ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer 1.3

ZOA is a unique MIDI sequencer that offers a fascinating blend of creativity and complexity.

ZOA utilizes a customized version of John Conway’s Game of Life to produce intricate melodies, harmonies, and rhythmic patterns. The interface allows up to four voices to traverse a dynamically changing grid of cells, creating music as they move. Each voice can follow its own path, with distinct timing and rhythm patterns. Noteworthy features include the incorporation of note values based on the golden ratio for enhanced generative capabilities.

Key Features:

• Engage with the Game of Life by interacting directly with the grid to modify cell states
• Personalize your musical selections by adjusting grid settings
• Coordinate intricate interactions among four independent voices
• Liberate your hands to experiment with synthesizers while ZOA handles the musical output
• Access ten pre-set options to explore ZOA’s vast potential
• Delve into a focused array of parameters, including:
  • Grid Settings:
    • Root note
    • Octave shift
    • Scale (List of available scales provided below)
    • Octave range
  • Game of Life Settings:
    • Grid size options (8x8 and 16x16)
    • Automatic or manual generation progression
    • New generation rate (ranging from 16 bars to 32nd T)
    • Automatic or manual grid renewal
  • Voice Settings:
    • Four customizable voices
    • Individual voice activation controls
    • Playback speed (ranging from 16 bars to 32nd T)
    • Note duration settings (10% to 100%)
    • Variety of movement rules on the grid (List provided below)
    • Pitch adjustments
    • Pattern modulation controls for crafting rhythms and polymeters, now including step options
    • Incorporation of MIDI velocity and channel settings

• Flexible Connectivity:

• Utilize ZOA as either a standalone application or an AUv3 plugin for seamless integration into your workflow. Noteworthy connectivity features include:

  - Harmonious usage in compatible Audio Unit hosts like AUM, as well as standalone operation

  - Simultaneous control over multiple instruments via five MIDI outputs, including options for individual and collective voice transmission

  - On-the-fly adjustment of key and octave shifts through MIDI input

  - Synchronization with external devices’ tempos using Ableton Link or MIDI Clock (standalone mode)

  - Transmission of MIDI clock signals to external synthesizers (standalone mode; experimental feature)

  - Compatibility with Bluetooth MIDI devices for enhanced versatility

  - Parameter modulation via a compatible AUv3 host for deeper customization

  - Provision of eight distinct MIDI CC outputs derived from ZOA’s Game of Life simulation, including metrics like population density and stability per voice

  - Inclusion of a macOS application offering additional functionalityHaver functionality apply only when using the ZOA AUv3 plugin.

  Avalailable Scales Include:

  - Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Minor, Locrian, Blues, WholeTone, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Chromatic, Diminished, Whole Half, Spanish SuperLocrian , Bhairav , HungarianMinor , Minor Gypsy , Augmented , Prometheus , Pelog-ish.Showed InSen , Iwato , Kumoi . *Note*: The stand-alone ZOA application includes a simple "Sidekick Synth" for immediate exploration. Additionally, it supports MIDI output functionality. In contrast, the ZOA AUv3 plugin does not produce sound; instead, it functions specifically for sending MIDI signals (note messages) to other software applications, plugins, or hardware instruments responsible for sound generation. For successful operation, AUv3 plugins must be utilized within compatible audio hosts.\ View the manual: https://www.audiosymmetric.com/manuals.html View tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Uka-nFom-pgTB-DftgDvA