only when the clouds break
This month I was watching a video of someone constructing an ambient piece out of some synths and one of these Boss loopers and thinking, "ooh, that looks fun, I'd love a looper like that". Before realising that: 1.) I don't have enough audio hardware to do the kind of things I would want to do with it, and 2.) I could just code a looper myself and not spend a ton of money on a fancy hardware gadget.
So that's what this month's piece is: an audiovisual looper. 4 synths (2 pads, 1 bass, 1 lead), each connected to 2 loopers (i.e. 4 synths, 8 loopers total). Hit record, play some notes, hit record again to stop recording and start looping, and that's the whole thing. It's conceptually really simple, but I find it a really nice workflow for quickly piecing together ambient pieces. I'm not so happy with the visuals, but I guess they'll do.
I recorded a short performance with it here.
I'm probably going to keep working on this one for a bit; I'd like to record an EP or an album with it.
Download only when the clouds break
Controls: escape: quit; MIDI notes: synths (split across the keyboard); keyboard keys: synths (split across keyboard rows); see readme for more details
The Rules:
- The file at this link will be deleted 1 month from now (7/6/25).
- All downloads are zipfiles containing a Windows executable.
- All source code and assets are included, licensed under the Anti-Capitalist Software License.
- As long as you abide by the license, you can do whatever you want with the download.
Further Reading
"I do not believe the work of art is salvation; I believe the work of art is to envision an alternative to the present real. Sometimes that alternative looks like a radical act of liberation. Sometimes that alternative is a liminal space for joy, or pleasure, or pain, or recuperation, or just the great relief of shucking this exhausting meatsack for a couple of hours. Sometimes that alternative gives us real sustenance, so that we can return to the more restorative political activities of casting off the brutal shackles of empire and seeking liberation for all beings. No book on earth can do that work for us, nor should any book have to. But a book can be a rung in a ladder, or a bridge. A book can be a window. A book can be a place of rest. A book — who knows. Maybe it can also be a door."
"The crocodile is kind. They love us. They eat our pain. Help them eat."
People are using AI to try and steal financial aid funds from community colleges in the US. Which is just... I understand the series of steps that led us to this place, but I hate it, and I am so tired.
In happier news, check out this very cool oscilloscope music from Revision.
The font used in the "you wouldn't steal a car" anti-piracy ad was itself stolen.
I got an unexpected day off yesterday and walked a route I haven't done in a while, and the sun was shining and there were little orange tipped butterflies everywhere, and so many birds. Plus I saw my first house martins of the year (the swallows aren't back just yet, but they're surely on their way now). Sometimes you just have a really good day.
Do you think you can pass on good day vibes? If so, I'm passing them on to you. Take care of them, and make sure you pass them on to someone else when you're done.