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Some 4Pockets MidiStep questions
Just purchased 4Pockets MidiStep and am using as Auv3 within Loopy Pro. I have familiarized myself with it and read relevant parts of the manual and have some questions:
I'm adding chords manually using the UI, not an external keyboard/tool. Is there a way to quickly add basic chords? I've figured out how to add chords with many, many clicks (ie: use multiple different pull down menus to: select a key, select a scale, select a note, then select a chord), but I'm wondering if there's an easier way...ie: just enter this text "C#m" versus all these clicks?
My goal is to build up a few Patterns, each with about 4 to 6 chords. The issue I'm running into is this: I create pattern 1 in a certain key and scale bc that's the only way I seem to be able to select certain notes/chords for that pattern. Pattern 2 requires some notes/chords not showing up in the selected key/scale, so I have to change the key in order to be able to select those notes/chords, but when I change the key while setting up pattern 2, it appears to also globally affect pattern 1. I'm sure it's just my ignorance, but (back to Q 1, above), is there a way to just set up arbitrary basic chords in multiple patterns without doing all this? If not, what's the recommended way to enter notes/chords in pattern 2 without affecting pattern 1?
Once I have patterns created, how can I see the list of chords in that pattern...the only way I can figure out to do so now is to do so one-by-one by looking at the Key/root note, then selecting a specific chord column which shows the keyboard notes that are part of that chord...but can't find anywhere to a) just see the name of the chord in that step and (b) quickly see the list of chords currently set up in the multiple steps of the chord editor/pattern
Thanks for any guidance
Comments
If you're going to be entering chords note by note, then why not select the chromatic scale? Then you can just tap the number of the step (not the chord button) and enter the notes on the chord editor keyboard.
You can see which steps have chords by the chord button highlight. The notes of the chord on the chord editor show on the chord editor when you tap the number of the step. You won't see the name of the chord, but you seem to know the notes that make up the chords.
I don't think MidiStep is a great choice as sequencer if you're focused on chords. It's more of a note sequencer that can also do chords than a chord sequencer that can also do notes.
Okay, thanks @wim. What do you think are some good options for what I want to do, esp ones that would allow easy chord entry and creating groups of chords?
Thanks
I'm not saying you should switch from MidiStep, just that if you want to be focused on chords, chord names, etc, then maybe MidiStep doesn't have the same focus as a chord based app.
I think others have made suggestions along that line already. I have some of the apps, but I don't use them much so I'm not a great one to ask. ChordPolyPad, Tonality, ChordBud 2 ... I would use ChordBud 2 myself, but you've had some frustration with StepBud, so maybe that's not a good choice.
Okay thanks, but I'm confused.
A step sequencer is required to control how the chords are sent to downstream apps (ie: MIDI Strummer and synths)...ie: which chord should be played, when, and for how long.
My understanding is that apps like ChordPolyPad require external sequencers to play sequences.
Do the other ones you mention not require that?
Again, just looking to set up some 3 to 5 chord groupings of chords that accompany my song parts.
Thanks
ChordBud 2 can sequence chords and can contain multiple chord patterns. I don't know about the others. Like I say ... I'm not a good one to ask. My previous mention of StepBud didn't work out either so ... 🤷🏼♂️
@wim, ChordBud does seem to check all the boxes, but a bit hesitant to assume it would work.
I guess from a functional standpoint, the question comes down to understanding what one would be missing/not able to do with just ChordBud vs using ChordBud and a step sequencer in tandem
You better hope Loopy 2.0 comes out before you deplete your life savings on chord apps. 😂
haha, yup!
To answer your question. I can't think of any advantage to sequencing chords in Chordbud 2 vs. sending them straight from the app. Doesn't mean there isn't any, just that none comes to my mind.
I don't think you can edit the individual notes of chords in ChordBud 2. All the inversions and add/altered forms are there by name though.
I just had a play setting up a song in ChordBud 2. It's a bit fiddly resizing the length of chords and rearranging them due to the UI, but I found it workable. ymmv.
The only thing is, I don't see a way to see exactly what notes are being output within the app and to manipulate them directly.
Thanks for checking that out, @wim . The fiddly resizing may be a concern, dunno, but in terms of seeing exactly what notes, I'm less concerned about that at this point and more concerned about seeing the chord names.
I really am talking about basic chords here so nothing fancy and I'd much prefer ease of entry/selection/view (ie: Dm - C# - Amaj - Bm7) than I am worried about exactly what's being sent. Assuming I can hear what's sent through a midi instrument and then adjust the chord using inversions if I so choose, is that right?
Thanks
@danm you should also consider Just Chords
Yes, that's all correct. It's really fast and direct to enter chords, extensions, and inversions, and to transpose. The resizing and moving isn't all that bad really - just takes a little getting used to.
I would agree with @wim above about MidiStep and chords. It would not be my first choice if I'm going to be doing a lot of arranging work with the chords. That said, here's some information about getting chord driven information into MidStep:
(1) You can use the step-record feature to enter chords manually, but there is a caveat because MidiStep will use the first received note as the root of the chord, so if you use something that sends a chord via app or MIDI device, you must make sure there is a short delay between the root note and the rest of the notes. This means you can't directly step-record inverted chords, as far as I know.
(2) The Pattern Creator feature can be used to input up to 8 chords in a single pattern, and when choosing the chords, you can select by name and roman numeral (see below). Once the chords are in place, however, you will only be able to see the notes, no chord names, however the Pattern Creator will retain the last selected chords until it is changed or reset. (see pic below)
Of course you can use the Chord List to manually select the chord quality you wish to apply at a given step in the Chord Editor (Maj, Min, m6, etc.), for example at steps 1, 5, 9 (4 steps per chord), and then use the slider to set the root of the note, but this is probably not going to feel very natural vs. a typical chord sequencer. Where MidiStep is stronger is in the area of taking a root note and then generating a random chord based on that or bringing in additional note extensions if given two notes of a possible chord (root and one other), or even using a random note generated in the notes row at the top as a root note for a chord and then filling in random stuff below to fill out the chord, or even triggering a chord (or not triggering), randomly.
Where I find it handy is if I have an existing chord progression, probably one that I generated using the Pattern Generator, and then throwing various randomizations and disruptions at it using the randomization of the notes, the chord/scale tones, and using articulations like strum up or down or arp up or down, and then changing octaves, delay, and stuff like that. So basically, I frequently use it like a playground for a existing chord progressions and taking them on twists and turns, but if you're trying to follow well-established chord progressions and work from an arranger's point of view, that would be difficult.
Lastly, regarding this question:
"so I have to change the key in order to be able to select those notes/chords, but when I change the key while setting up pattern 2, it appears to also globally affect pattern 1."
It's possible to set a key and octave per pattern. To change key per pattern swipe down on the Key selection box and use "Pattern Key Change" to change the key for that specific pattern only. It will then show the value up relative to the key of the first pattern. For example, if pattern 1 is D, and pattern 2 is set to C# in that manner, it will show "D-1" in the box when pattern 2 is selected.
Pic for item (2) above. I've manually selected the chords and then told pattern generator how many chord tones to include in each chord, 3 in this case, and 4 steps per chord. The various knobs will determine how many times the chords repeat, if there are rests between chords, etc. You can also let MidiStep choose a standard progression, custom (as shown here), or randomly select chords from the key.
In case you miss my response in the other thread you started
https://forum.loopypro.com/discussion/comment/1398471#Comment_1398471
PS I concur with EdZAB MidiSteps is not the app for chordal arrangement.
Thanks @EdZAB and @audiblevideo, appreciate your responses, very helpful
Thanks @wim. Trying out ChordBud 2 now and at least for the most basic aspects of my use cases, it's working quite well to this point, so at least a good foundation to build off of. Thanks very much!
I think I may be using Chordbud more now too. I had sort of forgotten about it. It’s pretty handy for composing.