Nervous Squirrel — Conway's Game

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Conway's Game Manual PDF

Eurorack Song Creation Strategies With Conway's Game (Nervous Squirrel)

Conway's Game is a highly original pattern generator and MIDI-to-trigger utility, utilizing the mathematics of Conway’s Game of Life. Here’s how you can leverage this tool for creating full-length songs—not just loops!—using the module in combination with others in your system.

How Conway’s Game of Life Module Works, In Brief

• Pattern Generator: Generates 8x8 grids of living/dead cells on an LED array, influenced by the Game of Life rules.
• Trigger Matrix: Each of the 64 outputs corresponds to a cell, firing triggers or gates based on the simulation.
• MIDI Mode: Incoming MIDI notes (C2–E7) directly set output triggers, mapping music into modular voltage.
• Clock Control: Runs off internal 10 Hz clock or any external gate/LFO/audio signal for tempo.
• Reset, Mode, and Trigger/Gate switches: For resetting patterns, switching between GoL and MIDI, and output type.

Creating Song Structure: Patch Recipes & Workflow Strategies

1. Pattern Evolution as Arrangement

What to do:
Let the GoL simulation continuously evolve, generating new trigger/gate patterns as your “sequencer.”
How to advance sections:
- Use the RESET input/trigger to clear out and initialize new patterns—each reset can act as a song section change (verse, chorus, bridge). - Or, let the GoL pattern run until it naturally reaches a stable state or loop, and reset automatically (as module supports).

Patch example:
- Use the RESET from a footswitch, another sequencer, or a clock divider to force a “section change” at key moments in your song.

2. Controlling Drums & Percussion With Life Patterns

• Assign specific rows (or columns, or clusters) of outputs to drum voices.
• E.g. Row 1 = Kick, Row 2 = Snare, Row 3 = Hi-Hat, etc.
• Result: Patterns morph and evolve—beats constantly change, then stabilize.

For Song Development:
- Use the TRIG/GATE setting so that drums sound different as cells go on/off. - Combine this with manual or automated resets to provide breakdowns, fills, or drops.

3. Melodic and Bass Triggering

• Patch triggers from the GoL grid to quantizers, then to oscillators or pitch CV inputs.
• Use several outputs together with logic (AND/OR) modules or sequential switches to steer “melody” voices for different sections.
• The MIDI mode can map keys or MIDI sequences directly to the output grid, perfect for “scored” variations for specific song parts.

4. Song Section Cycling and Randomization

• Use the CLOCK IN to radically vary how quickly patterns change:
• Slow clock = long, evolving sections (ambient, generative music).
• Fast clock = glitchy, busy textures.
• Modulate the clock rate via LFO, envelope, or random source to create dynamic buildups, transitions, or drops.
• Combine slow pattern sections with abrupt RESETs or clock bursts to transform your song energy.

5. Routing for Song Complexity

• Combine outputs via logic modules to create even more intricate song structures (e.g., only fire a certain voice if two specific cells are alive at the same time).
• Use matrix mixers to vary how much each GoL output influences other module parameters, letting you "fade" between song sections or instrument groups.

6. Automation and Morphing

• Automate RESETs and mode switches with sequencers or gate automation (e.g., at the end of every 8-bar cycle, force a new GoL pattern, or switch to MIDI mode for a bridge).

7. Triggering FX and Modulation

• Use GoL outputs to trigger sample-and-hold, envelope generators, or effect sends—different sections can introduce new textures or modulation behaviors.

Practical Workflow Example

1. Intro: Start with a sparse initial pattern (manually initialize or use MIDI).
2. Main Section: Let GoL run, evolving triggers for drums and synth lines.
3. Buildup: Increase clock speed or introduce new voices/FX via GoL outputs.
4. Drop: Hit RESET at a key moment; let new, dense pattern take over.
5. Breakdown: Switch to MIDI mode for a hand-played or sequenced phrase.
6. Outro: Let GoL fade out naturally as cells die.

Songflow Tips

• Scene Management: Use a switch or analog matrix to reroute outputs for each “scene” or song part.
• Section Memory: Record CV or audio outputs as stems, then sequence in your DAW or live with a looper for full tracks.
• External Sync: Sync GoL’s clock input to your main sequencer or DAW clock so transitions happen in time with your whole setup.

Additional Inspiration

• Multimodal Morphing: Crossfade between GoL and MIDI modes during a song for dramatic composition changes.
• Controlled Randomness: Use GoL as an inspiration generator; resample stable patterns as regular “choruses” and evolving states as “verses” or “fills.”

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