RE: Naming a software looper

[Warren Sirota <wsirota@wsdesigns.com>]

>  > 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
> 
>