[Feature Request] Quantized Loops

[technopagan]

Hardware alternatives to Hexpress, such as the "Artiphon Orba" feature multi-track loops that get extrapolated from a user's repetitive input (e.g. drum pattern, melody etc.) and then quantized to fit e.g. 4/4 or 6/8 and recorded inputs are pushed to the most reasonable approximate notation on that scale.

This would be an icredibly powerful feature for Hexpress, too: allow users to record multiple instruments on top of each other. Each input has loop-pattern detection and gets "normalized" to fit well with the others.

Thus, users could create entire songs. Paired with a reliable import-export functionality, it'd be an entire mini-studio for when inspiration strikes.

[jmiskovic]

During development of the current simple looping recorder I was experimenting with multiple recorded tracks. You could add more than one recording tape and they would simultaneously play the recorded notes. Like you I was drawn towards the idea of quick sketchpad for musical ideas.

I scrapped those experiments and kept it basic. I was worried about performance on older phones when several instruments are loaded at once and playing recorded notes. I also couldn't think of a clear and simple UI for this extra functionality.

I still think it is a good idea to pursue.

[Linecutterx]

If you add the export of a recording then you could mix the exported tracks to a single backing track behind the scenes & the one that is being worked on would be the only "live" one. Would need dual playback, but that's in place in the current app.
Display the exported tracks as just an identifier & a simple volume control for the mixing level. Maybe a note name placed on a timeline if you're feeling like making things complicated.
Does kind of tie you to an import option for tracks (audio waveform & the note+sample specification to create it). 8 tracks should be enough for anyone!

Any more than that & you're creating a DAW & not a sketch pad