[BETA testers wanted] Spectra Looper — multi-channel looper and FX system built for sonic discovery (VST3/AU, macOS)

[CinningBao]

I would likely be all over this if it were an actual spectral recorder/player (basically DFT/FFTing everything) so I feel the name is a bit of a misnomer.

Looks fun but too many other toys at the moment!

[Sampleconstruct]

Still room on the beta team!

Here is a bit of mellow introspection showing some Spectra Looper (beta) features:

Quite beautiful

[pabloaldunate]

I like this, but the design is difficult for me to get on with. YMMV Most suggestions I would have, conflict with its design.

Worth checking out in any event.

What you dont like about the design? Would you mind sharing your thoughts?

[pekbro]

I suggest if anyone’s interested to give it a shot. I have many loopers, there’s no reason this one has to work like I would expect. It’s interesting and cool for sure. I am probably too set in my looper ways.

[Spherop]

Spectra Looper builder here. Thanks for sharing the videos @tonecarver! They're incredibly rewarding for me to see - capturing a lot of potential.

And @pekbro - as I mentioned to you in the Discord - totally appreciate Spectra is not for everyone. You even suggested it's more of a "micro-overdubber" than a be-all looper - which I thought was actually on point.

Spectra has a lot of the plumbing of a robust looper, but is definitely not aiming for being the most comprehensive -- more it is attempting to meld looping and tonal exploration and composition in hopefully new and creatively engaging ways.

For quick summing: you have (up to) 8 mix channels for effecting and 6 master mix effects that all can be highly config'd in the flow of creating a new preset-loop - but then you also now have this setup to play live into as a kind of mega reacting effects engine. You can do some really crazy combinatorial stuff once you get into it... pitch delay on one channel, shimmer verb across the mix, differing loop speeds and lengths, granular dispersion effects, time shift algs, lofi etc. But with all this flex - the attempt is at a simple feel - an accessible and visual system you just can play into and grab special moments from.

So it's a hybrid of a tool for creating unique sound moments for re-use, and an engine for realtime effecting anything you play into it.

Anyway - thanks to all those who've taken the plunge and given it a try and feedback etc. Welcome aboard to anyone else who'd like to dig in!

Here's a quick vid I just recorded by way of a bit-o example (note that presets explored are my own and not something included; presets in Spectra Looper are your own saved presets):



Also noting someone mentioned confusion around the name. Dang.. I had not even thought about this. Name came more the from the colorful visualization of the waveforms. Might have to add a super sick Spectral module in order to bridge the gap ...
 

[pekbro]

To be clear, I do like this and find it pretty interesting. I just have yet to adapt to using it effectively, it's difficult to get past the 'why can't I do this moments', where my preconceived notions of how it should work tend to get in the way. Anyway, I intend to continue for sure, I just need to keep any suggestions inline with the design, which is pretty clear I think.

[herzihelmut]

cool stuff - like the ui and the sound browser really much. Will def checkout the win build

[Spherop]

@pekbro - it might be that the why can't can arrive over time as well. I def wanna make this robust and solve for many "can't yets" continuously. But just balanced with the core vision focus. Thanks again for the feedback already.