The Electro-Harmonix 720, sold as the 720 Stereo Looper, is a digital looper pedal released by Electro-Harmonix in 20151. Its name comes from its capacity: 720 seconds, or 12 minutes, of stereo recording time spread across 10 independent loops, with unlimited overdubbing on top of any of them234. Stereo inputs and outputs let you loop a stereo source, such as a stereo effects pedal ahead of it in the chain, and keep that image intact on playback1.
Guitar World's reviewer Chris Corfield summed up the pitch: "packing in 12 minutes of looping time, the ability to store 10 loops, a couple of neat effects and high quality, uncompressed" audio5. In Electro-Harmonix's looper range, Guitar World's buying guide places the 720 "sitting comfortably between EHX's flagship 95000 model and the beginner-friendly Nano Looper 360"6, which makes it the middle option: more loop storage and stereo operation than the Nano Looper 360, less machine than the EHX 95000.
What the 720 does
The 720 records, overdubs and plays back loops in stereo, storing up to 10 loops, each in a dedicated slot you can recall during practice or performance13. Overdubs are unlimited, so you can keep layering parts over a loop as long as there is recording time left in the 12-minute total1. Playback is uncompressed, and GuitarPlayer's buying guide notes that "the 720 delivers even effects-laden sou"rces faithfully, thanks to its 24-bit converters8.
Two built-in effects shape loops after they are recorded. A reverse effect plays the chosen loop backwards5, and a half-speed button drops the loop's pitch by one octave and halves its tempo, usable during playback or overdubbing; the button glows red when active1. MusicRadar's launch coverage described the right footswitch as one that "stops and starts loops, and activates effects, including reverse and half-speed"4.
The controls
The front panel keeps looping to two footswitches and a few knobs. Guitar World's review lists the control set as "Loop level, loop select, effect controls, record/dub footswitch, stop footswitch"5.
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| LOOP footswitch | Records, overdubs and plays back loops; also stops loops and triggers undo/redo1 |
| STOP/FX footswitch | Switchable between STOP mode and FX mode; a dot on the display next to the STOP label shows STOP mode, and it is off in FX mode1 |
| LEVEL knob | Sets the output level of the loop1 |
| LOOP knob | Selects which of the 10 loops is active1 |
| ½ SPEED button | Drops the loop one octave in pitch and halves the tempo; glows red when on1 |
| REC LED | Lights when a loop is being recorded or overdubbed1 |
The left switch handles the core looping work: MusicRadar notes it "controls looping, overdubbing and undo/redo functions"4. The STOP/FX switch's dual mode is the one thing to learn when you first sit down with the pedal, since the same button either stops playback or fires the reverse effect depending on how it is set1.
Stereo jacks, foot controller and power
The back panel carries stereo inputs and outputs plus a foot controller connection5.
- MONO/L INPUT: plug your instrument or another effects pedal's output here; in a stereo setup this is the left input1
- R INPUT: the right input for stereo use1
- MONO/L OUTPUT: sends the left output signal1
- R OUTPUT: sends the right output signal1
- ¼" TRS foot controller jack: works with popular three-button foot controllers to move the 720's bank up or down and to give instant undo/redo1
The foot controller input is what gearnews highlighted at launch: it "provides a way to use popular 3-button foot controllers to change a bank up or down, and gives access to instant Undo-Redo"9. For a player who switches between saved loops mid-song, that keeps both hands on the guitar.
Power comes from the included 9.6VDC-200mA adapter, the EHX9.6DC supply19. An optional 9V battery also works but is not included1; gearnews noted the pedal "provides extended battery life" and gave the maker credit for shipping the supply in the box9. Current draw is 75mA1.
The 720 uses buffered bypass, not true bypass1. Guitar World's review confirms it5, though GuitarPlayer's buying guide lists it as true bypass1; the maker's own specification is buffered, and that is the figure to trust when planning a pedalboard around it.
Where it came from and what reviewers said
Electro-Harmonix released the 720 in December 2015 as part of its looper lineup, with Guitar.com reporting it "is available now" at launch and featuring 24-bit A/D/A converters7. MusicRadar covered it as an expansion of the company's looping line, noting the 720 seconds of stereo recording time, stereo inputs and outputs, and the included EHX PSU4.
Reviewers have been consistent about the pedal's value. Guitar World's Chris Corfield found that "12 mins of recording time is generous"5, and the same outlet's buying guides have kept the 720 on their looper lists for years, describing it as offering "720 seconds, or 12 minutes of high-quality, uncompressed stereo" looping3 and noting the external three-button footswitch access to undo/redo and bank up/down2. gearnews was blunt about the bundle: "So full marks of including the power supply, and also great that you can use a battery if you prefer."532
Videos
EHX
Sound Affects
Dean Wolfe [Prog dog]
Questions
Is the Electro-Harmonix 720 true bypass?
No. The 720 uses buffered bypass, according to Electro-Harmonix's own product page, and Guitar World's review lists the same. If you run a long cable run or a large pedalboard after it, the buffer stays in the signal path when the pedal is off.
Does the 720 Stereo Looper come with a power adapter?
Yes. Electro-Harmonix includes a 9.6VDC-200mA power adapter in the box, which gearnews praised at launch. The pedal draws 75mA, so it can also share an isolated 9V output on a pedalboard power supply if the voltage matches.
Can the 720 run on a battery?
Yes. It takes an optional 9V battery, which is not included with the pedal. gearnews noted at launch that the pedal provides extended battery life, so battery power is a workable option for players who want to loop without a power supply.
How many loops can the 720 store?
Ten. The 720 holds 10 independent loops, each in a dedicated slot you can select with the LOOP knob for easy recall during practice or performance. Total recording time is 720 seconds, or 12 minutes, shared across those loops.
Does the 720 work with a foot controller?
Yes. A quarter-inch TRS foot controller jack works with popular three-button foot controllers to move bank up or down and to give instant access to undo and redo. That keeps hands-free control of loop selection while you play.
Is the 720 analog or digital?
It is digital. Electro-Harmonix lists the 720 as a digital pedal with 24-bit A/D/A converters, and press coverage describes its playback as high-quality and uncompressed, so effects-laden sources keep their character in a loop.
Sources (9)
- 720 | Stereo Looper - Electro-Harmonix, Electro-Harmonix
- Best looper pedals 2026: tried and tested by an expert, Guitar World, 2022-11-08
- Best cheap looper pedals 2025: bang-for-your-buck loopers for your 'board, Guitar World, 2022-03-15
- Electro-Harmonix expands looping line with 720 Stereo Looper pedal, MusicRadar, 2015-12-15
- Electro-Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper review, Guitar World, 2021-09-07
- Best Electro-Harmonix pedals, Guitar World, 2023-04-25
- News: Electro-Harmonix announces the 720 stereo looper, Guitar.com, 2015-12-15
- Best looper pedals 20256: my top guitar loop stations, GuitarPlayer (www.guitarplayer.com), 2023-06-02
- Electro Harmonix 720 Stereo Looper with 12 minutes of stereo loop time, gearnews.com, 2015-12-16
