Compass (v1.1)

Compass is an asynchronous looper for Monome Norns built around the concept of a command sequencer. Commands (assigned per step in the bottom row of the EDIT page) modulate sequence, recording, playback and looping behaviors.

Duncan has modified the README!

Input Routing & Recording

Compass assumes a stereo source by default. If using a mono source:

• head to the system-wide params menu once Compass is loaded and change your input source accordingly
• be sure to plug your source into the left input
• set proper monitoring in Norns' system/audio settings

By default, Compass records your audio source into two 64s buffers, though a smaller recording window can be set if desired. With a stereo source, each input is paired with a buffer; with a mono source, the input is recorded to both buffers. Stereo effects are then possible with either source type as the record/playback heads for each buffer can be split apart by various commands.

Though complexity arises from the relationship between the audio buffers and the command sequencer, as described below, Compass can also be used as a simple looper with an adjustable recording window (1s-64s).

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Sequencing

Compass' sequencer moves through commands of your choosing that trigger different functions. Use commands to, for example:

• manipulate the sequence's clock or jump to a random step
• randomly change the location of your loop within the buffers
• alter the rate, direction and position of each record/playback head

Compass' audio buffers and its sequencer each have their own sense of time in order to facilitate experimentation. Interesting effects and textures can be created by recording into loops long and short, randomizing commands on the fly, modifying the sequence length, etc.

The two buffers are purposefully long, allowing sounds to travel freely to different regions during recording and playback. Unexpected (and hopefully interesting!) things can happen as the two record/playback heads are independently modulated.

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Keys & Encoders

• E1 : Scroll between the EDIT and REFERENCE pages
• E2 : Navigate to step in command row
• E3 : Select command at step
• K2 (short) : reset command row to default state (does not affect softcut buffers)
• K2 (long) : randomize all commands
• K3 (short) : toggle recording on/off
• K3 (long) : clear both softcut buffers (does not affect command row)
• K1 (hold) + E1 : set # of steps in sequence (2 - 16)
• K1 (hold) + E2 : set loop start point (can be midi-mapped in params menu)
• K1 (hold) + E3 : set loop end point (can be midi-mapped in params menu)

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Commands

Commands come in two flavors: those that manipulate the sequence, and those that manipulate recording/looping/playback behaviors (i.e. softcut). Don't worry about memorizing everything, though -- descriptions for all commands are available in the script itself on the REFERENCE pages.

Sequence commands:

• C : Set clock interval to 1s.
• < : Decrement clock speed (down to 4s.)
• > : Increment clock speed (up to 0.0625s.)
• [ : Set clock to slowest speed (4s.)
• ] : Set clock to highest speed (0.0625s.)
• ? : Jump to random step in sequence

Softcut commands:

• F : Set forward (1x) rate
• R : Set reverse (1x) rate
• + : Increase rate †
• - : Decrease rate †
• ! : Set a random rate for each record head †
• 1 : Send both record/playback heads to loop start point
• P : Send each record/playback head to a random position within loop
• ( : Randomly change pan position (L)
• ) : Randomly change pan position (R)

† The +, -, and ! commands move within a range of pre-set rates: { -2x, -1x, -0.5x, 0.5x, 1x, 2x }

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Additional Parameters

Head to Norns' params menu for these additional parameters:

• INPUT (Stereo or Mono)
• RECORD LEVEL (0 - 1)
• OVERDUB (0 - 1)
• RATE (-2 - 2, in 0.25 increments)
• RATE SLEW (0s - 2s)
• FADE (0s - 1s ; adjust crossfade when changing position)
• PAN(R) (0 - 1)
• PAN(L) (0 - 1)
• LOOP START
• LOOP END
• CUT LEVEL (0 - 1)
• INPUT LEVEL (0 - 1)
• ARCIFY PARAMS

All parameters can be midi-mapped, with the exception of INPUT.