fade in / out level and the central LED will be lit when in record mode. Please note that once you've hit STOP, there's no going back!

AUTO mode automatically toggles in and out of record mode when the fade times reach their target values. AUTO mode is used in conjunction with the STOP button. When a stop occurs and the loop fades out completely, DLOOP-64 will automatically go into record mode, but only for the duration of the record fade time. Using short loop times (around 0.5 sec) and long fade times (around 1 sec) DLOOP-64 can function in a similar way to a “freeze” effects pedal, especially when STOP/AUTO is CV-controlled (see below).

The FX section includes several effects that can make DLOOP-64 sound quite like a tape machine. The LO CUT and HI CUT are low and high frequency roll-off controls. WOBBLE and SWAY add randomised pitch warble and auto-pan respectively.

To add to the lo-fi vibe, crunchy tube-like DRIVE can be applied along with emulated spring REVERB. Both the DRIVE and REVERB can optionally be applied to the loop / delayed signal only, by engaging the buttons labelled LOOP ONLY.

For convenience, you can quickly set the FX controls to LO-FI or HI-FI mode by clicking on the buttons in the FX header section. Select HI-FI mode if you want your loops / delay to be perfect copies of your original signal. Select LO-FI mode for a bit of a vintage vibe!

The MIX section allows you to balance the DRY (input) and LOOP signal levels as well as overall output (OUT). If the combined levels get too high, limiting will be applied and the LED above the OUT control will light.

The CAB toggle engages a guitar cab and speaker emulator from our amp sim modules allowing you to use DLOOP-64 as an all-in-one low gain crunch guitar amp and echo solution! The CAB option can also be useful to tame some of the “fizz” when the DRIVE control is set really high.

Over to the right of the module, an FX LOOP allows additional stereo processing to be applied to the loop only. The effects loop is placed after the DRIVE and before the REVERB and final MIXER stage.

Over to the left we have lots of CV IN / OUT options! In the case of triggers, DLOOP-64 expects at least one sample of +1V or more, otherwise zero. For variable controls, the expected range is 0 to +5V and the signal should be continuous when connected. LEDs next to inputs and outputs will light when a signal is sent, received or changes.

The LOOP-IN section contains triggers for REC and STOP/AUTO and variable controls for DECAY and loop LEVEL. Note that when using the FADE TIME AUTO option, the STOP/AUTO input should be used for toggling between record and play mode. See the FADE TIME section above for an explanation of AUTO mode.

The DLOOP SYNC section allows the BEATS and BARS counter to be in sync with other DLOOP modules and also your host. Connecting the PLAY transport to IN will zero the counters on playback. You can also do this manually by clicking the SEND SYNC button which will also pass the message on to other DLOOP modules connected via THRU to PLAY.

The FX-IN section allows variable control over the WOBBLE and SWAY depth.

The COUNTERS-OUT section sends various triggers corresponding to the timing of the loop. This provides some interesting options for loop-sync’d switching and so on, and the 1/16 output can even be used to drive a step sequencer.

We hope you find DLOOP-64 an inspiring and creative tool. Be sure to check out our growing range of “control freak” modules designed to help you get the most enjoyment from modules such as DLOOP-64.