Re: how do you loop?

[andy butler <akbutler@tiscali.co.uk>]

Nevyn Nowhere wrote:
> I'm sure this has been asked many times throughout the existence of this 
> list; I've even seen a couple folks talk of such things recently, but 
> not a thread devoted to it.
>  
> So I, and probably others, wonder:
>  
> How do you loop? 

I think about creating with sound a series of scenes that have
a particular feel/atmosphere.

To achieve this I explore all the usual resources available to 
a composer, including the often forgotten one of melody. However
I also look to the possibilities offered by looping devices,
and to some extent use their limitations as a compositional device.

Improvisation and composition are freely combined, but by the time
I get to live performance there's usually a tendency to
play things that are planned.




> What is your ideal setup and process, 

HofnerSGguitar(or other)>>high quality pre-amp>>laptop running bidule(vst 
plugins)>>JBL Eon speakers.
controlled by Gordius Little Giant.


but would have to be a laptop setup with less latency than is currently 
common.
..and Matthias would have to finish the software EDP
..and I'd have to write a Vortex emulator plugin, at least to
   cover my essential sounds.

Really though, I find that working with a non-ideal setup is quite 
stimulating.
If the looper won't do exactly what you want, then it's often the 
workaround
for that which ends up making the piece interesting.


>and what is your 
> usual setup and process?  

solo

HofnerSGguitar>>EH Stereo Memory Man>>ADA MP1(pre)>>Vortex>>2xEDP>>rack 
mixer>>JBL Eon Speakers.
controlled by Gordius Little Giant.

with band (not much looping) I have the EH Stereo Memory Man.

>Whether you use hardware/software/a mix of 
> both (ok, I'm slanted, I'm always more curious about the last, since 
> that is how I like to go, but I'm curious about it all, as from time to 
> time I do the other options as well), I'd like to know your live process.

Essentially, the EDPs are a stereo pair, and are used for layering and 
editing.
The EH-SMM and Vortex can be used to create loops that can be resampled 
onto the edps.

I have a number of loop strategies, which can be used for a particular 
piece, or
as a framework for improv.

>  
> Yes, I should specify, this about LIVE setups/processes, etc.
>  
> Looking forward to hearing how we all do our thing!
>  
> -nn
> happyhumans.org <http://happyhumans.org>
>  
> PS: Feel free to reply offlist, but I'd also like 2-3 suggestion from 
> anyone and everyone on the list of music/musicians/etc that I simply 
> must listen to.  Your absolute favorite 2-3 (and yes I know there is 
> always a time and place, but let's look overall).  I crave new input, 
> but not an overload of!


Bartok - String Quartet No 4
Messian - Quartet for the End of Time (a couple of versions at least)
Ornette Coleman 


:-) hey, I'm *serious* today

andy butler