Nanoloop

Nanoloop is one of the two most popular alternatives for creating music on the Gameboy(the other being LSDJ)

"The idea of nanoloop is to simplify the stepsequencer concept as far as possible while keeping the gamesome, addictve character of loop-based music creation. The minimalistic graphical user interface was specifically developed for the Game Boy's small screen and has been optimized for keypad operation. Despite the simple design and usage, it provides access to the raw sound synthesis components and allows to create complex musical structures.

Nanoloop originally started as a study experiment in interface design back in 1998. It has been developed into a stable tool since and quickly became popular among musicians and artists as well as novices in electronic music."O, Wittchow(www.nanoloop.com)

Two versions of nanoloop are available currently, 1.5 which runs on the DMG, GBC and GBA, and 2.3 which will run on GBA and DS.

1.5's sound producing abilities are as follows

- R: rectangular wave with variable pulse width
- L: rectangular wave with variable pulse width
- S: custom 4-bit wave forms (16 waves per bank)
- N: shift register noise generator

Nanoloop 1.5 generates an additional voice on the cart which is added to the L-channel and usable for intervals or detune / phasing effects

Where as 2.4 is capable of

- R: rectangular wave, pulse width + filter or FM, modulator freq + modulation depth
- L: rectangular wave, pulse width + filter or FM, modulator freq + modulation depth
- S: as R but with 4-voice polyphony and stereo phasing effect
- N: pseudorandom noise generator with filter

The interface for nanoloop is simple, 16 blocks indicate the 16 steps of a loop. By pushing the select key, the bottom menu becomes accessible, allowing the user to change channels, or editing mode.(volume, pitch, filter/slides/fm/arpeggio, waveform, panning/tempo) Pushing select again, opens up the second menu which contains the ability to saveparts, edit waveforms, and arrange songs.
There is no text in nanoloop, except for numbers indicating tempo and save files. Pitch and other parameters are indicated by 2 bars in each step of the sequencer, the left side usually being a harsh adjustment(octaves for pitch) and the right being finer(semitones in pitch).
The simplicity of this design makes it possible for someone with no music experience to step in and begin making music.