In music, the term loop describes a finite element of sound which is repeated by technical means (i.e. tape loops, delay effects, digital sampling). While the roots of non-technical "looping" can be found in almost all cultures, but most prominently in Gamelan, the first loop musicians were Edgar Varèse and Karlheinz Stockhausen.

Based on an idea by Terry Riley to use one tape on two tape machines, Brian Eno and Robert Fripp created the technical basis for their No Pussyfooting album - this technological concept was later dubbed Frippertronics. Today's followers like David Torn , Andre LaFosse , Matthias Grob ,Per Boysen , Rick Walker and Steve Lawson use digital hardware and software devices to create and modify loops, often in conjunction with various electronic musical effects. In 1992-1993 dedicated digital devices were invented specifically for the use in live looping, or loops that are recorded in front of a live audience.

Another approach was the use of pre-recorded loops, first exemplified by Grandmaster Flash and his turntablism. Use of pre-recorded loops made its way into many styles of popular music, including hip hop, trip hop, techno, drum and bass, and contemporary dub, as well as into mood music on soundtracks. Royalty-free loops are available online from various vendors, including Sonic Foundry and ACIDFanatic.com; programs to create music using loops range in quality and price and include Sonic Foundry's ACID, Cakewalk Sonar , Propellerhead Software's ReCycle , Garage Band, FL Studio (formerly Fruity Loops), Ableton Live, Augustus Loop , Multi Loop , and Ambi Loop .

A famous festival for loop based music is Loopstock in the San Luis Obispo, California region, established 2002, and the Y2K? series, established in 2000 in Santa Cruz, California. The Y2K4 International Live Looping Festival in October 2004 drew 50 loopers from 5 different countries and all over the United States in four days in two cities (San Francisco and the main festival in Santa Cruz). There were 20 live looping festivals in 12 countries in 2004 in this burgeoning international movement.

See also

• Break (music), break beats are drum loops
• Phasing

External links

• Looper's Delight is a cultural and informational resource for musicians creating audio loops of every sort.
• ACIDFanatic.com