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A Bass-Friendly Looper & Drum Machine for Practice and Songwriting Disclaimer: This pedal was kindly provided by Flamma Innovation for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information. The Flamma FF20 is a compact pedal that combines a stereo looper and a built-in drum machine in a single unit. With extensive loop recording time, multiple memory slots, and a selection of drum grooves across various styles, it aims to be a practical tool for practice, songwriting, and idea development. For bass players in particular, loopers with rhythmic backing can be invaluable for working on time, feel, and groove without needing additional gear. This review is based on hands-on use of the FF20 in bass-focused practice and looping scenarios, with attention paid to how it handles low-frequency instruments and how intuitive it is to integrate into a bassist’s workflow. TL;DR The Flamma FF20 is an affordable, feature-rich looper and drum machine that works very well for bass practice and songwriting. It offers generous recording time, usable drum grooves, and a straightforward interface. While it is not designed to replace high-end loopers in live performance situations, it excels as a practice companion and creative sketchpad for bass players. Check the Price On Amazon –> Core Features The FF20 provides a stereo looper with extensive total recording time spread across multiple memory slots, allowing bass players to store and revisit a large number of loops. It supports overdubbing, time stretch, speed control, and auto-record functionality. The built-in drum machine includes multiple groove styles with tap tempo, and the pedal also offers USB connectivity for importing and exporting audio, as well as a dedicated headphone output for silent practice. Looping Performance on Bass From a bass standpoint, the looper captures low-end content cleanly and accurately. Recorded bass lines retain their weight and clarity, without obvious compression artifacts or loss of fundamental. Long loops are easy to manage, which is especially useful for building layered practice sections or full song sketches. Overdubbing feels smooth and predictable, making it easy to stack harmonic or rhythmic ideas without losing timing. The ability to slow down or speed up loops without drastically altering pitch is particularly helpful for practice, allowing bassists to work on difficult passages at reduced tempos and then bring them back up to speed. Drum Machine for Groove and Timing The built-in drum machine is one of the FF20’s most useful features for bass players. The grooves are simple but musically effective, providing enough variety to support different practice styles without becoming distracting. They work well for locking in timing, developing pocket, and practicing transitions. While the drum sounds are not deeply editable and won’t replace a dedicated rhythm machine in performance scenarios, they are more than adequate for practice and songwriting. The presence of rhythmic backing alone makes practice sessions feel more engaging and productive. Workflow and Controls The FF20’s interface is intuitive and relatively easy to learn. Basic looping and drum functions are quickly accessible, and the LED display helps keep track of tempo and settings. Timing the start and stop of loops in sync with drum patterns requires some practice, but once the workflow is understood, operation becomes second nature. The option to control looping and drums separately adds flexibility, especially for players who want to focus on groove rather than footswitch choreography. Practice, Writing, and Connectivity For bassists who practice at home or in shared spaces, the headphone output is a major advantage. It allows for silent practice without sacrificing tone quality. USB connectivity makes it easy to move loops to and from a computer, enabling further development of ideas in a DAW or archiving practice sessions. The FF20 is particularly well suited to writing and arrangement work. Being able to quickly build bass parts over a drum groove encourages experimentation and helps bass lines evolve organically. Pros Cons FAQs Is the Flamma FF20 suitable for bass players? Yes. It handles low-frequency instruments well and provides useful tools for bass practice, looping, and songwriting. Can it record long bass loops? Yes. The available recording time is more than enough for extended loops and multi-part practice sections. Are the drum patterns usable? They are well suited for practice and idea development, though they are not intended to replace advanced drum machines. Can loops be exported? Yes. Loops can be transferred via USB for editing, sharing, or archiving. Is it good for live performance? It can be used live in simple setups, but it is best viewed as a practice and creative tool rather than a full performance looper. Conclusion From a bass player’s perspective, the Flamma FF20 is a practical and well-designed looper and drum machine that offers excellent value. Its generous loop capacity, useful drum grooves, and bass-friendly sound quality make it a strong choice for practice and songwriting. While it doesn’t aim to compete with high-end loop stations for complex live use, it succeeds in what it sets out to do: provide bassists with an accessible, flexible tool that encourages creativity, improves timing, and makes practice more enjoyable. Get Your Flamma FF20 On Amazon Right Now! If you liked this gear, make sure to also check:

A Versatile Stereo Octave Pedal for Modern Bassists Disclaimer: This pedal was kindly provided by Flamma Innovation for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinion or the content of our review. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information. Introduction Octave pedals have always been part of the bass player’s secret sauce—whether to thicken a groove, add sub-bass heft, or create soaring solo textures. The Flamma FS23 steps into a crowded field with a promise: stereo operation, octave-up and octave-down blending, plus onboard reverb and modulation. At first glance, it might look like another multi-function box trying to do too much—but after a few sessions, it becomes clear this little green pedal has more depth (literally) than expected. TL;DR A surprisingly powerful and versatile octave pedal with stereo capabilities, solid tracking, and ambient-friendly extras. The lower octave is clean, full, and modern—more EBS than OC-2—while the upper octave, though thin on its own, comes alive when blended with reverb and modulation. Add solid build quality and presets, and the FS23 punches far above its price point. Check Price on Amazon → Sound & Performance Low Octave Let’s start where most bassists live—the lower octave. The FS23 delivers a deep, smooth, and clean low octave that avoids the synthetic “electronic” vibe of a Boss OC-2 or vintage-style analog unit. Instead, it’s closer to the EBS Octabass territory: round, full, and modern. There’s no sub-rumble mushiness, just a tight, defined low end that tracks well even on the lower strings. Tracking, in fact, is excellent for the price. Like any octave pedal, it benefits from clean technique and a strong input signal—so running a compressor before it helps tremendously. When played cleanly, the FS23 keeps up without glitching or wobbling. High Octave The upper octave is thinner and more digital-sounding—nothing surprising there—but it becomes genuinely useful when blended with the dry signal or the sub-octave. This mix brings out some surprisingly expressive tones perfect for solos or ambient layering. The key is balance: too much upper octave alone sounds brittle, but mix it right, and it opens up new textures. Reverb & Modulation: The Unexpected Stars Initially, the reverb and modulation controls seemed like gimmicks—nice to have, but unnecessary on an octave pedal. Turns out, they’re not gimmicks at all. The reverb is especially bold—huge, cinematic, and capable of going completely over the top if you let it. Paired with the upper octave, it creates shimmering ambient soundscapes that push the FS23 beyond the typical “octaver” role. Add a touch of modulation, and you’re in synth pad territory. For players who enjoy textural, atmospheric sounds, this is where the pedal really earns its stereo badge. Tone Controls & Presets Each octave has a tone knob, though their range is subtle. They shape the sound slightly darker or thinner rather than dramatically changing the character. The presets, on the other hand, are a game-changer. Being able to store and recall settings makes it easy to jump from a straightforward sub-octave groove to a massive ambient wash in seconds. For live players, that’s a big deal. Build Quality Physically, the FS23 feels solid. The metal chassis is rugged and road-ready, while the knobs—though plastic—have a nice tactile resistance and don’t feel cheap. It’s compact, lightweight, and the layout is intuitive. In short, it’s gig-proof. Pros & Cons Pros Cons FAQs Q: How does it compare to the Boss OC-5 or EBS Octabass? A: The FS23 leans closer to the EBS sound—clean, tight, and modern—rather than the vintage warmth of the OC-5. It’s also more versatile thanks to the reverb/mod section and stereo operation. Q: Can it track low B on a 5-string? A: With a clean input and steady playing, yes—it holds its own surprisingly well even below the E string. Q: Is it good for synth-style bass sounds? A: Absolutely. Pair the sub-octave with reverb and modulation, and it delivers lush synth-like textures. Q: Does it handle guitar or synth inputs? A: Yes, though it’s clearly voiced with bass in mind. Guitarists may find the high octave more appealing than bassists do. Conclusion The Flamma FS23 is a pleasant surprise. It’s not just another budget octave pedal—it’s a creative platform for bassists who want both reliable octave tones and ambient possibilities in one box. The clean low end is solid enough for everyday use, and the lush reverb/mod combo turns it into an unexpected source of inspiration. While it won’t replace a boutique analog octaver for vintage tones, it offers far more versatility and a unique sonic identity. For the price, the FS23 is an easy recommendation for bassists looking to explore beyond the usual octave territory. Get the Flamma FS23 on Amazon right now! If you liked this gear, make sure to also check: