What is a looper and why do you need one? Glad you asked! A looper is a pedal or device that records audio and samples it back in a continual “loop.” Musicians use them for practice, live performance and sometimes in the studio where creating several loops layered on top of each other can create a formidable “wall of sound,” textured and seemingly complex beyond the simple parts it was built with.

Do you need a looper? That’s up to you, but plugin workshop Audio Damage has created a gnarly app that fills the practical applications of a pedal looper in a freewheeling environment that inspires creativity. Circa allows the user to create up to six layers looping simultaneously. Each layer can sync to the host, to a master loop or free run.

The interface is incredibly simple — six circles represent each of the layers with on-screen quick editing tools. A clickable waveform enables you to jump around and manipulate each layer by dragging it — “like scratching a record or rocking the reels on a tape deck.” A small strip below also enables you to change tempo or reverse loops, with a damping knob allowing for precise control. Beyond just twiddling knobs, Circa wants to be touched and played.

Circa includes built-in reverb and delay, and Audio Damage says that “virtually any MIDI device” can control most of Circa’s looping features.

Circa is available now for macOS, Windows and Linux as VST, AU, AAX, CLAP and LV2 plugins, with an iOS version coming soon. Price is a steep $89; demos are available for each platform.

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