Zazou is a Eurorack music creation module that combines generative music and jazz elements, designed to seamlessly integrate into both modular and MIDI environments. It employs advanced algorithms to generate sequences and improvisations, enabling diverse musical exploration. Zazou offers musicians a structured yet flexible approach to music composition.

Key Features

Connectivity: Zazou features a multitimbral MIDI output and Eurorack-compatible CV outputs, facilitating integration into your existing setup.

Interactivity: To trigger notes, Zazou relies on "gate" signals from sequencers or other generators, harmonizing seamlessly with devices like Skippy, Kaona's algorithmic rhythm generator.

Musicality: Zazou adopts a note division similar to keyboard instruments, fitting within equal temperament instruments with numerous scales and across 10 octaves.

Channel Versatility: Zazou handles four independent channels, offering fine harmonization possibilities for complex arrangements.

Interactions and Controls

Varied CV Inputs: Seven CV inputs, including one gate per channel (red, yellow, green, blue), a "Reset" input, a "Change" input, and a "Play/Stop" input, provide precise control over musical dynamics.

Intuitive Manipulation: Seven buttons and three encoders offer swift interaction, allowing detailed sequence management and real-time adjustments.

Diverse Outputs: In addition to MIDI output, Zazou features 12 CV outputs, spread across gates, velocity, and notes, maximizing musical variation options.

Musical Features

Zazou operates in layers, from general choices like scale or root note to the finest parameters of chosen algorithms, through musical progression "methods" such as sequences. These choices determine melodic behavior, offering a range of options from controlled randomness ("Random") to complex explorations like Mandelbrot or Julia sets, and more traditional modes like "Walkingbass" or arpeggiators.

Algorithms: A Universe of Possibilities

Random & Structured: From controlled randomness to rigorous serialism, each algorithm invites infinite exploration.

Mathematical Inspiration: Concepts like Cantor sets, Fibonacci sequence, or Sierpinski triangle transform into unique melodic patterns.

Fractal Explorations: Mandelbrot and Julia sets open up horizons of fractal complexity, making each composition infinitely unique.

Zazou and Its Friends

Zazou is part of a Eurorack module set exploring composition, generative music, and musical research. With Skippy and Skippy Live, it offers a quirky and original approach to music creation.

Zazou is a generative music module based on numerous configurable algorithms. It acts as both an accompanist capable of syncing to a regular sequence and an improviser within a given framework. Its function is to produce notes: no sound comes directly from Zazou, as it's intended to be connected to one or more synthesizers or other Eurorack modules.

It features both a multitimbral MIDI output and Eurorack-compatible CV outputs.

To generate notes, Zazou requires "gate" signals to trigger each note. Therefore, it follows the rhythm imposed by a sequencer or any generator producing gate output. It pairs ideally with Skippy, Kaona's algorithmic rhythm generator.

Zazou produces music based on the equal temperament scale and follows the note division corresponding to keyboard instruments (piano, organ, etc.). Thus, in Zazou, as in a piano, a C sharp corresponds to a D flat.

Zazou produces notes on four independent channels that can nevertheless be tuned together.

Interface

Seven CV inputs:

One gate per channel: red, yellow, green, blue

One "Reset" input: realigns the tracks, resets the sequence, interrupts all MIDI notes currently playing.

One "Change" input: allows external sequence control.

One "Play/Stop" input: stops (or restarts) all produced notes and pauses the current sequence. This input also measures an external beat to determine the quarter note value (BPM) that Zazou will use (this value can also be set manually). The input can be a clock (set to one beat per quarter note) or a sequencer.

Seven buttons:

One per channel, matching its color: they function differently depending on the displayed screen. (Selection, Pause, or Manual Gate).

One Play/Stop button: stops or starts all tracks simultaneously.

One "Change" button: manually advances the sequence.

One "Reset" button: realigns the tracks, resets the sequence, interrupts all MIDI notes currently playing.

Three encoders:

Their functions vary depending on the displayed screens.

One MIDI output:

The output is in TRS format. It's possible to choose between cable A or B using a switch on the back of the card.

Twelve CV outputs:

Four "gate" outputs: mirror the input signals but add ornamentation notes.

Four CV outputs: export velocity (selectable between 5V or 8V).

Four Note outputs: in 1V/octave format, across 10 octaves.

Basic Functions

All functions are identical for each channel but can be synchronized according to your composition criteria.

Root Note: determines the key each track plays in.

Scale: constrains Zazou to adhere to a given scale (22 scales available).

Sequence: dictates that the composition follows a given sequence.

Algorithm: allows the selection of melodic behavior.

Sequences

It's possible to instruct Zazou to follow a sequence track by track, but it's often more musical to let the four tracks follow a single sequence. For example, you can choose the common II-V-I progression or the circle of fifths, but also use less common sequences. The sequence behavior can be customized by selecting the number of notes in the sequence, passing notes, alternating major and minor chords, etc.

Algorithms

The algorithms determine the note behavior for each track.

It's possible to freely mix algorithms track by track, choose the same algorithm for all tracks, or the same algorithm for all tracks but with different behaviors.

Depending on the chosen parameters, they will generate more or less repetitive, varied, or complex melodies. Even though each note depends on an external gate, some algorithms additionally produce ornamentation notes like triplets or appoggiaturas.

Random:

Allows for completely random and unpredictable operation. However, one can influence how randomness occurs by changing event frequency or velocity, for example.

Walkingbass:

Walkingbass precisely follows the sequence in a classic Jazz walking bass manner, with one quarter note per beat. Numerous forms are offered, and it's possible to enrich the progression with ornaments or emphasize strong or weak beats, for example.

Arpeggiator:

Several types of arpeggios are available, and it's possible to choose direction (including random), chords used, ornaments, and their frequency, etc.

Intervals:

Starting from a reference note chosen within the scale, Zazou will traverse a selected number of octaves and notes according to a given interval.

Serial:

Zazou will generate note sequences respecting the rules and principles of serial music. All theoretical parameters are available to practice the specific genre of dodecaphonic composition (inverse sequence, retrogrades, etc.).

Cantor:

The Cantor set starts with a segment (the complete range of available notes) and repetitively divides it, eliminating central segments. This creates a more or less detailed repetitive pattern depending on the chosen parameters.

Fibonacci:

The Fibonacci sequence is used to calculate note heights within a scale starting from a chosen note and modifying it according to selected Fibonacci numbers. Interval modulation allows staying within a playable range while exploring rhythmic and melodic patterns generated by the sequence.

Sierpinski:

The approach divides an octave into three equal parts (triads) and selects two for repetition, imitating how the Sierpinski Triangle is drawn by removing the central triangle and repeating the process on the remaining triangles. This divides the musical space according to the specified depth and plays notes based on this division, simulating the repetitive structure of the Sierpinski Triangle.

Mandelbrot:

The Mandelbrot set is one of the most famous fractal objects. Zazou maps this set into a musical representation to offer unique and varied sound structures. Since calculations are done in real-time, parameters can vary the melody's behavior infinitely.

Julia:

Like the Mandelbrot set, the Julia set offers fertile ground for musical experimentation, with opportunities to explore fractal complexity through sound. Julia sets are defined in the complex plane and produce complex fractal patterns. Here too, real-time calculations allow parameters to vary the melody's behavior infinitely.

System Functions

It is possible to choose a corresponding MIDI port for each track. Depending on your setup, you can use Zazou in polyphonic mode (same MIDI number), multitimbral mode (one port per channel), or multichannel mode (multiple synthesizers).

The quarter note duration (BPM) can be adjusted manually or automatically (clock signal, sequencer, etc.).

For all algorithms, you can choose the note duration proportionally to the quarter note value or match this duration to the incoming "gate" duration for each track. Thus, it is possible to play very dynamically with a variety of connected instruments as long as they provide a "gate" signal.

The velocity value can be selected within the range of 0V -> 5V or 0V -> 8V depending on your modular equipment.

Zazou operates across 10 octaves, in MIDI or CV (1V/oct) for modular use. However, it is possible to limit the number of octaves, either to accommodate synthesizers that poorly support very high notes or to limit the voltage in a modular environment.

Two settings allow adjustment of the overall pitch and fine interval between notes (only for modular use).

Saving

The internal SD card allows you to save, within its capacity limit, either track parameters (and load them for another track, for example), sequence parameters, or the entire composition.

Technical Specifications

18 HP

Depth: 32 mm

Power consumption:
+12 V 200 mA
–12 V 0 mA
+5 V 0 mA

Supplied with power cable and Knurlies.