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Show HN: Make audio loops online

69 points by bilalba ago | 30 comments
I created a small webapp, to create simple audio loops online. A bit rough around the edges but gets you started in less than 10 seconds on creating loops.

oliwary |next [-]

Fun! Well done.

I created a loop in the drum mode, and then wanted to add a melodic track to it, so I clicked the melodic button. This erased my drum pattern instead - would be good if they could play over each other, and would not be erased by switching.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Yes I understand what you're saying! I'll fix this.

Edit: Fixed!

junon |root |parent [-]

Seems you can only have one drum and one melody track, can't add a new one? When I try it stops playing the other tracks.

bilalba |root |parent |next [-]

I just saw your comment, I couldn't reply to it there, but I just added the edit layer feature, along with other QOL features.

Also, did you try the preview with loop button? It's in the preview drop down. It should let you preview the grid along with what's already in the loop.

bilalba |root |parent |previous [-]

You have to add them to the Looper with the "Add to the Looper" button. I need to think of a better UX for that. Let me know if you have ideas!

junon |root |parent [-]

I did that, so maybe I'm just missing something but after adding them to the looper and deleting the notes to start a new layer, the old layer doesn't play anymore.

I'd suggest instead of making the loop layers and editors "siblings" ontologically, instead default on app load to have a single layer, then have the option to add more layers and switch between them - add layer then edit, instead of creating a layer and adding it to a list.

I really do like the randomization though, it actually sounded surprisingly nice. Took me a moment to realize what was happening but it's actually a seemingly simple feature that's hard to achieve in full blown DAWs.

antback |next |previous [-]

It looks great. A couple of features that would make it truly useful are currently missing:

- Save/Load and Import/Export functionality.

- The ability to edit loops after they have been added.

Thanks for sharing.

bilalba |root |parent |next [-]

- I added the Save/Load feature that saves your sessions within your browser.

- Added the option to export as .wav

- Added ability to edit loops on the grid, along with some other QOL features!

bilalba |root |parent |previous [-]

Thank you for checking it out and really appreciate the feedback! I'll be on it.

saaaaaam |next |previous [-]

If you change octave while programming a melody it loses it - eg I place C4 then change to octave 5 using the dropdown and place C5 then switch back to octave 4 and place C4 etc

Expected behaviour would be to have a simple oscillating octave pattern. When I press “preview” it plays it in whatever octave register I’ve selected in the drop down - so if I’m in octave 4 when I press preview it plays c4 repeatedly. If I’m in octave 5 it plays c5 repeatedly.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

I understand what you're saying. Changing the octave/instrument applies changes to the complete grid.

A way to get around this problem is to program octave 4's in one grid, save to the loop, and add another layer of octave 5's.

I could easily program supporting multiple instruments/octaves in a single grid but I'm not sure if that'll be intuitive to use. I'll do some research on this.

saaaaaam |root |parent [-]

Easy fix: make your grid a full eight notes. C4 to C5 and allow users to change the register.

Auxy is a great iteration of what you are building.

fassssst |next |previous [-]

It’s a bit low effort. If you like this kind of thing I’d suggest

https://roland50.studio/

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Yes I agree, it is currently a side-project that is 2 days old! Also brilliant suggestion, played with it and really liked it!

Wolfenstein98k |next |previous [-]

Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Great way to help nudge people along in musical interest.

saaaaaam |next |previous [-]

This is great! Really intuitive and clean.

It would be nice if when you add a note in the “melodic” set it played it as you add it, rather than having to add them then preview the loop.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

That's a good feature request. Implemented!

mettamage |next |previous [-]

I created this pattern.

I wish it was shareable but couldn't find the share feature.

  Steps  | 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
  -------|-----------------------------------------------
  Kick   | X  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  X  .  .  .
  Snare  | .  .  X  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  .  X  .  .  X  .
  HH Cls | .  X  .  X  .  X  .  X  X  .  X  .  X  .  .  X
  HH Opn | .  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  X  .  .  .
  Clap   | .  .  .  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  X
  Rim    | X  X  X  X  X  X  .  X  .  X  .  X  X  .  X  .
  Tom L  | .  .  .  .  X  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  X  .  .  .
  Tom M  | .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  Tom H  | .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
  Crash  | .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .
Perhaps fun fact: I uploaded the screenshot into Gemini and asked it to transform it into ASCII. Claude made a less pretty one.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Yup I'm thinking of ways to make it shareable. This is a client-side static website(runs completely on your end) so won't be able to make backend-supported links.

Edit: Implemented!

thehamkercat |root |parent [-]

Can put all data in the url itself :)

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Just implemented it!

richrichardsson |next |previous [-]

Minor bug:

if you manage to Mute a synth part between the note on and note off events it will continually sound until pressing stop, even if un-muting that part.

bilalba |root |parent |next [-]

Yup I've noticed that. I'll try to fix it.

I tap the stop button again to make it stop.

bilalba |root |parent |previous [-]

Bug should be fixed now.

selvaprakash |next |previous [-]

Love it! I've been planning to learn music. This pushed me further.

treavorpasan |next |previous [-]

Love it, I got no musical background. But got me hooked.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Love to hear it!

handfuloflight |next |previous [-]

Very fun. Needs an educational mode.

bilalba |root |parent [-]

Thank you, I'll work on it!

nfbx |previous [-]

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