Audio Vitamins give up the development of their creative random powered MIDI step sequencer plugin Stochas and clear the way for the open-source community.
Developing a plugin well and promoting well are two things. A developer can design a fantastic plugin, but at the same time sell it poorly (marketing, etc.) The example of the young plugin company Audio Vitamins shows that this balancing act between developer and seller is not so easy. Due to the lack of time to devote to marketing its Stochas step sequencer plugin, the developers have recently decided to release the source code of its previously available commercial product. The source code runs now under the GPL license and is open source.
Stochas is a MIDI step sequencer plugin that features a big randomization features palette that makes sequences more lively and exciting. Almost everything can be randomized and not only the whole piece but also only in a certain area of the sequence. For example, you can random specific notes in a sequence, random the note start times, velocity, length, and more. Stochas allows you to create up to four layers /up to eight patterns with different time signatures, playback speed, and number of steps per layer. So a super deep sequencing tool with which you can work creatively for a long time and for free.
The original idea sprang from a JSFX plugin (Reaper plugin) created by Andrew called Stochasticizer which allowed semi-random sequencing of melodic and drum lines. Andrew was contacted by Dave who suggested creating a plugin that would work on 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 in the hope that it would be useful to music producers around the world.
Features
- Cross platform MIDI sequencer surfaced as a VST/AU/etc. plugin
- Allows random selection of designated notes in a sequence (random or semi-random melodic lines)
- Allows random triggering of notes (more dynamic and varied drum patterns)
- Adjust randomness of note start times for more humanized playback
- Adjust randomness of note velocity and length
- Fully MIDI-programmable interface for live performance. Mute/unmute layers, change patterns, time signature, etc. on the fly via MIDI.
- Chain mode allows procedural programming (eg “if this note plays/doesn’t play then always/never play this other note”)
- Adjust note start time to move sequence “off the grid”, as well as note length.
- Record incoming midi to grid
- Use Chord mode to quickly add chords to the sequence
- Select from preset scales, or customize notes in grid along with note names. Save/load note names from file
- Add swing or groove. Import groove from MIDI files
- Create up to four layers with differing time signature, playback speed and/or number of steps per layer
- Create up to eight patterns
Audio Vitamins Stochas is now open source and available as a free download for Windows and Mac (VST/AU). The source is available in a GitHub repository.
More information: Stochas
Be the first to comment