Help with chord machine?

Elektron Gear Syntakt
1

Hi guys,
I’d like to attempt programming a cover of Sinéad O’Connor’s version of “War” on the ST.
Since I lack the fundamental music theory knowledge maybe someone around here could help me achieve this:
The chords are Bbm, Ab, Bb if I researched correctly.
So which notes would I need to send to the ST, and which settings would be necessary on the chord machine to result in the above mentioned chords?
Thanks in advance!

2

I’ve got (almost) no clue about music theory but you’d need to use to p-locks in order to change the chords on a per step basis. It’s the parameter MODE of the chord machine. There you can set the following chords (from the manual, page 114):

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The chord Bbm is B-flat minor. Flat means a half stop down from B but the Elektrons don’t have “flats” :smiley: So we can also say A# because one half step up from A is the same as one half step down from B. So I think you’d need to enter A# on the first step and then choose the minor chord on MODE to get Bbm…

Can anyone confirm this?

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I also don’t know much music theory, but I say here here.

I find using the chord machine kind of slow if I use it like this and not for just dubby chord stabs, but methodical.
If anything, it does help me learn more music theory in practice!

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The chords for that song is simpler than that actually: Bbm Ab7 - repeat :slight_smile:
This is the same as A#m G#7. In the song they are played with the root inversion, i.e starting with the root note, then a third and fifth up etc. On the ST, it means p-locking the following:

  • A#m: NOTE = A#, TYPE = 4 (Minor), BAL = 20 (three notes, i.e root, third, fifth)
  • G#7: NOTE = G#, TYPE = 9 (M7), BAL = 32/ROOT (four notes, i.e root, third, fifth, seventh)

Yeah, it can be a challenge, but challenges can also be fun :slight_smile: This preset pattern that I made for the Model:Cycles is using the Chord machine one one track which can be heard playing solo the first round here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fJEI6Fa0D/

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…and i hardly suggest, to not start from any scratch, if u really wanna recreate any existing harmonic relevant content by choosing the chord machine…it’s great for fitting it in by ear in already existing arrangements, but for starters ur way better off by using any other enigine combos following the overall key scale settings…

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Thanks a lot everybody for all the helpful replies <3 :slight_smile:

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