Deep Time V2 keeps intact the basic nature of Deep Time — to produce time-stretched loops — while adding a number of features that make it a much more enticing environment for constructing soundscapes and experimental textures.

There are still two time-stretched loops. But additionally, an overdubbing looper has been added as well. The looper receives input from the audio input, but it can also record the outputs of the time-stretched loops. The looper is also configured to bypass immediate overdub and has controls for adjusting its pitch/speed, direction, and level on the control page. (There is also a pushbutton to reset the overdubbing looper.)

So, you can record a loop in parallel with the time-stretched loops; you can record the output of the time-stretched loops into the looper (and then change them and record another layer into the looper); record an independent loop into the looper, etc..

Additionally, the first version of this patch included a lot of confusing stompswitch tap-dancing. I have removed that: each stompswitch controls the recording function of each loop buffer. The left stompswitch controls time-stretched loop buffer 1, the middle stompswitch controls time-stretched loop buffer 2, and the third stompswitch controls the overdubbing looper. All the stompswitches are latching. Additionally, all of the recording functions can be synced to the left stompswitch, if you want to record into all three buffers at the same time.

The functions previously ascribed to stompswitches (reverse and freeze for each of the time-stretched loops) have been replaced with pushbuttons.

Each section has a level control and a mute button. There is also a ‘fade’ control, which sets how quickly each section will mute or return to its level when unmuted.

A low-pass filter has been added to the output section to help shape the tone of the patch. (This may crackle when adjusted, as it utilizes a multi-filter.)

I owe Mike Moger (u/meanmedianmoge, Hype Consumer) a ton of thanks for providing feedback on the original patch and during the revision process.

======= Original patch notes below ========

Deep time is a looper patch that (somewhat effectively) decouples speed and pitch. A loop is record, and as the speed of that loop is adjust, a proportional change is made to a granular module’s pitch. The loop speeds up, the pitch of the granular module decreases to compensate (the grain size is also adjusted), and vice versa.

Two loops can be recorded and time-stretched independently. The same material can also be recorded into both loop buffers (via the slaving option).

You can also re-pitch the loops (to a limited degree, plus or minus an octave) without affecting speed (much… this works better for pitching up than down).

It’s no Melodyne, but it has a certain charm about it.

Because of the complex interplay between the two speed/pitch controls, speeds don’t smoothly interpolate from one position to another; changing the amount of time-stretching quickly results in a funhouse mirrors vibe (which could be seen as a benefit or at least a fun curiosity).

I’ve been messing around with this idea for a while, and I think there’s certainly room for improvement. But this is the best ‘proof of concept’ patch I’ve made so far, and I think it’s fun/interesting, so I decided to share it.

The loops output to a plate reverb to create texture and atmosphere.

Audio in is summed to mono for looping, then outputs in stereo (via the reverb). The dry signal path is stereo.

Controls:

Stompswitches:

Left and right stompswitches control loops A and B respectively; their function changes, depending on the middle stompwitch

The middle stompswitch toggles through different controls for the other two stompswitches. A light below the “loop mix” control will change to demonstrate which parameter is active:

Red — recording (loops can be recorded via the stompswitches; default)

Lime — reverse (loops can be reversed; when reversed, a pixel on the appropriate side will light up)

Blue — freezes the granular buffer (a pixel will light up on the appropriate side)

Front panel:

Slave to LeftSW — this will slave the right looper (B) to the behavior of the left stompswitch; useful if you want to record the same material into both loopers… or reverse them both at the same time… or freeze them both at the same time… or freeze one and unfreeze the other at the same time (if one granular buffer is already frozen)

Time-stretching — this controls the amount of time-stretching applied to the loop, from ~1/32 to 32x (although time-squeezing or speeding up time doesn’t work quite as well as slowing it down; still… interesting results to be found)

Pitch — ranges from -1 to +1 octave

Loop mix — mixes between the two loops

Reverb decay and mix — familiar controls; reverb only affects the “wet” side

Wet-dry mix — familiar control