loopsets

A loopset is a musical instrument consisting of a set of loops of audio tape or, in modern implementations, memory and a playback mechanism. The instrument allows the musician to play a series of percussive patterns using the loops, often in a repetitive or hypnotic fashion. This style of music is commonly found in electronic and experimental genres.

Loopsets typically involve two or more loopheads, which are devices that play back audio from a tape loop or provide a means of recording onto the loop. This allows the musician to layer and manipulate the loops in real-time, creating complex and dynamic patterns. The use of loopsets often involves manual manipulation of the loops' speed, playback direction, and skipping.

Musicians often use their feet to control the loops, allowing for greater dexterity and the ability to execute rapid changes to the loop configurations. In modern electronic music, the function of a loopset can be emulated using digital audio workstations (DAWs) or software, using plugins that can recreate the original hardware's sound and functionality.

The use of loopsets has influenced various styles of electronic music, such as breakcore, techno, and noise. In hip-hop and electronic music, the use of the SP-1200 drum machine is often credited with helping to popularize the concept of looping, with MCs such as turntablists utilizing tape loops to create samples and effects.

As a live performance tool, the traditional loopset has been largely replaced by digital sequencers and computer software, but it remains an important part of electronic music history and a highly influential instrument in the development of various styles of electronic music.