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First loop

Start with one source and a one-bar pattern. Once that works, add variations and other files.

1. Prepare the source

  1. Click add below the file list and choose a rhythmic audio loop. WAV, MP3, FLAC and AIFF are accepted, up to 120 seconds per file.
  2. Select its row in List mode.
  3. Set loop 1 bar, 2 bars or 4 bars to match the file's actual musical duration. Choose the source section you want.
  4. Begin with 16 sl/bar, 16 slices, qt 1/16, Clock: 1 and workspace 1 bar.

Loop length describes the whole file. Workspace length describes the pattern you are about to record.

2. Play and capture

  1. Start PsyMX playback. In VST3, start the DAW transport too. In Standalone, set your desired BPM.
  2. Hold in the matrix. Left to right changes slices; top to bottom moves from fast to slow repeats.
  3. Move left and right to choose slices, then briefly move upward for a faster repeat.
  4. Release. The captured slice and repeat lanes continue looping.
Mouse moves left and right independently of the playhead while recording slices and repeats, then releases to replay the pattern
Move the mouse left and right to choose slices independently of the advancing transport. Y sets the repeat rate. Release to let the captured lanes loop. Demo preset, one-bar workspace, qt 1/16.
Open GIF
View the full workspace still capture
PsyMX playing a captured slice and repeat pattern
The demo's slice and repeat sequence plays beneath the matrix. Native demo-preset capture ยท click to enlarge.

3. Refine the phrase

Draw directly in SLICE or REPEAT to change a small passage. Open adsr, lower Sustain and enable the envelope if you want shorter hits. Leave Clock at 1 while checking the basic loop.

Mouse moves the DECAY fader up and down to record an envelope curve, then releases while the curve plays back
During playback, hold and move the fader beside DECAY up and down to record the envelope curve. Release to replay it. The fader enables the envelope automatically. Demo preset, one-bar workspace.
Open GIF

Try MPC when you want to record slice choices without changing repeat choices.

4. Keep two variations

  1. Click store, then a local memory.
  2. Change a few steps and store the result elsewhere.
  3. Choose launch beat or launch bar.
  4. Recall the two memories during playback.

Saving features depend on build and registration. See Local memories.

Wrong speed?

Check the source's Loop length first. Use Tempo Fit for tempo-linked playback. Clock changes sequencing speed separately from sample speed.

Next: Groove for timing variation, or File sequence to combine several loops.