Note: If you are looking for the explanation for "Editable Chords and Progressions," here is the link for UnderstandingTheChordMaps2Screen.
The information begins on page 10.


ChordMaps2 – Midi Controller App for iPad

Explore chord progressions, melody lines, and bass lines, in major and minor keys.

Demonstration Video (6 min) – music begins at 0:16

Tutorial Video (22 min.) by Doug at TheSoundTestRoom

2nd Tutorial Video (27 min.) by Doug at TheSoundTestRoom

How to Quickly Set Up ChordMaps2

ChordMaps2 is a "MIDI controller." It doesn't create any sound on its own. It works by sending note information to a second app, a synthesizer app running in the background. Here are the setup steps.

1 – Open a synth app, choose a sound, and play a couple notes to make sure it's working. (If you don't have a synth app, look in the App Store for the free app "Synth One." This will get you started.)

2Important: Look in the synth app's "Settings" for "Background Audio" and make sure it is "On."

(Also, the synth app should be responding on Midi Channel 1. For most synth apps, this is already set up when you open the app.)

3 – Open ChordMaps2 and touch "Info." (the circled "i" at the top left or right)

4 – When the Info pane opens, set the "Midi Channel" numbers to 1211345167.

5 – Also look under "Midi Destinations" for the name of the synth app. Touch the name. A blue checkmark will appear. This establishes the midi connection.

6 – Touch "Done" at the top. This returns you to the ChordMaps2 playing screen where you can begin playing.

Note regarding GarageBand – Some synth apps, GarageBand being one of them, do not "advertise" their presence, and so their names do not appear in the list of Midi Destinations. In this situation a "midi bridge" app is required.

I use the free app called FreEWI as a midi bridge.

1 – Search for "Audeonic Apps" in the App Store. Then look for FreEWI and install it.

2 – Open FreEWI, and leave it running in the background.

3 – Open GarageBand and select a sound. Play a couple notes to make sure it's working. Also turn on "Run in Background" under Settings / Advanced.

3 – Open ChordMaps2 and touch "Info" (the circled "i" at the top left or right). Look for FreEWI in the list of Midi Destinations. Touch the name FreEWI. A blue checkmark will appear.

4 – Touch "Done" at the top, and start playing. (GarageBand will respond to the midi information being sent to FreEWI.)


Understanding the ChordMaps2 Screen

ChordMaps2 is designed so you don't have to access menus while exploring. You can play chord progressions, melody lines, bass lines, change keys, change maps... all from the same screen.

This design choice means a lot of options are visible. To help you understand the ChordMaps2 screen, we recommend downloading the Understanding the ChordMaps2 Screen pdf. (You may want to print page 2 for reference, but most of the explanation is in large print and can be easily read on a computer or tablet.)

Also, some of the chord-exploring regions in ChordMaps2 are based on chord flow diagrams presented at the website ChordMaps.com. If you haven't yet visited ChordMaps.com, you may want to look at the first five parts, and specifically Part Three and Part Five.


Enjoy Playing ChordMaps2

THANK YOU

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