LittleArpy – A Unique Monophonic Arpeggiator/Sequencer
Hello fellow musicians and sound experimenters! Ready to dive into a world of cosmic soundscapes and hypnotic sequences? We present to you LittleArpy – a plugin born from the search for magical sound and inspired by the legends of prog-rock.
LittleArpy is an unusual tool in your arsenal. It is a monophonic arpeggiator/sequencer that works with a single input note and changes its pitch according to a given sequence. Important: it does NOT collect notes from a chord and does not decompose them. LittleArpy offers a unique approach to generating melodic and rhythmic patterns.
Birth Story: Inspired by Ozric Tentacles
This plugin appeared thanks to an attempt to recreate the “shimmering waterfalls” – the signature sound of Ozric Tentacles (“Crackerblocks”). This sound resembles a stream of crystal water cascading down. Reproducing it exactly proved to be not easy, but the process itself led to the creation of LittleArpy – an instrument capable of creating its own, no less captivating sound textures. This is an example of how creative aspirations lead to new tools.
How LittleArpy Works and How to Achieve the “Shimmering” Sound
The basis of the work is a user-defined sequence of pitch change steps. The plugin receives one MIDI note and, holding it, goes through the sequence steps, shifting the pitch. This allows you to create complex, repeating melodic figures.
To get closer to the “shimmering waterfall” or create similar sounds, try the following:
- Sequence: Create a sequence (minor, major, or your own).
- Speed: Choose a very high speed (1/64 or 1/64d).
- Effects: Pass the signal through Delay and Reverb.
- Reverb: Increase the level of the “wet” signal.
- Filter: Add a Bandpass Filter. Move its cutoff frequency to “sculpt” the timbre.
By experimenting with speed, sequence, and effects, you will create a multitude of unique textures: from hypnotic pulsations to ethereal atmospheric sounds.
Features and Compatibility
- Type: Monophonic Arpeggiator/Sequencer
- Purpose: Changing the pitch of the input note
- Ideal for ambient, prog-rock, electronic music
- Format: VST
- OS: Windows (32/64-bit)
Conclusion
LittleArpy is a tool that stimulates creativity. It will take a fresh look at working with melodies and rhythms. If you are looking for a way to create hypnotic arpeggios, shimmering textures, or experiment with sound, LittleArpy is worth a look. Download and create your own “shimmering waterfalls”!
