Looper pedal for Cello?

Hi there,

is there a not too expensive way to use a looper pedal with a cello? If yes, how? And can I use it with a hifi system?

My girlfriend started practicing cello a little more than a year ago. Her teacher recently suggested to record herself playing a simple rhythm or some base notes and then try improvising on top of it with the few notes and scales she already knows.

We tried recording her with her phone, but the sound was horrible. A very cheap lav mic made a notable difference, but the sound was still pretty bad.

The first upgrade would be a cheapish USB-XLR interface and a low cost microphone designed for recording bowed string instruments. But that got me thinking: Is there a way to throw some looper-pedal-type functionality in there as well? Like the ones guitar players use? It would be great if she could use her foot to start/stop a recording.

It shouldn't break the bank, though. The USB Interface (e.g., the t.bone USB 1X) and microphone (t.bone Ovid System CC 100) cost around 70€ combined. But using a looper software would not allow her to start/stop the recording while playing. Looper pedals are not expensive, but the cheap ones don't have an XLR input.