New Loop-Based Software from Cycling '74

radiaL Loop-Based Software (Click for a close-up)

Cycling '74 today announced radiaL, an extensible loop-based composition and performance tool designed for Macintosh users looking to explode the boundaries between live performance, sound design, and composition.

More than just another loop sequencer for tinkering with tempo, pitch, and sample cut-up, radiaL is a modular environment that gives you unprecedented flexibility and customization, coupled with an innovative core interface centered around cockpit-style circular "loop gauges." Live and studio use is facilitated with a rich set of supported performance devices (control surfaces, MIDI, keyboard, mouse, step sequencers, real-time modulation generators). radiaL, also supports multi-channel audio I/O with ASIO and hosts VST plug-in effects.

Developed and road-tested by musician/programmer jhno over the last three years, radiaL lets users add their own modules or change the standard components with Cycling '74's Max/MSP graphical programming environment. In addition, Cycling '74 will continue to release new modules, and facilitate the exchange of users' loops, setups, and extensions.

Main features include:

• Sample-accurate loop playback with pitch and time shifting
• Support for AIFF, WAV, and MP3 files
• Automatable modulation matrix system
• Library of user interfaces, plus the ability to build your own
• Flexible audio routing and support for ASIO, ReWire, DirectConnect, and VST
• Live loop capture and hard-disk recording
• Graphical application for loop creation and editing and a free library of loops
• Richly integrated support for the MotorMix automated control surface
• Device control templates

Availability: radiaL will be available in the third quarter of 2001; price will be under $200.