For Superbooth 24, Kaona has unveiled Zazou, a new 4-track algorithmic pattern generator for Eurorack, already previewed at SynthFest France 2024.
My SynthFest France 2024 coverage is not yet completed, so the first Superbooth 24 news is already coming. Gilles, better known as Kaona, is a Eurorack manufacturer from France who used the SFF to present a Superbooth news.
He showcased Zazou, a new intriguing pattern generation packed with algorithms.
Kanoa Zazou
Zazou is a new 18HP 4-track algorithmic pattern generator. Thanks to its multi-timbral MIDI connectivity, it’s not just at home in a Eurorack system and with classic hardware synths. The latter also works in polyphonic.
On the hardware side, the module offers four CV/gate outputs, four velocity CV outputs, a TRS MIDI output, four gate inputs, and other inputs for play/stop, reset, and change.
In addition to the ins and outs, the module has seven buttons and three encoders for navigating the menu system, which is visualized in a big round display.
The highlight of Zazou is its algorithmic heart, which allows you to create endless new patterns. To start the journey, Zazou requires gate information per track. Once done, you can the root note, a scale, a possible sequence to follow, and the algorithm for each track.
10 Algorithms
There are ten different algorithms to play around: random, Walking Bass, Arpeggiator, Intervals, Serial, Cantor, Fibonacci, Sierpinski, Mandelbrot, and Julia. Each algorithm offers a unique set of parameters, allowing one to delve deep into the algorithms.
Depending on the chosen parameters, they will generate more or less repetitive, varied, or complex melodies.
Zazou operates across 10 octaves in MIDI or CV (1V/oct) for modular use. However, the number of octaves can be limited, either to accommodate synthesizers that poorly support very high notes or to limit the voltage in a modular environment.
Further, you can save your track and sequence parameters as well as the entire composition on an internal microSD card.
Users of the Skippy sequencer also benefit from the option of pairing the module via an internal cable. This transmits the required gate information internally. So you don’t need to patch extra cables between Skippy and Zazou.
Kaona Zazou First Impression
A very nice algorithmic pattern generator for Eurorack. I’m a big fan of Vermona’s Melodicer. But this goes much deeper with its four tracks and ten algorithms. The possibility of combining it with existing sequencers it also a neat function.
Kaona Zazou is available now for pre-order with a 20% discount of 432€. Shipping starts at the end of May 2024. Gilles will have a booth at W472 at Superbooth 24 to showcase the new module.
More information here: Kaona
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