Cell Sampler: Cellular Automaton Sampler for Kontakt

Each generation follows three rules based on how many living neighbors a cell has. A cell dies if it has more than three neighbors, dies if it has fewer than two, and is reborn if it has exactly three. Playing a note starts a sequence of these generations, and living cells play their samples on each step. A cell only plays its sample if that sample is not already playing, which keeps overlapping triggers under control.

Because the rules are simple, the patterns can be predictable in structure but surprising in detail. Shaping the starting arrangement of living and dead cells is the main way to steer the output.

Use Learn to save the current arrangement of living and dead cells to a note. Play that note later to recall the pattern. With Add enabled, a mapping adds its living cells to the grid instead of overwriting it, which lets you layer patterns. Un-Learn removes a mapping.

Key Snap restricts played pitches to a scale when turned on. The grid can range from 1 to 16 cells on both axes. MIDI CC11 moves living cells side to side, and CC1 moves them up and down, so you can reshape patterns with a controller during a performance.