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Re: Naming a software looper
Oh, I forgot to put in a feature request: Time warping, so you can
compose music and spend time with your 3 year old child.
: )
On 11/18/05, Jeff Larson <Jeffrey.Larson@sun.com> wrote:
>
> > The things that are most unique about this looper (I think, I hope)
>are:
> >
> > - instant gratification, easy learning curve
>
> That would probably be unique among software loopers with similar
> features. There are several easy to use loopers, but they don't have
> all the features you list.
>
> > - Can be operated in hands-free mode; works with most footcontrollers
> > (but a multi-bank footcontroller is best; basic functions can be in
> > the first bank, advanced functions in others)
> > - CD-quality, stereo looping
>
> Every software looper I've seen supports MIDI control and CD quality
>stereo.
>
> > - loop layers are independently mutable and re-mixable
>
> It depends on what you mean by "layers". A few loopers support
> multiple "tracks" which you record and mutate independently, and if
> the tracks are made to be of identical size you achieve an effect
> similar to layers of overdubs. The challenge here is to make it so you
> can record into successive tracks as easily as you would just make
> several overdub passes in a single track looper.
>
> > - built in digital multitrack recorder makes pristine recordings of
>your
> > live playing, your loops and aux inputs (like the people you're
>playing
> > with)
>
> That's probably unique, though I know of one that has a relatively
> crude way to capture an entire performance. What typically happens is
> that the looper is itself a VST plugin that runs within a host that
> supports recording.
>
> > - peak limiting on the output. In later versions, different forms of
> > multiband compression will be supported
>
> May be unique at the moment.
>
> > - with a touch of your toe (here I go into marketing-speak), you can
> > save all the loops into individual files for later processing with
> > Acid or the DAW of your choice.
>
> Several of the more complex loopers will allow you to save loops to
> files. I know of one that let's you save all state with one
>touch-o-the-toe.
>
> > - PC (XP) and MAC (OS/X)
>
> I can't think of any non-commercial cross-platform loopers. The closest
> thing would be the PSP-42 and PSP-84.
>
> > - support for VST plugins to modify the input to the looper and the
> > total mix output
>
> Having the looper host plugins is a powerful concept, but I would
> suggest you consider having the looper *be* a VST plugin
> instead or in addition. If you want to get into the VST hosting
> game, then you're going to be competing with the likes of Bidule,
> EnergyXT, and Live. If ease of use is the primary goal, then being
> a limited host is a good thing. But if you want to be flexible,
> being a VST is better.
>
> > - affordability - I anticipate 3 versions, one at $89 or so, one at
> > $199 and one at $299.
>
> With all due respect, I think you're going to find that the market for
> a software looper priced over $99 is rather small, especially if
> you're targeting customers for whom "ease of use" is a primary concern.
>
> Jeff
>
>
--
Art Simon
simart@null.net
http://art.simon.tripod.com
http://artsimon.iuma.com