> > > BeatIt Test: Ortega QUANTUMloop Stomp Box

In June this year, during Meinl Percussion Festival 2018, which was held in Gutenstetten, Germany, Meinl employees handed us two parcels. Their contents were rather new to us, but we obviously decided to face the challenge and proceeded to thoroughly test the instruments hidden inside once we were back at our HQ. Today, we would like to start with the Ortega QUANTUMloop stomp box.

photo: en.beatit.tv

Ortega QUANTUMloop stomp box

1. The test

We unboxed the Ortega QUANTUMloop stomp box at our own recording facility, connected the device to an electric socket and started to take a closer look. The first step to do was go through all the sounds the box has on board. Then, we looked into the looper.

2. Basic specification of the device:

  • Manufacturer: Ortega Guitars
  • Model: QUANTUMloop
  • Type of device: stomp box
  • Preset sounds: 16
  • In-built looper: Yes, unlimited number of layers
  • Loop length: 5 minutes
  • Free software for Windows and Mac
  • 6.3 mm IN / OUT socket
  • 9V adapter
  • Material: Mahogany
  • MIDI: No
  • USB: Yes

3. The product

The Ortega Quantumloop is a device made both with guitarists and drummers in mind. Operating the pedal is not very difficult. First, the device must be connected to power supply with the help of an adapter included in the set. The left hand side of the top panel is used for sample triggering while the buttons in the right hand section help us choose the sounds as well as loop them. The user has two banks at his or her disposal: A and B (8 preset sounds and two personal slots per bank).

Bank A sounds:

  • Dry Kick Drum
  • Fat Kick Drum
  • Sweet Kick Drum
  • 80’s Electro
  • Deep Cajon
  • Slap Cajon
  • Doumbek Slap
  • Cowbell
  • Personal 1
  • Personal 2

Bank B sounds:

  • Ballad Snare
  • Soul Snare
  • The Rim
  • Foot HiHat
  • The Clap
  • Finger Snip
  • Short Shake
  • Tambourine
  • Personal 1
  • Personal 2

The left hand panel of the mahogany box is equipped with a switch responsible for dynamics adjustment. When in the top position, the QUANTUMloop does not sense the dynamic the user plays with. When in the bottom position, the player’s dynamic is reflected by the stomp box.

photo: en.beatit.tv

A dedicated stomp-box trigger, called QUANTUMEXP, can be be added to the device. It allows for the simultaneous triggering of Banku A and Banku B sounds. The additional stomp box is powered with a 9V battery.

The Ortega QUANTUMloop has two slots per bank, which are meant to store samples created by the user. They are recorded very easily – all it takes is to install the Ortega QUANTUM Loop 40 software on the user’s computer, which will update the QUANTUMloop device.

The Ortega QUANTUMloop stomp box is also equipped with a looper, which means the user can record a certain musical phrase and it will repeat for as long as it needs to. To enable the looping function, the “LOOP” button in the middle must be pushed. An LED diod above the button then starts to pulse red, which means that the looper is armed. When pressed again, the button triggers the loop and the next push will close it. Press the “LOOP” button to stop the loop. Press the same button twice to restart the loop. The looper allows for adding multiple layers. Holding the “LOOP” button makes the last layer disappear, holding it again restores that same layer. To delete the loop, click on the “LOOP” button and then hold it.

Ortega QUANTUMloop

photo: en.beatit.tv

4. Summary

The Ortega QUANTUMloop is a device which will be very useful to guitar players (especially those playing in the street), but drummers can also find it quite handy, which we are going to show in a separate video. One thing is certain: an instrumentalist looking for a stomp box with a built-in looper should not complain. The device is perfect for small, street gigs, but will also deliver on a bigger stage. 8 samples and 2 slots per bank are not much, but we must not forget that we are not dealing with a sophisticated, studio or concert multi-effect as that is not what the producer had in mind when designing this stomp box. Well, OK. It could use a few more personal slots…

Manufacturer: Ortega

Distribution in Poand: https://www.facebook.com/OrtegaGuitarsPolska/

OUT VERDICT: 4,5/5

Advantages:

  • Built-in looper with an unlimited number of layers
  • Loop length: 5 minutes
  • Good quality
  • Rubber heel
  • Non-slip surface under the device

Between:

  • No metronome

Disadvantages:

  • Small number of personal slots

It’s time to put the Ortega QUANTUMloop stomp box to the ultimate test, i. e. that made by en.beatit.tv viewers!