Propellerhead Software ReCycle 2.1 - Loop Manipulation Software (Academic)

ReCycle 2.1 from Propellerhead is a creative software tool for groove manipulation. In simple terms, the software lets you do with sampled loops what you can do with beats programmed from individual drum sounds - like alter the tempo, or replace sounds and process them individually. ReCycle works by analyzing your groove and breaking it up into its rhythmic components, allowing you to change the tempo or the pitch, without one affecting the other.

Let's say you have a sample of a drum loop that you want to use in a track. The loop's tempo is 108 BPM and the track's is 90 BPM. Previously you had two options. You could pitch down the loop, making the loop sound very different, and if there are harmonies in the loop, they may not match to your song. Or you could time stretch it, but that will make the loop sound different, usually losing some "punch" in the loop.

Instead of stretching the sample, ReCycle REX files are sliced into little pieces so that each drum hit (or whatever sound you are working with) gets its own slice. When you then change the tempo of the loop, the time between the slices is stretched, instead of the slices themselves. Slicing a loop gives you individual control over both the sound of the slices and the timing. You can rearrange the loop, change the feel of it, replace parts of the loop with other samples, pitch it, and much more.

The process itself is fully automated, but the slices are available to move, audition or delete, using the programs on-screen tools and controls. Other tools allow you to set the length, attack and decay of the slices, and to change your groove's overall tempo or pitch, without one affecting the other. Or use the software's signal processors (compressor, EQ and Transient Designer) to give it punch and distinction. Anything you choose to do can be applied to the loop non-destructively and saved as a new file.