Guitar World Verdict
While the Xero is initially a little complicated, once you get the hang of it, this looper has many practical applications and is a fun creative tool.
Pros
-
Compact size.
-
Stereo panning.
-
WYSIWYG operation.
-
Three operational modes.
-
Loop speed and direction flexibility.
-
External footswitch option,
-
MIDI.
Cons
- –
It’s a bit of a learning curve.
You can trust Guitar World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
What is it?
Walrus Audio’s first foray into looping is the Xero Polylooper, a dual-channel stereo looper pedal that the brand says is designed to fully explore the creative possibilities of multiple loop channels.
It’s a practical-sized pedal that offers two identical looping channels with three available modes to determine how the two are synchronised. Each channel has its own volume slider, plus a Pan knob to fix its own location in the stereo field – a great feature that can deliver a real sense of space and clarity if you’re running in stereo.
For effect, each channel can be independently switched to run in reverse and/or at half or double speed with the consequent octave pitch change.
Specs
- PRICE: $299/£285
- ORIGIN: USA
- TYPE: Looper pedal
- FEATURES: True bypass, up to 3 mins’ looping, 2x channels, variable loop speed, loop reverse, loop panning
- CONTROLS: Pan (1&2), Volume slider (1&2), Speed switch (1&2), FWD/REV switch (1&2), Mode switch, footswitch 1, footswitch 2
- CONNECTIONS: Standard inputs Mono (L) & Stereo (R), standard outputs Mono (L) & Stereo (R), EXT switch, 1/8” MIDI In, 1/8” MIDI Thru, USB C (for firmware updates)
- POWER: 9V DC adaptor (not supplied) 300mA
- DIMENSIONS: 100 (w) x 118 (d) x 57mm (h)
- CONTACT: Walrus Audio
Usability and sounds
The control surface of the Xero is simple enough with no menus to navigate, but the two footswitches have to take care of a lot of functions via various presses-and-holds on either single footswitches or both simultaneously.
Subsequently, it can take a little time to become fluent with your feet and get your head around the visual cues provided by the seven different colours in the multi-coloured LED allied to each footswitch. Operational ease can be improved by adding an external dual footswitch or via MIDI for full control of functions and clock sync.
Walrus Audio Xero Polylooper Review: Unlocking creative Looping Potential
What is the Walrus Audio Xero polylooper?
The Walrus Audio Xero Polylooper is a compact yet powerful multi-track looper pedal designed specifically for musicians seeking a versatile, intuitive, and creative looping experience. Unlike basic loopers, the Polylooper excels by offering polyphonic looping capabilities, four self-reliant loop tracks, and a user-pleasant interface that enables both live performance and experimental sound design.
Key Features at a glance
- Four separate loop tracks: Layer up to four independent loops concurrently.
- Polyphonic sound: Records and loops complex chords and detailed melodic lines without losing fidelity.
- Compact design: Small footprint that fits easily on pedalboards without overwhelming space.
- Simple controls: Intuitive footswitches, knobs, and rhythm presets for easy navigation and manipulation.
- internal memory storage: Saves loops and settings for seamless transitions between performances or practice sessions.
Why the Xero Polylooper Stands Out: Benefits and Practical Applications
Once you get the hang of using the Walrus Audio xero Polylooper, its applications extend far beyond basic live looping. HereS why this pedal is a must-have creative tool for guitarists, multi-instrumentalists, and even studio producers.
Benefits of using the Xero Polylooper
- Enhanced creativity: Layer multiple loops with ease, giving you the freedom to explore new song ideas or ambient textures on the fly.
- Live performance versatility: Switch between loops mid-song without interrupting the flow,thanks to independent track controls.
- Studio productivity: Quickly build full arrangements or backing tracks to experiment with new compositions.
- Compact and portable: Easy to carry and set up anywhere – ideal for gigging or traveling musicians.
- Polyphonic tracking: Supports chords and intricate musical passages, unlike simpler monophonic loopers.
practical Use Cases
- Creating layered looping rhythms for solo acoustic or electric guitar gigs.
- Experimenting with harmonic loops and textured soundscapes in songwriting.
- Generating live backing vocals or rhythm parts using looped samples.
- Practice tool for improvisation by playing over your own loops.
- Looping electronic instruments or synth patches in a compact pedal format.
First-Hand Experience: Learning Curve and intuitive Controls
The Xero Polylooper might feel a bit daunting at first glance because of its multi-track capability. However, once you spend some time with it, the pedal’s workflow becomes natural and fun.
Getting started tips
- Start with one track: Record and overdub slowly to understand how each loop interacts.
- Use the rhythm presets: Tap into built-in rhythms to keep your loops locked in time.
- experiment with mute and solo functions: Quickly isolate or blend tracks live for dynamic performances.
- Save your favorite loops: Utilize memory slots to recall complex loop setups before gigs or practice.
Interface and Controls
| Control | Function | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Loop Footswitch | Starts/stops recording and playback on each track | hands-free control enables live layering |
| Sync Button | Synchronizes loops across tracks | Keeps all loops perfectly in time |
| Volume Knobs (4) | Controls independent track volume levels | Mix loops dynamically during performance |
| Memory Preset | Saves and recalls looping setups | Fast access for rehearsed material |
Creative Possibilities: Beyond the Basics
The Xero Polylooper invites musicians to stretch their creativity by combining looping with effects, ambient playing, and multi-instrument setups. Some players have reported inventive uses such as:
- Looping vocal harmonies using an external mic and the pedal’s four-track system.
- Creating evolving soundscapes by pitching and layering delayed guitar loops.
- Incorporating percussion or beatboxing layered with guitar parts for unique one-person band effects.
- Using short loop snippets as rhythmic or melodic motifs to build complex compositions.
Walrus Audio Xero Polylooper vs. Competitors
When compared to other multi-track loopers like the Boss RC-300 or Ditto X4, the Xero polylooper excels with its:
- Compact footprint, perfect for pedalboards with limited space
- Polyphonic sound quality ensuring clarity on chords and complex tones
- Simple, intuitive interface focused on live usability rather than over-complication
| looper Model | Track Count | Polyphony | Size | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walrus Audio Xero Polylooper | 4 | Polyphonic | Compact | Internal Memory, Rhythm Presets |
| Boss RC-300 | 3 | Polyphonic | Large | Extensive controls, multiple inputs |
| Ditto X4 | 2 | Polyphonic | Medium | Simple looping, reverse and half-speed |
Maintenance and Care Tips
- Use a quality power supply recommended by Walrus Audio to avoid noise and power issues.
- Keep firmware updated for optimal performance and bug fixes.
- Store loops using internal memory carefully and back up presets externally if possible.
- Keep the pedal clean and free from dirt to protect footswitch longevity.
Practical Tips to Maximize Your Xero Polylooper Experience
- Practice syncing loops: Mastering timing ensures your layered loops sound professional and tight.
- Use headphones during practice: Helps catch mistakes and refine ideas before live use.
- Combine with effects pedals: Explore how modulation, delay, and reverb pedals enhance loops creatively.
- Label your memory presets: Easy recall during gigs or sessions enhances workflow.
- Experiment daily: The more you experiment, the faster you unlock unique sounds and techniques.
Sync mode offers pretty much standard looper operation with both channels locked to the same length and time base, while Unsynced sees both channels operating fully independently so any loops will drift in and out of sync, which can create some mesmerizing effects if you’re recording ambient pad-type sounds.
The third mode, Poly, lets you record loops of different lengths that stay rhythmically sync’d. Recorded loop lengths will automatically quantize to a multiple of the shared time, so you can have a mixture of short and long phrases, or do the actual polyrhythmic thing by recording a three-beat pattern against a four-beat pattern, for example.
Verdict
Verdict: ★★★★
The pedal delivers plenty of possibilities for practice, solo performance or songwriting, whether you’re just laying down a chord sequence to solo over or getting into building something more complex where the footswitchable loop speed and direction changes are a real bonus, facilitating sonic explorations that could trigger even more creativity.
The pedal delivers plenty of possibilities for practice, solo performance or songwriting
Guitar World verdict: While the Xero is initially a little complicated, once you get the hang of it, this looper has many practical applications and is a fun creative tool.
Hands-on videos
Walrus Audio
Walrus Audio Pedal Play: Xero Polylooper – YouTube
Watch On
Walrus Audio Xero Polylooper Tech Demo – YouTube
Watch On
The Studio Rats
Walrus Audio Xero Poly Looper – The Best Looper Pedal Ever? – YouTube
Watch On
John Nathan Cordy
So Walrus Audio Made a Looper! Introducing the XERO Poly Looper – STEREO MIDI and MORE – YouTube
Watch On
- “Aggressive, heavy, and with enough gain to sink a battleship, this model is designed for high-intensity riffing”: Walrus Audio Mako Series MKII ACS1 review
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
