Re: ORGANIC programming and looping

[Andreas Wetterberg <awetterberg@post.cybercity.dk>]

loop.pool wrote:
...
> In looping,  obvious techniques like replacing, overdubbing, changing 
> loop lengths, etc. can help a
> piece from being terminally static.   I also love the addition of random 
> or non-random addition of effects
> and/or filtering to preexisting loops when I play or when I listen to 
> others playing.  Boy, my kindgom for
> the random filtering algorhythm that is in that pricey Lexicon unit that 
> Steve Lawson uses live.........it's so
> cool because the rhythms constantly morph in a seemingly 'organic' way.

My live setup, based on looping in AbletonLive4, uses a lot of effects 
after the loops, one of them being the bultin filter plugin, which has a 
nice smooth random lfo, that does a neat stereo filter spread thing, 
too. I also use this effect in the feedback loop of my loopers (the 
lexicon plugin and ellotronixXL). It's not intelligent randomization, by 
no means, but it works.

...
> Then, of course, there is the addition of actuall real time (non looped) 
> playing over the top of
> of static elements.     Curious, though,  if we use that approach alone 
> it seems, after awhile to call more
> attention to the stasis of the loop.

I've noticed that as well. Working with a lot of individual loops, 4 or 
more, seems to require a *lot* of work, if you want the results to 
remain as organic as when you started. Doing different loop lengths and 
odd meters does help, though.

> And finally,   sometimes it's cool to be REALLY ARTIFICIAL and static 
> about our playing.

I agree. I like semi-stuttering half-bar loops. Starting a track using 
really minimal material also buys a lot of time to set up the next 
sounds ;-)

Andreas