Alter Audio Timetosser

What Is TimeTosser?

Timetosser is a new kind of hybrid between an audio effect and an electronic musical instrument. It enables you to playfully reorder any kind of musical input in real-time.

The novelty of Timetosser lies in the way it is used: the user is not simply enabling an effect, but has to actively and skillfully play the instrument in order to yield good results. By combining Timetosser with a classic DJ set-up, much value can be added to any stage act. Furthermore, Timetosser can be hooked up to any device, giving you much artistic freedom. From drum machines to synthesizers, from a single track on your mixer (e.g. guitar, vocals, drums .. ) to the master output. By adding Timetosser, you instantly gain a unique live effect by adding variety to your tracks and loops.

How does it work?

Standalone - Use the tap-tempo key to tap in sync with the music. From this, Timetosser learns the length of 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16 notes, as well as their triplets.

MIDI IN - Another option is to sync to MIDI-clock. By connecting the supplied mini-jack to DIN-5 adapter cable to the sync input, Timetosser is able to synchronise to an incoming MIDI-clock signal.

Analog Gate - The sync input also supports analog gate voltages. To use analog gate sync, just connect a standard mono mini-jack cable to the sync input directly.

MIDI OUT - Having both a MIDI-input and output means these will be usable from within your DAW software when Timetosser is connected to your computer. But the true advantage comes when Timetosser is used in standalone-mode. Since Timetosser detects the tempo of the incoming audio, the MIDI-output can be used to send out that tempo. This means you can synchronise your MIDI-gear and have them play in time with anything you feed into Timetosser. We’re very excited about the possibilities this brings: blur the lines between deejaying and live performing by having synths and drum machines play alongside your tracks!

By pressing any of the keys of the upper row, the player basically selects a delay that is a multiple of the selected note length. By playing patterns using the upper keys , we can keep changing the delay time in a way that we can repeat a note, or change the order of the music entirely.

Tempo Sync

In order to let Timetosser be aware of the tempo of the incoming music, you have different options. The first option is to use the tap-tempo key to tap along with the beat. Timetosser will actively listen to the music and track the tempo, making sure that it stays in sync with the beat.

Another option is to sync to MIDI-clock. By connecting the supplied mini-jack to DIN-5 adapter cable to the MIDI/Sync IN input, Timetosser is able to synchronise to an incoming MIDI-clock signal.

The sync input also supports analog gate voltages. Just connect your gate signal to the sync input directly.

Having both a MIDI-input and output means these will be usable from within your DAW software when Timetosser is connected to your computer. But the true advantage comes when Timetosser is used in standalone-mode. Since Timetosser detects the tempo of the incoming audio, the MIDI-output can be used to send out that tempo. This means you can synchronise your MIDI-gear and have them play in time with anything you feed into Timetosser. We’re very excited about the possibilities this brings: blur the lines between DJing and live performing by having synths and drum machines play alongside your tracks!

Audio Plugin / USB connectivity

Besides being a standalone device, Timetosser can also be connected to your computer. This way, it becomes a USB MIDI interface and controller for the Timetosser audio plugin (VST & AU).Timetosser's firmware can be upgraded through USB with the application that will be downloadable from the alter.audio website.

The audio plugin is a virtual Timetosser that can be dropped as an effect on an audio track in your DAW. One of up to eight plugin instances can be selected and controlled from the hardware unit.

Technical Details