ABYZOR VARIATIONS — User Guide

What is ABYZOR Variations?

ABYZOR Variations takes a source phrase (your “Original MIDI”) and produces either:

• Variations — multiple creative versions of the same idea (2, 4, 8, or 16 at a time), or
• Arrangement — layered parts (bassline, chords, arpeggio, counter melody) built from that idea.

You can generate a new source phrase inside the plugin, import an existing .mid file, preview results with built-in audio, favorite the ones you like, and drag MIDI straight into Ableton Live or any VST3-compatible DAW.

ABYZOR Genesis (sibling product) answers: “Generate a new MIDI idea.”
ABYZOR Variations answers: “What else can this idea become?”

What’s included in v2.1.0

Not in the v2.1.0 Windows installer: macOS (DMG / ZIP), Standalone .exe distribution.
Hidden from UI: The swing parameter exists for automation/presets but has no on-screen control.

System requirements

• OS: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)
• DAW: Any host with VST3 instrument support (e.g. Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper, Cubase)
• Internet: Required for online license activation (offline path available)
• Disk: ~50 MB for plugin + installer

Installation

Installer (recommended)

1. Close your DAW before installing.
2. Run ABYZOR-Variations-v2.1.0-Installer.exe.
3. On the folder page, select the VST3 plugins folder your DAW scans — typically: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
   You can also choose a custom folder (e.g. F:\Ableton\VSTS\VST3).
4. Finish the wizard. The installer copies the complete ABYZOR Variations.vst3 bundle (plugin binary + Resources/) to: …\VST3\ABYZOR Variations.vst3\
5. Open your DAW → Rescan plugins.
6. Load ABYZOR Variations as an Instrument (MIDI generator) — not as a MIDI FX.

Windows SmartScreen: Unsigned installers may show “Publisher unknown.” Click More info → Run anyway. This is expected until code signing is added.

VST3 only (advanced)

1. Close your DAW before installing.
2. Download ABYZOR-Variations-v2.1.0-windows-manual.zip from abyzor.space/variations.
3. Extract the zip, close your DAW, and copy the full ABYZOR Variations.vst3 folder (including Resources/) into C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ (or your DAW’s custom VST3 folder).
4. Open your DAW → Rescan plugins.
5. Load ABYZOR Variations as an Instrument — not as a MIDI FX.

The manual zip skips Windows SmartScreen — useful if the installer is blocked. Both downloads are the same v2.1.0 build. Always keep the full .vst3 folder with Resources/ — preview samples and timbres will not work if you copy only the inner binary.

Installing on macOS? See the dedicated macOS installation guide (DMG, ZIP, Gatekeeper, and licensing).

License activation

On first launch, a license overlay appears:

“Unlock generation, export and arrangement features.”

Online activation

1. Paste your full license key from your purchase email, success page, or after redeeming a KVR code at abyzor.space/redeem (one long base64 string).
2. Click ACTIVATE LICENSE.
3. An internet connection is required.

Offline activation

1. Click No internet? Activate offline.
2. Copy your Machine Code shown in the plugin.
3. On any device with internet, open https://abyzor.space/activate-offline/.
4. Submit your License Key + Machine Code.
5. Paste the Activation Token back into the plugin → ACTIVATE. The token is verified locally with Ed25519 cryptography.

After activation

Your license is saved locally on this computer in an encrypted cache. Updating from v2.0 to v2.1.0 does not require re-activation if the license file is intact.

Deactivate

SETTINGS (header) → Deactivate License on This Device…

Purchase & support

• PURCHASE LICENSE — opens the store
• KVR redemption: abyzor.space/redeem
• Support: https://abyzor.space/support

Quick start

Six-step workflow

1. Activate your license (see above).
2. Get an Original MIDI — import a .mid file, click GENERATE in Source Controls, or use DICE on the Original MIDI card (generates source + batch in one go).
3. Set SOURCE — Root Note, Scale, Length, Source Pattern; tune Source Controls (Density, Complexity, Octave Range).
4. Choose OUTPUT mode — Variations or Arrangement; set Type, Pattern (Variations only), amount, and intensity.
5. Generate — click the large reactor button (GENERATE VARIATIONS or GENERATE ARRANGEMENT). Preview each row with ▶.
6. Favorite (★), regenerate individual rows, and drag MIDI into your DAW.

Interface overview

The main window has three zones plus a header and a top workflow strip.

Header layout (left to right):

• Left: Type icon, TYPE, ▶ (play), LINK, METRO, WAVE (~)
• Right: Status, UPDATE, SETTINGS, CUBE, MENU

Click to expand

Header buttons

Top strip

Left panel (OUTPUT + Track Sound Controls)

The left column holds OUTPUT mode controls (TYPE, PATTERN, amount, reactor button) and, for each preview channel, Track Sound Controls — choose SYNTH, SAMPLE, or VST per row. See Per-channel preview sound.

Center list

Each row shows:

• Label: VARIATION 1 … VARIATION 16 (with style badge), or BASSLINE / CHORDS / ARPEGGIO / COUNTER in Arrangement mode
• Editable piano roll with playback cursor
• ▶ Preview this row
• ★ Favorite (kept when regenerating the batch)
• Regen Regenerate only this row
• Export Export this row’s MIDI
• Drag handle Drag .mid into your DAW

Right panel

SOURCE CONTROLS (beside Original MIDI): DENSITY, COMPLEXITY, OCTAVE RANGE — affect only source generation, not manual piano-roll edits.
VARIATION CONTROLS (right column): RHYTHM, HUMANIZATION, DENSITY, COMPLEXITY, VELOCITY, LOCK TO SCALE, OCTAVE RANGE — affect only variation mutations.
RANDOM — randomize variation knobs
DRAG ALL MIDIS — drag original + all generated rows at once

Preview audio & genre groove

ABYZOR Variations includes a genre-aware internal preview: each Type has timbres per role (Bassline, Melody, Chords, Arpeggio, Counter Melody) and an optional synthesized backing groove. Per-channel SYNTH, SAMPLE, or VST3 sources are documented in Per-channel preview sound. Use LINK to sync preview audio with your DAW transport. The groove is preview-only — it never appears in exported or dragged MIDI.

WAVE toggle (genre groove)

METRO and WAVE are independent: the metronome is a tempo reference; the groove adds genre rhythmic context. With LINK ON, preview BPM always follows the DAW regardless of WAVE state. You can also enable or disable genre groove from SETTINGS → Enable Genre Groove. Like the metronome, this setting is not saved in DAW presets (APVTS).

Type → preview profile (summary)

Export note: Dragged and exported MIDI files contain only the generated musical parts — zero drum or backing notes from the preview engine.

Per-channel preview sound

Each preview track (melody, bass, chords, arpeggio, counter melody, etc.) has an independent sound source in the left panel Track Sound Controls. No extra DAW track is required for auditioning VSTs or samples.

Sound modes

Loading a VST or sample

• Click BROWSE, click the green slot (“CLICK OR DROP”), or drag-and-drop a .vst3 bundle or audio file onto the slot.
• The header mode button cycles SYNTH → SAMPLE → VST.

When a VST is loaded

• OPEN — open the plugin’s editor window
• UNLOAD — remove the VST from this channel
• EQ ON/OFF + instrument type (Sub, Pad, Lead, etc.) — EQ is applied after the VST output, with per-channel filter state (no cross-channel artifacts)

Record on the same track: Combine per-channel VST preview with LINK to bounce or record audio directly on the ABYZOR Variations instrument track when the DAW transport plays.

LINK — DAW transport sync

Added in v2.1.0. LINK connects internal preview audio to your DAW’s transport so you can record or bounce loops on the same instrument track — no second track with an external synth required.

Preview audio includes the internal synth, loaded samples, per-channel VST3 plugins, and genre backing drums (when WAVE is on).

How LINK behaves

With LINK ON, preview BPM always follows your DAW — the Type’s genre BPM is ignored. When the DAW playhead leaves the loop region [start, end), preview goes silent (no stuck notes).

Recommended workflow

1. Load a VST3 or sample on the channel(s) you want to hear (left panel).
2. Enable LINK in the header (green when active).
3. Click ▶ on the original, variation, or arrangement row you want to record.
4. Press Play in your DAW and record or bounce audio on the ABYZOR Variations track.

Replaces Host Sync: The v2.0 Host Sync submenu (MIDI out to an external synth) was removed in v2.1.0. Use LINK for synced audio on the same track, or drag/export MIDI to another track.

Modes in depth

SOURCE vs VARIATION controls: SOURCE CONTROLS (density, complexity, octave range beside the Original MIDI) affect only source phrase generation. VARIATION CONTROLS (right panel) affect only variation mutations. Manual edits on the original piano roll are never altered by variation sliders — see Piano roll editing.

Variations mode

• Takes your Original MIDI and produces N alternatives (2, 4, 8, or 16).
• Each slot gets a style badge (RHYTHMIC, DENSE, etc.) describing the mutation character.
• Favorited rows (★) are preserved when you click the reactor or CUBE again — only non-favorited slots are regenerated.
• Use VARIATION INTENSITY to control how far variations drift from the source.
• PATTERN sets the musical role of variations (melody, bassline, chords, arpeggio) independently from SOURCE PATTERN — until you change Source Pattern, which syncs Pattern to match.

Arrangement mode

• Builds layers from one source phrase: BASSLINE, CHORDS, ARPEGGIO, COUNTER (counter melody).
• Toggle which parts to include under GENERATE. If all are off, Bassline is used as fallback.
• VARIATION INTENSITY mainly affects the counter melody layer in this mode.
• TYPE influences the musical character of all generated parts.

Variation badges

When generating variations, each slot is labeled with a badge (cycles for batches larger than 8):

Import and export MIDI

Import

What happens on import:

• Notes become your Original MIDI (drum channel 10 is excluded).
• Length adjusts to match clip content.
• Root Note and Scale are detected from the note content (MIDI key signature is used only as a tiebreaker when ambiguous).
• Octave range (source) updates to fit the clip.
• Existing variations are cleared; preview switches to Original.
• You can refine the clip immediately in the piano roll — draw, move, or delete notes before generating variations.

Export

All exports require a valid license.

Piano roll editing

Every row — Original MIDI and each variation or arrangement line — has an editable piano roll. Use it to fix imports, sketch ideas, or tweak generated output without leaving the plugin.

Actions

Rules

• Notes snap to the quarter-note grid.
• Two notes cannot overlap on the same pitch.
• Edits on the original roll are preserved when you change VARIATION CONTROLS — variation sliders only affect newly generated mutations, not manual source edits.

Tips and best practices

1. Load as Instrument — Route the MIDI output to a synth or sampler on the same or another track.
2. Start from your own loop — Import a .mid clip that represents your idea; Variations preserves musical identity better than random generation.
3. Use favorites as a shortlist — Star the best rows, then regenerate — only non-favorited slots change.
4. Split Source vs Pattern — Generate a melody as Source Pattern but set Pattern to Arpeggio for arpeggiated variations.
5. TYPE = Auto — Good starting point; switch to a specific genre when you want a stronger style bias. Changing Type updates harmonic policies, preview timbres, and backing groove together.
6. WAVE (genre groove) — Turn on to hear your Type in rhythmic context at genre BPM; turn off to evaluate against your DAW tempo.
7. LINK + VST per channel — Load a VST on a preview channel, enable LINK, select a row with ▶, then record from the DAW transport on the same instrument track.
8. Piano roll fixes — After import or generation, nudge notes directly in the roll instead of regenerating the whole batch.
9. LOCK TO SCALE — Leave on for club-ready material; turn off for experimental passes, then re-enable.
10. Focus mode (SLIDERS) — Use when comparing many variations on the piano rolls.
11. DICE — Fast inspiration: new source + full batch in one click.
12. CUBE — Explore random slider combinations without losing favorited variations.
13. After import — Verify ROOT NOTE and SCALE; override manually if your clip is ambiguous or very short.

Troubleshooting

Plugin does not appear in my DAW

• Confirm installation path matches your DAW’s VST3 scan folder.
• Run a full rescan of plugins.
• Load as Instrument, not MIDI FX.
• Restart the DAW after installing.

License prompt every launch

• Ensure antivirus, backup, or sync tools are not blocking the plugin from saving license data on this computer.
• Try Deactivate then activate again (SETTINGS → Deactivate License on This Device…).
• For offline activation, use the Machine Code shown on this computer.

“Could not save the license on this computer”

• Run the plugin from a normal Windows user account (not a restricted or portable profile).
• Try Deactivate then activate again.
• If it still fails, contact support with your license key and receipt.

Wrong root / scale after MIDI import

• Very short clips or unusual bass voicing can confuse detection — set ROOT NOTE and SCALE manually.
• Detection prioritizes note content; MIDI key signature is only used when multiple keys fit equally well.

Installer blocked by SmartScreen

• Click More info → Run anyway (unsigned installer).
• Download only from abyzor.space or official release channels.

Preview or VST sounds distorted (EQ on)

• Toggle EQ off and on, or UNLOAD and reload the VST on that channel.
• Ensure you installed the full ABYZOR Variations.vst3 bundle with Resources/.

Stuck notes or silence with LINK

• With LINK on, audio only plays inside the DAW loop region — adjust the loop brace.
• Stop DAW transport and toggle LINK off/on to reset preview state.

Preview sounds wrong or stops early

• Check DAW transport / plugin preview play button.
• With LINK on, preview only plays inside the DAW loop region — extend or move the loop brace if audio cuts out.
• Ensure LENGTH matches your material.
• Try toggling METRO if timing feels off.
• Check WAVE: with groove off, preview BPM follows your DAW — timing may differ from genre BPM.
• Change TYPE to match the style you expect — timbres and groove profile follow the Type.

No drums in exported MIDI

• Expected behaviour — the synthesized backing groove is internal preview only and is never written to exported or dragged MIDI files.

Clean reinstall (testing)

To test installation and activation from scratch:

1. Uninstall ABYZOR Variations via Windows Settings → Apps.
2. In the plugin: SETTINGS → Deactivate License on This Device… (optional but recommended before a clean reinstall).
3. Remove the entire ABYZOR Variations.vst3 folder (including Resources/) from your VST3 directory if it remains.
4. Reinstall v2.1.0 and activate again.

Links

© 2026 ABYZOR Audio · ABYZOR Variations v2.1.0
One Idea. Infinite Possibilities.