Vox VLL1 - Pushing The Limits Of Looping

For fans of loop pedals on the experimental side, Vox has crafted the VLL1, a highly versatile device loaded with a variety of guitar effects centered around the looper. This intricate pedal packs a string of different features, yet is easy to use and navigate thanks to concise and direct explanations from the manufacturer. Everything about it seems intuitive and logical, and that's something everyone is bound to appreciate in our book. We decided to take this beast out for a little spin, you can check out our findings in the full review below.

Features

As it becomes apparent from the get-go, we are dealing with a dual-pedal device revolving around a string of effects and a loop function. In total, there are 12 various on-board effects you can utilize in your performance and combine them to create up to 90 seconds of loops through two independent channels. You can create additional overdubs and make further undo and redo edits. The product also includes the Quantize feature that allows you to create phrases of any desired length within the given limits or synchronize the two recorded loops to a tempo of your choice. The item features an instrument input and an XLR mic input, allowing you to add up to two sound sources to your looping mix. The VLL1 comes with a weight of 1.5 pounds and a total size of 8 x 3 x 7 inches.

Controls

Loop pedals in general tend to have more basic controls, but that's obviously not the case with this Vox fella. It doesn't take long to get adapted to it either, though. The two footswitches in front are used for controlling the recording on both available channels, while the two knobs are used for selecting the desired guitar effect and for adjusting the level of loop signal that gets injected into your final audio output. Additional notable features include a built-in metronome, a tap tempo feature to manually adjust the tempo of the recording, an auto recording option, and a clear button for deleting the loop. The footswitches are fairly easy to use, as long as you keep the following instructions in mind – tap once to start recording, tap twice to stop, and hold to undo or redo.

Performance

As far as sonic quality goes, we rate this one as a solid option for beginner and intermediate players. The sound quality is simply not on par with high-end devices, but it's strong and organic enough to satisfy the needs of newer players and most importantly give them an authentic look and feel of what to expect from combining a variety of classic guitar effects with a loop pedal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DinS9LxJSmA

Value/Conclusion

For the listed price, this is more than a fair deal. When you take into consideration the importance of experimenting with guitar effects, this becomes a highly recommended beginner item in our book. It's one of those bad boys that will give you the urge to constantly experiment, discover new grounds and yearn for more. As long as you are after a solid beginner loop pedal, this product is a purchase you cannot regret. Good stuff! For more info about the Vox VLL1, click here. For more Looper Pedals Currently On The Market, click here.