So last Winter I wanted to use my Roli's in a jam and made myself a pi based MPE sound module powered by surge xt.

A few weeks ago I came back to it, tried it with an RC-5 Looper and something clicked:

I can probably build the non-Ableton looping experience I wanted by hooking up my APC and rolling up my sleves, software-wise.

As of now, I've managed to prove the concept by getting 8 clips playing simulataniously, triggered by the APC.

My though it is that I'll make the workflow I always wanted: press a button, play something, then it loops, without the complexity of managing plugins, worrying about laptop latency, or anything else.

I figure if I can build a headless 8x8 loop station and with MPE sound module (+ usb interface) that's a lot of expensive hardware made affordable and flexible.

I'm posting because, while I'm building it for me, I'm curious what I'm missing in my 'outsider' Idea of a analog-styled looping workflow.

Anyways I'm building it open source if anyone wants to follow along.

I'm also debating some engineering decisions around built in DAC vs. BYO.

I'm using a creative soundblaster play! 3 and already pushing its limits chasing lower latency so I'm debating if it makes sense to spend on and internal DAC vs just use my scarlet 4i4.

Curious to hear what others think.

Building my own dawless setup and looper