Choroboros: Vision & Technical Whitepaper
A chorus that eats its own tail — Five colors, ten algorithms
Kaizen Strategic AI Inc. (DBA: Kaizen DSP) · British Columbia, Canada
Version 2.01-beta | 2026
Executive Summary
Choroboros is a commercial, multi-engine chorus plugin that reimagines modulation effects through a unified architecture of five distinct sonic characters and ten interpolation algorithms. Built on the principle that chorus is not a single effect but a family of related phenomena—from vintage BBD warmth to experimental 2D phase warping—Choroboros offers producers a single instrument that spans the full spectrum of chorus expression.
This document outlines the vision, technical architecture, design philosophy, and roadmap for Choroboros and the broader Kaizen DSP ecosystem.
1. Vision & Mission
Vision
To create the definitive chorus plugin—one that honors the history of the effect while extending its possibilities into uncharted territory.
Chorus has been a staple of production since the 1970s. From the Roland CE-1 and Dimension D to modern digital implementations, each era has contributed a distinct character. Yet most plugins force a choice: vintage or modern, clean or colored, safe or experimental. Choroboros rejects that tradeoff. By architecting five independent engines—each with two algorithm variants—we provide a single plugin that can move seamlessly from classic studio warmth to psychedelic 2D modulation without compromise.
Mission
- Depth over breadth: Ten carefully designed algorithms, not hundreds of presets masquerading as engines
- Transparency and character: Each engine has a clear sonic identity; users choose by ear, not by menu
- Community-driven development: Source available on GitHub during beta; contributors help shape the product before commercial release
- Pro-grade quality: Sample-accurate modulation, zero heap allocation in the audio path, support up to 192 kHz
2. The Ouroboros Metaphor
The name Choroboros fuses chorus with ouroboros—the ancient symbol of a serpent eating its own tail, representing cycles, renewal, and self-reference.
- Cycles: Chorus is inherently cyclical—an LFO modulates delay time, creating periodic pitch and phase variation. The effect feeds back on itself conceptually: the delayed signal is the source of the modulation's perception.
- Renewal: Each engine "renews" the chorus concept through a different lens—classic, modern, vintage, experimental, linear. The same parameters (rate, depth, width) produce radically different results.
- Self-reference: The Orbit algorithm (Purple HQ) introduces 2D modulation—a chorus that modulates in a plane rather than a line. The effect becomes self-referential: modulation of modulation.
3. The Five Engines & Ten Algorithms
| Engine | Normal (NQ) | HQ |
|---|---|---|
| Green (Classic) | 3rd-order Lagrange | 5th-order Lagrange |
| Blue (Modern) | Cubic interpolation | Thiran allpass |
| Red (Vintage) | BBD emulation | Tape-style chorus |
| Purple (Experimental) | Phase-warped | Orbit (2D modulation) |
| Black (Linear) | Linear interpolation | Linear Ensemble |
Green — Classic: Smooth, musical, the "reference" chorus. Lagrange interpolation provides high-quality resampling with minimal artifacts.
Blue — Modern: Clean and transparent. Ideal for subtle widening and contemporary mixes.
Red — Vintage: Analog character through emulation. For warmth, grit, and "that" sound.
Purple — Experimental: Non-standard modulation. For sound design and creative effects.
Black — Linear: Transparent and CPU-efficient. For when you need chorus without character—or maximum performance.
4. Technical Architecture
Choroboros uses a swappable ChorusCore interface. Each algorithm implements prepare, reset, processDelay, and guard/max-delay queries. The main DSP owns LFO generation, parameter smoothing, and shared buffers. Engine switching uses a crossfade to avoid clicks.
Platform: VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone · JUCE 8.x · macOS (Intel + Apple Silicon). Windows planned before launch. Source on GitHub during beta.
5. Development Model
During beta, source code is available on GitHub. This enables community contribution, transparency, and iteration before commercial release. When the commercial version ships, the repository will be archived; the commercial product will be closed source.
6. Roadmap & Future Vision
Near-term: Engine tuning, UI polish, asset optimization, Windows/Linux builds, documentation.
Medium-term: Preset system, MIDI learn, ARA support, expanded regression tests.
Long-term: Choroboros is the first product in the Kaizen DSP ecosystem. Future effects—modulation family, delay, reverb—will share design philosophy and technical rigor.
7. Conclusion
Choroboros is more than a chorus plugin. It is a statement: that effects can be deep and focused, and that the best tools emerge from clear vision and iterative refinement—with community input during development.
A chorus that eats its own tail—cyclical, self-referential, and endlessly renewable. We invite you to use it during beta, contribute if you wish, and help shape the commercial release.