Table of Contents
Loopy Wiki
What's Loopy?
Loopy is a live performance-oriented audio loop station for Apple's iOS devices. It is available as a universal application, Loopy HD, or as an iPhone/iPod Touch native application, listed in the App Store as Loopy.
Quick Start
TODO
Track synchronization guide
Loopy has a bunch of configurable synchronization settings within the “Track management” section of the app's settings, which can be tailored to your particular playing style. Here's what it all means.
Introductory concepts
All timing in Loopy centers around a clock, which has a fixed tempo and cycle length. The clock starts when you record the first loop, or when you set the tempo using Loopy's tempo controls.
You can adjust the cycle length of the clock using Loopy's clock length controls.
When you have the “Synchronize tracks” setting on, all loops will be synced to this clock, one way or another.
Settings
Here are the settings that control this behaviour:
| Setting | Description | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronize tracks | When on, Loopy will keep all tracks fitted together, so that they're all multiples/fractions of each other, and they all progress in time. This is on by default, but if you want to create ambient music with complex polyrhythms, you can turn it off and have free-running loops. Note that you can turn this on and off any time you like, to have some tracks synchronized, and some not. | ||||||||||||||||
| Count-in recording | When Synchronize is on, this setting causes tracks to begin recording in sync with the clock, depending on the "Count-in quantize" setting, described below. If you turn this setting off, Loopy will begin recording immediately as soon as you tap a track to record. | ||||||||||||||||
| Count-in quantize | This configures how counting-in tracks are synchronized with the clock. You can set this to a number of multiples or a fraction of a bar, or have it set to the length of the clock, which is the default. For example, if you have this set to "Clock Length", and you have a clock length of 4 bars, then when you tap a track at bar 2 of the clock cycle, Loopy will count in for 2 bars, then begin recording at the beginning of the next 4-bar cycle. If you have this value set to, say, 1 bar, Loopy will always count in to the start of the next measure. | ||||||||||||||||
| Count-out recording | Like "Count-in recording", this setting determines whether Loopy will automatically count-out when you end a loop recording. The behaviour of this setting depends on whether "Count-in recording" is enabled:
| ||||||||||||||||
| Count-in/out mute | This setting configures whether Loopy mutes or unmutes tracks in whole cycles. If this is on, and you tap a muted track, the track will only begin playing once it reaches the start of its cycle. |
MIDI bindings guide
What do all those obscure actions actually do?
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Select next track | Selects the next track from the currently selected track. If the last track is selected it will loop around to the first track |
| Select previous track | Same as Select next track except in reverse |
| Toggle Mute | Either mutes the currently selected track or a specific track can be selected |
| Mute and play next muted track | Mutes the currently selected track or specific track and then plays the next muted track |
| Toggle record | Turns record on for the selected track or a specific track can be selected |
| Toggle record and select next track | Same as previous except it selects the next track |
| Toggle record, then record next track | Same as previous except it starts recording the next track instead of just selecting it |
| Toggle record, mute, then select next track | Same as previous except it mutes the track after its recorded |
| Toggle record, mute, then record next track | Same as previous except it starts recording the next track instead of just selecting it |
| Toggle record, then overdub | Turns recording on the once recording is finished goes into overdub mode on the same track |
| Toggle record without count-in/out | If the count in recording option is turned on this would allow you to punch in without having to count in or waiting to count out. Can be currently selected track or a specific track can be specified |
| Clear track | clears the contents of the selected track or a specific track can be selected |
| Rerecord track | Rerecords the selected track or a specific track can be selected |
| Solo track | Mutes all other tracks except the selected track or a specific track can be selected |
| Toggle mute for all tracks | Mutes all tracks. If the Count-in/Out mute option is selected it will mute all the tracks at the end of the current measure. |
| Adjust track volume | Sets the volume of the currently selected track or a specific track to the value of a CC command (use of expression pedal possible) |
| Adjust track pan | Sets the Stereo pan of the currently selected track or a specific track to the value of a CC command (use of expression pedal possible) |
| Clear all tracks | Clears the contents of all tracks |
| Select track | Allows the user to select a specific track |
| Toggle reverse | Toggles the playing of the currently selected track or a specific track in reverse |
| Adjust session tempo | Allows the user to set the session tempo to the value of a CC command (use of expression pedal possible) |
| Tap tempo | Allows the user to tap tempo |
| Double clock length | Doubles the current clock length |
| Halve clock length | Cuts the current clock length in half |
| Toggle session pause | Pauses the current session where it is at and resumes from there when toggled again |
| Toggle session pause and restart | Pauses the current session and then restarts the same session |
| Restart session | Restarts the current session |
| Reset Session | Resets the current session |
| Toggle track synchronization | Turns the synchronize tracks options on or off |
| Cancel pending actions | If you use count-in/out and have selected an action to begin at the end of the loop this will cancel the action |
| Toggle metronome | Toggles the metronome on or off |
| Toggle fading | Toggles the fading in/out option on or off |
FAQ
Q) How do I connect my instrument(s) to my iPad?
All of the following methods are known to work;
- Connect your instrument to one of the recomended interfaces (see below). Connect the interface to the iPad via the USB connector in the Apple Camera Connection Kit (CCK).*
- If your interface has multiple inputs, you can select which input to use from the sidebar in Loopy.
*Note:
- The CCK is not compatible with iPhone or iPod Touch.
- If you have an iPad with a lightning dock connector, you will also need to buy an adapter from Apple to use the CCK. it is recommended that you use the 30-pin to lightning adapter cable rather than the adapter block.
- The lightning CCK also works. (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter?fnode=3a)
Q) How do I connect my instrument(s) to my iPhone or iPod?
- Someone else can jump in here…
Q) Which audio interfaces are compatible with Loopy?
All of the following are known to work;
- Presonus 22VSL*
- Presonus 44VSL†
- Alesis iO4†
- Alesis iODock†
- Apogee Jam
- AmpliTube iRig
- Peavey PV-14 USB Mixer *
- Apogee Duet 2 for iPad / iOS (* Core-midi compliant only.)
- Mackie ProFX16†
*Requires a powered USB hub
†Requires AC power
Q) Can I control Loopy from a foot pedal or other device?
Loopy can be controlled via MIDI (either through other iOS apps using MIDI Bridge, an external device connected through the CCK, or via network session). MIDI actions can be bound to many control actions through the Loopy menu.
Loopy can also be controlled by a bluetooth keyboard, or a foot pedal that uses bluetooth. Bluetooth keyboards and many Bluetooth foot pedals, only communicate with the application running in the foreground.