An update on Mobius

Good news to all looping fans out there.
It seems that Jeff Larson, the genius creator of Mobius has opened parts of his code on GitHub, after nearly a decade of dormancy. At least two developers have picked up work on the project, releasing a few new versions. One has some updated GUI elements and small fixes, and another has made a 64 bit version (which isn’t scanning properly in GP yet, but the next build will).
I’ve tested them both, and they are both fully functional with OSC(!), which is certainly a game-changer.

For anyone who hasn’t been privy to Mobius before, it is quite simply the most powerful and versatile software looper ever created. Work on the project ceased back in 2011.

If you’re interested in following the new developments in Mobius, you can ask to join the private Facebook group here: Mobius Group | Facebook

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How does it compare to Enso?

There are many things that set Mobius apart from other software loopers like Enso.

The ability to independently record multiple tracks of loops simultaneously.
The sheer amount of basic parameters exposed by the software.
The ability to create custom scripts, which extend and customize the usefulness of those parameters.
The ability to send and receive both MIDI and OSC from within the plugin/app itself.

When you read through the manual to Mobius, which is extensive and unfinished, you start to understand just how brilliant it really is, and how there are such vast possibilities of usage. After many years of my own personal usage, writing custom scripts, delving into many of the different features, I still know that there are many features that I will never use. Jeff created a great landscape for each user to fill in for themselves. That’s the hallmark of a brilliant creation that will last.

Much like GP, which is why I’m still using both pieces of software after all these years!

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Another important update on Mobius:
One of the developers who has picked up this project, Christopher Lunsford, has created a new 64bit release candidate, one which works in GP!
Another developer, Claudio Cas, has a 32 bit version with some GUI updates. Soon, they will merge the two versions together for a fully functional and GUI updated 64bit Mobius plugin.
Exciting stuff in the world of looping!

You can find the new release candidate here:

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There are downloads for early v3 builds on this site. Odd URL, but it does appear to be the original dev. The Circular Labs forum also has a post from the dev about v3:

http://www.circularlabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2&sid=42a1328ba88884cd48591308a1e5cf75

There are installers for both Mac and Windows.

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I downloaded the Intel Mac version - it’s very nice having a working version of Mobius on Mac! Although it looked like I could configure which parameters appeared as a proper host automation parameter, I only seem to be able to use the MIDI parameters and then map them within Mobius. Not a huge problem - it works well (but unfortunately they don’t work bidirectionally, only GP->Mobius).
image

Are you using the VST3-version?

Yes.
I like the scripting option. I’m just starting out with a very basic macro to choose a specific track and loop number and then binding that to a MIDI parameter (and then a widget).

It’s definitely not nearly as functional yet as the previous version, and I’m also not a huge fan of the UI changes. I am glad that it is available to Mac users though.

Previously you could assign your scripts to host automation and they would show up in the mapping list. Right now, you have to bind them to that MIDI parameter inside Mobius first. That’s a bit disappointing and I’m hoping that gets changed in the upcoming updates.

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This is fixed in Build 12.

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FYI

BUILD 12 CHANGES

  • Projects
  • Single loop save/load with Quick Save
  • Bug fixes for sustain scripts
  • Bug fix setting colors on buttons that have action arguments
  • Keep button color popup visible when it is close to the right edge
  • Fix display of the focus lock button, track number/name is also a focus lock toggle
  • Fix active setup switching back to the first one after editing setups
  • LoadScripts and LoadSamples are now bindable functions
  • Upgrader will now import old setups with track names
  • Host parameters may be bound to functions and scripts
  • Improved binding panels, immediate updates to the table when changing fields without Update button
  • Bindings to scripts may now have arguments that are passed through to the script
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I spent some time conversing back and forth with Jeff in the forum on his site, talking about host automation, OSC, and the joy of working with GP.

Lo and behold!

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Coool! Good job @edm11
I found that thread! :beers:

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