First sounds
Finally, the fun bit!
MIDIpad makes no sound of its own: it sends MIDI, and your DAW (or other MIDI-capable application) plays it. Point the MIDIpad Chords port at something (set up your DAW has the steps), connect a controller, and you're ready to rock 'n roll.
Arm a chord, then strum it
Push the left stick Left stick in any direction. That arms a chord, and it plays when you strum. You might have noticed that this thing is based on the circle of fifths, that has some relevance later.
Now strum it. On a Sony pad, swipe across the touchpad Touchpad with your right thumb, away from you: the chord plays string by string under your finger. Swipe slowly for a low velocity, flick for a high one. On any pad, push the right stick Right stick out to the right side and sweep around it - that's the strum stick, the same strings laid around the stick.
A quick note on the strum stick: this is my least favourite feature of MIDIpad, and is constantly under review for refinement to make it more playable. I would really appreciate any feedback on its use if it's something you find yourself using, positive or negative, so I can make it better.
Let go of everything (generally good advice, no matter what you're doing, unless it's the steering wheel of a car, or a baby). The notes keep sounding. Each string's energy drains on its own until its Note Off, and the low strings take longer than the high ones.
Getting the feel of it
- Point somewhere else and strum again. Every direction is a chord that fits your key, so there are no wrong notes on the wheel. There are weird notes, but that's good.
- Hold R1, strum, then release it and strum again. You just played a dominant chord and resolved it home. Hardcore music theory, in the style of a fighting game! L1 flips the armed chord's colour the same way - major to minor, minor to major.
- Pull L2 while notes ring. The trigger pulls the strings' energy down, so the pressure drops with it, and easing off gives it back. Pull it all the way in and every string sends its Note Off.
Try the drums
Click Drums in the row of instrument names at the top of the window, or press Options on the controller to cycle to it.
Point the left stick Left stick and a hi-hat starts: left for quarters, up for eighths, right for sixteenths, down for the offbeats. Point the right stick Right stick for the kick, and push it all the way to the edge for the snare on the backbeat. It's covered properly in the Drums chapter.
Where next
- Controls reference: the Chords chapter opens with a map of every control.
- MIDI reference: MIDI and MPE.