The last decade saw a massive spike in guitar sales. They have become quite ubiquitous and are enjoyed by music enthusiasts all over the world. Other instruments are undoubtedly good, but the guitar outshines them, thanks to its versatility, accessibility, and affordability.
It is used in just about all genres, be it rhythm and blues, heavy metal, classical music, or any other genre. But how can the same guitar model play different genres? Of course, that is made possible with the help of additional tools, such as a stereo looper. The use of stereo loopers in the music industry is now new.
They define your tone by allowing you to record your live performances and play them back in real-time. You can also add stereo sound, looped phrases, and other effects to your performance. As stereo loopers became popular, more and more companies started offering them.
However, only a few managed to retain their positions in the cutthroat market competition. EHX is one of them. The EHX 720 stereo looper is one of the most sought-after stereo loopers in the industry. Manufactured by EHX, the EHX 720 stereo looper pedal houses lots of other cool features.
It helps you build excellent loops with 12 minutes of recording time, unlimited overdubbing, and ten storage banks. It was released in 2014 and has become a go-to choice for many guitarists. However, several problems have been associated with the EHX 720 stereo looper.
So, if you are using this stereo looper, consider referring to this troubleshooting guide to learn more about those problems and their quick fixes.
Troubleshooting Tips For EHX 720 Problems
Below are some common issues you will likely encounter while using the EHX 720 stereo looper pedal.
- Battery Issues
Battery issues are pretty common with the EHX 720 stereo looper. It is powered by an EHX 9.6DC/200 AC Adapter, which works smoothly. Alternatively, it also gives you the luxury of using a 9V battery for the best playing experience. The stereo looper pedal works seamlessly on a power supply unit.
However, it is seen that it starts showing problems after some time when connected to a battery. Battery problems are often associated with delay in output, improper functioning, and a few other problems.
This is why it is recommended to use the EHX 720 stereo looper with the power supply unit that comes included in the package instead of a battery. No doubt, the battery gives you more freedom as you can move freely. However, you’d be trading off its smooth operation for this freedom.
Sometimes, the problems may also occur due to improper battery installation. So, make sure to install the battery properly to avoid battery problems. If you are to replace your battery, make sure to buy the right voltage, or else it won’t work properly.
And yes, be careful while removing the screws as the pedal is made of plastic. Start replacing your battery by taking off the screws from its back panel. The EHX 720 stereo looper uses four screws to hold the panel in place. Once you have removed the panel, you will have access to the main board.
Now simply detach your old battery and put in your new 9V battery. Then reassemble your EHX 720 stereo looper by putting in the screws. This will likely fix the battery problems. So, turn on your looper pedal to see if it works properly. If it is not, consider hiring a professional, and they will take care of it.
- Single Loop Problems
The EHX 720 stereo looper pedal plays long loops pretty smoothly. The pre-recorded loops also play smoothly without causing any problems. However, you may run into a problem while using a single loop. The good news for you is that the single loop problem has an easy fix.
Restarting the EHX 720 stereo looper pedal usually fixes the problem. However, if it does not fix the problem, go a step further and reset your looper pedal. If you do not know how to reset your EHX 720 stereo looper pedal, consider reading the device manual. Once you have reset your looper pedal, it will start working as it is supposed to.
- Looper Dying
While the EHX 720 stereo looper pedal is powerful and operates smoothly, many users have reported that it sometimes stops working. Of course, this is frustrating for the player as the looper pedals are mainly intended to be used in live performances.
To begin with, make sure to use the power supply that is meant to be used with the stereo looper pedals. Don’t just go to a supermarket and buy any random battery for this purpose. Furthermore, check your cables and make sure they are in good condition.
If they have been damaged, your EHX 720 stereo looper pedal will die out. Replacing the cables is a straightforward process, and it won’t take much of your time either. Fortunately, they are available worldwide, and some online stores also offer these cables.
- Noise Problem
Noise problems are also a pretty common problem that many users have complained about. At times, you get a humming sound coming from the looper pedal. While it is bearable most of the time, it can sometimes reach an aggressive level and make the EHX 720 stereo looper pedal unusable.
So, what to do if your EHX 720 stereo looper pedal is giving a humming sound? First, unplug the power supply and loosen up its jack a bit. Give it a half-turn using a wrench, so you can reflow some solder underneath the jack. Now, take a soldering iron and reflow some solder carefully.
When done, take a look at the other contact points of your EHX 720 stereo looper pedal as well, and make sure they are intact. If they look flimsy, give them some solder to fix them.
- Broken Footswitch
The EHX 720 stereo looper pedal is undoubtedly a durable unit with quality materials. However, its components may take a hit over time with continuous usage, and it is the footswitch that gets affected more often than not.
Footswitches tend to be a bit fragile, and when they are broken, you won’t hear the clicking sound when you put your step on them. Since you are likely to face this problem at some point, it is a good rule of thumb to take a picture of your footswitch connections.
This way, you can just see the picture as a reference whenever your footswitch is broken. Get a footswitch and solder all the connections as they were previously. That’s it! You can now use your footswitch without any problem.
Although replacing the components of your EHX 720 stereo looper pedal is pretty easy, experts recommend visiting a professional if you are unsure about it.
The Bottom Line
The EHX 720 stereo looper pedal is a popular looper pedal that offers a 12-minute recording time and lots of other features. However, you may also face a few problems while using it.
You may notice a decline in its performance when connected to a battery, or it may emit a humming sound sometimes. We have discussed all the problems in detail, along with their quick fixes.