Making music has never been easier than it is today—due in large part to loops and looping technology. Loops like those found in our new ProSessions Sound and Loop Libraries offer new ways to make music. Software like Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live allow you to easily do anything from mixing-and-matching new grooves and instrument parts along with your favorite songs to creating completely new genres of music.

ProSessions loops are compatible with many of today’s music software packages, including Cubase, Digital Performer, Pro Tools, Sonar, Acid and, of course, Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason.

What’s a loop?

A loop is a sound file (usually containing music or sound effects) designed to repeat seamlessly. Loops typically come pre-edited to lengths of 2,4,6, or 8 measures. Loops are generally provided in 16-bit/44.1kHz format—the same spec used in audio CDs.

Loops don’t do anything by themselves. They come to life when they are loaded into compatible music software programs. Some software requires that you manually place the desired number of iterations of the loop end-on-end on an audio track. Other software, such as Ableton Live and Propellerhead Reason, are designed specifically to play loops endlessly until you tell them otherwise.

Music loops or grooves also fall into several popular categories. A “partial mix” groove typically contains individual instrument such as drums, bass or a keyboard pad. A “full mix” groove is comprised of several partial mix grooves that work together. Libraries that are organized this way give you the flexibility of dynamically assembling the various elements in different ways over time to achieve interesting arrangements.

The following diagram of Live’s Arrange window shows a full mix groove sitting on track 1, while the partial mix elements live on tracks 2 through 4.

There are several popular file formats for playing samples back using computers and software.

• WAV:  Linear recordings that serve as the default file format for most Windows audio programs, and are also supported by most Macintosh applications. Support various bit depths, sampling rates and mono/stereo.

• AIFF: (Audio Interchange File Format):  Linear recordings that are the default file format for most Macintosh audio software. Support various bit depths, sampling rates and mono/stereo.

• REX/REX2: Files created by Propellerhead ReCycle and readable by several programs including Propellerhead Reason and Steinberg Cubase. REX is the original mono spec, while REX2 carries stereo audio. REX files contain loops that have been “sliced” into individual samples corresponding to each drum hit so that they can be sequenced at any desired tempo without affecting pitch.

• ACIDized WAV:  Standard linear WAV files that additionally store special data that optimizes the time stretching/compressing and pitch change features of Sonic Foundry’s ACID.

Any computer made in the last few years should have the basic hardware required for making music—and the later and more powerful the better. Faster processors and more memory allow your sessions to take advantage of more virtual synths and effects. Larger hard drives let you record, play and store more digital audio tracks.

The only other thing you really need to get started making music is some music software and loops. Simply check to make sure that your computer supports the minimum system requirements for the software you’re using.

Next month we’ll take a look at basic looping techniques using Ableton Live.

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