Re: Scripting/Command Chaining in the Max/MSP Kaiser Looper

[Per Boysen <perboysen@gmail.com>]

On 12 nov 2007, at 19.15, Krispen Hartung wrote:

> Per, I can elaborate with a specific scenario of what I'm planning  
> to do.
>
> 1. I record a 20 second loop (just free note and chordal improv)
> 2. I hit the play button to playback the recorded loop
> 3. At the same time, or anytime during playback, I hit a new button  
> on my MIDI controller that triggers a gradual pitch (and speed)  
> change to the recorded loop
> 4. The max objects that initiate the pitch change will have a fixed  
> pre-set that determines the starting pitch, the ending pitch, and  
> the time it takes to go from this start pitch to end pitch; for  
> example, right now it is set to start at normal speed ("1" in the  
> max object), and gradually change the pitch of the loop to -.02 in  
> reverse (that is very, very slow and low...it sounds amazing).
> 5. However, I hook up my expression pedals to two inlets in the  
> object (~line) that determines the start pitch, end pitch, and  
> duration times, such that with one pedal I control the ending pitch  
> (or it could be beginning), and the other pedal controls the time  
> it takes for the pitch change from beginnnig to end point to occur).
>
> I could change the function so that the pitch starts from -0.2  
> (very low and in reverse) moves gradually to 1 (normal speed), and  
> then continues in forward at amost a standstill, to as high as I  
> want (let's say 20 octaves above initial pitch?).  I could change  
> the values with my expression pedals and hit the button again, to  
> re-trigger the continuous pitch change with the new values.


That seems to be a very useful sequence of actions. But since Jeff  
have already answered I won't torture my brain with that. I can  
imagine how your patch will sound, and it's truly awesome! However, I  
think rather than scripting I would perform all the listed actions  
manually, to implement your idea with Mobius.

When researching this post I listened back to an old recording of  
mine from last year, where I used the script I wrote about in an  
earlier mail in this thread. It gives a kind of "psychedelic symphony  
orchestra" touch. Can be heard around 2:50 into the file targeted by  
this playlist:
http://www.jamendo.com/get/track/id/track/audio/play/32656

As I said, I'm generally turning more to manually mangling. Simply  
kicking Mobius into Overdub Mode and recording your playing while  
changing the Rate Shift from an expression pedal is very powerful for  
sound design. When I had the TC Electronic device I used it for this  
type of real-time mangling (I had to sell it but will probably buy a  
new as soon as I can afford it). I tried to implement that function  
in the VST effects I now replace the Fireworx with, but it crashes  
the computer. My guess is that Steinberg is to blame for this because  
they never took responsibility for keeping the VST code put out there  
by Coding Avarage Joe clean.

I also read the posts about the new Eventide Time Factor and I  
compared it's specifications with the Fireworx. It doesn't have half  
the amount of effect modules you get with the Fireworx and a second  
hand Fireworx is just a little more dough than a new Time Factor. But  
on the other hand, If you do not use badly coded VST's it might be  
possible to set up such real-time processing on just a laptop. That's  
also tempting for the future. I guess that AU plug-ins in OS X in  
general are more stable than VST in Windows, but then you miss out on  
Mobius. Ouch.... the market for an advanced and highly configurable  
OS X looping software is really prosperous. I have also been thinking  
about making one with MAX/msp, but it would just be so damn boring  
and time consuming that it's just no worth it.

I'm checking out a very cool AU plug-in now, Riverrun. Next thing to  
try out is if it can be automated in real-time in Bidule on a Mac.  
It's granular plug-in that freezes, slows down and speeds up the  
audio buffer. My idea is that you should be able to play it just like  
a looper. Assigning expression pedals to stuff like Granule Size,  
Speed, Random. And then assign buttons for Record and for "playing"  
the pitch of the granular loop like a Moog pedal. With that monster  
you might only need one or two Augustus Loop (after Riverrun). For  
examples of how Riverrun sounds, check out the television show Super  
Natural. Steve Tavaglione uses Riverrun a lot in the soundtracks to  
each episode. But he's just scratching its surface. Riverrun is also  
included in the DAW Digital Performer. The Michael Norris granular AU  
plug-ins are similar (as is the KT Granulator) but in comparison  
Riverrun just blows them away.

'nuff said, I'm out.

Greetings from Sweden

Per Boysen
www.boysen.se (Swedish)
www.looproom.com (international)
http://www.youtube.com/pellibox (gritty)