The Vox Dynamic Looper is a looper pedal that also carries a full set of effects and a wah-style footpedal for hands-free control. Vox describes it as combining versatile effects, two independent loops and intuitive "wah-style" footpedal control in one unit1. Availability was set for May 2011, and the press release at the time listed the UK price as still to be confirmed2.
What it does
The VDL1 runs two independent loops at the same time, with a combined loop length of up to 90 seconds3. Premier Guitar's review notes that you can split that time however you like between the two loops, with a 10-second minimum4. Recording is handled from the lower left footswitch: the first push starts recording, a second push sets the loop length and begins playback, and a third starts overdubbing until pushed again3.
For vocals, there is an XLR mic input alongside the instrument input, though it carries no phantom power, so it is suited to dynamic microphones only3.
The XLR mic input has no phantom power, so condenser microphones that need it cannot be used; dynamic mics only3.
Effects
The pedal carries two layers of processing: pre-effects that shape the incoming signal, and loop effects that act on the recorded loops. The pre-effects cover drive, modulation, EQ, delay, reverb and more, including bass and acoustic guitar emulations for an electric guitar13.
Pre-effects3:
- PEDAL (Clean/Comp/Crunch/Overdrive/Distortion)
- WAH (Clean/Comp/Crunch/Overdrive/Distortion)
- MOD (Chorus 1/Chorus 2/Flanger/Phaser/Tremolo)
- BASS (Electric 1-4/Synth 1/Synth 2)
- ACOUSTIC (4 types)
- PITCH
- STUTTER
- EQ (6 types)
- DELAY (Short/Clean/Analog/Tape/BPMSync 1-3)
- REVERB (Spring/Room/Hall)
- SCI-FI (Drone 1-3/Synth 1-3/SlowAttack)
- VOLUME (Current/Loop1-2/ALL)
- X-FADE (Input-Loop/Loop1-Loop2)
- REVERSE (X-fade/Alternate)
- LOOP IN LOOP
- SPEED
- SCRUB
- MOD
- FILTER (4 types)
- DELAY
The Dynamic Looper pairs its two independent loops with a range of effects, in line with Vox's description of the unit as combining versatile effects with looper and footpedal control1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's reviewer Trevor Curwen called it "An effective performance tool if you want to create something a little different."3
Where it sits
As a looper with built-in effects rather than a plain recorder, the VDL1 belongs with multi-effects pedals as much as with looping pedals. Vox's later compact multi-effects line, the StompLab series, took a different direction, focusing on amp models and effects without the dual-loop recording1.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
MusicRadar
VOX Amps
Questions
How long can the loops be on the Vox Dynamic Looper?
The two loops share a combined length of up to 90 seconds, which you can split however you like between them, with a 10-second minimum per loop according to Premier Guitar's review. Recording is started from the lower left footswitch: a second push sets the loop length and begins playback, and a third starts overdubbing until pushed again.
Can you plug a microphone into the Vox Dynamic Looper?
Yes. There is an XLR mic input for use with vocals, but the input carries no phantom power, so it suits dynamic microphones only. Condenser mics that need phantom power will not work through it.
When did the Vox Dynamic Looper come out?
Vox announced the Dynamic Looper at NAMM 2011 in Anaheim, with availability set for May 2011. The press release at the time listed the UK price as still to be confirmed.
Sources (4)
- Dynamic Looper, Vox Amps, 2019-04-09
- NAMM 2011: Vox launches Dynamic Looper pedal, MusicRadar, 2011-01-13
- Vox VDL1 Dynamic Looper review, MusicRadar, 2011-07-15
- Vox VDL1 Dynamic Looper Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-10-18
