ChordSQ Chord Sequencer

NEW: version 1.3.5 adds support for more scales when using the generate chord progression and chord set functions, plus next-chord suggestions, resize pattern option (half or double), and other QOL improvements. See Product description and documents for details.

ChordSQ is a player instrument for the Reason rack designed to help you create chord progressions. The device interface offers an intuitive way to achieve results fast. It’s easy to create or modify progressions in just a few clicks. No drawing of notes required.

At the heart of the player is a 16-step sequencer which can be synced to the host transport or can be triggered by MIDI notes. For each step of the sequence, you select a root note and choose a chord from the many available presets. Then you can change the chord voicing, add a bass note, set a duration and velocity. Each parameter has dedicated edit menus so that the selected steps can be altered easily.

To help you choose chords, set a key and scale and all compatible chords for each scale degree are available from the chord type menu.The interface conveniently highlights which notes and chords are in the scale. A customizable randomization engine can help spark new ideas, but if you want to to keep things in check, all outgoing notes can be quantized to the selected key and scale.
For a selected number of scales*, it is possible to automatically generate chord progressions and chord sets in one mouse click!

The device has four operation modes. In mode 1, any note triggers the sequence. In mode 2, a note triggers the sequence and it also transposes it up or down (no transposition when you play C3). In mode 3, notes C1 to D#2 play the chords in slots 1 to 16 without triggering the sequence. This mode turns the player into a one-finger chorder which can store up to 64 chords per patch. Finally, mode 4 provides host transport sync so that the chord sequence starts, stops and runs in sync with the Reason playhead.

ChordSQ is fast to program, fun to use and it encourages experimentation. Try it out and see for yourself!

(*) Major, Minor, Dorian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Phrygian and Locrian

• Four operation modes: key-trigger sequence, key-trigger sequence + transpose, one-finger chorder, host transport sync

• 16-step sequencer with adjustable number of steps, start offset and travel direction

• Each step has the following parameters:
  Step On - steps can be turned on or off. When a step is turned off, it acts like a note rest
  Gate Length - there are 4 settings which determine the note lengths relative to the step duration
  Velocity - the velocity of the outgoing notes for the given step
  Duration - independent for each step, from as short as 1/64 to as long as 4 bars
  Bass Note - additional note in the range from C-2 to B5 to be played with the chord (can be turned off)
  Voicing - 13 voicing types, including inversions and root-less options
  Root Note - base note of the chord in the range from C0 to B7
  Chord Type - 60 presets including major, minor, dominant, augmented, diminished and suspended chords

• Comprehensive editing menus to quickly adjust the various parameters

• Fast edit button which remembers the last editing function performed

• Automatic generation of chord progression and chord sets for a number of scales

• Automatic generation of patterns of different lengths, plus resize pattern function (half and double)

• Visual representation of notes and chords in the selected key and scale, plus optional note quantization

• Compatible chords in the selected key and scale available from the chord menu for each scale degree

• Several options to display scale notes in Roman numerals

• Chord type and voicing randomization percentages

• Hold button

• 4 variations per patch with easy duplication and reset

• Play quantization to a selectable time division

• Adjustable swing from light to heavy, plus three levels of velocity humanization

• Automation of sequence parameters, root note, voicing and chord type for all 4 variations

• Comprehensive Remote implementation

Version History

1.3.5:

• added support for more scales when using the Generate Progression and Generate Chord Set functions
• added shortcut to execute the Generate Progression and Generate Chord Set functions which does not require to open the menu
• added Next-Chord suggestions in the Chord Type menu when creating progressions using the supported scales
• added “Resize Pattern” in the Duration Edit menu to half or double the duration of an existing pattern
• added a new color indicator for identifying chords which have two notes not in the selected scale and key
• added “Paste Special” to the Step Edit menu to simplify swapping steps

1.3.0:

• added new percentage randomization options for the Chord Type and the Voicing parameters
• added scale chords directly in the Chord Type menu when a scale and key are selected
• added “Generate Pattern” of various bar lengths in the Duration Edit menu
• added “Generate Chord Progression” and “Generate Chord Set” in the Variation Edit menu
• added more chord types and more options for chord voicing
• added full range Reset in the Root and Bass notes edit menus
• added option to “Show Flat Accidentals” in the Sequence Edit menu
• added two more options for “Show Scale Degrees” in the Sequence Edit menu

1.2.0:

• added a fourth operation mode, host transport sync. In this mode, the internal sequencer starts, stops and runs in sync with the Reason transport. Click on the “Mode” label to select this mode
• renamed the inversions in the voicing selection menus
• fixed a bug where “INV 3” would be incorrectly applied to triads

1.1.0:

• added “Show Scale Degrees” option which shows the root notes as roman numerals if they are in the selected key and scale
• added more lengths to the Duration selection menus
• added more chord presets to the Chord Type selection menus
• added “Insert and Remove Step at” options in the Seq Edit menu
• added a “Random Walk” option in the sequencer direction menu
• extended the “Shift + drag” method for changing values to more step parameters (e.g. gate, duration, voicing)
• improved the “Optimize Voicings” algorithm in the Seq Edit menu
• various bug fixes

1.0.0: initial release