A loop repeats a specified performance, audio item, or time range. Loops can provide the foundation of a song by repeating drums or accompaniment, and they can also repeat a section for recording, practice, or detailed editing.
Material loops and playback loops
A clip or sample can repeat as material in an arrangement, while cycle or loop playback repeats a selected range on the DAW timeline. The first is used to build music; the second is useful for loop recording and close review of a section.
Length and tempo
Lengths of one, two, or four bars are easy to manage when they match the song’s meter. If the source BPM differs from the project, time-stretching can synchronize it, but large changes may alter the attack and overall sound quality.
Creating a seamless boundary
A reverb tail, a cut through the middle of a waveform, or mismatched low-frequency phase can create a click or jump at every repetition. Adjust the start and end points and use a short crossfade when needed.
Avoiding excessive repetition
When a loop continues for a long section, vary it with fills, rests, velocity changes, effects, or alternate takes. Keep the repeating element as a foundation while changing its density and role between song sections.
How it differs from a one-shot
Loop material is designed to return from its end to its beginning. A sound that plays once for each trigger, such as a drum hit or sound effect, is a one-shot.
