Smooth song transitions in a live set (feat. AngstroLooper)
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 1:30 am
I was looking for a way to smoothly switch between songs while playing a live set. One possible solution would obviously involve having both songs playing at the same time (requiring the double number of tracks and CPU utilization), the other would be to have some instant loop of what is currently being played and then start the next song and mix it with this loop.
I decided to go for the (later) economic solution, so here is how I made it working using the free AngstroLooper and two return tracks.
Return track F Mix is the sum of everything that is currently being played through the master. All tracks and return tracks (with the exception of G Loop) are configured to send there output to return track F.
Return track G Loop has the AngstroLooper on it and also receives the output from F.
F and G are the only inputs to the master and in this configuration I used the Live crossfader to fade between them.
The picture below shows the situation when a song is currently being played.
F is sending it's output to the master and G. The output from G is disabled but the AngstroLooper is constantly recording the input from F.
Please note that AngstroLooper is set to replace mode and therefor constantly replacing the currently recorded audio with the latest input from F.
(Note: the signal difference between F and master comes from a limiter on the master channel pushing the signal to 0 db).
Before we can start the transition to the next song we have to do 5 things:
1. Disable the audio from F to G.
2. Switch AngstroLooper from record to rehearse mode.
3. Switch AngstroLooper from replace to overdub mode.
4. Enable Track G.
5. Quickly move the the crossfader all the way to the right, so that only the signal from G is heard.
1-4. can easily be achieved with one midi-mapped toggle button.
5. Can be done with the crossfader or assign another button to the "right position crossfade" function.
Now that only the loop is audible we can start the next song.
The second picture shows an ongoing transition from the loop toward the next song (crossfader moved from right to left)
Once the transition is finished we can reactivate the loop recording with the toggle button.
Finally I also recommend putting some EQ and all kinds of effects after AngstroLooper to do inspiring transitions.
And you also might want to experiment with the various crossfader modes.
I decided to go for the (later) economic solution, so here is how I made it working using the free AngstroLooper and two return tracks.
Return track F Mix is the sum of everything that is currently being played through the master. All tracks and return tracks (with the exception of G Loop) are configured to send there output to return track F.
Return track G Loop has the AngstroLooper on it and also receives the output from F.
F and G are the only inputs to the master and in this configuration I used the Live crossfader to fade between them.
The picture below shows the situation when a song is currently being played.
F is sending it's output to the master and G. The output from G is disabled but the AngstroLooper is constantly recording the input from F.
Please note that AngstroLooper is set to replace mode and therefor constantly replacing the currently recorded audio with the latest input from F.
(Note: the signal difference between F and master comes from a limiter on the master channel pushing the signal to 0 db).
Before we can start the transition to the next song we have to do 5 things:
1. Disable the audio from F to G.
2. Switch AngstroLooper from record to rehearse mode.
3. Switch AngstroLooper from replace to overdub mode.
4. Enable Track G.
5. Quickly move the the crossfader all the way to the right, so that only the signal from G is heard.
1-4. can easily be achieved with one midi-mapped toggle button.
5. Can be done with the crossfader or assign another button to the "right position crossfade" function.
Now that only the loop is audible we can start the next song.
The second picture shows an ongoing transition from the loop toward the next song (crossfader moved from right to left)
Once the transition is finished we can reactivate the loop recording with the toggle button.
Finally I also recommend putting some EQ and all kinds of effects after AngstroLooper to do inspiring transitions.
And you also might want to experiment with the various crossfader modes.