8 posts tagged “nanoloop”

Song structure in Nanoloop differs for each and every person. It also depends on the style of music you're writing and what it is you want to do. For now we'll start with some basics.

r channel - bass and kicks (bass drum)
l channel - good for either leads of accompaniment
s channel - also good for leads or accompaniment
n channel - for snares or hit-hats

Some sound examples:

r channel (kick & bass): kick & bass
l channel (accompaniment): accompaniment
s: channel (lead): lead
n channel snare & hi-hat: snare & hi-hat
all: all

Each loop is played at 142 bpm and the l channel loop is played at 1/2 speed.

What it looks like in Nanoloop:

r channel:

Kick: The notes for a kick sound should be on blocks 1, 5, 9 and 13 (this is what's known as a 4x4, your basic kick used overused in a lot of dance tracks). The picture to the left depicts this clearly. Each note is at the lowest octave and semitone. Next you will have to adjust the pitch in order to achieve a

kick sound, otherwise it will just sound like very low bass notes. The picture to the left shows a good adjustment for pitch. Use the cursor to help with placement. You can move it around to experiment with different sounds. Moving it to the left will make your kick sound cleaner (it may sound similar to a kick on a TR-606). Moving it to the right will add more bass tones to the note and it may sound more like a low tom rather than a kick. After you have adjusted the pitch and found a sound you like, then you can add the bass notes. This is a very simple process. Place down the same notes as you kick but make them an octave higher. The smaller square controls the octave. The notes in the picture are at C when making them higher you can use A + up or down on from the function menu to adjust all the notes at once. When this is done the kick will match the bass notes and they will sound a lot better when added with leads or accompaniment. The steps I've shown are pretty basic try experimenting with note placement, attack, delay and tempo speeds to achieve different results. There is no pitch added to bass notes like there is with the kick, although you can add slight pitch shifts up or down to change the sound. Again, experiment and find something that works with the style of music you're composing. It's all a matter of personal preference. Even fm and arpeggio effects may sound interesting with bass notes.

I've been listening to a lot of lo-fi minimal works lately. Both chiptune and non. These include:

Carl Crack - Black Ark
V/A - Nanoloop 1.0
Nintendo Teenage Robots - We Punk Einheit!
Snd - Tender Love
Nic Endo - Cold Metal Perfection
Alec Empire - Limited Editions 1 & 2
Pole - 1 & 2
Microstoria - Invisible Architecture #3

So, styles are all over the map. It's been influencing my work a lot. Snd, Pole and Microstoria have had a lot of influence on my Nanoloop work, and of course the Nanoloop 1.0 compilation had been an influence from the beginning. Alec Empire, Carl Crack and Nic Endo's work have been a huge influence over the years, mainly with my non-chiptune projects (now on an indefinite hiatus). I'm starting to delve more into experimental works. A lot more than I was back in '02. I'm trying new things.

I should have some solo Nanoloop tracks coming up, a few paired with my SH-101 and some older non-chiptune tracks being reworked with Nanoloop added into the mix. So, I've got a lot on my plate at the moment. I'm excited to see how all this turns out. Expect results soon! This will all be minimal lo-fi stuff! Classic disassembler apparently!

Lately, I've been working a ton and working on music even more so. I'm really trying to get the most out of Nanoloop (1.2, 1.3 and 2.1). I've been working on making new patterns and tracks nonstop. So, if I'm booked for a show sometime in the near future, I'll have enough songs for a full set, and maybe some live improvising too.

I've been going to various campuses and asking about being booked for a show or setting up an event. I haven't gotten too much information yet, but I think a show or two is definitely possible. Maybe at the Rider campus or TCNJ. I'll see what happens. If anyone anywhere wants to book me for a show... let me know!!!

Blip Fest '07! is a week from today! I am sooooooo excited! I will get to hang out with various members of the 8-bit community as well as numerous fans and aficionados. This is going to be awesome. I might not have enough cash for goodies, but I'll manage. While I'm there I'm going to talk to artists and fans about collaborating or submitting tracks for my compilation. Oliver (the guy who makes Nanoloop) will be performing this year! How awesome will that be?!

I've done some amazing work and collected a number of used DMG's. Now all my Nanoloop products (other than 2.1 & 2.2) are running on DMG's. Now I just need to find DMG's for my Game Boy Cameras.

Gray DMG-01 x3 (Nanoloop 1.2, Nanoloop 1.3, Nanovoice & LSDJ)

Black DMG-01 x1 (Nanoloop 1.3)

Clear Purple CGB-001 x1 (Pocket Camera)

Gold/Silver MGB-101 x2 (Pocket Camera x2)

Famicom OXY-001 x2 (Nanoloop 2.1, Nanoloop 2.2)

White USG-002 x1 (Elektroplankton)

Which version of Nanoloop is right for you? Find out below.

This topic was brought up on 8bitcollective a day or two ago, and I thought it would be a good topic to address here. Currently there are two different versions of Nanoloop. 1.3 for the old Game Boy's and 2.2 for the GBA models. They both differ quite a bit from one another, so I'll give a basic rundown with some features listed here. I'll try not to get too technical because you can always get more info on the Nanoloop site.

Nanoloop 1.3

Nanoloop 1.3 is a simple 16 step sequencer which uses the Game Boy's sound chip to produces its sounds which are divided into four channels in 1.3. The sequencer plays 1/16 notes in an endless loop.

The four channels:

S - software synthesis
L* - rectangular (pulse) waveform
R - rectangular (pulse) waveform
N - noise

* In 1.3 the r channel was split into two channels making it easier to create layered square patterns. In earlier versions only the r channel was available, but the pulse width could be detuned creating some interesting sounds.

S channel: The s channel is used for playing custom waveforms made with the waveform editor (which can produce some very interesting sounds).
R channel: The r channel uses a rectangular waveform (more commonly known as square waves) with adjustable pulse width.
N channel: The n channel is a pseudo-random noise generator.

The Menus:

There are two menus which are used to access all of Nanoloop's functions. Menu 1 controls editing functions and Menu 2 controls global functions.

Menu 1:

Menu 1 allows access to the volume/envelope function, pitch function, the pitch envelope/fm/arpeggio* function, the wave/delay function and panning function. Each has a different effect (or no effect depending on which channel it is being used with).

*The arpeggio function is new to 1.3

Menu 2:

Menu 2 allows access to the file browser, song editor, pattern shift operations, waveform editor and tempo.

Nanoloop 1.3's sound is similar to most 8-bit music yet has a rougher more distinct sound than most other Game Boy programs (like Little Sound DJ). Nanoloop 1.3 is still sold on carts and available in the Nanoloop shop.

Nanoloop 2.2

Nanoloop 2.2 is a newer version of Nanoloop that differs quite a bit in structure and sound when compared to older 1.x versions. First off it has an 8 channel step sequencer and uses and 8 voice synthesizer to generate it's sounds.

The synthesizer has three assignable waveform types (rectangel, fm and noise), and has editing functions like most synthesizers (filter, mod, adsr, gate and a pitch lfo). The sequencer and memory have been greatly expanded for 2.2 making it possible to put more variations in tracks.

Hard disk recording is also available with Nanoloop 2.2.

Other than those changes most things remain the same and the layout of Nanoloop hasn't changed too much. After some exploring it shouldn't be too difficult to get familiarized with 2.2.

If you like both of these programs, Nanovoice may also be worth checking out. The following link is for the original demo rom, but a newer version is available for sale on carts from the Nanoloop shop.

To try official demos of each rom, use these links:

Nanoloop 1.2
Nanoloop 1.3

There is currently no demo for Nanoloop 2.x. =[

Check out some great classic Nanoloop sound examples on the following pages:

Disassembler/Microchipkinder - great minimal stuff. (1.3, 1.2 sometimes 2.1 & 2.2).
Nordloef - great melodies and pumping bass in these tracks (1.3, 1.2 and now some 2.2 stuff).
Starmelt - amazing use of the fm function with great beats and some dissonant melodies mixed in (1.3).
Lutin - Skratch dem Bones is a great example of what 2.2 can do!

Excerpt from the Nanoloop 1.3 Japanese page.

ナノループのルーツ

１９９８年に完成したナノ ループ第一号は、古いタイプのドットマトリクス・スクリーンのゲームボーイ機で作動しました。1999年にバージョン０．８として初めて発売され、2004年にはバージョン１．２がリリースされました。2004年、ハード面での供給が困難になり、これを機に、ゲームボーイアドバンス用に全く新しいバージョン２．０が発表されました。

しかし、２．０の人気もさることながら、ユニークで 荒削りなオールドタイプのゲームボーイ機のサウンドとシンプルな旧バージョンのナノループを惜しむ声が止みませんでした。このご要望にお答えするため、古 いタイプのゲームボーイ機で作動する新しいバージョン、「ナノループ１．３」が開発されました。

More here: Nanoloop 1.3 Japanese page

I'm putting together a compilation.

A bit about it...

It's called My Plastic Heart

The theme is, "a soundtrack for an unwritten sci-fi/romance film".

I got the idea one night while watching Robot Carnival.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robot_Carnival

Haven't seen it/heard of it? Look it up on youtube, there's clips there.

It's basically a Japanese Fantasia. But that's an understatement, it's way better than Fantasia! 1. Because a number of awesome/famous Japanese animators contributed. 2. The score is original.

So far, I have two definite contributions.

Presence by Christopher Jion (the track's based on the segment from Robot Carnival)

http://www.myspace.com/christopherjion

and a track from Maxfarnea (the track was on his Myspace but he took it off)

http://www.myspace.com/maxfarneamusic

Nordloef and Starmelt said they'd give it a go.

http://www.myspace.com/nordloef

http://www.myspace.com/starmeltspace

Other artists I plan on asking to contribute...

Vector Lovers

http://www.myspace.com/vectorlovers

Zan Lyons

http://www.myspace.com/zanlyons

Henry Homesweet will be submitting a track as well

http://www.myspace.com/henryhomesweet

You can start submitting tracks now, but there's no deadline yet since I won't have the funds to press CDs for a little while. In return for submitting a track, I will send each artist some copies of the compilation.

I'm planning on having 2000 CDs with artwork and inserts pressed.

Some artwork will be done by my friend Sam. Other artists are encouraged to contribute as well.

More as it develops.

Since I've been writing a number of tracks with Little Sound DJ (LSDJ), and I've done a fair amount with Nanoloop; I will be going to Philly every so often to do street performances once I have an amp.

You are all encouraged to attend and bring friends, family or anyone you'd think would enjoy hearing music from a Game Boy (or DS)!

I'm not sure when the first set will be, it all depends on when I can get an amp. The sooner the better! Also, I'm not sure where I'll hold the performance. Maybe a park somewhere? Or a main street that isn't too crowded?  I'll know all the details as that time draws near.

When the time comes I'll announce it (to the point where it'll start to piss you off. I promise)! If you attend you are encouraged to do the following:

- take pictures!
- record some awesome video footage of me performing or people rocking out!
- make an audio recording if you have the means to (crappy bootleg quality is fine)
- dance! dance like your pants are on fire!

What you can expect to hear when you attend:

- Song I've composed using LSDJ (something you can totally rock out to).
- Songs I've composed with Nanoloop (stuff that's a bit more experimental, but something you can still nod your head to)
- Live improv with Nanoloop (loading/dropping and composing patterns on the fly. I can make some interesting combos)
- Extra sounds/loops/tracks from my various Game Boy Cameras (a vey minimal sound but still fun)
- Improv with Nanoloop & Nanovoice/Elektroplankton (crazy noise that'll fuck with your head)

What I might have with me:

- Amp & a single Game Boy or DS
- Amp & a setup on a small table with a mixer and a few Game Boy's and/or my DS plugged in. (I'll have this set up if I can get a ride down. Carrying a table on the Riverline would be a bitch)

What I use*:

- Gray DMG-01 x1 (Nanoloop 1.2)
- Black DMG-01 x1 (Nanoloop 1.3)
- Clear Purple CGB-001 x1 (Pocket Camera)
- Gold/Silver MGB-101 x2 (Pocket Camera x2)
- Famicom OXY-001 x1 (Nanoloop 2.1)
- Black USG-001 x1 (LSDJ, sometimes Nanovoice)
- White USG-002 x1 (Elektroplankton)

*I use the model numbers when listing systems. If you're not sure what's what, Google it (some systems are Japanese).

Where you can hear* and download my stuff:

http://www.myspace.com/8bitdisassembler
I may not change track on here too often.

http://8bitcollective.com/members/disassembler/
Tracks will always be available for download here, and I'll always upload new ones.

* What you hear may not always be what I'll be performing. Example: I reformatted my Nanoloop 1.2 cart a few weeks ago so I don't have the original loops for game over or operator analysis anymore.

P.S. I'm new here. This is my first post which I transfered from my pulic LJ. This site it so confusing! @_@ There's soooo much stuff on one page!