pigtronix Infinity looper User manual

Infinity Looper
User’s Guide
All contents c Absara Audio LLC 2014

Contents
Contents 1
1 Welcome to Infinity 5
2 Anatomy and Functions 7
2.1 Footswitches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Loop1.......................... 7
Loop2.......................... 7
Stop ........................... 8
2.2 Toggle Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
StopMode........................ 8
Arm,All..................... 8
Full, Trail, Fade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
InputSplit........................ 9
SeriesLoops....................... 10
SyncMulti........................ 10
2.3 Knobs .......................... 11
Master Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Preset .......................... 12
Loop Volume 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Loop Volume 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4 Jacks........................... 13
DCPower ........................ 13
1

CONTENTS 2
In1............................ 13
In2............................ 13
Out1 .......................... 13
Out2 .......................... 14
AuxOut ......................... 14
Undo........................... 14
Expression ........................ 14
MIDIIn ......................... 15
USB ........................... 15
2.5 LEDs........................... 16
LoopLEDs........................ 16
StopLED ........................ 16
ClipLED......................... 16
Multi-Segment Digit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
DecimalPoint ...................... 17
3 Infinity Rules 19
3.1 Arm ........................... 19
3.2 Record.......................... 19
3.3 Jump Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
3.4 Play ........................... 20
3.5 Stop ........................... 20
3.6 Erase........................... 21
3.7 Overdub ......................... 21
3.8 SyncMulti........................ 22
3.9 Series Loops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.10 Series & Fade Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Trails........................... 23
Overdub ......................... 23
3.11 Input Split . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3.12Presets.......................... 24
Loading ......................... 24
Saving .......................... 25
Copying ......................... 25
Erasing.......................... 26
3.13 Loop Aging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

CONTENTS 3
3.14 Click Killer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
3.15Varispeed ........................ 28
3.16 Boot Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Auto Zero Record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Mono Mixdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Stutter.......................... 31
Reformat......................... 32
4 Remote Switch Functions 33
4.1 Reverse.......................... 33
4.2 Undo........................... 34
4.3 Redo........................... 34
4.4 Rec→Overdub→Play .................. 35
4.5 Instant Erase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.6 Varispeed Remote Control Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5 Expression Pedal Functions 39
5.1 Loop Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.2 LoopAging ....................... 39
5.3 Varispeed ........................ 40
5.4 Expression Pedal Assignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
6 MIDI 43
6.1 MIDISync........................ 43
6.2 Time Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
6.3 Commands That Sync to MIDI Clock . . . . . . . . . 44
Record and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Stop ........................... 44
Start........................... 44
Overdub ......................... 45
6.4 Commands That Ignore MIDI Sync . . . . . . . . . . . 45
6.5 Full MIDI Mapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Cycle/Toggle....................... 46
Mapped ......................... 46
Loop-Assignable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Switch .......................... 46

CONTENTS 4
MIDI Real-Time Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Varispeed MIDI Note Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
7 Infinity Looper Application 49
8 Firmware Updates 51
8.1 Automatic Update Using the Looper Application . . . 51
8.2 Manual Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9 Minimum and Maximum Loop Times 53
10 Acknowledgements 55
11 Pigtronix Limited Warranty 57

1. Welcome to Infinity
Pigtronix designed this pedal to be easy to use, yet vastly powerful and deeply musical. Think of it
as a foot-operated, digital version of a multi-track tape recorder. Eschewing the quantization and
delayed commands found in other looper pedals, the Pigtronix approach is to make all commands
instantaneous. The incredible processing power available in this pedal allows any action to be executed
with approximately 1 millisecond of latency and high fidelity recording at 24 bits/48 kHz. It is a mirror
of musical reality... what you put in is what you get out.
All loop audio on the Infinity Looper is stored to an on-board memory card and can be accessed via
the USB port located on the front of the unit. With the easy-to-use computer application that comes
pre-installed on the Infinity Looper pedal, you’ll be able to offload audio from−and upload audio
to−this pedal, via a PC or MAC computer.
Complementing the state-of-the-art digital platform of the Infinity Looper is a beautifully executed
analog input and output section that provides transparent pass-through audio as well as superior
headroom and discreet transistor-based limiting circuitry to prevent digital distortion, even at extreme
signal levels.
To put it succinctly, this looper sounds great! It will not ruin your tone like so many other looper
pedals that have come before.
Of all the innovative features found in the Infinity Looper, perhaps the most notable is the Sync Multi-
function, which allows Loop 2 to be a multiple length of Loop 1. This facilitates greater melodic
and harmonic development and frees the musician from the limits of their initial loop length. Along
with the inclusion of Series and Parallel loop operation, Auxiliary Output for loop audio, Input Split
capacity for recording different instruments on separate loops, Reverse,Undo,Redo,Loop Aging and
Varispeed, the Infinity Looper presets a near limitless set of possibilities for the creative musician.
The Infinity Looper was many years in the making and required a great deal of time and resources
to accomplish its ambitious goals. It’s been an emotional and psychologically challenging adventure
that resulted in a product we are exceptionally proud to present to the world of musicians interested
in creating loop-based music.
This pedal is dedicated to the memory of the great Les Paul, inventor of multi-track recording.
−Dave Koltai 11/2012
5

2. Anatomy and Functions
2.1 Footswitches
Loop 1
This footswitch controls the looping actions for Loop 1.
Pressing the Loop 1 footswitch at any time will arm Loop 1, illumi-
nating the corresponding red LED and indicating that Loop 1 is ready
to receive Play, Stop, Overdub and Undo commands. Loop 1 is armed
by default upon power up.
If there is no audio recorded on Loop 1, pressing the Loop 1 footswitch
will begin recording immediately. Once the loop is recording, pressing
the Loop 1 footswitch again will close the loop and begin playback.
During playback, pressing the Loop 1 footswitch will open an overdub
layer on Loop 1. Once an overdub is recording, pressing the Loop 1
footswitch again will close that overdub layer and continue playback.
When a loop has been recorded but is stopped, pressing the Loop 1
footswitch will resume playback from the beginning of the loop.
Loop 2
This footswitch controls the looping actions for Loop 2, and functions
the same way as the Loop 1 footswitch (see above).
6

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 7
Stop
Quickly pressing the Stop footswitch will stop audio playback on one
or both loops, depending on the Arm/All setting (see below).
Holding down the Stop footswitch for at least two seconds will cause
loop audio to be erased from one or both loops, depending on the
Arm/All setting.
2.2 Toggle Switches
Stop Mode
Quickly pressing the Stop Mode switch will toggle between Arm and
All modes.
Holding down the Stop Mode switch will toggle between Full,Trail
and Fade modes.
Arm, All
In All mode, the Stop footswitch will stop playback on both loops.
The All functionality also applies to the erase command. With ALL
selected, holding down the Stop footswitch will erase both loops. The
All functionality also applies to the Play command. Once the loops
are stopped, hitting either loop footswitch will resume playback on
both loops.
In Arm mode, the Stop footswitch will stop playback only on the
armed loop. The arm functionality also applies to the erase command.
In Arm mode, holding down the Stop footswitch will erase only the
armed loop (to stop both loops in Arm mode, hit the Stop footswitch

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 8
twice within 1 second). The Arm functionality also applies to the Play
command. When loops are stopped, pressing a loop footswitch will
only resume playback of the currently armed loop.
Some Remote Switch functions (page 33) also follow the Arm/All
setting.
Many MIDI CC/Note messages contain values that also specify Arm
or All control. For more information please see the description of the
MIDI implementation on page 43.
Full, Trail, Fade
In Full mode, audio will stop immediately when you push the Stop
footswitch.
In Trail mode, pressing the Stop footswitch will stop the loop audio
when it reaches the end of the current loop cycle.
In Fade mode, pressing the Stop footswitch will steadily decrease the
loop audio in volume until the end of the current loop cycle.
All three Stop modes obey the Arm/All setting.
In All mode, when audio has been recorded on both Loop 1 and Loop
2, Trail and Fade modes will be applied to the length of Loop 2.
Input Split
When Input Split is off, both loops record stereo audio coming from
Inputs 1 and 2.
When Input Split in on, Loop 1 gets audio from Input 1 only and Loop
2 gets audio from Input 2 only.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 9
For more options and details, see the Infinity Rules Input Split section
on page 24.
Series Loops
When Series Loops is on, you are in Series mode. This means that
only one of the two loops can play at any given time. This is handy
for verse/chorus-type song structures.
When Series Loops is off, you are in Parallel mode. This means that
Loop 1 and Loop 2 can play together at the same time.
Sync Multi
Holding the Sync Multi switch will toggle Sync Multi on or off.
Quickly pressing the Sync Multi switch once Sync Multi is on, cycles
through the sync multiplier factor.
When Sync Multi is off, none of the sync multi lights are lit. In this
mode, the lengths of the two loops are unrelated and playback is not
synchronized.
When Sync Multi is on, the lengths of the two loops are synchronized.
The length of Loop 2 will be a multiple of the length of Loop 1, as
set by the multiplier factor indicated by the LED bar to the right of
the sync multi switch.
Loop 1 sets the initial length. Once recording on Loop 2 is initiated,
the Arm light will blink and it will wait to begin recording until the top
of the next loop cycle. Loop 2 will automatically stop recording and
begin playback when the proper length multiple has been reached.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 10
You can alter the synchronization at any time while recording, by
manually closing Loop 2 with the Loop 2 footswitch. This will cause
Loop 2 to close at the end of the current loop cycle. The arm light
will blink to indicate that Loop 2 is about to close. To cancel this op-
eration, hit the Loop 2 footswitch again and it will continue recording
until the full multiplier factor has been reached.
Once Loop 2 is recorded, the Sync is locked to the multiplier you
have selected. It is possible to turn Sync on and off at this point, but
you must delete Loop 2 if you want to switch to a different multiplier
value.
Once Loop 2 is recorded, its length is fixed. However, turning Sync off
after that point allows you to start playback of Loop 2 at any time,
not just at the start of Loop 1. Keeping Sync Multi on means that
Loop 2 will always replay from the start Loop 1.
During recording, whichever loop is armed will automatically close
once you hit the maximum allowable length. Overall recording time
for Loop 1 is dependent on the multiplier value you’ve selected for the
current preset, the size of the memory card you have installed in your
Infinity Looper, and the number of preset slots you have assigned using
the PC or MAC application. See the table on page 53 for maximum
recording times based on these factors.
2.3 Knobs
Master Volume
This knob functions as a stereo output control, determining the output
level of both loop audio and pass-through audio.
When turned fully clockwise, the Master Volume knob provides an
overall boost of approximately 3dB.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 11
Setting it at around 3 o’clock gives you unity gain.
Preset
This is a rotary push button encoder that is used to select what loop
preset is in use, and to store loop audio.
The Infinity Looper allows you to store and recall up to 50 presets,
which consist of audio that you’ve either recorded on the Infinity, or
audio you’ve loaded onto the pedal from your computer using the app.
Each preset includes a Loop 1, and a Loop 2 if you’ve recorded one.
For full instructions on how to Load, Save and Copy presets, please
see the Infinity Rules preset sections, page 24.
Loop Volume 1
Sets the Loop 1 output volume.
Loop Volume 2
Sets the Loop 2 output volume.
The Loop 1 and Loop 2 Volume knobs are calibrated so that 12 o’clock
is unity gain for Loop audio. Turning either of the Loop Volume knobs
above 12 o’clock will result in Loop Audio that is actually louder than
the input signal.
However, when recording Overdubs, the Infinity keeps track of the
Maximum input level and will decrease the signal level of the Overdub
and previous recordings if the increased Loop Volume level would result
in distortion.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 12
Loop volume can also be controlled via expression pedal (see Expres-
sion Pedal Functions, page 39)
2.4 Jacks
DC Power
Use only the 18-Volt, 300mA, negative-tip power supply that came
with your Pigtronix Infinity Looper. Using the wrong power supply is
likely to result in a damaged pedal.
In 1
Looper input 1. This is normally the input to use, unless you are using
both inputs for stereo or two instruments.
In 2
Looper input 2. Use this input for the second input of a stereo signal,
or a second instrument using Input Split. When nothing is connected
to Input 2, the signal from Input 1 is automatically passed to Input 2.
Out 1
Main pass-through/loop output, uses a standard (TS) 1/4 instrument
cable. Amp, mixer, or DI goes here.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 13
Out 2
Second pass-through/loop output, for use when you’re using stereo
inputs, or two instruments, or want to split your output signal (one to
an amp, one to a recording unit, for example).
Aux Out
This output contains summed mono audio of all currently playing
loops. This output is primarily intended for use as a loop only monitor
send to a drummer, bandmate or FOH mixer.
Undo
Connect a dual momentary remote switch here using a TRS (balanced
1/4”) cable (not an instrument or speaker cable!) to enable Overdub,
Undo, Redo, Reverse, and Varispeed.
We recommend the Infinity Remote: www.pigtronix.com/products/
infinity-remote-switch.
For details on how to use the remote switch, please see Remote Switch
Functions, page 33.
Expression
This is the TRS (balanced 1/4”) input for an expression pedal that
can be used for three different purposes: audio level control of both
loops simultaneously, Loop Aging, or Varispeed.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 14
For details on how to use the Expression Pedal, see Expression Pedal
Functions, page 39.
MIDI In
This provides a connection for MIDI beat clock sync (slave), or a MIDI
controller. Infinity Looper will sync to MIDI whenever a MIDI Beat
Clock signal is preset. The Infinity Looper can also be configured to
obey MIDI Start, Stop and Song Select, as well as CC/Note control
over every feature (complete MIDI mapping). For more information
and instructions, go to page 43.
USB
This provides a connection to a PC or MAC computer for loading and
offloading loop audio, preset management, audio routing configuration
and firmware updates. There are no drivers to install−just connect to
your computer and you’re good to go. For more information, go to
page 49.
When the USB port is connected, the Infinity boots into USB mode
and will not function as a looper until the USB is disconnected and
the pedal is rebooted. Save any loop data you wish to keep before
plugging the Infinity in via USB.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 15
2.5 LEDs
Loop LEDs
The Loop 1 and Loop 2 footswitch LEDs share the same color coding,
and light pattern (for colorblind users).
Green Red Orange
Playback Recording Overdub
Solid Slow Flicker Quick Flicker
Both Loop 1 and Loop 2 footswitch LEDs are accompanied by a red
square Arm LED that indicates which loop is currently armed.
When an external MIDI Clock is used, the Arm LED for the currently
selected Loop will blink at the received tempo.
Stop LED
The Stop LED will glow red when loop audio is stopped. When
stopped, if no audio is recorded, the Stop LED will not be lit.
Clip LED
This red LED between the Loop Volume knobs will indicate when
the input signal is reaching the maximum headroom of the Infinity’s
recording engine and begins to trigger the analog limiter stages. If
the Clip LED is lighting up solid red, reduce the output level of your
instrument until the Clip LED is just beginning to light up at the peaks
in your audio signal.

CHAPTER 2. ANATOMY AND FUNCTIONS 16
Multi-Segment Digit
This numeric display tells the user which preset is currently selected
(within the selected bank) and is also used to confirm firmware update
“F”, and to indicate copy in progress “C” and USB active “U” states.
In Varispeed mode (see page 35) a “-” is displayed. It’s height repre-
sents the speed of the sample rate.
Decimal Point
Located to the right of the digit, this LED lights up to indicate that
audio has been recorded to a preset bank. When changes have been
made to a preset but not saved, the decimal point will blink. Once
the changes have been saved, the decimal point will return to solid.
When a delayed command has been initiated, the relevant footswitch,
Arm, and Stop LEDs will blink repeatedly to indicate a pending action,
and will turn solid in color once the action is taken. At the end of the
loop cycle of the currently armed loop, the stop, multi-segment digit,
associated footswitch LED, and arm LEDs will all flash. The other
(non-armed) loop’s associated LEDs (Footswitch and A) will flash at
the end of its loop cycle as well.

3. Infinity Rules
3.1 Arm
Arming a loop is achieved by pressing the footswitch that corresponds
to the desired loop. The Arm light above the selected loop will glow
red indicating its status as armed. A loop must be armed in order
to accept further commands. When the Infinity powers up initially,
LOOP 1 is armed by default. Loop 2 cannot be armed until material
is recorded on Loop 1.
3.2 Record
Once a loop is armed, pressing the footswitch for that loop will be-
gin recording. The corresponding loop LED will glow red to indicate
recording. You must record to Loop 1 first. You will be able to record
on Loop 2 once there is audio recorded on Loop 1.
Pressing a Loop footswitch after the loop has started recording will
stop recording and immediately begin playback. The loop LED will
glow green to indicate playback.
Pressing the Stop footswitch while a loop is recording will stop record-
ing without immediate playback. You will need to press the appro-
priate loop footswitch again to begin playback.
17

CHAPTER 3. INFINITY RULES 18
3.3 Jump Record
Pressing the Loop 2 footswitch while Loop 1 is recording will close
Loop 1 and begin recording on Loop 2.
In parallel mode, Loop 1 will immediately begin playback when Loop
2 starts recording.
In series mode, Loop 1 will simply close and be ready for playback the
next time you hit the Loop 1 footswitch.
3.4 Play
When a loop has been recorded but is stopped, pressing that loop’s
footswitch will restart playback. The corresponding LED will glow
green to indicate playback.
The Play function is tied to the Arm/All setting (see page 8).
3.5 Stop
Pressing stop will stop audio playback.
The Stop function is tied to the Arm/All setting (see page 8).
Double pressing the Stop footswitch within 1 second will override the
Arm/All and Trail/Fade settings and will stop all loop audio.

CHAPTER 3. INFINITY RULES 19
3.6 Erase
To erase a loop, press and hold down the Stop footswitch.
If a loop is stopped and armed, pressing the Undo remote switch will
erase that loop.
When the erase command is triggered, the Stop LED, the current Arm
LED and the Multi-Segment Digit will flash once to indicate audio
has just been erased.
The Erase function is tied to the Arm/All settings (see page 8).
3.7 Overdub
Overdub lets you add additional material to the original loop.
Pressing the Loop footswitch when a loop is playing back will start
overdubbing. The corresponding footswitch LED will glow orange to
indicate Overdub.
Pressing the loop footswitch during an overdub will close that over-
dub.
After closing an overdub you can choose to reopen it by pressing the
loop footswitch −as long as the loop cycle hasn’t ended yet. At the
end of the loop cycle, all audio recorded during that cycle is merged
and saved as a single overdub.
Pressing Stop in the middle of an overdub will cancel that overdub
and eliminate the dubbed audio.
For instructions on how to Undo and Redo overdubs, please see Re-
mote Switch Functions, page 33.