Well, I'm about to start my senior year of college and my degree program requires that I complete a senior project. I already proposed a project last spring, but lately I've been consumed with the idea of a software looping program.

I was wondering if there's anything out there right now that allows for looping on a computer. I envision a USB pedal that controls things like tap time, loop start/stop, record start/stop, etc. The program could also make use of effects built into the program in the form of plugins. This has probably been done, but I thought it would make for a fun project if it hasn't. The ultimate goal would be to have a laptop on stage as part of the rig.

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To rewrite is to deceive and lie, and you betray your own thoughts. To rethink the flow and the rhythm, the tumbling out of the words, is a betrayal.

I can't think of one like you described, but with a MIDI foot controller, Max/MSP and a lot of spare time it might be possible.

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And here it is Geeked for those with short attention spans:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/...78610069YGpPVx

do you have a mac?

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nope, no mac.

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To rewrite is to deceive and lie, and you betray your own thoughts. To rethink the flow and the rhythm, the tumbling out of the words, is a betrayal.

It really does get harder at that point. I will find a few links for you though, there are a couple neat freeware ones.

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No one has to be alright all of the time.

I am using mac. would you please direct me to the looper?

I'm not looking for a looper, I'm looking to build one from the ground up. It would be for Windows (at least at first) and probably run on the .Net platform. I'm finishing up my software engineering degree, so this is right up my ally. I was just making sure that I wasn't going to be doing what's already available. I have a ton of ideas for it...but I'll have to elaborate on those later.

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To rewrite is to deceive and lie, and you betray your own thoughts. To rethink the flow and the rhythm, the tumbling out of the words, is a betrayal.

He Shane, I'm on a mac now! Any suggestions regarding music and noise making software for mac?

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Morley Pro Series Wah (good condition)
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Pictures of my rig:
http://guitargeek.com/chat/showthrea...threadid=17787
http://guitargeek.com/chat/showthrea...threadid=27935

ableton live is definatly THE looping program, but midi is the key, not usb.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/...ase_id/117991/

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note to self-get back to playing.

http://www.collective.co.uk/expertsleepers/

For mac users, This is better in realtime the ableton apperently(at elast according to the loopers delight board, I can't try to to confirm).

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No one has to be alright all of the time.

I'm not really getting why MIDI would be better than USB in this case. Obviously in the traditional musician interface, MIDI has been the choice, but I'm seeing no real advantage to developing a control board in MIDI as opposed to USB for this application. I guess if I planned on making it compatible with current MIDI controllers then yes, but I think it would be cool to develop the hardware-interface along with the application. Also, my idea is to first develop it using a standard computer keyboard as the controller, so that's not really an issue right now.

You'd be able to do as many loops and lengths of loops as you'd like. Each loop could then be turned off/on, written over, deleted, etc. I'd also like to be able to add effects (in the form of user-developed plugins) that can be added to an individual loop, as well as the entire mix. These effects could then be arranged in any order, each instance having its own controls. Thus you could easily do a dirt->delay->chorus->delay or something of that nature. I'd also like to have the option to set samples/loops playback once or infinitely loop. It'd also be neat to be able to tap-tempo effects, as well as drum beats and samples. With software, the tempo thing is much easier than with hardware.

If nothing else, it sounds like it'd be fun...and it'd be free for the software...probably open source.

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To rewrite is to deceive and lie, and you betray your own thoughts. To rethink the flow and the rhythm, the tumbling out of the words, is a betrayal.

you know, the only reason I say midi is because it is so #1 simple, and #2 universal. beyond that there really aren't any advantages. (it is after all quite slow) A usb interface would be totally schweet, but you would have to GET a usb interface to go along with the software you've created, that's why I think midid would be the EASIEST route to go. If you can do the usb thing AWESOME. I've got some crazy feedback loop music I've been working on and the dl4 is quite limited for it.

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note to self-get back to playing.

Okay, I understand where you're coming from. I have friends in the hardware/electronics programs, and I have some experience as well. There's a good book I'm checking out called Complete USB or something that explains how to implement hardware designs through USB and interfacing them with computers.

Here's my proposition to all of you...whether you're interested in such a package or not: What features do you expect from a looper? What features would you really like to see in a looper that is not a standard feature? What are some dream features?

I have to write up a scope and features document, and I'm looking for ideas on what I should include and what I can add to set this apart from any software or hardware options out there.

Thanks!

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To rewrite is to deceive and lie, and you betray your own thoughts. To rethink the flow and the rhythm, the tumbling out of the words, is a betrayal.

wow, dreams may come true.

well some "standard" dream features others, I just can't see happening, so don't think this is all a MUST, just some Idea's I have.

-pitch shifting/allowing to slow down or speed up the loop, much more control than just "half time" or just change the pitch without changing the time.

-volume control(for each loop would be ideal, probably not practical)

-fx should be "'n-sync" (hehe) with the loop, for example, the rise and fall of a flange peaks exactly in the middle, then falls exactly when the loop stops. (more impartantly delays)(midi might also come in handy, then you could keep in time with external devices.)

-multiple ouputs, don't really know how you would control that, If you had a multiple output soundcard or interface.

-undo feature. (maybe multiple)

-fade out/fade in loops.

-reverse of course.

-some sort of splicer, like instead of apegiating a note, it chops up the loop and randomly throws it all over the place (wow, I just thought of that, that would awesome)

yeah some idea's.

if you want to discuse this more, feal free to pm me.

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note to self-get back to playing.

You might want to check out Sooperlooper it's an open-source software looper for Linux. It's basically a Oberheim Echoplex emulator. I think you must have ALL these features plus the features you are talking about to have an effectual live looping tool.

But whatever you decide, defintely have:
- Multiply. This is by-far the most useful feature of the Echoplex and it makes creating soundscapes so much more creative and interesting. You are no longer bound to your initial loop cycles if you have multiply.

- multiple levels of Undo. You should be able to undo every action up to the start of the initial loop. This allows you to build up layers and break them back down to the fundamental piece.

- Feedback control. Like a delay feedback, you can have loops slowly fade out with each repeat as you add more audio. This allows for seamless improv.

- loop windowing. This is where you can set a new start and stop within a bigger loop and have those new points be the loop.

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