SATH LEMON 🍋

performance looper with 4 independent voices and dynamic loop control.

sath lemon is a live performance looper designed for spontaneous composition and layering. each of the four voices can record up to 15 seconds of audio, with intelligent loop length management that adapts to your recording duration — no unwanted silence at the end of your loops.

the script features extensive grid/launchpad integration with visual feedback, making it perfect for hands-on live performance.

Splash screen

Requirements

• norns
• audio input
• grid (optional, highly recommended)

Installation

via maiden:

;install https://github.com/DesioArt/sath-lemon

manual installation:

• connect to norns via SFTP (we/sleep)
• navigate to /home/we/dust/code/
• create folder Sath_lemon
• upload Sath_lemon.lua into that folder
• restart norns or SYSTEM > RESTART

Documentation

Norns Controls

Key controls:

• K1 — switch page (LOOP ↔ PITCH)
• K2 — start/stop recording on selected voice
• K3 — play/stop selected voice

Page 1 — LOOP:

• E1 — select voice (1–4)
• E2 — loop length (0.1s to recorded length)
• E3 — start position (where in the sample the loop begins)

Page 2 — PITCH:

• E1 — pitch/speed (0.25x to 4x, with smooth glide)
• E2 — level (0 to 2)
• E3 — pan (−1 to 1)

Recording Workflow

1. select a voice (E1 or grid)
2. press K2 to start recording (max 15 seconds)
3. press K2 again to stop — the loop automatically starts playing
4. the loop length is set to your actual recording duration (no silence added)
5. tweak loop parameters in real-time while playing

Intelligent loop length:

• if you record 7 seconds and stop, loop_length = 7s
• you can reduce it (E2) to 2s, 3s, etc.
• E2 will never go beyond your recorded length (no unwanted silence)
• if you record the full 15 seconds, you get the full range

Grid Layout

the grid provides visual feedback and tactile control over all loop functions. each row represents a voice, with real-time visualization of loop position and length.

Rows 1–4: loop visualization

• each row shows one voice
• 16 columns = recorded sample length
• lit LEDs = active loop region
• LED brightness indicates voice state:
  • bright (15) = playing or selected voice
  • medium (8) = has sample, not playing
  • dim (2) = no sample
  • outline (1) = selected voice, outside loop area

Row 5: voice selection

• columns 1–4: select voice 1–4
• bright LED = selected voice

Row 6: playback & effects

• columns 1–4: play/stop individual voices
  • bright = playing
  • medium = ready (has sample)
  • dim = no sample
• column 8: play all / stop all toggle
  • bright = something playing (press to stop all)
  • medium = nothing playing (press to play all with samples)
• columns 9–12: reverse toggle for voices 1–4
  • bright = reversed
  • dim = normal
• columns 13–16: speed presets for selected voice
  • col 13: 0.5x (half speed)
  • col 14: 1.0x (normal)
  • col 15: 1.5x
  • col 16: 2.0x (double speed)
  • bright LED = current speed

Row 7: mute controls

• columns 1–4: mute/unmute voices 1–4
  • bright = muted (loop still running, just silent)
  • dim = unmuted

Row 8: progress indicator

• during recording: shows recording progress (0–15 seconds)
• during playback: shows all active loops with different brightnesses per voice

Features

Smooth pitch glide

• pitch changes are gradual instead of abrupt
• creates smooth, musical transitions
• works with encoder and grid speed presets

Reverse playback

• per-voice reverse control
• works in combination with any speed setting
• can be toggled in real-time

Intelligent recording

• loops adapt to actual recording duration
• no unwanted silence at loop end
• maximum flexibility for live performance

Visual feedback

• grid shows exact loop position and length
• real-time updates as you adjust parameters
• intuitive visual representation of all voices

Tips & Tricks

Quick layering: use “play all” (row 6, column 8) to start all voices simultaneously — great for building dense textures.

Rhythmic variations: record one phrase, then use loop length (E2) to create variations. different loop lengths create polyrhythmic patterns.

Creative reverse: reverse + slow speed (0.5x) = ambient, backwards atmospheres. reverse + fast speed (2.0x) = glitchy, chaotic textures.

Live chopping: record long phrases (15s), then use start position (E3) and loop length (E2) to “scrub” through different sections — perfect for finding unexpected moments.

Performance workflow: use grid for hands-on performance, adjust fine parameters with norns encoders, switch between LOOP and PITCH pages for different control needs.

Credits

created by DesioArt built for monome norns

License

MIT