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Overview of Qbase 13 Chord Pads

Apr 17, 2025

Qbase 13 Chord Pads Overview

Introduction

  • Video covers Qbase 13 CAD Essentials.
  • Suitable for users with basic keyboard skills.
  • Focus on playing simple and intricate chords easily.

Enabling Chord Pads

  • Two ways to enable:
    • Project Menu: Project > Show/Hide Chord Pads
    • Lower Zone: Open Lower Zone > Select Chord Pads Tab
  • Need a VST instrument to hear chord pads.

Setting Up a VST Instrument

  • Create a VST instrument track (e.g., Piano).
  • Example: Yamaha S90 ES piano sound.

Chord Pad Zone Layout

  • Chord Pads Zone Toolbar: Tools/settings for whole zone.
  • Chord Pads Zone Extended Toolbar: Tools/settings for individual pads.
  • Chord Pads: Each can have a chord assigned, played when triggered.
  • Chord Pads Zone Keyboard: Shows keys played when triggered.
  • Integrated editor assistant for assigning chords.

Triggering Chord Pads

  • Mouse: Click on chord pads.
  • Keyboard Shortcut: Alt + K for onscreen mini keyboard.
  • MIDI Keyboard: Allows dynamic control over sound (loud/soft).

Using Multiple Instrument Tracks

  • Output mode determines which track plays:
    • Output Mode On: Sends output to all record-enabled or monitored tracks.
    • Output Mode Off: Sends output exclusively to record-enabled tracks with input routing set to chord pads.

Recording Chords

  • Record chords using MIDI keyboard.
  • Drag and drop chords onto MIDI track.

Step Input Mode

  • Enables adding chords step by step.
  • Step input position can be moved with arrow keys.
  • Insert mode allows inserting chords before others.

Adding Chords to Chord Pads

  • Clear all chord pads using select all and delete.
  • Add chords using chord editor.
  • Adaptive Voicing: Enables better voice leading.

Assigning Chords from Other Sources

  • Assign from MIDI input, chord track, or other editors like the circle of fifths.
  • Use presets for predefined chord sets.

Voicing and Advanced Features

  • Voicing: Shown as white blocks on the keyboard.
  • Adaptive voicing prepares pads for better voice leading.
  • Tensions: Increase/decrease on chord pad.
  • Lock chord pad to prevent editing.

Visual Indicators

  • Colors indicate how well a chord transition will sound (green, yellow, red).

Conclusion

  • Essential Qbase 13 chord features.
  • Encourages experimentation.
  • Request for feedback on advanced features video.

Full transcript