Snorkel review
A €59 generative instrument for composing patterns and sending MIDI to host instruments.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Snorkel is a generative software instrument for musicians and producers who want to create and shape musical material. Its modules cover patterns, arpeggios, chords, melodies, drums, synthesis, and sequencing. Randomize and mutate controls generate or adjust ideas, while editable parts let musicians refine the results. The 16-step sequencer can combine modules into arrangements, and generated notes can be sent as MIDI to instruments in a compatible host. It is aimed at solo musicians and small teams seeking a composing tool rather than an AI instrument generator.
The main draw is the range of connected generation tools. An arpeggiator offers note-order, rhythm, velocity, and range controls; the chord generator includes a gater; and melody generation works over a song's chords with per-bar locks. Step modulation applies to patterns, arpeggios, chords, and the synth. The built-in synthesizer adds oscillators, filters, LFOs, envelopes, and effects, so Snorkel can produce sounds as well as MIDI notes for external instruments. This breadth makes it more suitable for shaping arrangements than for buyers who only need a dedicated synth or a single-purpose MIDI generator.
According to the vendor's pricing page, Snorkel costs €59 as a one-time purchase, with no free plan. The listed plan provides VST3 and AU for Windows and macOS; the product is also described as available on iPad and as a standalone application for Windows and macOS. That mix suits musicians working in compatible desktop hosts, while those needing confirmed AI generation should choose another product: Snorkel's described approach is randomization and mutation, not AI. Buyers should also check that their host supports the available plugin format before purchasing.
Snorkel pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Combines 16-step patterns, arpeggios, chords, melodies, and drums.
- Built-in synth includes oscillators, filters, modulation, envelopes, and effects.
- Sends generated notes as MIDI to instruments in a compatible host.
- Where it doesn't
- Not an AI product, so it may not suit buyers seeking AI generation.
- The €59 price is a one-time purchase with no free plan.
- Plugin formats are VST3 and AU; AUv3 is listed for category compatibility.
Snorkel fact sheet, pricing and score →
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