The Warp Loop

The Warp Loop is a new experimental technique in sound creation / composition for Turtablist's, DJ's, Musicians, or anyone interested in the manipulation & reinterpretation of pre-recorded sound. The Warp Loop is achieved by utilizing any warped records the above mentioned sound recordist's may be in possession of. The original recorded information engraved on a warped record is given variation of order and pitch resulting in fresh forms - as you can discover for yourself by following each of the eight steps listed below. You will most likely be aware that when a turntable's needle gets stuck at a fixed point on a record (this is usually from the result of a scratch on its surface) and is no longer able to proceed any further into the recording, a loop is produced... well, the Warp Loop is less of a random process than this and more of a selective one, allowing you, in a way, to play each warped record like an instrument, each with its own unique character and complex elements at play pre-determined buy what sonic information is engraved on the record.

The following information explains each of the steps that you need to take in order to create the Warp Loop:

Preparation

1. Take one warped record (the more ripples the more Warp Loops you'll be able to create from a single record).
2. Place the warped record on your turntable (gramophones are not recommended).
3. Take off the stylus cover and release the arm clamp.




4. Set the record to spin at a desired speed - we'll say 331/3 rpm for now - and press the start button.
5. Lift the cue lever and move the tone arm over the record at its upper most point (i.e. the point where the record is warped).

Execution

6. Very slowly begin to lower the armlift with the cue lever (for this you will need a steady hand).
7. Carefully and swiftly let go of the cue lever when you begin to hear sound projected from your headphones or speakers. The armlift should keep the tone arm fixed in position, if it doesn't then hold the cue lever steady.




8. If what you hear is repeated in a loop your Warp Loop has been successfully executed. If it has not been executed successfully repeat the process from step five in the preparation stage until you've succeeded.

Note: When the warped part of the record contacts with the needle the tone arm may well bob up and down causing the needle to skip out of its loop - be sure to keep an eye on this and make any adjustments to the tone arm height so as not to damage the needle to much.




Experimentation

• When you have a fixed Warp Loop try adjusting the pitch control for effective -- if, be it limited - melodic lines...

Tip: Works well with isolated electric guitar chords.

• Classical music recordings of solo piano or harpsichord are particularly effective for the Warp Loop...

Tip: Try moving the tone arm across the record during the period when the warped part of the record breaks contact with the stylus (be careful not to scratch the record or damage the stylus when performing this action).

The Warp Loop: Brought to you from the experimental sound lab of Regale Records. Research carried out in September 2005 & documented in April 2006 by S. M. Abel.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Sonique
• Chef
• Experimental
• Turntablism
• Traffic
• Noise