Looper

Pros

• Easy to use
• Free with no ads
• Metronome feature

Cons

• Less detailed instructions
• No option for importing samples
• Unable to specify save location

A straightforward app for producing music from brief loops recorded on your Android device.

Recording, Looping, and Merging

Looper stands out for its simplicity. Featuring six pads, each capable of storing a sample, this app offers an easy-to-understand interface for users. A user just needs to tap a pad, set the number of beats they desire in the loop and then the recording begins as soon as their sound starts. Once recorded, their loop continues to play effortlessly, with a volume control near each loop pad.

While your initial loop is playing, the app offers the option to start recording your next loop by simply tapping another pad. Want to get rid of a particular loop? All you have to do is drag it to the top of the screen. The app allows for continuous creation even if six loops are not enough. Once content with a combination of loops, users can drag them together to merge them, freeing up additional pads for recording more loops.

A built-in metronome helps to maintain rhythm, and you also have the ability to adjust the BPM of your loops. With merely two buttons, one can pause their loop, play it back, and even save it as an MP3 file on their device.

Simple, yet restricted

While Looper being uncomplicated is one of its main attractions, it is also a potential drawback, as it lacks any direct instructions to guide the user. This might not be an issue for musically inclined users, who likely will enjoy experimenting with the app. However, individuals who are less experienced might find themselves challenged. Also, there's a slight loss of sound fidelity when joining loops, which could be a potential drawback for some users.

The app allows for no customization of settings, meaning users can't specify a location to save their files. In the current app version, users stand to lose their unsaved loops once they exit the app. There's also no integrated feature for importing samples, limiting Looper's use to only recording via the microphone. This is ideal for capturing live sounds like guitar tunes or beatboxing but not for slicing samples from established songs or recordings.

Functional, but antiquated

Last updated in 2011, Looper has an almost antique touch to it. It appears the developer had intentions to add more features but has since halted further development on this project. Regardless, Looper prevails as a basic loop recorder and remarkably, it is completely free and contains no ads.

Pros

• Easy to use
• Free with no ads
• Metronome feature

Cons

• Less detailed instructions
• No option for importing samples
• Unable to specify save location