The Electro-Harmonix 45000 is a Multi-Track Looping Recorder: a digital looper that lets a player build complex four-track loops quickly, record them as uncompressed CD-quality audio to a removable SDHC card, and move them to a computer over USB12. Released in 2013, it builds on the legacy of Electro-Harmonix's pioneering 16 Second Delay and the popular 2880 Super Multi-Track Looper3, and MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen described it as an updated version of the 280002. Both the 45000 and its optional Foot Controller were discontinued in 202414.
A four-track looping recorder on SD card
Each 45000 "loop" consists of up to four mono tracks plus one stereo mixdown track12. The first track you record sets the loop length, and you can overdub on any track2. MusicRadar's reviewer found this structure lets you quickly produce complex four-track loops2. The unit records direct to removable SDHC cards with a capacity range of 4 to 32GB36, and the included 4GB card offers up to 125 minutes of recording time2. Each card holds up to 100 individual loops3.
The 45000 also offers quantize or non-quantize (free running) modes1, loop speed adjustable over a two octave range6, and a headphone output that can deliver an onboard metronome2.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| NEW LOOP button | Puts the 45000 into Record-Ready Mode1 |
| RECORD button | Enters or exits Record, Overdub or Punch-In modes1 |
| PLAY button | Toggles Playback mode on and off1 |
| REVERSE button | Reverses the loop's playback/record direction1 |
| TEMPO slider | Sets the tempo, unless EXT. CLOCK is active1 |
| EXT. CLOCK button | Synchronizes to external MIDI Clock at MIDI IN1 |
Foot control and the 45000 Foot Controller
The main unit has no footswitches at all, as MusicRadar's reviewer pointed out: "it's got no footswitches, for a start!"2. Foot operation comes from the optional 45000 Foot Controller, released in 2013 and discontinued in 20244. It connects to the main unit with a standard mono guitar cable and obtains all of its power from the 45000, so no separate supply is needed43. It provides instant access to up to 100 loops per SDHC card4.
| Footswitch | What it does |
|---|---|
| RECORD | Equivalent to pressing RECORD on the main unit, with LED4 |
| PLAY | Equivalent to pressing PLAY on the main unit, with LED4 |
| TRACK SELECT | Equivalent to pressing TRACK SELECT on the main unit, with LED4 |
| LOOP DOWN | Decrements the loop number by 1, with LEDs4 |
MusicRadar's reviewer noted the controller "adds footswitches for record and play, track select and switches for scrolling through and selecting loops"2. Guitar World listed the controller at $159 in 20135, while MusicRadar gave its price as £952.
MIDI sync and computer transfer
The 45000 offers MIDI Clock Sync as master or slave, and most user parameters are MIDI controllable1. Pressing the EXT. CLOCK button enables it to synchronize to external MIDI Clock messages received at its MIDI IN jack; when that is active, the TEMPO slider stands aside and the unit looks to MIDI IN for its tempo1.
There is also a USB connection for transferring any loops you record to a computer, or for loading sound files into the unit2. Because recording is non-compressed 44.1kHz/16-bit CD quality36, loops move to a computer without a format conversion step.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen reviewed the 45000 and concluded:
"that multi-track functionality is seriously impressive and could be exactly what experienced loop fiends are looking for"2
Guitar World, surveying it among new stompboxes in 2013, noted it "records uncompressed, 16-bit/44.1kHz CD-quality audio direct to a removable SDHC card (four to 32 GB)"5. Premier Guitar's announcement highlighted the same recording format and the two-octave loop speed range6.
Where it sits among loopers
The 45000 is a studio-style multitrack looper rather than a compact one-knob pedal: it builds on the legacy of the pioneering 16 Second Delay and the popular 2880 Super Multi-Track Looper3. Its loop structure sets it apart from simple record-and-overdub boxes: each loop has four mono tracks and one stereo mixdown track for creative live loop manipulation1. See the Looping Pedals page for the wider field.
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Questions
Does the Electro-Harmonix 45000 have footswitches?
No. The main unit has no footswitches at all; it is operated with buttons on the unit itself. Foot control comes from the optional 45000 Foot Controller, which adds footswitches for record and play, track select, and scrolling through and selecting loops.
Do you need the 45000 Foot Controller to use it?
No, the Foot Controller is optional. The 45000 works on its own with its panel buttons. The controller connects with a standard mono guitar cable, draws all its power from the main unit, and gives hands-free access to record, play, track select and up to 100 loops per card. It was discontinued in 2024.
How many minutes of loops can the 45000 record?
The included 4GB SDHC card offers up to 125 minutes of recording time. The unit accepts SDHC cards from 4 to 32GB, and each card can hold up to 100 individual loops, each made of up to four mono tracks plus a stereo mixdown track.
Can the 45000 sync to MIDI clock?
Yes. The 45000 offers MIDI Clock Sync as master or slave, and most user parameters are MIDI controllable. Pressing the EXT. CLOCK button makes it synchronize to external MIDI Clock messages at its MIDI IN jack; otherwise the TEMPO slider sets the tempo.
Can you transfer 45000 loops to a computer?
Yes. The 45000 has a USB connection for transferring any loops you record to a computer, or for loading sound files into the unit. Since loops are stored as uncompressed 16-bit/44.1kHz audio on SDHC cards, they can also be moved by swapping cards.
Is the Electro-Harmonix 45000 still made?
No. Electro-Harmonix discontinued the 45000 Multi-Track Looping Recorder in 2024, and the optional 45000 Foot Controller was discontinued the same year. Both remain documented on the maker's product pages.
Sources (6)
- 45000 | DISCONTINUED 2024 | Multi-Track Looping Recorder - Electro-Harmonix, Electro-Harmonix
- Electro-Harmonix 45000 review, MusicRadar, 2013-11-21
- Electro-Harmonix Introduces The 45000 Multi-Track Looping Recorder, Guitar Interactive Magazine, 2013-03-14
- 45000 Foot Controller, Electro-Harmonix (ehx.com), 2024
- Stomping Ground: 30 of the Coolest New Stomp Boxes and Tried-and-True Favorites, Guitar World, 2013-07-23
- EHX Launches 45000 Looper & Random Tone Generator, Premier Guitar, 2013-01-23
