Ed Sheeran’s Looper X: The Pedal That Tries to Be a One‑Man Band

When Ed Sheeran announced the Looper X, the buzz was half‑serious, half‑joking. The guy who built a career on looping a cheap Boss RC‑300 suddenly decided to sell his own version, complete with built‑in amp models, a drum machine, and a tiny microphone for vocal chops. The idea sounded cool, but could a piece of hardware really capture the messy magic of a bedroom‑studio jam session?

First impressions matter. The Looper X feels solid – a brushed‑metal chassis, matte‑black knobs that click satisfyingly, and a sleek OLED screen that glows like a mini‑iPad. It’s heavier than a typical stomp‑box, more like a piece of furniture you’d set on a stand‑alone rack. That weight suggests durability, but it also means you’ll need a sturdy pedalboard or a dedicated spot on a table.

Functionally, the unit packs a lot. There’s a classic two‑track loop system, plus a separate “Live Loops” mode that lets you layer up to five tracks simultaneously. You can sync the loops to a built‑in metronome, or tap‑tempo it on the fly – handy when you’re improvising and the clock’s ticking. The real kicker is the built‑in amp simulators: clean, crunch, and a few boutique‑style voicings that sound surprisingly authentic for a pedal that fits in a gig bag.

One of the more controversial features is the built‑in microphone. It’s a cardioid capsule meant for quick vocal snippets, not studio‑grade recordings. In practice, it picks up a decent amount of ambient noise, but when you’re in a small room with a good mic stand, it works as a convenient shortcut for a quick lyrical idea. It’s not going to replace a dedicated vocal chain, but it does make the Looper X feel like a self‑contained songwriting station.

Battery life is another claim‑to‑fame. The Looper X runs on a single 9V battery for up to 12 hours of continuous looping, which is impressive, though heavy use of the amp models and drum machine will drain it faster. For gigging musicians, a power supply is recommended; the included adaptor is sturdy, but the cable is a little short, so plan your stage layout accordingly.

Price‑wise, we’re looking at about $299 USD. That’s a steep jump from the $200‑ish range of typical loop pedals, but you’re also paying for the amp sims, drum machine, and that quirky mic. If you already own separate amp modelers and a drum machine, you might feel the pinch. However, for an artist who wants a compact, all‑in‑one looping rig – think singer‑songwriters, street performers, or home producers – the Looper X could actually save you a few pieces of gear.

So, does it live up to the hype? In short: yes and no. It delivers on the promise of layered loops with decent tone, and the UI is intuitive after a few minutes of play. But the built‑in mic feels like an afterthought, and the hefty chassis makes it less portable than its competitors. If you value an all‑in‑one solution and love the idea of tweaking amp tones on the fly, the Looper X is worth a serious look. If you’re after a pure, minimalist loop pedal, the classic Boss RC‑300 or Ditto X2 will still beat it in simplicity and price.