If you followed the first part of this tutorial, where we introduced our new arpeggiator called reChord, you probably want to learn more about its capabilities and features. We dedicated the first part of the tutorial to MIDI connection and explaining the main parameters, but this part 2 will be an introduction to more complex reChord functions.
In the final section of this tutorial, I created a brief synthesizer sequence using the reChord “Converge” arp style.
~reChord Arp Style – Converge
Introduction to More reChord Functions
Let us start this part of the tutorial by going through the velocity section, which you can find at the top right part of the reChord interface. There is a set of buttons and parameters associated with this section. Firstly, we have the “Velocity” button, which enables/disables the velocity feature.
When you enable the velocity feature, a linear progression is created in the velocity of the output notes. The velocity of each note from the input gradually approaches the Target value following the linear progression you set using the Decay parameter.
The “Retrigger” button applies the instantaneous Retrigger settings to the Velocity feature. The “Decay” parameter sets the millisecond time it takes to reach the Target from the input velocity of the MIDI notes. The “Target” parameter specifies the velocity value to be attained in the decay time.
There are many more interesting arp styles that you can explore. I’ll list a few of the ones I find most inspiring here. Below, I’ll provide an image for the output of each of these styles so you can see how they differ more clearly.
~reChord Arp Sequence – Pinky Up Arp Style
~reChord Arp Sequence – Up&Down Arp Style
~reChord Arp Sequence – Chord Trigger Arp Style
reChord’s Middle Row Section
In continuation, we will give a brief introduction to another set of reChord parameters. The first option is the “Shift” function. It is a helpful feature that determines how many steps the arpeggiator sequence shifts. For instance, if you want to change the beginning note of your arp output sequence, you can use this feature without editing the actual MIDI input block in the sequencer.
The “Swing” function can be used when you want to change the groove of your sequence. It may also be interesting to automate its value and use it as a transition in your track’s arrangement.
Lastly, this row contains the “Distance” parameter, which controls how many semitones you’d like to transpose the notes after every repetition set by the “Repetitions” parameter.
~reChord Arp Sequence – Swing Amount Automation
The Retrigger Section
We can see another set of parameters in the retrigger section. There are three buttons on the left side. When you select the “Off” button, the arpeggiated sequence does not retrigger. The “Beat” button makes the arpeggiated sequence retrigger at intervals determined by the “Beat Rate” parameter.
When you select the “Note” Button, the arpeggiated sequence will retrigger on each new note received. Following that, the “Beat Rate” parameter determines the interval at which the arpeggiated sequence retriggers. The “Beat” button enables this parameter. Lastly, this section contains the “Repeats” parameter, which determines how often the arpeggiator sequence will repeat before it stops entirely.
In conclusion, here’s an example of a creative instrumental you can make with the reChord: Arpeggiator.
If you liked this article about music composition, here is some more on the same subject:
- The World of Scales, Intervals, The Circle of Fifths, and Diatonic Chords
- The Importance of Articulation
- Arpeggiator 101: Arp Basics and How to Use Them
- The Importance of Articulation
