Age Rating
ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer Screenshots
About ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer
ZOA is a creative MIDI sequencer that is both immediate and immense.
ZOA uses a custom, musical implementation of John Conway’s Game of Life to generate melody, harmony, and rhythm. Up to four voices move through an evolving landscape of living cells, playing notes as they go. Each voice can move in a unique way, with its own pace and rhythmic pattern. ZOA includes unique features, such as note values based on the golden ratio for maximum generative fun.
Features:
- Interact with the Game of Life by touching the grid to toggle cell states
- Define your musical palette by configuring the grid settings
- Create a complex dance between four independent voices
- Free your hands to explore your synthesizers as ZOA plays them for you
- Includes ten factory presets to give you a feel for what ZOA is capable of
- Explore a focused, yet deep set of parameters
- Grid Settings
- Root note
- Octave shift
- Scale (see below for available scales)
- Octave range
- Game of Life Settings
- Grid size (8x8 and 16x16)
- Auto or manual generation advance
- Rate of new generations (in beat time from 16 bars to 32nd T)
- Auto or manual grid respawn
- Voice Settings
- Four voices with independent settings
- Enable/disable
- Rate of play (in beat time from 16 bars to 32nd T)
- Includes unique note values based on the Golden Ratio for maximum generative fun!
- Length of note (10% to 100%)
- Variety of rules for moving through grid (see below for list)
- Pitch offset
- Unique pattern control for creating rhythms and polymeters, now with step options
- Easily add holds, ties, accents (positive and negative!), ratchets, and trig conditions
- MIDI velocity and channel
- Flexible Connectivity
- Use in a compatible audio unit host like AUM, or in standalone mode
- Control multiple instruments at once with five MIDI outputs
- One for all voices together, and one for each voice by itself
- Set the key and octave shift on the fly with MIDI input
- Sync to the tempo of other devices using Ableton Link or MIDI clock (standalone)
- Send MIDI clock to external synths (standalone, experimental feature)
- Connect to Bluetooth MIDI devices
- Modulate ZOA's parameters in a compatible AUv3 host (audio unit)
- Eight unique MIDI CC outputs derived from ZOA’s game of life simulation
- Population density, fertility, mortality, stability, and per-voice random
- Includes macOS app!
IMPORTANT:
ZOA can be used as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin. There are some important differences between the two. The standalone app features a simple, toggleable "Sidekick Synth" so you can quickly experiment with ZOA. Of course, you can also send MIDI from the standalone app. Meanwhile, the ZOA AUv3 plugin does NOT generate sound. Instead, you use it to send MIDI (note messages) to other apps, plugins, or hardware instruments that do the actual sound generation. AUv3 plugins must be used inside a compatible host.
Available Scales
- Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Minor, Locrian, Blues, Whole Tone, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Chromatic, Diminished, Whole Half, Spanish, Super Locrian, Bhairav, Hungarian Minor, Minor Gypsy, Augmented, Prometheus, Pelog, Major Hexatonic, Minor Hexatonic, Hirojoshi, In Sen, Iwato, Kumoi
Available Voice Rules
- Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, First, Last, Random, Walk, Rise, Fall
View manual: https://www.audiosymmetric.com/manuals.html
View tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Uka-nFom-pgTB-DftgDvA
ZOA uses a custom, musical implementation of John Conway’s Game of Life to generate melody, harmony, and rhythm. Up to four voices move through an evolving landscape of living cells, playing notes as they go. Each voice can move in a unique way, with its own pace and rhythmic pattern. ZOA includes unique features, such as note values based on the golden ratio for maximum generative fun.
Features:
- Interact with the Game of Life by touching the grid to toggle cell states
- Define your musical palette by configuring the grid settings
- Create a complex dance between four independent voices
- Free your hands to explore your synthesizers as ZOA plays them for you
- Includes ten factory presets to give you a feel for what ZOA is capable of
- Explore a focused, yet deep set of parameters
- Grid Settings
- Root note
- Octave shift
- Scale (see below for available scales)
- Octave range
- Game of Life Settings
- Grid size (8x8 and 16x16)
- Auto or manual generation advance
- Rate of new generations (in beat time from 16 bars to 32nd T)
- Auto or manual grid respawn
- Voice Settings
- Four voices with independent settings
- Enable/disable
- Rate of play (in beat time from 16 bars to 32nd T)
- Includes unique note values based on the Golden Ratio for maximum generative fun!
- Length of note (10% to 100%)
- Variety of rules for moving through grid (see below for list)
- Pitch offset
- Unique pattern control for creating rhythms and polymeters, now with step options
- Easily add holds, ties, accents (positive and negative!), ratchets, and trig conditions
- MIDI velocity and channel
- Flexible Connectivity
- Use in a compatible audio unit host like AUM, or in standalone mode
- Control multiple instruments at once with five MIDI outputs
- One for all voices together, and one for each voice by itself
- Set the key and octave shift on the fly with MIDI input
- Sync to the tempo of other devices using Ableton Link or MIDI clock (standalone)
- Send MIDI clock to external synths (standalone, experimental feature)
- Connect to Bluetooth MIDI devices
- Modulate ZOA's parameters in a compatible AUv3 host (audio unit)
- Eight unique MIDI CC outputs derived from ZOA’s game of life simulation
- Population density, fertility, mortality, stability, and per-voice random
- Includes macOS app!
IMPORTANT:
ZOA can be used as a standalone app or as an AUv3 plugin. There are some important differences between the two. The standalone app features a simple, toggleable "Sidekick Synth" so you can quickly experiment with ZOA. Of course, you can also send MIDI from the standalone app. Meanwhile, the ZOA AUv3 plugin does NOT generate sound. Instead, you use it to send MIDI (note messages) to other apps, plugins, or hardware instruments that do the actual sound generation. AUv3 plugins must be used inside a compatible host.
Available Scales
- Major Pentatonic, Minor Pentatonic, Major, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Minor, Locrian, Blues, Whole Tone, Harmonic Minor, Melodic Minor, Chromatic, Diminished, Whole Half, Spanish, Super Locrian, Bhairav, Hungarian Minor, Minor Gypsy, Augmented, Prometheus, Pelog, Major Hexatonic, Minor Hexatonic, Hirojoshi, In Sen, Iwato, Kumoi
Available Voice Rules
- Up, Down, UpDown, DownUp, First, Last, Random, Walk, Rise, Fall
View manual: https://www.audiosymmetric.com/manuals.html
View tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Uka-nFom-pgTB-DftgDvA
Show More
What's New in the Latest Version 1.3
Last updated on Dec 8, 2022
Old Versions
New in ZOA 1.3:
- Add 16 new scales! See description for complete list.
- Share your user presets with friends and other devices using AirDrop!
- Refactor sequencer engine for better accuracy, stability, and to eliminate hung notes.
- The standalone now restores the last grid state across launches.
- Add right-click alternatives for gesture-based actions on macOS.
- Add 16 new scales! See description for complete list.
- Share your user presets with friends and other devices using AirDrop!
- Refactor sequencer engine for better accuracy, stability, and to eliminate hung notes.
- The standalone now restores the last grid state across launches.
- Add right-click alternatives for gesture-based actions on macOS.
Show More
Version History
1.3
Dec 8, 2022
New in ZOA 1.3:
- Add 16 new scales! See description for complete list.
- Share your user presets with friends and other devices using AirDrop!
- Refactor sequencer engine for better accuracy, stability, and to eliminate hung notes.
- The standalone now restores the last grid state across launches.
- Add right-click alternatives for gesture-based actions on macOS.
- Add 16 new scales! See description for complete list.
- Share your user presets with friends and other devices using AirDrop!
- Refactor sequencer engine for better accuracy, stability, and to eliminate hung notes.
- The standalone now restores the last grid state across launches.
- Add right-click alternatives for gesture-based actions on macOS.
1.2.1
Jun 7, 2022
New in ZOA 1.2.1:
- Fix an issue where ratchets would sometimes cause hanging notes.
- Fix some issues causing hanging notes in Cubasis.
- Make sure ZOA always receives MIDI on its virtual input port.
- Small UI changes for consistency with OODA.
- Fix an issue with some parameter menus controlling the wrong AU parameters on macOS.
- Potentially fix an issue that caused ZOA to crash on launch on macOS Catalina.
- Fix an issue where ratchets would sometimes cause hanging notes.
- Fix some issues causing hanging notes in Cubasis.
- Make sure ZOA always receives MIDI on its virtual input port.
- Small UI changes for consistency with OODA.
- Fix an issue with some parameter menus controlling the wrong AU parameters on macOS.
- Potentially fix an issue that caused ZOA to crash on launch on macOS Catalina.
1.2
Apr 19, 2022
New in ZOA 1.2:
- Improved pattern control lets you add per-step holds, ties, accents, ratchets, and trig conditions for more expression and variation. Press and hold on a step to reveal its “step options” menu.
- Added eight MIDI CC outputs derived from ZOA’s Game of Life simulation: population density, fertility, mortality, stability, and per-voice random values.
- Added ten factory presets.
- User controls are generally bigger and easier to touch.
- Added a setting to persist the popover parameter selection menus.
- The audio unit now includes the top bar view for accessing presets and other settings.
- The standalone now saves ZOA’s parameters and settings across launches.
- The standalone now remembers previously activated MIDI outputs across launches.
- The standalone is now able to send MIDI clock on its “All Outs” output (experimental, your mileage may vary).
- Added the option to persist parameter selection menus.
- Minor UI bug fixes.
Like ZOA? Please consider leaving a review and sharing about ZOA with your friends! Use #zoasequencer when you share music made with ZOA.
- Improved pattern control lets you add per-step holds, ties, accents, ratchets, and trig conditions for more expression and variation. Press and hold on a step to reveal its “step options” menu.
- Added eight MIDI CC outputs derived from ZOA’s Game of Life simulation: population density, fertility, mortality, stability, and per-voice random values.
- Added ten factory presets.
- User controls are generally bigger and easier to touch.
- Added a setting to persist the popover parameter selection menus.
- The audio unit now includes the top bar view for accessing presets and other settings.
- The standalone now saves ZOA’s parameters and settings across launches.
- The standalone now remembers previously activated MIDI outputs across launches.
- The standalone is now able to send MIDI clock on its “All Outs” output (experimental, your mileage may vary).
- Added the option to persist parameter selection menus.
- Minor UI bug fixes.
Like ZOA? Please consider leaving a review and sharing about ZOA with your friends! Use #zoasequencer when you share music made with ZOA.
1.1.1
Feb 2, 2022
New in ZOA 1.1.1:
- Implement a fix so that ZOA works properly in Logic Pro on macOS! (Thanks to Geert Bevin for the tip!)
- Fix an issue where sometimes the standalone app is unable to locate the audio unit's user presets.
- Add version number and developer info to the standalone app.
- Implement a fix so that ZOA works properly in Logic Pro on macOS! (Thanks to Geert Bevin for the tip!)
- Fix an issue where sometimes the standalone app is unable to locate the audio unit's user presets.
- Add version number and developer info to the standalone app.
1.1
Dec 22, 2021
New in ZOA 1.1:
- Add six new note values based on the golden ratio more maximum generative fun! See manual in standalone for description.
- Add new press-and-hold shortcut for quickly selecting values from a list. Useful for performance!
- Add a basic preset manager to the standalone. Presets are shared with the audio unit.
- Add a "clear grid" action.
- Rearrange the "Life" settings UI a little and add new button icons for advance and respawn actions.
- Fix a bug where the standalone would lose MIDI messages sent on channels other than 1.
- Fix an issue with MIDI time stamps when sending MIDI to other apps from the standalone.
- Add logic to make the "All Playheads" output unambiguous to MIDI receivers whenever multiple notes of the same note number overlap with one another.
- Map MIDI velocity to amplitude of the sidekick synth's voices in standalone.
- Keep standalone audio engine on when Ableton Link is enabled and start/stop sync is enabled.
- Other bug fixes for the standalone.
- Add six new note values based on the golden ratio more maximum generative fun! See manual in standalone for description.
- Add new press-and-hold shortcut for quickly selecting values from a list. Useful for performance!
- Add a basic preset manager to the standalone. Presets are shared with the audio unit.
- Add a "clear grid" action.
- Rearrange the "Life" settings UI a little and add new button icons for advance and respawn actions.
- Fix a bug where the standalone would lose MIDI messages sent on channels other than 1.
- Fix an issue with MIDI time stamps when sending MIDI to other apps from the standalone.
- Add logic to make the "All Playheads" output unambiguous to MIDI receivers whenever multiple notes of the same note number overlap with one another.
- Map MIDI velocity to amplitude of the sidekick synth's voices in standalone.
- Keep standalone audio engine on when Ableton Link is enabled and start/stop sync is enabled.
- Other bug fixes for the standalone.
1.0.1
Nov 12, 2021
New in ZOA 1.0.1:
- Increase the range of the offset parameter to +/- 24 semitones.
- Fix an issue where ZOA wouldn't properly restore state in sessions with multiple instances of ZOA.
- Fix an issue where the pattern control would not update its display on preset loading.
- Fix an issue where restored grid states would not advance generations properly.
- Increase the touchable area of transport button in standalone mode.
- Increase the range of the offset parameter to +/- 24 semitones.
- Fix an issue where ZOA wouldn't properly restore state in sessions with multiple instances of ZOA.
- Fix an issue where the pattern control would not update its display on preset loading.
- Fix an issue where restored grid states would not advance generations properly.
- Increase the touchable area of transport button in standalone mode.
1.0
Nov 4, 2021
ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer Price
Today:
$7.99
Lowest:
$3.99
Highest:
$7.99
ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer FAQ
Click here to learn how to download ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer in restricted country or region.
Check the following list to see the minimum requirements of ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer.
iPhone
Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
iPad
Requires iPadOS 13.0 or later.
Mac
Requires macOS 10.15 or later.
iPod touch
Requires iOS 13.0 or later.
ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer supports English
Related Videos
Latest introduction video of ZOA — Living MIDI Sequencer on iPhone