Basic Looping

Looping a sound allows you to repeat a section of the sample indefinitely in order to create a sustain of unlimited length. Instrumental sounds in samplers rely on looping organ sounds, for example.

In WaveLab Pro, loops are defined by loop markers. Loop markers are added, moved, and edited just as any other type of marker.

To ensure that you find a good loop point, note the following:

  • A long loop usually sounds the most natural. However, if the sound does not have a stable section in the middle (an even sustain part), it might be hard to find a good long loop.

    For example, a piano note which decays continuously is hard to loop because the start point of the loop is louder than the end point. A flute is much simpler, because the sound in the sustain section is very stable.

  • A loop should start shortly after the attack, that is, when the sound has stabilized to a sustaining note.

  • If you set up a long loop, it should end as late as possible but before the sound starts decaying to silence.

  • Short loops are difficult to position within the sound. Try to position them near the end.

Note

More information about looping in general, and the exact capabilities of your sampler in particular can be found in the manual of the sampler.