$Page Expressive Chords
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*Welcome to Expressive Chords by Ableton*

*Expressive Chords* is a Max for Live device that lets you play chords with a single MIDI note. 

Each preset contains a curated selection of pre-loaded chords that can be triggered via MIDI starting from the note C1. 

When using an MPE controller like Push, MPE modulation will be passed through to all the voices of a chord.

*Lessons Contents*

-> $Link Overview <GotoPage:Overview>
-> $Link Main Parameters <GotoPage:Main Parameters>
-> $Link Modulation <GotoPage:Modulation>
-> $Link Importing Chord Sets <GotoPage:Importing Chord Sets>
-> $Link Editing Articulations <GotoPage:Editing Articulations>
-> $Link Learn View <GotoPage:Learn View>


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*Credits*

-> Marco Tonni (Concept / UX / Project Management)
-> Jesse Terry (Concept)
-> Manav Khadkiwala (UI / UX Design)
-> Mattijs Kneppers (Implementation)


*Chord Sets and MIDI Files*

-> $Link Render Audio <http://www.renderaudio.com>
-> Andrew Bruce
-> Ableton

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More Packs available here:
$Link www.ableton.com/packs <http://www.ableton.com/packs>

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$Page Overview
$TargetName Overview

In the device interface, pads indicate where chords exist: you can click them to pre-hear the assigned chord.

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You can switch the layout to display the keyboard view where the notes for the chord currently playing are shown.

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$Page Main Parameters
$TargetName Main Parameters

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The main parameters let you transform the chord shape and dynamics:

*Tilt* scales velocities so that lower notes are louder than higher notes (negative values), or quieter (positive values).

*Invert* transposes the lower note of a chord up or down.

*Strum* introduces a delay for some voices. The larger the value, the larger will be the delay between the first and last note of a chord. The timing is defined by the current articulation in use.

*Articulate* lets you pick among 8 different phrases. It is also possible to invert the order of the notes by enabling the *Reverse Articulation* toggle, and you can also force articulated notes to always be quantized to 1/16th note by activating the *Quantize Articulation* button.

Finally, you can change the root note of the chord played via the *Transpose* parameter.

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$Page Modulation
$TargetName Modulation

The *Modulation* foldout view allows you to dial in expressive mappings to the various *Expressive Chords* parameters.

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Here, you can use *Modwheel, Velocity, Slide and (absolute) Note Pitch Bend* to affect one or more parameters.

Additionally, *Random Variation* introduces small timing and velocity differences each time a chord is played.

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$Page Importing Chord Sets
$TargetName Importing Chord Sets

You can import your own chord sets to use in *Expressive Chords:* this will be saved as part of the device preset.

To do so, create a clip containing MIDI chords (the expected format is to have a chord at each beat, essentially 4 chords per bar).

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Next make sure that the clip is selected, and press *Import* option in the device foldout.

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$Page Editing Articulations
$TargetName Editing Articulations

A device preset can also contain custom articulations. 

In the foldout, click on the *Articulation Editor* tab to display the current articulation: note how the sliders change position when you select a different articulation.

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You can create your own articulation by manually setting the slider position.

*Preview* lets you hear the timing (assuming a Strum value of 100%), and *Save* will store the articulation in the currently selected slot.

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$Page Learn View
$TargetName Learn View

Enter the *Learn* view via the button in the top row, this gives you the ability to input your own chords into the device. 

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Click on the *Learn* button to enable the mode. Input a chord via Push, Computer Keyboard or MIDI controller, the last chord you play will be stored in the currently selected pad. Exit the mode by clicking on the *Learn* button, select another pad and repeat the process to add new chords.

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$Page Learn View Extras
$TargetName Learn View Extras

You can also *Transpose* a chord up or down in one semitone increments using the *- / +* buttons

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To *duplicate* chords, click on the *Duplicate* button, this will copy the chord from the currently selected pad. 

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Select another pad and press the button again to paste it. 

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