Constellations, a Euclidean sequencer with a rhythmic harmony approach.

[nicokaniak]

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I've been working on a sequencer for a while now, and I'm finally ready to share it: Constellations.
It's a 32-channel Euclidean sequencer I built because I wanted something that could create rhythms that actually move and interact with one another in interesting ways, not just stacked, independent patterns. At its core, it uses the Euclidean algorithm to spread pulses evenly, so you can get grooves and polyrhythms quickly without drawing every note by hand.
What it does:

• 32 independent channels, each with rhythm, velocity, duration, and note control
• Euclidean pattern generation for quick polyrhythms
• Dual-layer architecture per channel for deeper complexity
• Full parameter editing: Rhythm, Velocity, Duration, Notes, Contour, Polyphony, Strum, Chance, Repeat
• Key/scale selector for tonal control
• A UI that lets you scan everything at a glance, then dive in when you want to edit

The thing I'm most excited about: the Harmony system
This is what kept me building it. Most Euclidean sequencers give you independent channels and stop there. I wanted a way to relate those channels mathematically, so when you change something, the whole sequence responds in predictable ways.
The Harmony system borrows from color theory pattern parameters (density, fill, rotation) live on a virtual wheel, and you define relationships between channels using geometric principles: complementary, triadic, clustered. When you adjust a harmony axis, every linked channel recalculates its pattern to maintain that relationship. So your channels aren't just playing together; their underlying structures are geometrically related. Layer 1 might use complementary rotation while Layer 2 uses triadic fill, and the whole thing phases in ways that feel structured rather than random.
I've been using it in my own productions for a while now, and it's changed how I think about rhythmic composition. It's the difference between stacking patterns and composing a rhythmic system.
Available as VST3/AU/Standalone.
It's free. Check it out at https://ko-fi.com/s/91e7b6ea7c (https://ko-fi.com/s/91e7b6ea7c) and let me know what you think.

[oobesan]

Holy shit. I'm going to be busy for days with this.

[wagtunes]

No clue how to get sound out of this thing. On Cubase 15, Windows 10. It's running but I don't hear anything. Do I have to route it to a synth? Doesn't appear to have its own sound generator. Manual is no help. Loading presets doesn't do anything.

Oh well, it was worth a shot.

[Cuauhtli]

Yes, if it is only a sequencer you need to route it to a sound source that responds to midi.

[wagtunes]

Yes, if it is only a sequencer you need to route it to a sound source that responds to midi.

Well, there are no routing options for this in Cubase. At least not through traditional means. So if there's something special I'm going to have to do then I'm going to need specific instructions for Cubase.

[wagtunes]

FYI. I have Zebra 3 loaded. I have this routed to Zebra 3. Started transport. Nothing. No clue why it's not working. It should.

[wagtunes]

I just tried 3 different ways of routing this thing (that I know of) and nothing.

[Cuauhtli]

I just tried it in Reaper. It worked but it is buggy. When I changed presets it just made screetchy sounds and when I stopped the play transport the synths had stuck notes (tried Bazille CM and Zebra CM). Randomizing pattern seems to work okay.

Edit: Seems to be working (except when changing presets - that's consistently buggy).

[Jonathan Shepherd]

Yee hah! This beast rides into new Euclidean territory, quite the brave soul here. 2 virtual thumbs up.

[nicokaniak]

I just tried 3 different ways of routing this thing (that I know of), and nothing.

Hey, so, some notes,here:
the plugin is a sequencer, hence it does not generate any sounds but MIDI notes.|
Im not a Cubase expert, but this is what I can say for what i invesed in in regarding midi routing in CB:
It needs to be routed into an instrument like Zebra 3, and Zebra 3 is what actually generates the audio. So the setup is basically: plugin sends MIDI, Cubase passes it along, Zebra 3 plays the notes.

Try this:

• Load the sequencer plugin on a MIDI or instrument track.

• Load Zebra 3 on a separate instrument track.

• Make sure the sequencer is actually running and generating notes when playback starts.

• Route the plugin’s MIDI output to Zebra 3, or to a MIDI track that feeds Zebra 3.

• Make sure the MIDI channel matches on both sides.

• Hit play again and check whether Zebra 3 is receiving MIDI input.

If Cubase is not showing any routing options, that usually means you need to do it through Cubase’s MIDI track/instrument track routing, not like normal audio routing. The sequencer plugin is just the note source. Zebra 3 is the sound source.

[nicokaniak]

I just tried it in Reaper. It worked but it is buggy. When I changed presets it just made screetchy sounds and when I stopped the play transport the synths had stuck notes (tried Bazille CM and Zebra CM). Randomizing pattern seems to work okay.

Edit: Seems to be working (except when changing presets - that's consistently buggy).

I look into this, yet it's not the first time I hear issues with Reaper and file handling. My theory is that its API is all over the place, but I'll give it a look and will get back to you.

[wagtunes]

I just tried 3 different ways of routing this thing (that I know of), and nothing.

Hey, so, some notes,here:
the plugin is a sequencer, hence it does not generate any sounds but MIDI notes.|
Im not a Cubase expert, but this is what I can say for what i invesed in in regarding midi routing in CB:
It needs to be routed into an instrument like Zebra 3, and Zebra 3 is what actually generates the audio. So the setup is basically: plugin sends MIDI, Cubase passes it along, Zebra 3 plays the notes.

Try this:

• Load the sequencer plugin on a MIDI or instrument track.

• Load Zebra 3 on a separate instrument track.

• Make sure the sequencer is actually running and generating notes when playback starts.

• Route the plugin’s MIDI output to Zebra 3, or to a MIDI track that feeds Zebra 3.

• Make sure the MIDI channel matches on both sides.

• Hit play again and check whether Zebra 3 is receiving MIDI input.

If Cubase is not showing any routing options, that usually means you need to do it through Cubase’s MIDI track/instrument track routing, not like normal audio routing. The sequencer plugin is just the note source. Zebra 3 is the sound source.

Yep, did this. No sound.

[nicokaniak]

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If it's of interest to anyone, I just released version 1.3.2, where I revamped the compatibility with Apple silicon and included VST 3 for Linux.
https://ko-fi.com/s/91e7b6ea7c (https://ko-fi.com/s/91e7b6ea7c)

[IvyBirds]

Yes, if it is only a sequencer you need to route it to a sound source that responds to midi.

Well, there are no routing options for this in Cubase. At least not through traditional means. So if there's something special I'm going to have to do then I'm going to need specific instructions for Cubase.

I have it working in Cubase with zero issues

You need to
1.)create an instrument track and load Constellations into it

2.)create another instrument track and load whatever instrument plugin you want on it says Zebra 3

3.)on the track for the instrument click on the track inspector on the left hand side and look at the routing

4.)then clock the MIDI Input button

5.)then from the drop down select Constellations, instead of your keyboard controller

[wagtunes]

Yes, if it is only a sequencer you need to route it to a sound source that responds to midi.

Well, there are no routing options for this in Cubase. At least not through traditional means. So if there's something special I'm going to have to do then I'm going to need specific instructions for Cubase.

I have it working in Cubase with zero issues

You need to
1.)create an instrument track and load Constellations into it

2.)create another instrument track and load whatever instrument plugin you want on it says Zebra 3

3.)on the track for the instrument click on the track inspector on the left hand side and look at the routing

4.)then clock the MIDI Input button

5.)then from the drop down select Constellations, instead of your keyboard controller

Yep. Did it. No sound.