The Glou-Glou Loupé is a stereo looper/delay pedal running the maker's own firmware, called Loupé OS. Where a typical looper such as the TC Electronic Ditto Looper or Boss RC-5 focuses on straightforward record and overdub, the Loupé builds a set of sound-mangling tools around the loop itself: half-speed overdubbing, pitch glide, 16-step LFO sequences and playhead offsets. Its control set is based on the Gibson Echoplex Digital Pro loop controls, a lineage players of deep loopers will recognize1.
The pedal launched with a recommended retail price of EUR 500 / USD 650 for the first batch1. Its current list price is USD 7802.
How the Loupé works
The pedal has five footswitches corresponding to five LEDs that handle the basic looping functions, plus four tactswitches: nine assignable switches in total, each of which can be set individually to toggle or sustain3. An expression pedal input with three dedicated modes adds hands-free control3. Gearnews noted that all nine controls are assignable1.
The pedal carries three screens: two showing digital digits for the FX and Game presets, while the larger central one displays everything else1. Switch configurations are stored in 99 memory slots called GAMES, 50 factory and 49 user3.
The looping functions themselves cover the ground a serious looper player expects. Gearnews listed Record, Overdub, Replace, Multiply, Insert, Trig, Mute and Start1, and the maker's page details several more:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Overdub, /B, /Q | Add layers to your loop3 |
| Replace, /B, /Q | Replace part (or all) of your loop3 |
| Substitute, /B, /Q | Same as Replace except new material is played on the following cycle3 |
| Insert, /B, /Q | Lengthen your loop by inserting new material3 |
| Multiply, /R*, /B, /Q | Change loop length (shorter or longer) by multiplying it while overdubbing3 |
| Stack, /R, /B, /Q | Spread your overdubs out over several cycles3 |
| Record, /B, /Q | Leave the current loop and immediately record a new one, retaining the length and timing of the previous loop3 |
Up to 127 levels of undo are available, far deeper than most compact loopers3.
Loupé OS effects: LFO, Glide, HalfDub and more
The effects side of Loupé OS is where the pedal separates itself from conventional loopers.
- HalfDub cuts the loop playback to half speed and enables overdubbing. Overdubs recorded at half speed play back one octave higher and twice as fast3.
- Glide controls how pitch changes happen. At 0 the pitch change is immediate; higher Glide values take longer to transition from one pitch to another3.
- LFO is a collection of 100 different 16-step sequences. The number of steps can be changed, as can the step the LFO starts on3.
- Habit and Rabit offset the playhead by specific, fixed amounts and maintain that offset until the effect is turned off3.
- Scroll, with /B and /Q, quantizes each turn of the Scroll encoder so playback windows change at rhythmically precise values3.
- ForceDry is a distinct mode suited to looping with continuous sources such as radio or video3.
Connections, sync and microphones
The Loupé records in 48kHz / 24bit stereo and has two selectable Line/Mic inputs, so a microphone can be looped directly without a separate preamp converter31. For synchronization with other gear there is a Pulse Sync Out with adjustable PPQ (pulses per quarter note) rather than MIDI3. Gearnews reported that the lack of MIDI drew reader disappointment at the price, one comment reading "Lot of money, no MIDI. Disappointing."1
What reviewers said
Gearnews covered the launch in May 2021, describing the Loupé as "a dedicated looper/delay pedal with 32MB of memory, equating to 86 seconds of stereo recording time"1. The reviewer's overall take:
"I think this could be a great creative tool for musicians who get very creative with audio, like Hainbach does"
He added that it is probably overkill for songwriting with a guitar and simple vocal layers, and that success will depend on ease of use and integration with other equipment1.
Availability and price
The maker's product page lists the Loupé at 780,00 $ USD2. At launch in May 2021 the first batch carried an RRP of EUR 500 / USD 6501.
The power supply is not included. The Loupé needs a DC 9V 400mA center-negative supply, and at 400mA it draws more current than many compact pedals, so a dedicated output is the safer choice2.
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Questions
Does the Glou-Glou Loupé have MIDI?
No. The Loupé has no MIDI. It syncs to other gear through a Pulse Sync Out jack with adjustable PPQ instead, and it has an expression pedal input with three dedicated modes. Gearnews reported reader disappointment at the absence of MIDI given the price.
How long can a loop be on the Loupé?
The maximum loop size is 43 seconds. The pedal records in 48kHz/24bit stereo, and Gearnews described the unit as having 32MB of memory, equating to 86 seconds of stereo recording time. Up to 127 levels of undo are available.
Does the Loupé come with a power supply?
No. The power supply is not included. The pedal runs on a DC 9V 400mA center-negative supply, which you need to supply yourself. At 400mA it is a hungrier pedal than most compact loopers.
Can I loop a microphone with the Loupé?
Yes. The Loupé has two selectable Line/Mic inputs, so you can hook up a microphone directly. Gearnews suggested it suits musicians who get very creative with audio, though it may be overkill for simple guitar and vocal songwriting layers.
Sources (3)
- Glou-Glou Loupé: a creative new Looper/Delay pedal for sound mangling, gearnews.com, 2021-05-11
- Loupé | glou-glou, glou-glou.org, 2026
- Loupé | glou-glou, glou-glou.org, 2026
