# Locus — Generative MIDI sequencer

> Generative MIDI sequencer for creating evolving melodic motifs and musical ideas. (iPhone/iPad app by Joe Topjian.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/locus/id6785296998 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Joe Topjian](https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 17.6 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-08-08
- Data updated: 2026-09-05
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/locus/id6785296998/reviews.md

## What is Locus?

Locus is a generative MIDI sequencer that creates evolving melodic motifs and sends them to your favorite synths. Designed for techno, ambient, IDM, and experimental electronic music, it turns a single seed into fresh musical ideas across thirteen generative archetypes, from acid-style grooves and cascading arpeggios to sparse fractals and interlocking pulses.

Use Locus as a standalone app or as an AUv3 MIDI effect inside hosts like AUM, Logic, Cubasis, and Drambo. Every generated pattern plays in sync with your host and routes over MIDI to any instrument you choose.

GENERATION

Press CREATE and Locus composes a new motif from the current archetype, rooted in your chosen key and scale. Each archetype has its own rhythmic and melodic character: Groove, Cascade, Arc, Wander, Call & Answer, Chaos, Pulse, Even Pulse, Sparse Fractal, Interlock, Cluster, Puncture, and Thump. Generation is seed-derived, so the same settings always reproduce the same pattern.

EVOLVE

Push EVOLVE to generate controlled variations of the current motif. Keep what works, mutate what doesn't. Rhythm and pitch shift in musically coherent ways without losing the pattern's identity.

FEEL

Shape the musical foundation with Root, Scale, Timing, Steps, Octave range, Swing, Dynamics, and Density. 25 scales keep everything in key. Raise density to fill the grid or thin it out for space.

EDIT & SLIDE

Engage Pattern Lock to edit the authored pattern directly: rotate, move, and transpose notes, or undo and redo. The SLIDE knob adds per-note slides with 303-style legato, gliding between pitches for classic acid phrasing. Slides even carry across density-thinned notes.

SCENES

Capture complete musical setups in sixteen scene slots and chain them into full arrangements. Each scene remembers its pattern, archetype, feel settings, and slide amount.

STANDALONE & AUV3

Use Locus as a standalone app or as an AUv3 MIDI effect. It runs in AUv3 hosts such as AUM, Logic, Cubasis, and Drambo, following host transport and clock.

KEY FEATURES

• Generative MIDI sequencer for melodic ideas
• 13 archetypes: Groove, Cascade, Arc, Wander, Call & Answer, Chaos, Pulse, Even Pulse, Sparse Fractal, Interlock, Cluster, Puncture, Thump
• Seed-derived generation, reproducible from your settings
• Evolve, Feel, and Edit scopes for total musical control
• Per-note slides with 303-style legato
• 25 scales with snap-to-scale pitch
• Swing, dynamics, and density shaping
• Pattern Lock with rotate, move, transpose, undo/redo
• 16 scenes with chain editor for full arrangements
• AUv3 MIDI effect + standalone app
• Host sync and MIDI routing to any instrument

MANUAL & TUTORIALS

• See the "Help" page in the app for the full manual and tutorials
• Alternatively, visit https://terrarum.net/locus.html to read them online

## Key features

- Generative MIDI sequencing
- 13 unique generative archetypes
- Seed-derived, reproducible patterns
- Evolve, Feel, and Edit controls
- Per-note slides with 303-style legato
- 25 scales and snap-to-scale pitch
- Standalone and AUv3 MIDI effect


## Frequently asked questions about Locus

### What kind of music is Locus best suited for?

Locus is designed for techno, ambient, IDM, and experimental electronic music. Its generative archetypes can create a wide range of melodic patterns suitable for these genres.

### Can Locus be used with other music apps?

Yes, Locus can be used as a standalone app or as an AUv3 MIDI effect within hosts like AUM, Logic, Cubasis, and Drambo. It syncs with host transport and clock.

### How does Locus generate new musical ideas?

Locus uses thirteen generative archetypes to create melodic motifs based on a chosen seed, key, and scale. Pressing 'CREATE' generates a new motif, and 'EVOLVE' allows for controlled variations.

### What editing features does Locus offer?

Locus allows direct editing of generated patterns with Pattern Lock, enabling rotation, movement, and transposition of notes. It also features per-note slides for classic acid phrasing.

### How much does Locus cost?

Locus is a paid application priced at $3.99. There are no in-app purchases or subscriptions mentioned.

### Does Locus have ads?

No, Locus does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application that is ad-free.

### What devices does Locus support?

Locus is available for iPhone and iPad. It requires iOS 4+ and is compatible with devices supporting AUv3 MIDI effects.

### How often is Locus updated?

The latest version, 1.1.0, was released on August 17, 2026, indicating recent development activity. Users can find the full manual and tutorials within the app's 'Help' page.

## Version history (last 3 releases)

### 1.2.0 — 2026-09-03

Locus 1.2.0 has the following improvements:
- Added Periodic Evolve: automatically mutates your pattern at exact musical intervals

### 1.1.0 — 2026-08-17

Locus 1.1.0 has the following improvements:
- Improved AUv3 interface for iPhone devices

### 1.0 — 2026-08-08

No release notes.

## More apps by Joe Topjian

- [GridStep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gridstep/id6756443258)
- [Lattice](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lattice/id6756826552)
- [Rivet 01 - Console](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-01-console/id6758555219)
- [Rivet 02 - Room](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-02-room/id6758566292)
- [Rivet 04 - Comb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-04-comb/id6758967505)
- [Rivet 03 - Verb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rivet-03-verb/id6758967715)

All apps by Joe Topjian: https://appshunter.io/developer/1860697112

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-05.*
