Looping can be achieved through various means:
Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs): Many DAWs have built-in looping capabilities, allowing musicians to select a section of audio and set it to loop indefinitely. These DAWs often provide controls for fine-tuning the loop's start and end points and adjusting the playback speed and pitch.
Loop Pedals: Loop pedals are electronic guitar effects that allow musicians to record a phrase and play it back in real-time. These pedals are commonly used by solo performers or guitarists in bands to create layers of sound, rhythmic accompaniment, and improvisational passages.
Samplers: Samplers are electronic instruments or software that can record, store, and play back digital samples of sound. Samplers often have looping functionality, allowing musicians to trigger loops from a keyboard or MIDI controller.
Live-Looping: In live performances, musicians may use live-looping techniques to build entire compositions on the fly. They use loop pedals or specialized looping setups to record and layer multiple musical elements, creating dynamic and improvisational performances in real-time.
Looping has become a fundamental technique in various musical genres, including electronic music, hip-hop, ambient music, experimental music, and more. It allows musicians to create complex compositions, rhythmic textures, and evolving soundscapes by layering and manipulating repeated musical fragments.