Audio Vitamins have released the source code for Stochas, a cross-platform polyrhythmic step sequencer in VST and AU plugin formats.
Something that often gets overlooked when collecting plugins is the sequencer. Most DAWs offer one, but they tend to be rudimentary at best or get in the way of inspiration at worst unless you’re Ableton or Image-Line.
See also: Free Synthesizer VST PluginsAs its name implies (Stochastic meaning “having a random probability distribution”), Audio Vitamins’ take on Reaper’s Stochasticizer allows for the programming of random and semi-random sequences, whose probability can be extensively customized.
The plugin allows for key and scale-locked progressions with four layers that can be mapped to different outputs, up to 64 steps per pattern, and up to 8 patterns per layer. Additionally, each layer has individual controls for playback speed and steps per measure, meaning this is a polyrhythmist’s dream come true.
The original idea for Stochas sprang from a JSFX plugin (Reaper plugin) created by Andrew called Stochasticizer which allowed semi-random sequencing of melodic and drum lines. Due to lack of time to devote to marketing a commercial product, in 2020, it was decided to release the software as open-source in the hope that it would be useful to music producers around the world.
From here on out, it’s just pure entropic fun. There are randomization options for a note’s trigger, start times, velocity, and length, with individual probability sliders for each one. There’s an ingenious and unique “chaining” feature that allows for a triggered note to always trigger additional predetermined notes, such as a melodic sequence, or to cancel the probability of specific other notes, which takes out a lot of the jank that pure randomness can sometimes sound like.
This is all on top of many other fantastic additions, such as MIDI input of notes, a dedicated chord mode, the visualization of your last worked on pattern behind the one you’re currently working on, and many more.
The unique approach to randomization and humanization means that Stochas will work wonderfully not only on melodic instruments but also with percussion and even generative music. And of course, that’s not to say that the plugin isn’t just a phenomenal step sequencer in its own right.
Now, when I originally wrote the ending to this article, I mentioned that it would be awesome for Stochas to get the Surge treatment and become the staple of free third-party sequencers. As it so happens, Stochas has just been moved over to the Surge team’s official GitHub repo.
Undoubtedly, exciting things are to come for this one, so keep your eyes on Stochas as it’s sure to grow. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going out to spend my savings on lottery tickets.
Find more info about the project at the Surge Synth Team website and download the latest version from GitHub. Stochas is available as a standalone application, as well as a VST and AU plugin for compatible digital audio workstation software on PC and Mac.
More info: Stochas (5.03 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, standalone + VST/AU plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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Last Updated on August 23, 2020 by Tomislav Zlatic.
