#21

So beautiful @dansimco. Thanks for sharing this!

2 Likes
#22

compass makes norns a perfect companion improviser
for the kind of intimate loop exploration that i enjoy most

synth gong cycle recorded on minidisc is the source
duet pairs my live manipulation of the audio via digital delay w/ a 1min mono compass loop

12 Likes
#23

Thank you! Great stuff! Any thoughts having the commands on grid?

6 Likes
#24

I would love this. Would give the opportunity to move a little further away from the norns, not that this is a bad place to be.

Maybe there could be 16 maximum steps when in grid mode, with row 4 or 5 being no command, and each row above and below being associated with a specific input command? That way, you could sequence along the line and change as needed. The one issue would be to swap between playhead 1 and 2 and be able to get visual feedback between the 2.

I am getting a variable brightness grid in the near future and in 2 weeks or so will maybe begin studies on both this and the norns/lua. Maybe this is something I could help work on in the future as a first grid project and a roadmap for the script, if need be…

2 Likes
#25

@glia & @dansimco these are really great! inspiring!

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#26

I’ve got grid control on the mind too :slight_smile:

@kasselvania - I love these ideas. One of the complicating factors in regards to grid layout (maybe?) is that the list of available commands is quite high: 14, iirc. This would necessarily impose some restrictions, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing! Still stewing on a creative solution myself, and so I really appreciate any and all ideas.

I may be misunderstanding this, but, as currently designed, all commands affect both playheads simultaneously; in some cases, a command will sync them back up, and in others separate them to different regions within the buffer. As such, I don’t think there’d any need to swap between them? :thinking:

I was actually doing some sketching/thinking this morning, and I thought it could be interesting to create a bank of snapshots – each one would store a set of commands, making it easy to switch between a few of them:

Artboard
Artboard.png1138×638 239 KB

In this layout, you select commands on the X axis, and the length of the command sequence would necessarily be 8. Curious to hear what people think!

This is all super preliminary, and I’d definitely be open to collaborating. If you want to shoot me a DM and brainstorm, @kasselvania, go for it!

7 Likes
#27

Of course there’s one list of commands! Totally spaced on that when responding. I currently have a non varibright grid, but can soon begin to fool around with studies on my norns pi. I want to spend time with Compass with a grid in mind this weekend hopefully to get an idea of how I would want to interact with it…

As for snapshot, hell yes. Maybe even a few ‘global’ controls could be nice. I’ll stew on it and reach out!

1 Like
#28

Here’s a wacky idea, how about a page 2 where you can enter (2,3,4 finger) shape-memories ala Earthsea that place a mapped command on the step where you punched it in? You’d need a facility to create and store shape memories I suppose. It would add a really nice performative aspect!

3 Likes
#29

Would this work in a a way where you could basically lock the key parameters you enjoy and even hit random to make all other unlocked character go nuts, so to speak?

#30

Exactly, so create a set of patterns that represent commands, and one for random. That way you could play the changes instead of entering a command per step. You’d be punching in commands basically.

6 Likes
#31

Yeah! I was definitely thinking of something similar in my sketch above — that you’d be able to “play” the commands on the grid surface, or just set/forget/store.

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#32

this looks really exciting. is there any hope of using pre-made samples instead of inputs, or is this really designed for live sampling?

2 Likes
#33

I think I’d like to keep Compass focused on live improvisation / looping for the time being, but that shouldn’t stop anyone from creating a more sample-based variation if they’re interested :slight_smile:

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#34

well. not five minutes after i put compass on my norns i’m a believer in your methods.

i was interested in pre-sampled things because i’m trying to coalesce a solo drums and electronics project, but after a little jam with my vss-30 i think those pre-samples aren’t necessary. looking forward to seeing what the future brings for this.

2 Likes
#35

I’m loving compass, thanks so much!
For me I imagine it behaving like two W/'s and controlling them with teletype. It’s so much fun! I do have a few suggestions/requests if you don’t mind…

One thing I’d find super useful is an option to clear the buffer. Is this currently possible? I just reload the app to clear the buffer but obviously I loose all the settings and command sequence.
Also I’m really wanting to be able to sync it to my system to have random pitch changes and directions locked to my soundsource sequence.
Even a bpm control to set to the same or related tempo would be really useful.
Having the sequence and softcut commands seperated would be amazing too. Just a line of commands for each would open up even more possibilities.
A global filter and bit rate control like Otis would be delightful too.

3 Likes
#36

here’s said compass jam, this is currently the only way i can share this video so far, went just long enough:

1 Like
#37

A long press of K3 will clear both buffers, leaving the command row as is.
ReadMe is here.

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#38

This just un-gassed me for w/

4 Likes
#39

But re-gassed a second norns :laughing:

I may well take a stab at this. I was planning to get started on a two channel sample playback app for messing with interview audio found online (ie, stuff I can’t really reproduce in a IRL setting) but the interface here may prove to be a perfect starting point. (Now to think of a name :thinking:)

Awesome work on this, it’s been a ton of fun already.

6 Likes
#40

Omg how did I miss that!? Thanks for pointing it out now I can keep my commands. Happy days!

1 Like