NANOLOOP
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Nanoloop is a simple sequencer program which allows to control the Game Boy's built-in sound generators through a minimalistic graphical interface. Beeing a stepsequencer, it plays a pattern of 16 1/16 notes in an endless loop, while notes can be set, edited and deleted. There are four channels which are controlled indepentently. Each channel's patterns can be saved to file slots in nanoloop's onboard flash memory and are then available for mixing new combinations or song arrangement. The idea of nanoloop is to simplify the stepsequencer concept as far as possible while still keeping -and hopefully even increasing- the gamesome, addicitve character of loop-based music creation.Despite the simple design and usage, it allows to create complex structures. There are no pre-set sounds, instead, raw components are tweaked and arranged in a building blocks fashion.  two versions Nanoloop is available in two types: - Version 1 for the original
Game Boy models (including DMG, GBP, GBC, GBA, GBA SP)
- Version 2 for Game Boy Advance (including GBA, GBA SP, GB micro, DS, DS lite) Nanoloop 1 uses the console's simple built-in sound-generators, resulting in the typical rough and clear bleeps & noises as known from video games of the 8-bit era. Nanoloop 2 extends this basic set through a custom software-synthesizer with filters, FM-synthesis and polyphony, allowing for more smooth tones as well as more noisey ones. Version 2 also provides some additional convenient functions which make operation even simpler. how it sounds Music made with nanoloop can be found in the forum. Furthermore, there are hundreds of websites presenting nanoloop music, a search on the web, for example on myspace.com for "nanoloop" or "nanoloop 1.3" (links to myspace.com) ,usually directly leads to some nano-tunes. Nanoloop has been used by numerous artists and there have been a couple of releases with nanoloop music, for example "nanoloop 1.0" on disco bruit and "africa" by cow'p. More vinyl and CD releases are announced in the forum. where to get Nanoloop can be purchased as cartridge in the online shop and some few stores. ROM and source are not available. which Game Boy model Nanoloop 1 sounds best on the original Dot Matrix Game Boy (the old grey one) but also works fine on Game Boy Pocket, Game Boy Color, Super Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP. Game Boy Color is not recommended though because of its low and noisy sound output. Nanoloop 2 is compatible with Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Advance SP, DS and DS lite. The old Game Boy Advance often spreads various types of noise into the audio signal, all other models provide a rather clear sound. Nanoloop 2 looks and sounds best on DS lite. functions sequencer The 16 steps are organized as a 4*4 matrix, where notes can be set and removed with one button press. The easy manipulation of sound characteristics, their graphical representation and a simple to use cut & paste function allow fast creation of patterns.  Parameters, such as envelopes, etc, are set for each note rather than for the whole channel (which is still possible though by changing all notes at once from within the menu) to provide a maximum of flexibility within the limited number of channels. The following paramters are available for stepwise editing in the sequencer: - volume envelope: Volume plus attack or decay.
- pitch: Set notes in in semitones, there is a switch for quick octave shifting. - pitch bend: either pitch envelope or pitch LFO - delay: It is possible to shift notes off the 16/16 grid in 1/256 note steps. - panning: Each note can play on the left, right or both channels. Version 1 only: - wavetable: An editable 4-bit wave form can be assigned to each note - arpeggio: A set of predefined chords can be played at variable tempo Version 2 only: - filter/pulse width: Cutoff and pulse width of a rectangular wave can be set in 16 steps resolution
- modulation: Modulation depth and modulator frequency of a 2-op FM-synth can be set in 16 steps
- editable chords: 4-voice chords can be set freely. Two channels play chords as arpeggio, one plays actual polyphonic chords. sound types / channels Version 1: - "r": rectangular wave with variable pulse width (3 steps)
- "l": rectangular wave with variable pulse width (3 steps) - "s": custom 4-bit wave form - "n": pseudorandom noise generator Version 2: - "r": rectangular wave with variable pulse width (15 steps) or FM with variable modulator frequency and modulation depth
- "l": rectangular wave with variable pulse width (15 steps) or FM with variable modulator frequency and modulation depth - "s": as "r" but with 4-voice polyphony and stereo phasing effect - "n": pseudorandom noise generator with filter memory Nanoloop's flash memory is organized in banks (version 1 has 16 banks, version 2 has 128 banks), each of which can hold 15 patterns per channel. Saving / loading loops does not interrupt playback and can be used for live performance.  Unlike most other Game Boy cartriges, nanoloop uses flash memory instead of battery-bufferd SRAM for user data storage. The high quality flash chip allows at least 10,000 write cycles per block and has a minimum data retention of 10 years. The program is stored on a flash chip too, so a software update is possible. However, it is not planned to continue development and offer frequent patches. If there is a software update though, it would be free of charge, except for the shipping costs. data exchange Version 2 allows to exchange loops & songs via cart swapping. song Each bank's saved patterns can be arranged in a song of 256 patterns lenght (about 8 minutes at 123 BPM).  sync Nanoloop can be tempo-synced with other nanoloops via link cable. MIDI equipment can control nanoloop's tempo via optional midi-sync cable (available as DIY-kit soon). relative tempo Each channel's tempo can be set to 1/2, 1/4 or 1/8 of the overall playback speed. Combining different speeds provides a simple way to create longer, more complex pattern structures. Version 2 furthermore allows to vary the pattern length for each channel (1-16 steps). wave form editor (version 1 only) Waves can be mixed from harmonics or drawn directly. A set contains 16 waves which can be assigned freely to notes in the sequencer. Each memory bank holds its own wave set.  pattern functions Pattern structures can be shifted stepwise, inverted and copied between channels. Version 2 also has pingpong and random playback modes. global editing Besides manipulation of individual notes, it is also possible to control all notes of a channel at once and thus easily perform transpose operations or change the overall channel volume for example. |
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