Fixed length looping?

[VM_Nexus]

I'm familiar with the standard functions of the loop in/out and reset buttons, but what I'm trying to figure out is how to set up single buttons that will initiate a fixed-length loop (like DJs have in Traktor)regardless of which clip is playing in the layer (they will be of different lengths - I don't want to change the playspeed of the clip, I just want to be able to grab a fixed length period of whatever is playing). Ideally I could then press the same button again to release the loop (reset the beginning and end points so the clip just plays normally after that).

I want to set up 4 buttons for like 1 / 2 / 4 / 8 measures and have it be based on the clock.

Could anyone help me on this?

Thanks!

[Philternaut]

Here's my quick hack on it... This project uses the "up arrow" key to trigger loop mode on key press and stop looping on key release.

The number keys 1-4 choose the loop length. I haven't figured out a good way to do a "loop roll" equivalent yet other than quickly releasing and pressing the loop button after selecting a different loop length at the beginning of the loop section.

Some issues: It doesn't set the right length if the loop's end would be after the end of the clip. The "Jump By (Beats)" control seems to max out at 12, so no 16-32 beat loops as such. Doesn't necessarily latch on/off, although a MIDI button set to toggle (not momentary) would work fine. The loop points aren't quantized or "beatgridded" as you would have in Traktor, either.

Layer Src data receiver settings:
Loop In: Receive "/Key/Up", Val from input, Prevent repeats
Loop Out: Recieve "/Key/Up", Val from input, Prevent repeats
Jump Fwd: Recieve "/Key/Up", Toggle on input, Ignore repeats, Toggle on rise
Jump By: Markers set to recieve number keys 1-4 (1, 2, 4, 8 beats)
Jump Units: Set to "Beats"
Reset In: Receive "/Key/Up", Toggle on input, Ignore repeats, Toggle on fall
Reset Out: Receive "/Key/Up", Toggle on input, Ignore repeats, Toggle on fall

I'd suppose these could be mapped to a control surface with a button (loop on/off) and a slider (loop length) for better MIDI mapping? Hope this gives you a starting point -- a DJ-style fixed-length loop is really good idea.

[VM_Nexus]

Ah yeah, getting it to where the length of the loop could be changed dynamically to roll it would be great.

On the sample project, if I hold the up arrow key then the video pauses (or loops the current frame I guess is more accurate)and the number keys don't seem to change anything. It does seem like it is the right thinking, I'm just missing something.

[Philternaut]

That's weird -- it looks like some mapping behaviors change after quitting and reloading the project, and also I'm losing the beat mark mappings (numbers 1-4) as well.

You can re-map the loop in/out/jump keys and it should work again (until you save/reload?), but here's another thing: To get the behavior right, remap the keys in the order of Loop In, then Jump Fwd, then Loop Out. Otherwise it just loops on a frame like you're already seeing.

So much for that approach, then. I'll be sending in an in-app bug report shortly.

[VM_Nexus]

Maybe we just need a feature request to get this built in haha.