Chord Loom allows you to create and play diatonic pad-based harmonic progressions on eight pads. It’s an interactive tool that can be used in a number of ways, including clicking the pads with a mouse or using your computer keyboard if you want to work more quicky. The tool automates the creation, voicings and playing back of chords.
The console panel let you choose your harmonic foundation first. From the dropdown list select a tonic key (C, E-flat are offered) and then decide on your scale type: is it going to be major or natural minor? This will establish the chords that appear. Next, change the chord thread according to how complex you want them. You can use simple triadic, more full-bodied seventh chords, or even extended ninth chords. They all instantly respell the eight pads to suit your chosen tonality. Each pad represent a scale degree and displays the specific notes contained within the chord’s voicing. It also includes a roman numeral analysis of the pad. It also shows the chord symbol and the notes in the chord voicing.
How to Use Chord Loom
You can click on the pad to play the chord and add it to the chord progression. The played chords show up as tokens in the ribbon section under the controls. This gives you a visual representation of the track that you’re playing so far and highlights which chord is being played next.
The voicing shape control will let you fine tune how every chord sound in your performance. Choose between first inversion, second inversion, open fifth for more space between chords, or close position for tighter voicings. This is applied to all pads at once so you can experiment with new textures in the same key. A master volume slider adjusts the total volume of everything in one go, no need to leave the widget.
When you’ve recorded your progression, hit the orbit button and it will then replay that progression for you automatically. It cycles through the chords at whatever tempo you choose. You can alter this with the BPM slider under the workshop section. Try toggling the “let chord tails ring” option to allow the chords to linger slightly longer. This keeps them playing for longer than the default length, adding a sustained feeling to the atmosphere.
Beneath the main console are some workshop tools that can enhance your performance. Here you have a selection of timbres. Filtered Reed creates a sound like a synthesizer. Velvet Organ provides a warm organ tone, and Tine Keys offers a classic electric piano sound. Stroke Order controls whether the notes are played together or to strum them upward or downward. Or you could strum them up or down! Each chord is made of many individual notes. The way these notes start and fade will depend on your choice here.
Anchor a tonic pedal to add depth to your progression. A low sine wave will play the root note of the key you have chosen under each chord when engaged. It provides a harmonic anchor against the moving chords being played above. The closest-voice magnet is another option. It optimizes the voice leading and adjusts the octave of the notes you are playing to ensure there are minimal changes in distance between the chords, making for smoother transitions.
You get real-time feedback for your harmonic decisions. While you’re working, real-time information is provided via the interface itself. Insight meters show the total movement of voices between chords and how often certain pitches occur. In turn, this assists in understanding how the progressions are related theoreticaly. Cadence cards provide instant presets of popular musical moves. With one click you can thread a turnaround, lay out a four-chord axis, or weave a homecoming. Templates honor your existing voicings and key settings.
To operate, don’t reach for that mouse, use the keyboard shortcuts instead. A through K will play the eight pads in sequence from left to right. To play back an orbit, hit O. For the tonic pedal, it’s P. To clear the previous chord from your ribbon, just hit Backspace. And if you’d rather not use Space or Enter to hit the pads, you can hit those keys too. This way you can quickly experiment with progressions.
Once you have got some chords in, experiment with other extensions and modes for example. Or hold the chord and change from say C major to C minor. Listen to how this shifts the tonality. If you do something wrong just hit the undo button and back out a chord at a time. Clear the whole thing and begin again, or in another key. Your instrument settings are kept, but the widget will reset your progression.
If you’re not sure about some of it, hit the help button for more detailed instructions. The panel includes everything from keyboard mapping to mouse control and even some theory notes too. You get an explanation of both the magnet and pedal functionality in full. You can expand or collapse sections as you like to keep the interface neat. You can also use fullscreen mode if you want to concentrate on just the instrument.
It’s a tool intended for both creation and exploration. It is a tool where instead of having to write it down, you can concentrate on the progression of harmonies. Begin with just a simple triad progression, then build in additional complexities. Vary the voicings and the sounds until you achieve the correct feel for your concept. You have all the tools required to try things out quickly and recieve immediate sound feedback. How much creativity can be applied? As much as you have a desire to know.
Run with the presets and tweak from there to your liking. Build on your sequence with visual cues that will help you follow what’s going on. Your changes in the interface are immediately reflected in the audio engine without breaking the flow. Enjoy experimenting with every element and see how each one works with the others. Choose a key, hit the pad and start playing. Notice the way that the voicing colours the chord. Layer with other pads to develop a story or loop them together. Change the sound and adjust the tempo until it’s just right. The interface is easy to discover by playing, yet it has enough detail for deeper exploration. Let the sounds direct you onward.