7 Fantastic iOS Loopers For Producers

• Looping is a fun and creative approach to making music.
• Did you know your iPad and iPhone can be turned into powerful loopers?
• Here are the best iOS looper apps on the App Store!

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Until the last decade or so, looping was strictly something exclusive to hardware. Limitations were plenty and looping oneself could be cumbersome.

But as of late, looping has evolved into something much more, with Ableton’s Looper device and Session View workflow definitely playing a role in that transition.

Most bedroom producers no longer needed expensive setups. Just their guitar or instrument of choice, DAW, and maybe a mic.

And now we are at a crossroads where boutique hardware meets the zaniest of software – truly a beautiful synchronous relationship in modern music.

In this article, I’ll go over 7 of the best iOS loopers currently available on the market, breaking down their pros and cons, and who they’re right for. Let’s dive in.

(Make sure you also check out our guide to the best iOS samplers!)

What Are The Best Looper Apps For iOS?

In this roundup, we looked at a variety of great choices for different needs. We particularly focused on looper apps that were intuitive and fun to use.

Overall, here are our top looper apps for iOS:

1. Gauss Field Looper (Our Pick)
2. Looperator (Best Value)
3. Quantiloop (Best Solo Looper)
4. Looperverse
5. AudioKit L7 – AUv3 Live Looper
6. n-Track Studio 9 
7. One Loop

1. Gauss Field Looper

In collaboration with Berlin-based electronic musician, Hainback, Gauss brings the old-school tape-looping art form to mobile devices. 

This creative field looper works both standalone and as an audio effect unit plugin and puts the possibilities of using loaded tapes in your hands, without the need for scissors. 

Like real tape loops, Gauss takes you off the grid of your DAW; you can adjust tape speed and direction, even during recording.  Your loops will flow organically as the tape follows its own cyclical timeline.

You can also use overdub or even multiple instances of the Audio Unit plugin to create multi-layered, ever-changing sonic palettes. 

Ruismaker wanted this app to be a celebration of digital technology, so when audio quality is degraded, it will do so in a pleasingly crunchy way. 

For example, recording on low tape speeds will give you longer recording time but at the costs (or pleasure) of distinctively lower quality. So Gauss mimics the behavior (not the sounds) of magnetic tape.

Set the length of the tape, record and overdub your audio, and play around with your tape speeds. Gauss captures the essence of two ends of two tapes stuck together in all its unsynchronized, free-running glory.  There’s even a unique 4-step polyrhythmic sequencer for automating tape-speed changes.

 Pros

• Superb UI
• Field recorder and an Auv3 in one package
• Variable tape speed; seamlessly change direction and speed during playback and recording
• The 4-Step sequencer lets you trigger (polyrhythmic) tape speed-speed changes in sync with your host tempo
• Variable inertia for the tape-driven motors (from instant to very slow speed changes)
• Built-in multi-mode filter with LFO modulation
• Delay effect with optional host-sync mode
• “1989” mode gives a vintage digital sound
• Plug-in supports global cross-host
• Preset handling 

Cons

• Would like to see monitoring switched on in the default state 
• Would also like the ability to see recording when pressing play on the host 

Verdict

Gauss hit the nail on the head with instant sound manipulation at your fingertips. This app was made for tape looping and serious cassette cats that wish to push the boundaries of tape manipulation. 

The interface is perfect for anyone instantly wanting to capture audio and momentarily become Halim El Dabh or Delia Derbyshire for an exploration into tape techniques.

2. Looperator

Looperator is the self-proclaimed ultimate slicing and processing plugin for all styles of electronic music.

It chops up your audio and turns it into something new. Thanks to its quick and & intuitive interface, designing subtle rhythmic enhancements to spectacular effect pyrotechnics is easy and fun.

In the process, you can apply classics like filters and reverbs, but also trippy loop, and vinyl manipulations. 

(For a rundown on the different types of audio filters, check out our guide in Audio Filter Types (Explained Simply))

Build a looping effect sequence, with discreet settings for each of Looperator’s stunning engines, then bring everything to life using the comprehensive modulation system on a per-step basis.

Each sequencer track offers 20 ready-made steps.  Much of the time, you won’t need to go any further than that, but when you do, the four user-defined steps also available to each track give you full and precise control of five processor parameters per effect.

Looperator makes you sound as if you worked on your track for hours and hours even though it really was a click of a button.

Pros

• Auv3 and stand-alone 
• Rearrange your groove (Chop the input of the 16 slices and freely assign them to each sequence).
• Flexible filters
• Two User FX modules each deliver effects sequencing via a rich and aesthetic UI of high-quality processors.

Cons

• I had issues where samples would not play all the way through and it keeps bumping to 172.2
• Some users report that Drum Computer and Effectrix are better.

Verdict

With this app, it all comes together to make Looperator nothing less than a state-of-the-art loop design powerhouse that no electronic musician should be without.

3. Quantiloop

Built for live performance and hands-free use, Quantiloop recreates the simplicity of a hardware loop pedal in an iOS app. 

If you have no midi controller at hand, just input your loop length, enable auto-record or a count-in and your loops will automatically close, no hands or feet required. 

Big onscreen controls also allow for easy configuration and tactile control by vocalists or beatboxers.

Pros

• Ableton Link
• Up to 3 simultaneous effects to the input
• Unlimited overdubs
• Rhythm guide with optional auto-start, auto-stop and count-in
• Audio copy/paste
• Audiobus, IAA, and AuV3
• Free, synched, Parallel, Serial, mixed playing styles
• Can use Quantiloop via the Line 6 Helix via the camera adaptor

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Highly recommended to read the manual
• It will probably appeal to the conventional looper
• A simple internal keyboard similar to the one in “AUM” that could allow on-device control of AU instruments without leaving Quantiloop 

Verdict

Although seemingly the perfect looper for busking, Quantiloop comes across as an iOS looper that may put off hardware users due to its limitations. 

For more on live looping check out Exploring Live Looping Possibilities (Interview w/ Abdous).

4. Looperverse

Looperverse claims to be the ‘ultimate’ loop recording and performance system for iOS, in which you can continuously record up to 16 tracks worth of content and immediately edit them!

Looperverse makes recording, editing, and customizing loops simple.  The 16 track loop recorder includes sound-on-sound, overwrite, and next-track modes. 

You can send the adjusted tracks by adjusting the pan, gate, and solo, in the mixer. Looperverse also features advanced waveforms for some serious sound design potential.

Pros

• Advanced 16 track recorder 
• Time stretching and pitch shifting for the scenes, tracks, and segments
• IAA, Audiobus, and Ableton Link
  
• AudioCopy and Audiobus compatible 
• Snap to grid for extensive editing and warping

Cons

• Hasn’t been updated in 2 years 
• Technically, this is just a multitrack recorder. You can loop your tracks. 

Verdict

The app is integrated and enhanced with the Looperverse pedal, which features 6 quality switches pre-mapped to undo, clear, tap tempo, record, and playback.  Each setting is also delightfully  customizable!

You can also check out some of the other apps the company has created, created in partnership with music legends Akai Professional with the iMPC and iMPC PRO. 

Download Looperverse here!

5. AudioKit L7 – AUv3 Live Looper

Inspired by the Roland 505 Loop Station, L7 packets dozens of features that can only be found in professional hardware loopers into a sleek, easy-to-use package with virtually unlimited potential.

Pros

• Auv3 or Standalone
• Record up to 16 tracks 
• 9 effects per track 
• Ableton Link
• Audiobus, GarageBand, and anything Auv3

Cons

• Selecting a loop length longer than you have allowed in settings is not allowed, meaning you need to start again. 

Verdict

The RC-505 is set up so you don’t have to fit your meter into a predefined length. Is there a way to have manual length meters as opposed to predisposed lengths to exploit grooves, and their synchrony? This would certainly improve AudioKit L7. 

However, this developer really listens to their audience and fixes bugs. I’m excited to witness the rest of the Audiokit 10.

Check out AudioKit L7 Live Looper on the App Store!

6. n-Track Studio 9 

n-Track 9 is a powerful audio and MIDI multitrack recorder that turns your iOS device into a complete recording studio & beat maker. 

You can record a track with the built-in mic or an external audio interface and add and edit tracks using the loop browser and royalty-free sample library. 

Additionally, you can import grooves and creates beats using a step sequencer beatmaker and create melodies using virtual instruments. 

The Pros

• Has a free edition
• Uses up to 8 tracks 
• Up to 2 effects per track/channel
• You can save your song online with the opportunity to collaborate with other users
• Built-in arpeggiator

Cons

• Varying subscription levels come with different features 

Verdict

Whilst n-Track Studio 9 lets you record a virtually unlimited number of Audio, MIDI & Drum Tracks, mix them during playback and add effects, the awful subscription feature and crashing issues let the app down. 

7. One Loop

One Loop is a 10 track loop station designed for singers, songwriters, and instrumentalists. Whether you want a personalized backing track or need to record an idea for your next big hit, One Loop brings recording straight to your phone. 

Pros

• GUI is clear and easy to understand
  
• Simple and easy to use looping
• Advanced layer control and grouping 
• Metronome selection with a variety of backing percussion
• MIDI support and mappable control for hands-free performance 
• Supports external audio interfaces; up to 8 channels of audio input 

Cons

• Sometimes clicks at the beginning and end of the recording 

Verdict

A looper for budding vocalists who want to try their hands at looping, One Loop offers a simple and intuitive app that creates a space for newcomers who may find more advanced apps such as Garageband to have too much of a learning curve.

(Up next is our guide to the best iOS samplers on the App Store!)