The One Control Minimal Series White Loop with BJF Buffer is a 2-loop switcher: a small utility pedal that lets a player put two separate chains of effects into two loops and switch each chain in and out of the signal path, instead of tapping dance on every pedal in the chain1. What sets it apart from a plain loop box is the BJF Buffer on its input, which can be switched on or off, so the same box can run the loops in a true bypass style or with a buffer at the front of the chain1.
One Control lists the White Loop at a regular price of $89.99 USD, and the product page shows it as sold out1. The same buffer circuit appears across much of the company's switcher and utility range, including the Black Loop with BJF Buffer, the Black Loop Deluxe, and the standalone Minimal Series BJF Buffer234.
What it does, and the BJF Buffer
A loop switcher sits between the guitar and the amp and routes the signal through the pedals in a loop, or around them. With two loops, a player can group effects, for example an overdrive in one loop and a delay in the other, and bring each group in with a single footswitch press. One Control describes the White Loop as a 2-Loop switcher that adopts the Flash Loop System1.
The BJF Buffer is the circuit One Control installs in many of its switchers. The company calls it "one of the most natural-sounding" buffers it makes and credits it with ultra-low noise output15. On the White Loop it sits at the input, which is where a buffer does its work: it converts the guitar's high-impedance output to a low-impedance signal that survives long cable runs and many true bypass pedals without losing treble. For a player who wants to read more about that job in general, see buffer pedals.
The buffer is switchable. One Control describes it as "the world-class switchable BJF Buffer that can be turned on/off on the input and can instantly cut the Loop channel"1. That gives the player a choice: run the whole box buffered, or switch the buffer off and keep the loops in a true bypass style, the same operating choice One Control builds into the Black Loop, where each loop's switching is standard true bypass style and the input buffer can be turned on for buffer bypass operation2.
The controls
The White Loop keeps its control surface to two elements, which is in keeping with the Minimal Series idea1:
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| LOOP/OFF footswitch | Switches the selected LOOP and bypass1 |
| GREEN/RED switch | Switches the selected loop; the LED turns red when RED is selected and green when GREEN is selected1 |
So the GREEN/RED switch picks which of the two loops is active, the LED confirms the choice by color, and the LOOP/OFF footswitch brings that loop in or takes it out. A player comparing this against the Black Loop will find a different layout there: LOOP1 turns on the loop on the right side and LOOP 2 turns on the loop on the left2.
Power
The White Loop runs on a center-negative DC9V adapter1. There is no battery option: One Control states that batteries cannot be used1. That is consistent with the rest of the Minimal Series utility range, including the Black Loop, the Black Loop Deluxe, and the standalone BJF Buffer, all of which run on center-negative or center-minus DC9V supplies234.
No battery operation. The White Loop needs a center-negative DC9V adapter, so plan for a pedalboard power supply rather than a battery.
The Minimal Series loop switchers with BJF Buffer
The White Loop is one of several One Control loop switchers built around the same buffer circuit. How they differ comes down to layout and extra features14:
| Model | What it is | Notable difference |
|---|---|---|
| White Loop with BJF Buffer | 2-loop switcher with switchable input buffer1 | GREEN/RED loop selection with color LED1 |
| Black Loop with BJF Buffer | Loop switcher with buffer and DC outs2 | Supplies power to effects connected to the loop; can serve as a mute switch and tuner out via one loop's SEND2 |
| Black Loop Deluxe with BJF Buffer | Two-loop switcher, 380g3 | Buffer built directly into the input stage, which One Control calls most effective at the very beginning of the signal chain3 |
On the Black Loop versus Black Loop Deluxe question: the Black Loop is positioned as an easy-to-use loop switcher that can power the pedals connected to it, with the current available from its DC Out depending on the adapter in use2. The Black Loop Deluxe is described as a versatile two-loop switcher giving complete control over two independent effects loops, with the BJF Buffer built into the input stage and switchable between true bypass and buffered bypass operation3.
The buffer circuit itself reaches beyond the loop switchers. One Control says it has installed the exact circuit into many of its switchers4, and it appears in the Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer (500kΩ input impedance with the buffer on), the Mosquito Blender Expressio (where the BJF Buffer switch applies the buffer to the input part), the Mosquito Blender Trail, and the BJF Buffer Split6.
Questions
Can the One Control White Loop run on a battery?
No. One Control states plainly that batteries cannot be used with the White Loop with BJF Buffer. It needs a center-negative DC9V adapter, so it belongs on a powered pedalboard rather than in a battery-only setup.
What polarity does the White Loop with BJF Buffer use?
It uses a center-negative DC9V adapter, the same convention as most modern effects pedals. That means it works with standard 9V pedalboard power supplies, but an adapter with the opposite polarity would not be suitable.
Can the BJF Buffer on the White Loop be turned off?
Yes. The BJF Buffer sits on the input and can be switched on or off, so the White Loop can run with the buffer active or with the loops in a true bypass style configuration. The buffer can also instantly cut the Loop channel.
How heavy is the One Control White Loop?
It weighs 390g, the same as the Black Loop with BJF Buffer. Its enclosure measures 61D x 111W x 31H mm not including protrusions, or 66D x 121W x 49H mm including them, so it fits in a small board footprint.
What is the difference between the Black Loop and the Black Loop Deluxe?
Both are One Control two-loop switchers with a BJF Buffer. The Black Loop is an easy-to-use loop switcher with DC outs for powering connected effects, while the Black Loop Deluxe is described as a versatile two-loop switcher with the buffer built directly into the input stage for maximum effectiveness at the start of the chain.
Where can I find the White Loop manual?
One Control hosts the English manual as a PDF on its site, titled Minimal Series White Loop with BJF Buffer v1.01 English, linked from the product page at one-control.com.
Sources (6)
- Minimal Series White Loop with BJF Buffer (OC-M-WL2), One Control USA
- Minimal Series Black Loop with BJF Buffer (OC-M-BL2), One Control USA
- Minimal Series Black Loop Deluxe with BJF Buffer (OC-M-BLDLX), One Control USA
- Minimal Series BJF Buffer (OC-M-BUF), One Control USA
- Minimal Series Tuner MKII with BJF BUFFER (OC-M-PT2), One Control USA
- Minimal Series Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer (OC-M-JBBUF), One Control USA
