Re: New "Virtual Repeater" Software Announced...

[midifriedchicken@comcast.net]

Thanks Per, that was very generous of you to be so detailed. It was a 
great help.
MFC
 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Per Boysen <perboysen@gmail.com>
> On 15 aug 2007, at 16.59, midifriedchicken@comcast.net wrote:
> 
> > Per,
> > I see you use Bidule. Can you describe how you use it a little? How  
> > would it compare to Live 6? Is it completely different? I was  
> > looking at and trying to figure how its used.
> > Thanks
> > MFC
> 
> 
> I use Bidule as a VST2.0 host and a mixer/patchbay for (1) audio  
> streams, (2) MIDI streams and (3) Bidule exclusive controller data  
> streams. Something I like with Bidule is that it is totally  
> compatible with both Windows XP and Mac OS X. So the setups I'm  
> making on the Mac for Augustus Loop does also work if loaded into  
> Windows on my PC, I just have to replace Ausustus Loop AU with Mobius  
> VST. This looks all future proof to me now when the VRP is knocking  
> on the door (I will run the Virutal Repeater on Mac because I'm such  
> a big fan of  Michael Norris granular AU plug-ins http:// 
> www.michaelnorris.info/soundmagicspectral/.
> 
> Live 6? I think they are so different that I don't want to try making  
> a comparison. Only one point: I want to set the tempo from my playing  
> by the first loop recorded. This doesn't work well in Live, so my  
> looping in Live ends right there. But I use live for other tasks  
> though, just not live-looping. Bidule, on the other hand, does well  
> support Mobius sent out VST2.0 sync and tempo so any tempo relating  
> VST plug-in can be set to follow that temp with just one mouse-click.
> 
> Hmm.... one other thing that is better in Live is the MIDI sequencing  
> capabilities. But maybe that's not interesting for so many people. I  
> at least, like very much to put some looper commands into MIDI  
> sequencing, even looping sequences, instead of tap dancing them on my  
> floor board. In Live you simply create a MIDI clip and route its  
> output into the looper plug-in and the sent out MIDI events can be  
> globally controlled by a continuous Groove Template parameter. This  
> is not directly available in Bidule, although I succeeded pretty fast  
> to use Bidule's MIDI Step Sequencer module to play havoc with pitch  
> in the looper. Bidule doesn't have a built-in way of dealing with  
> groove quantizing. On the other hand, compared to Numerology, Live is  
> rudimentary in this department.
> 
> Oh... I just remembered a second important factor that makes me want  
> to loop with Bidule as host instead of Live and that is saving CPU  
> power when using many alternative effect chain patches. I like to put  
> effects before the looper and record the treated sound into my loops  
> and for this I find Bidule perfect. It has a module called Audio  
> Switcher that got expanded up to the maximum of 128 alternative  
> effect chains with the latest Bidule update last week. I have been  
> using 16 effect chains with Mobius and found that I can easily relate  
> to all of them and even wish for the option to have more. So now I'm  
> rebuilding my setup around the 128 tag Audio Switcher. This is funny,  
> because as a guitar player in the past I have always wanted to plug  
> directly into a tube amp and not use many effects at all. But it's  
> different when you are looping; the looper becomes your canvas and  
> you just can't have too many colors on your palette. The point here  
> is that in Bidule all those 127 muted effect chains doesn't cost you  
> any CPU at all. Only the active chain is taxing the CPU. If you  
> switch patch, however, before a delay- or reverb tail has faded out  
> this plug-in audio buffer will be kept in RAM until you un-mute that  
> effect chain again and this buffer will be the first audio to be  
> heard. Maybe not fun if you are now in a different key ;-))  But good  
> thing is there are so many kind people at the Bidule forum and I was  
> given a Bidule Group especially created to keep the old signal chain  
> open until the audi tail has faded when you change for another patch  
> chain. I tride to us Live 6 "Racks" to save CPU but found it  
> impossible to just disconnect plug-ins when not in use, so Bidule  
> wins this round big. ' Hope this was to any help.
> 
> Greetings from Sweden
> 
> Per Boysen
> www.boysen.se (Swedish)
> www.looproom.com (international)
> 
> 
> 
>