Open-source advanced probabilistic polyrhythmic sequencer plugin
Stochas is at it’s core a step sequencer, which means it generates MIDI notes. As such it does not generate any sound of it’s own but can be used to sequence other plugins and/or hardware synthesizers. Although it can be used for basic step sequencing, it’s main function is to provide randomness to the step sequencing process. It does this in a few ways:
Randomly determine whether a note should be played or not (create more dynamic and varied drum patterns)
Randomly choose between two or more notes to play at a specific time (create random or semi-random melodic or drum lines)
Add slight timing randomness to notes so that they play slightly before or after their position
Add randomness to velocity and length of notes
In addition to the randomness features, it offers a wealth of features:
Suitable for both drum and melodic programming
Live performance features – Most features can be controlled by MIDI so that you can mute/unmute layers, switch patterns, change timing, transpose notes, etc.
Polyrhythms – Create up to 4 simultaneous layers with different time signature, playback speed and/or number of steps per layer.
Patterns – switch between patterns during playback for more variety.
Timing – Parts can be played at eg half-time or double-time, etc
Groove and humanization – Steps can be individually shifted off the grid. Basic swing can be applied, as well as grooves. Grooves can be imported from MIDI files.
Chords – quickly select and add chords to your sequence
Note customization – Select which MIDI notes are visible in your grid, and even customize the names (useful for drumkits). These customizations can be imported/exported. In addition you can select from standard scales to make it easy to program in melodies.
Chain mode allows procedural programming (e.g. “if this note plays/doesn’t play then always/never play this other note”)
Record incoming MIDI to the grid
Themable interface
History:
Stochas was originally developed as closed source software back in 2016 and was made available for sale by Audio Vitamins. The original idea sprang from a JSFX plugin (Reaper plugin) created by Andrew Shakinovsky called Stochasticizer which allowed semi-random sequencing of melodic and drum lines. Andrew was contacted by Dave Clissold of Audio Vitamins who suggested creating a plugin that would work in any DAW. The two worked together to design the product which was released a few months later. Due to lack of time to devote to marketing a commercial product, in 2020 it was decided to release the software as open source.
Note:
This is Audio Vitamins’ Stochas and now it’s open source under the umbrella of Surge Synth Team.
Main Website for more information : https://stochas.org/
Platforms and DAWs:
The original product has been tested on Windows and Mac using Reaper, Logic, Cubase, Ableton, FLStudio, Studio One, Cakewalk, ProTools. The open-source version has been so far tested on Windows, Mac and Linux using Reaper, Logic, Bitwig and others, but should have no problem with other targets. By default AAX is not built, but if you have the AAX sdk you will be able to enable this.
https://surge-synth-team.org/stochas/
