The Vox VDL1 Dynamic Looper is a floor pedal looper that lets you create, play and dynamically control looped phrases in real time. It was Vox's first foray into looping pedals, and it sets itself apart from simple record-and-playback loopers by running two independent loops at once and by putting effects both before and after the loop, all controllable from a wah-style treadle while your hands stay on the guitar1.
Two loops, and effects on both sides
The core of the VDL1 is its two independent loops, which can run at the same time. Recording time is 90 seconds split between the two loops however you like, with a 10-second minimum per loop13. That two-loop arrangement is what lets a player layer a rhythm phrase on one loop and work against it on the other, rather than stacking everything onto a single pass.
Where a standard looper just records and plays back, the VDL1 puts effects at two points in the chain1:
- Pre effects: 11 types, acting on the signal going into the loop1
- Loop effects: 11 types, acting on the looped phrase itself1
Among the loop effects are editable Reverse, Speed, Stutter, Volume and Crossfade, the kind of treatments that reshape a recorded phrase rather than just coloring it3.
Each of the 100 onboard programs, 50 preset and 50 user, stores settings for the Pre effect, the Loop effect, and the assignment of the treadle1.
Controls and the treadle
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| Four footswitches | Record, play and loop-switching duties1 |
| Wah-style treadle | Real-time control over various parameters, assigned per program1 |
The distinguishing control is the treadle, which offers a degree of control over various parameters in real time1. What the treadle does is set per program, since each program carries its own treadle assignment alongside its effect settings1. In practice that means the pedal can be put to different jobs in different songs, from volume swells to manipulating a loop effect mid-phrase.
Mic input
Alongside the instrument input there is an XLR mic input should you wish to use the VDL1 with vocals1.
There is no phantom power on the XLR mic input, so it suits dynamic microphones only1. Condenser mics that need phantom power are not an option here.
For a solo performer who sings between or over looped phrases, that makes the VDL1 usable as a single-box looping station for voice and guitar, as long as the mic does not need phantom power1.
What reviewers said
MusicRadar's Trevor Curwen summed the pedal up:
"An effective performance tool if you want to create something a little different."
Premier Guitar's review framed the buying decision this way: it is one to consider if "you want maximum control over multiple loops/phrases in a live situation," but one to skip if "loop storage is of paramount importance."3 In other words, the VDL1 leans toward real-time manipulation rather than a library of saved loops.
VDL1 and the Lil' Looper
Vox followed the VDL1 with the smaller Lil' Looper. The two compare like this2:
| VDL1 Dynamic Looper | Lil' Looper | |
|---|---|---|
| Treadle | Yes, wah-style1 | Missing2 |
| Onboard memory programs | 100 (50 preset, 50 user)1 | Missing2 |
MusicRadar's review of the Lil' Looper notes it "is missing the VDL-1's treadle and onboard memory programs," which are the two features that set the larger unit apart2. If real-time treadle control and stored programs matter to how you loop, the VDL1 is the fuller-featured of the two; if not, the Lil' Looper covers the basics. For a wider view of where the VDL1 sits, see the site's pages on looping pedals and multi-effects pedals.
Videos
VOX Amps
Nazzareno Zacconi
Three77Sparks
Questions
How long can the Vox VDL1 record?
The VDL1 gives you up to 90 seconds of recording time, split between its two independent loops however you like, with a 10-second minimum per loop. MusicRadar describes the combined loop length as up to 90 seconds, and Premier Guitar notes the same 90 seconds of recording time between the two loops.
Can the VDL1 run two loops at once?
Yes. MusicRadar's review notes that the VDL1 can provide two independent loops at once, which is what makes it a dynamic looper rather than a simple single-phrase recorder. Premier Guitar found it suited to players who want maximum control over multiple loops and phrases in a live situation.
Can I plug a microphone into the Vox VDL1?
Yes, there is an XLR mic input for using the VDL1 with vocals. However, the input carries no phantom power, so it suits dynamic microphones only. Condenser mics that need phantom power are not an option here.
Does the VDL1 have phantom power?
No. MusicRadar's review states there is no phantom power on the XLR mic input, which is why it is limited to dynamic microphones.
How many programs does the Vox Dynamic Looper store?
The Dynamic Looper has 100 onboard programs, split evenly between 50 preset and 50 user locations. Each program holds settings for the Pre effect, the Loop effect, and the assignment of the pedal treadle.
What does the treadle on the VDL1 do?
The treadle is a wah-style pedal that offers control over various parameters in real time while you play. What it controls is set per program, since each of the 100 onboard programs includes an assignment for the treadle alongside its Pre effect and Loop effect settings.
Sources (3)
- Vox VDL1 Dynamic Looper review, MusicRadar, 2011-07-15
- Vox Lil' Looper review, MusicRadar, 2012-08-17
- Vox VDL1 Dynamic Looper Pedal Review, Premier Guitar, 2011-10-18
