STOCHASTIC sequencers

 I've been coming  across a few STOCHASTIC sequencers recently.

The other day a friend showed up with a Oxi One

This has many more modes other than Stochastic, but I found that mode really interesting.

So what are Stochastic patterns?

These are patterns that are generated randomly, allowing for endless generative ideas in music production. These patterns can be used to create unique melodies, rhythms and structures in music.

There are quite a few systems and sequencers, eurorack modules that embrace this idea, and the list is growing.

I think we should embrace these new tools.

so musicians can explore new soundscapes and create unique compositions that would otherwise be impossible to achieve.

This is a eurorack module from Stochastic Instruments.

The SIG - Stochastic Instrument Generator

Below is the O-Blek

Its a MaxforLive stochastic sequencer with individual length options to offset and produce dynamic ever- changing patterns easily in Ableton Live.

Another Eurorack module which uses Stochastic ideas is Vermona's Melodicer

The two primary modes are dice and real-time.

- dice mode creates a melody and holds it until a new rhythm or melody is seeded into memory.

- real-time mode continuously generates random patterns based on the current settings.

The 12 sliders each have an associated note, and turning up that slider will increase the 

probability that the corresponding note will be played. 

Note value sets the clock division from whole to 32nd notes.

This sequencer uses cycling '74

Radioaktivnost is a 16 step sequencer for software and hardware which is clocked by radioactive decay.

How cool !!

These are just a few examples Ive found using a quick google search.

Im sure there are many more.

So in summary the Stochastic sequencer isn't your standard sequencer.

It doesn’t repeat itself and you don’t program fixed steps for variation.

Instead you duet with it by starting with the fundamental musical settings such as  pitch, 

duration, octave and various transition events. 

By changing the basic probability of these settings the melody will evolve.

I think Stochastic patterns allow for a level of creativity that is unprecedented in music production. 

By leveraging the power of randomness, musicians can explore a variety of musical ideas and find inspiration for their own compositions. With this approach, musicians can also create compositions with an ever-evolving structure - making sure that no two performances are ever the same!