Build Quality:4.9 out of 5 stars
Hardware:4.8 out of 5 stars
Electronics:4.8 out of 5 stars
Sound:4.8 out of 5 stars
Value:4.9 out of 5 stars
Average:4.8 out of 5 stars

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TC Electronic DITTO X2 Looper

Pros:

  • Simple controls
  • Separate stop switch
  • Reliable
  • Sturdy

Cons:

  • You can play merely one backing track at a time
  • Limited memory slots

We all love ourselves a little simple pedal that does everything we want but does not require a manual to be understood. Such stompboxes are always on the top of the list for countless musicians, but more often than not such simplicity does not pair well with diversity. Yeah, we do enjoy the ease of playing but we still lack some of the advanced features found on more sophisticated options. This dilemma leaves us wondering, what is better – a complicated but diverse pedal or simple and plain? There was a time when you would have to answer this question but not anymore.

There is a wonderful unit on the market that blends together user-friendliness and versatility. It has all the features we lacked in its predecessors, but still maintains the easy-to-grasp design. As you have guessed from the title, we are talking about TC Electronic Ditto X2 today. This baby is definitely too good to be true, since it offers ample properties at a very affordable price. And the best thing? We are all confident about the quality of the brand and do not even need to emphasize this feature. As you can see, we have a very interesting one to discuss today. Let’s not waste any more time and dive right into it!

Features

As I have mentioned above, the biggest perk of the original Ditto was its simplicity. It had all the basic functionalities but the layout was extremely easy to grasp. It did not require too much fuss or headache and that is what everybody admired about it. But there were some critics who desired just a bit more. So TC Electronic decided to come out with a pedal that would satisfy everyone’s needs. Ditto X2 is a huge step forward compared to its predecessor.

This baby has 5 minutes of recording time and internal memory that allows you to save your pieces. This way you will not have to memorize every freaking track each time you decide to play. More importantly, it has 24-bit recording quality that guarantees the clarity of your signal. Typically, this baby has unlimited overdubs and undo/redo, making everything rather flexible and convenient. Ditto X2 has Reverse and ½ Speed effects that diversify your loops even more.

This bad boy can be connected to your computer with a USB port in order to import or export anything you want. Speaking of connections, it has dual inputs and outputs for stereo operation. Furthermore, it has Analog-Dry-Through which does not convert your analog signal into a digital one. The True Bypass retains the tonal palette of your sound and keeps it intact no matter what. We shall not forget that Ditto X2 does also operate in buffered bypass mode. One of the coolest features of this pedal is the ability to access StarJam loops and employ professionally recorded backing tracks. Not to mention the fancy black chassis and die-cast metal enclosure. On the whole, Ditto X2 is definitely a hell of a unit with its features.

Controls

The above-mentioned pattern of simplicity would not make any sense if the control panel was too complicated to grasp. Luckily, you will not need to spend ages going through the manual to emit the basic tracks out of this one. However, it is still advisable to scan through everything while getting started to avoid missing out on any important capabilities. And since I will describe the control panel in this article, you will need very little time with your manual.

You will see only one knob when you look at the pedal, but as you examine it closely you will see two more toggles and two footswitches. The appraised encoder is Level, which changes the volume of the loop. If you want to modify the volume of the backing tracks, you should hold the left to toggle in the downward position while turning the Level knob. Speaking of the left toggle (i.e. Store, Delete, Backing Track Switch), it can save your loop/backing track when it is in the upward position. If you want to delete whatever you saved, you should hold it in up position for a couple of seconds. This concept is quite simple and I hope I did not overcomplicate it too much. Moving on to the right toggle, it is interactive with the FX footswitch. The toggle has three modes: Reverse, ½ Speed and Stop. Depending on the position of this switch, the FX will either shift between these two effects or stop the loop with a single click. And finally, the Loop footswitch allows you to record, playback, undo/redo and clear your loops.

DITTO X2 Sound

As you have guessed from everything we have listed down above, TC Electronic Ditto X2 offers a lot of layers when it comes to high-quality sounds. Reverse and ½ Speed effects create a wonderful basis for interesting pieces and when used simultaneously, deliver mind-blowing, psychedelic results. The second footswitch is an amazing addition, as it makes your performance very enjoyable. You do not have to wreck your mind about the number of taps anymore and simply dive into the process of creation.

The loop quality itself is amazing and when you pair it with true bypass, you understand that your tone will be protected from tone loss like a princess from a villain. Ditto X2 can be diversified even further with the help of StarJam backing tracks. Thanks to the collaboration between Jam Track and TC Electronic, you have the ability to download eight free pieces and loop with them. This looper creates all the opportunities for you to unleash your inner beast.

Conclusion

On the whole, TC Electronic Ditto X2 is a wonderful and capable unit if you are looking for an easy, yet powerful looper. It has all the features you will ever need and is not overcrowded with unusable, nonsensical properties. It can be used live or during rehearsals, and its convenience will assist you in both settings. When you consider all the wonderful features it has, you will be forced to go online and purchase it immediately. Good luck! 

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