Chord Memorizer Objects

A chord memorizer maps individual notes to chords. You can assign one chord to each pitch class (to C, C#, D, and so on).

The octave of the incoming note determines the octave of the resulting chord. A chord can have 0–12 notes in it. (Zero and one-note chords can be useful for creating scale-filters and scale-correctors).

The easiest way to use a chord memorizer is to connect its output to the instrument that you want to play the chords through, and assign it to an arrange track. You can, of course, place it anywhere else in the MIDI signal path.

To create a new chord memorizer

Choose New > Chord Memorizer from the local Environment menu (or use the New Chord Memorizer key command).

Figure. Chord memorizer object and its parameter box.

The Chord Memorizer Parameter Box

You can set the following parameters in a chord memorizer’s Object Parameter box:

Channel field: All chord notes are sent to the defined channel.
Key Limit field: Notes within this range are mapped to chords. Notes outside the range are passed through unaltered.
Transposition pop-up menu: The output chords are transposed by the amount set here. For example, if you map C to a chord consisting of CEG, and set Transposition to 1, then C is mapped to C#FG#.
Key field: The entire chord map is transposed by the amount set here. For example, if you map C to CEG, and set Key to 1, then C# is mapped to C#FG#.
Cable Split checkbox: Select to send all notes triggered by a chord assignment to different chord memorizer object outputs (different cables).

Working in the Chord Memorizer Window

Double-clicking a chord memorizer opens the Chord Memorizer window, where you can set up chord definitions.

The top keyboard is used to input and display the incoming note, and the lower keyboard is used to input and display the assigned chords. Notes can be entered with the mouse, or a MIDI keyboard.

Remember to only use notes that fall within the key limit range on the top keyboard. Also remember that you can only define one chord for each of the 12 pitch classes (C, C#, D, and so on). If necessary, you can use more than one chord memorizer object to define more chord types for each pitch class.

To enter chords with the mouse

Click the input note on the top keyboard.
All notes in the associated chord are inverted on the bottom keyboard.
Click notes on the bottom keyboard until the inverted notes of the desired chord are shown.
You don’t need to stay within the same octave as the input note.
When you’ve entered the notes for your chord, select another input note (on the top keyboard), or close the Chord Memorizer window.

To enter chords from your MIDI keyboard

Play the input note.
Select the Listen checkbox in the Chord Memorizer window.
The lower keyboard is inverted, indicating its readiness to record.
Play the notes of the desired chord.
You can play them one at a time, or as a chord. If you make a mistake, deselect the Listen checkbox, then select it again to start over.
When you’ve entered the notes for your chord, deselect the Listen checkbox and play a new input note, or close the Chord Memorizer window.