Anyone use "Chord Track" yet? Results? Thoughts?

[teknatronik]

I have used it a lot and think its great.... few issues I dont like ex: after the last chord is drawn in the notes dont stop playing.... I have not figured out how to take the chords notes and use them on the midi path. Right now I just leave chord track in.

[Marcus909]

Originally Posted by teknatronik

I have not figured out how to take the chords notes and use them on the midi path. Right now I just leave chord track in.

I think you just drag n drop them onto the midi/instrument track.

[teknatronik]

Originally Posted by Marcus909

I think you just drag n drop them onto the midi/instrument track.

it probably would be that simple, lol

[JLiRD808]

I heard u can sync the media bay to chord track also, and listen to the many MIDI samples/loops synced to ur chord progression.

[shatrix]

I tried the Chord track a few times. Honestly, I had better ideas that it has. The chord assitant just gives you chords options, but they dont actually "fit" the ones before them.
I wondering if :
1. Is there a way to add 2 or more chord tracks ? (cause it tell me that I can only insert 1 chord track.
2. Can the chord assistant just suggest chords after I edited some chords on the piano roll / midi editor ?

Also, its a good idea to just use one chord - and send it to the kick channel ! your kicks will be key into your chord track ! Did it by mistake but it sounded great actually !

[Bassniac]

The Chord track will not allow any combinations of chords. I use it to create playbacks for my bass lessons. Especially in Jazz Progressions it sometimes wont let you create the chords you want to, cause it is too smart. Furthermore it irritates me that you cannot choose wether a chord is a # or a b Chord. It all somehow depends on the selected scale, even if the Chords are offscale.

I want some more liberty in naming my chords and a little less "smartness".
Despite that I love the chord track and for me it was the main feature to convince me to buy C7.

[cosmob83]

I'm bit let down by the chord track as well. It seems to only suggest chords based on cadence or chords sharing same tones, rather than for example using progressions fives or thirds. Also it looks like that I can't choose a scale, and then it would offer me chords based only on that scale. Also when you "type in" you're chords with midi keyboard, it changes randomly how it sees the chord, for example if the chord is Am7 or Am/G (even though you have A on the bass). So I can't really find any other use for it (ATM), than just typing my chord progression on the main arrangment page.

Also if I write let's say short 2 bar melody in Am, and then put that track to follow the chord track. I don't really understand the way it chooses the pitches it uses. Very random to me. But I might just not understand it. So I'm not that impressed by it.

[frenzy]

Originally Posted by JLiRD808

anyone using it with success yet? Is it all its cracked up to be or is it just some ineffective fluff?

Selecting the chords still needs to improve, but the possibilities with the Chord Track are fantastic!

Basically you can setup the chord progression (and hopefully pre-load it in the future), drag drop some drums, then let the chord track modify ALL the MIDI AND monophonic audio tracks (bass guitar, picking guitars, vocals, background voices etc). Import midi-instruments, audio and REX-files(?) from the MediaBay and make a basic song mockup in minutes. Best of all the chords can be changed and the whole harmonic background follows. I tried it and it sounded way better that I thought it would. Not Sound Canvas at all. :-)

But, for me as a songwriter the most rewarding thing is the way the Chord Track changes my Guide vocal melodies, adding tension notes a great singer can sing with ease but I normally wouldn't sing. Gave me goosebumps allover. Of course the melodies needed tweaking but the basic changes was very rewarding. And it can suggest backing harmonics as well.

I'd say it's the coolest feature added in Cubase since the invention of the VST plugin.

Give it some time and it will be even better. If I'm not misinformed Steinberg took over the Sibelius office in London when Avid ditched them last summer. Those people most likely can make the Chord Track even better.

C7 is very impressive and way ahead of the competition me thinks.


Cheers
Fred

Sound On Sound contributor

[JLiRD808]

^ Thanks!

I struggle with creating changes and bridges in lots of my new songs. I can come up with decent progressions, but keep doing the same old tired changes :( I took a theory class years ago, and have a couple of books, but I'm looking for something new and inspiring!!!

Does or will Chord Track really make decent SUGGESTIONS, like it advertises?

THANKS!!

[frenzy]

Originally Posted by JLiRD808

I struggle with creating changes and bridges in lots of my new songs. I can come up with decent progressions, but keep doing the same old tired changes :( I took a theory class years ago, and have a couple of books, but I'm looking for something new and inspiring!!!

Does or will Chord Track really make decent SUGGESTIONS, like it advertises?

In my opinion YES! :D

The interface can be improved, but my experience so far is very positive.

It's really just math isn't it. ;-)


Cheers
Fred

Sound On Sound contributor

[thehightenor]

Try sticking a few chord progressions into it from the Fake Book, pick a few decent be-bop standards.

It's great for teaching you how to blow over changes - heck it even suggests the right scale to play.

It's a fun tool for a whole bunch of stuff at many skill levels.

[lezouave]

Originally Posted by Bassniac

The Chord track will not allow any combinations of chords. I use it to create playbacks for my bass lessons. Especially in Jazz Progressions it sometimes wont let you create the chords you want to, cause it is too smart. Furthermore it irritates me that you cannot choose wether a chord is a # or a b Chord. It all somehow depends on the selected scale, even if the Chords are offscale.

I want some more liberty in naming my chords and a little less "smartness".
Despite that I love the chord track and for me it was the main feature to convince me to buy C7.

You can rename chords in Score edit. Use "Show Chord Track" and then edit away.

Edits show in the Project window.