HarryFox

I envision this to work in the way specified below. If this is not possible due to hardware or software restrictions, then I’m open to suggestions.

The basic premise, is the ability to sample phrases at a loop length specified by the user before recording is initiated. Only line in or mic will be recorded, and it will appear in the row of the kit selected, no other track is required e.g. synth track with sustained note to hear audio in for auditioning.

Once recording is initiated, it begins at a specific point in that loop, be it at the beginning, or wherever playback is at that time related to the loop (some people would like recording to start after a count in, if this could be coded in as an option too, it would be nice). This needs to be able to be initiated just using the record button, which can be assigned to a footswitch as is currently available.

Once playback reaches the end of the loop, the loops begins playing.

If record stays activated, the Deluge will ‘overdub’ onto the recorded loop that is now playing.

Further phrases can be selected by pressing another row.

There should be no need to enter the file browser for the recorded loop, load it up to an kit track channel, edit start and end, then start playing with it.

I understand that this could probably be heavy in ram usage, and reduce general polyphony. Therefore, if needed this mode could be limited (the Kaossilator I currently use for this has only 4 phrases per song, and limited loop length of 8 bars). Perhaps it could be in another page of track mode, similar to how arrangement is another page of song mode. Or a function of osc type (phrase) that then forces you to specify a loop length, that’s not important, it depends on how it slides into the current firmware code, which is for Rohan to decide.

Rohan has already worked wonders with this machine, and it’s a big ask (based on my veeeery limited - i.e zilch - knowledge of coding etc. But this is a feature that is talked about a lot in the facebook groups, but has a muddled and confusing presence on the feature request forum due to people having all sorts of different ideas about crazy indepth things that they think this machine should do, or functions that are already available. If you like this idea give this an upvote. For those of us that don’t have a phrase sampler, or do not want to carry an extra bit of hardware to gigs, the addition of this function could mean that a Deluge owner may not have to shell out £500 + for another machine that would allow them to riff on their guitar/Rhodes, whatever, and hit a footswitch that enables them to record a phrase and have it instantly become part of the music, without having to stop playback, load the sample, trim it, sequence its length, then press play again. Especially not something you want to do if you have a guitar in your live rig, or want to beatbox a bit of percussion over a track and give the audience something to think “oh, that’s cool, I actually watched him make that”.

I really want to ditch my Kaossilator, and not have to spend over £500 on a Boss looper, as that is currently the best option. These machines are expensive, and an extra thing to carry to gigs. If the Deluge added this function, it would be pretty awesome, and I can imagine a lot of beatboxers, keyboard players, guitarists etc will want to buy a Deluge if they can phrase sample with it as well as all the other amazing things you can do with it.