Harmony

Harmony is a quantizer and chord module built around the circle of fifths.

Chord definition

The chord definition section is where you define a chord. You can do that in two ways:

• The chord button (CHRD) lets you choose a predefined chord.
• The interval buttons (RT, 3, 5, etc.) let you define the intervals you want in the chord. If you want notes outside of the selected scale press the shift button (SHFT) and the note number you want to modify.

RND button and input will randomize all chord sets (see Chord set below).

NDG button and input will randomly tweak the currently selected set.

Circle of fifths

Use the circle of fifths to set the key of your chord, outer circle is major (IONIAN) by default, inner circle is minor (AEOLIAN) by default.

The names of the keys in the circle of fifths are based on IONIAN (major) in the outer ring and AEONIAN (minor) in the inner ring. These will not change when you change the mode.

SZE - Sets the size of the chord from 0 (just the root note) to 4 (4 instances of the full code with one octave apart). Keep in mind that maximum polyphony is 16 so the full size of a chord with 5 notes will give you 16 notes, not the 4 * 5 = 20 notes you asked for.

SPR - Lets you spread the chord up to one octave up.

INV - Inversion changes the root note in the chord.

OCT - Lets you transpose the chord between -4 and +4 octaves.

Chord definition, the position in the circle of fifths and the additional chord settings (SZE, SPR etc.) are stored in a set. If you change a value here, you will just change it for the active set.

Modes

You can change the modes using the buttons below the circle of fifths. Left button for the outer ring, right button for the inner ring.

Available modes:

• IONIAN (major, default for outer circle)
• DORIAN
• PHRYGIAN
• LYDIAN
• MIXOLYDIAN
• AEOLIAN (minor, default for inner circle)
• LOCRIAN

The modes are shared by all sets (not set individually per set) .

Chord set

You can define up to 12 chords (A-L). The selected chord is green, active chords are grey, inactive chords are red.

CPY lets you copy the current chord to a new position.

CLR clears the current chord.

PRV button and input will change to the previous active set.

NXT button and input will change to the next active set.

CV

On the right side of the module you will find 4 CV input groups (label and arrow to select CV target, input and attenuverter.)

The available CV targets are:

• CHORD SET - Change chordset (will only use active chord sets).
• CIRCLE - Change position in the active ring in the circle of fifths.
• CIRCLES - Change position in the circle of fifths, will switch between inner (minor) and outer (major) circle.
• SIZE - Change the chord size.
• SPREAD - Change the chord spread.
• INVERSION - Change the chord inversion.
• OCTAVE - Change the chord octave.
• MAJOR - Change the scale of the outer ring in the circle of fifths.
• MINOR - Change the scale of the inner ring in the circle of fifths.

Input and output

The input and output section consists of 3 mono quantizers, 2 poly quantizers and one chord section with gate and pitch.

Mono quantizer options:

• HARMONY - quantize to a note in the chord.
• SCALE - quantize to a note in the scale.
• CHORD ROOT - outputs the chord root note.
• CHORD BOTTOM - outputs the bottom note of the chord.
• CHORD TOP - outputs the top note of the chord.
• FREE - no quantizing   Poly quantizer options:
• HARMONY - quantize to a note in the chord.
• SCALE - quantize to a note in the scale.
• FREE - no quantizing

Chord mode options:

• SCALE - Use the current chord and scale but move it along the white keys of the keyboard (by default C will give you C major, A will give you A minor etc.)
• CHROMATIC - Transpose the current chord.
• CHORD SET - The active chord sets are distributed over each octave.
• CIRCLE - Each key corresponds to a position in the currently selected ring of the circle of fifths.
• CIRCLES - Each key corresponds to a position in the outer and inner ring of circle of fifths (2 octaves to span the full circle.)

Chord gate options allows you keep the current output until a new GATE signal is received or the pitch input is changed (to prevent CV to change your current chord), the available options are:

• FREE - CV and other signals interpreted constantly
• GATE OR PITCH & HOLD CHORD - CV and other signals interpreted constantly for mono and poly quantizers. The Chord outputs are only updated on GATE change.
• GATE OR PITCH & HOLD ALL - All outputs only updated on GATE change.
• GATE & HOLD CHORD -  CV and other signals interpreted constantly for mono and poly quantizers. The Chord outputs are only updated on GATE change or pitch change (V/OCT).
• GATE & HOLD ALL - All outputs only updated on GATE change or pitch change (V/OCT).

To better allow for drone modes the chord GATE input is treated as 5V if not connected. In the same way the chord V/OCT input is treated as 0V if not connected.

Video with a couple of sample patches can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19yY9e6ttnk

Also, please make sure you get the tutorial preset pack: https://store.cherryaudio.com/presets/harmony-tutorial