My Max4Live patch is a looper with 6 play~ objects at its core, randomly picking loop length and location based on the length of the file. It works very well (aside from a few kinks I'm still working on) but I've noticed an unintentional side effect; namely, there is a bit-reduction sound when the thing really gets going. Now, in most cases this sounds great, and it definitely gives the instrument a bit of character. But for cases where I don't find it desirable, can anyone tell me why this might be?

unintentional-bit-reduction-effect-using-play

It is due to loss of precision as the location signal at the input gets bigger. There is no way around but use another object like groove~ or wave~. Of course there is the nonstandard hr.play~ object. By the way, it is not bit-reduction, but downsampling what you hear.

unintentional bit reduction effect using play~