Ditto X2 – Release date: Mar 2014
The Ditto X2 Looper is TC’s first looper pedal (as far as their simple looper pedals go) featuring two foot switches instead of just one. You might think that this puts it into a new category of looper, but you are still dealing with a single loop track, and simply adding some extra controllability combined with a couple options that are/were already available on previous pedals. Now, you can select whether to access those options via the second foot switch, or via a tiny toggle switch on the pedal’s face.
While it is nice to separate track operations onto a pair of foot switches, it is nicer still to make other functions available via foot operation. Sadly however, you must choose between modes for that second foot switch.
The Ditto X2 offers all the features of previous single track loopers:
5 Minutes of Looping time
Unlimited Overdubs
Undo/Redo Functions
True Bypass/Analogue Dry-Thru
Stores loops when powered off
If you choose to use the second foot switch as a loop stop, you’ll have much more precise control of stopping the loops on time.
In this mode, Foot switch 1 operates as follows:
1st press -Starts recording
2nd press -plays track (or Overdub next layer)
3rd press -Overdub (or Playback)
Press&Hold -Undo/Redo
Foot Switch 2:
Press -Stops Track
Press & Hold -Clears Track
Alternatively, You can use Foot Switch 2 to activate track effects instead of stopping the track. (In this mode, you’ll use foot switch 1 to stop/clear the tracks by double tapping and press & hold)
There is a 3-way toggle switch on the top face of the pedal to select the function of Foot Switch 2. The choices are:
Stop/Clear
Reverse Track
Half Speed Track
In addition to the second foot switch, there is a USB port for transferring your saved loops (with overdubs) to computer for retrieval later or for migrating your music to a DAW. This also allows you to move backing tracks into the X2 so that you can jam along.
You get free access to JamTrack Central when you buy the X2 pedal, so you can get backing tracks to a library of songs.
Other cool features are Stereo/Mono input, stereo/mono output, and a tiny hidden toggle switch inside the battery compartment that selects your play mode (Record/Play/Overdub, or Record/Overdub/Play).
For those who are more creatively experimental, imagine plugging in a guitar and a bass into the L&R inputs, instead of a stereo instrument. Now, you can have each instrument with it’s own output (L&R accordingly) However obscure this may seem, you do actually have the ability to expand the usability and the routing options this way. Yes, Stereo separation can be used as having two seperate inputs and outputs instead (with some minor limitations).
Where to Buy:
If that’s not enough, the X2 is one of very few pedals that actually has TWO 9v battery compartments, so you can put TWO 9v batteries into it for a much longer operation time (say, if you are busking). The pedal still runs on 9v, you just get to play a lot longer than if using only one battery. Yes, you could just put one battery if you don’t have a second one. Or, think of it as having a place to hide a spare 9v battery.
Anyway you look at it, the Ditto X2 is a great choice for buskers who want a simple Looper pedal with a little more Oomph, or for anyone who is looking for a Looper with just a few extra bonus features !!
