Description:
JSFX for live performance stutter effects, instant "on the go" sampling/looping and more. Zero latency. Synchronized to project tempo and time signature - sample accurate. Slicer can be controlled by built-in pattern sequencer or external MIDI. Works well with linear songs as well as loop based material. Mashes up nicely your rhythms on drum tracks/percussion (slice pattern sequencing allows to completely change the groove of drum loops). Great toy on voices.
Constantly samples the input and repeats what you just heard when you trigger the repeat mode. I.e. you do not have to trigger recording a loop blindly hoping it will be what you want, but you repeat what was just played.
Most fun if
controlled via a MIDI/OSC hardware device (pad controller, touch screen device). E.g. Repeat On-Off to a pad, continuous Loop Length to a rotary encoder (relative mode) and stepped Loop Length to dedicated pads (one for each loop length).
Separate loop audio routing allows to conveniently feed the repeating loop into any custom fx chain. Phaser, resonant HP/LP filters with variable cut off frequency, ping pong delays etc work particularly well with the stutter and allow spontaneous live (or automated) build ups. For additional variation you can parameter modulate these effects synced to tempo (built in Reaper feature) if you are running out of hands to tweak knobs...
Plugin download here:
https://stash.reaper.fm/v/34512/LiveBeatRepeater.jsfx
or via ReaPack
https://reapack.com/
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Notes:
1. The track audio that feeds into the effect is sampled while playing => track should be playing least 2 bars before initiating repeat mode for the first time. No limitations thereafter.
2. This plugin really asks to be controlled with a hardware controller. Best are pads or a touch screen but a keyboard works too. I like the free plugin "ReaLearn" from Helgoboss (
https://www.helgoboss.org/projects/realearn/) because it simplifies the mapping process greatly. Attached screenshots show a mapping example incl the details for one exemplary note pad that sets the loop length to 1/2 bar when touched.
If you run into issues with linking elements of the GUI to your controller or when you want to automate or parameter link GUI elements check out this post for some hints:
https://forum.cockos.com/showpost.ph...4&postcount=79
3. In order to route the looped audio into additional fx processing set Fx Channel Routing to "Loop on separate Fx Output only". Go to pin connector and route the loop audio to track channels 3/4. From there into any fx bus on another track or to an effect sitting on 3/4 in the same track (the latter requires you to merge the audio at the end of the fx chain back onto 1/2 via e.g. the stock JS stereo mixer that comes with Reaper).
4. Built-in Pattern Sequencer (SEQ)
Pattern Slice types:
Pink: "Play First"
Red: "Play"
Black: "Skip"
Grey: "Replace/Mute". Input will be played during slice period and also put onto Fx output for further processing.Fx routing "Active Slice only" will mute slice entirely.
Left mouse click: Cycle through slice type
SHIFT + Left mouse click: Make current cell Play First
Right mouse click DRAG: Copy slice type to neighbouring pattern cells
Usage hint: Patterns that constitute an even fraction or multiple of a bar work particularly well with start trigger set to "At Next Bar".
5. Slicer controlled by MIDI Control (MIDI)
Slice types:
Red: Play (triggered by MIDI note on)
Grey: Replace/Mute. Input will be played during slice period and also put onto Fx output for further processing. Fx routing "Active Slice only" will mute slice entirely.
While Loop-Repeat is on MIDI note on/off events are immediately effective, i.e. it is possible to trigger a slice in very short order even if slice length is long. MIDI sequencing precisely follows sequencer input with sample accurate audio-to-MIDI sync.
MIDI Loop-Repeat:
Manual: Loop must be triggered via Loop-Repeat.
Auto-On: First valid MIDI note on event triggers loop automatically.
Auto-On/Off: Use this to play individual slices "on the go" for "stream sampling". Slice starts at chosen Loop Start setting, slice fade out according to Loop Fade Out setting.
MIDI 1st slice Trigger: MIDI note which triggers the righmost slice; slices to the left are triggered with decreasing notes.
Usage hint: Slices can be played like an instrument or sequenced via MIDI. MIDI sequencing allows unlimited rhythmic variations irrespective of slice length (try staccatos, breakbeats etc).
6. Freeze/Recall
Freezes a playing loop buffer instantly. Can recall a previous buffer even if that buffer was not frozen while playing (see recall indicator bar in button).
If activated also keeps buffer when stopping.
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Changelog
Edit 2020-10-30:
Release V1.50
- Added multiple MIDI control options for grid based slicer
- Added GUI mouse controls for manipulation of Slice Start/End and Slice Move (new).
- Allow manipulation of Slice Start/End while pattern is playing and terminate pattern mode immediately
- Added GUI indicator to show if plugin is in QUANTIZE mode
- Improved behavior when length transitions are set to "At Next Beat"
Edit 2020-10-18:
Release V1.30
- Added Slice Pattern Sequencer*
- Added Loop Freeze/Recall feature*
- Added new routing option
- Added vertical zoom slider for waveform
- Fixed wrong beat/bar length calculations for certain time signatures (Reaper's tempo is actually QPM, not BPM)
- Fixed slice start calculation when changing Slice Start Pos slider (was off by 1 sample)
*Note: Switching Pattern Sequencer on/off and Freeze/Recall can be automated just like other non hidden sliders
Edit 2020-10-09:
Release V1.20:
- Visualize sampled waveform, playhead and loop area
- Allow manipulation of loop start and loop end position during loop repeat
Edit 2020-09-30:
Release V1.12:
- 3 different loop fade algorithms selectable by user
- Updated Fx routing options
- Added loop start, loop end and playhead indicators (cannot be manipulated yet)
- Improve memory management
- Fixed bug during loop fade out when reversing
Edit 2020-09-24:
Release V1.10:
New features:
- Loop Direction: Forward or Reverse
Improvements:
- Loop fade in: Better slope extrapolation algorithm to reduce high frequency artefacts in spectrum
Edit 2020-09-19:
Release V1.04: Improvements
- Sample accurate time sync: Loop Start at next beat or bar now sample accurate in time
- Fade in: Loop starts with fade-in on extrapolated slope from loop end to reduce audio artefacts
Edit 2020-06-09:
Release V1.03: Added Features
- Additional Loop Lengths ("Triplets" and as short as 1/128)
- Logarithmic scaling of continuous loop length slider
Edit 2018-10-12:
Release V1.02: Added Features
- Continuous Loop Length Change Slider. Map this one to a rotary encoder in relative mode! When used the loop length transitions will happen immediately while repeat mode is on. When repeat mode switches back to off the plugin automatically goes back to stepped mode.
Edit 2018-10-10:
Release V1.01: Minor bug fix
- fixed loop soft fade out inconsistency when repeat mode is on for a longer time than 2 bars
Edit 2018-10-09:
First "official" release V1.0 after fixing the most important issues. Now with a second audio buffer which removes previous limitations when switching repeat mode on/off in short cycles. Enjoy!