Zoom MS-90LP+ MultiStomp Looper Pedal with 32-Bit Float Recording
The MS-90LP+ is a looper with enough footswitches to actually be played. Five dedicated switches mean UNDO and STOP are single taps rather than timed holds, and 32-bit float processing keeps layer number ten sounding like layer one.
- Five dedicated footswitches: UNDO and STOP have their own switches, with no double taps or holds to learn.
- LOOP FX and RHYTHM switches: the two performance controls are also underfoot rather than buried in a menu.
- 90 minutes per loop: with 13 hours of total capacity and storage for up to 100 loops.
- 32-bit float processing: dual AD converters let you add layers without the quality falling away.
- 8 LOOP FX: including REVERSE, HALF SPEED, HOLD and TAPE STOP.
- Rhythm patterns: built in, for looping to a pulse instead of to nothing.
- Quantise: aligns the start and end points of loops and rhythm patterns automatically so everything stays in sync.
- Waveform display: a real-time waveform shows your position in the loop, with screen colour indicating record, playback or Loop FX.
- Flat phase response: advanced analogue circuitry ahead of the converters.
Most compact loopers ask you to memorise a language of taps and holds. The MS-90LP+ takes the opposite approach and gives the important functions their own footswitches, which changes how much of your attention looping takes while you are playing.
Five footswitches, no hidden gestures
UNDO and STOP each get a dedicated switch, so removing a layer you are not happy with or ending a loop is one press. LOOP FX and RHYTHM are on switches too, meaning the two things you reach for mid-performance are underfoot rather than in a menu. The practical result is that you can look at the room instead of the pedal.
Long loops and clean layers
Each loop can run for 90 minutes, total capacity is 13 hours and the pedal stores up to 100 loops, so this is as much a writing tool as a performance one. Sound quality holds up as loops build because the MS-90LP+ uses dual AD converters and 32-bit float technology, which is how you add layer after layer without the stack turning grey. The advanced analogue circuitry ahead of it has a flat phase response, so the top of the signal chain is clean before any looping happens.
Effects and rhythm
Eight LOOP FX are onboard, including REVERSE, HALF SPEED, HOLD and TAPE STOP, which turn a repeating phrase into an arrangement rather than a backing track. Built-in rhythm patterns give you something to lock to, and the quantise feature keeps loops and patterns in time by automatically aligning their start and end points. That last one quietly solves the problem that ends most looping attempts, which is a first pass that was slightly too long.
Seeing where you are
The LCD shows a real-time waveform of your loop, so you know your position in the bar rather than counting. Screen colours indicate whether you are recording, playing back or running Loop FX, which is readable at a glance on a dark stage.