In music, the term loop describes a finite element of sound which is repeated by technical means (i.e. tape loops, delay effects, digital sampling).
While the roots of non-technical "looping" can be found in almost all cultures, but most prominently in Gamelan, the first loop musicians were Edgar Varese and Karlheinz Stockhausen.
Based on an idea by Terry Riley to use one tape on two tape machines, Brian Eno and Robert Fripp created the technical basis for their No Pussyfooting album - this technological concept was later dubbed Frippertronics.
Today's followers like David Torn or Steve Lawson use digital devices to create and modify loops, often in conjunction with various electronic musical effects.
Another approach was the use of pre-recorded loops, first exemplified by Grandmaster Flash and his turntablism. Use of pre-recorded loops made its way into many styles of popular music, including hip hop, trip hop, techno, drum'n'bass, and contemporary dub, as well as into mood music on soundtracks. Royalty-free loops are available online from various vendors, including Sonic Foundry and Acidfanatic.com; programs to create music using loops range in quality and price and include Acid Music, Cakewalk Sonar, and Fruity Loops.
A famous festival for loop based music is Loopstock, established 2002.
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