Elektron-Users

I was trying to figure out which chords are now available on the A4 with the latest update (without using Neighbour mode). These are the obvious ones, have I missed any?

major 0,4,7
minor 0, 3, 7
5th 0, 7
suspended 4th 0, 5, 7
suspended 2nd 0, 2, 7
minor7th 0, 3, 7, 10
major7th 0, 4, 7, 11

diminished 0 3 6
but i guess if you have the possibility to put 4 notes, everything is possible!?
Just received the A4, and just updated the os, still in extreme beginner mode!

Gadjo wrote:
diminished 0 3 6

How can you get this chord? Not sure its possible??

Gadjo wrote:
diminished 0 3 6

I don't think so, isn't the sub-octave fixed to either 12 or 7 semitones below Osc 1?

Also (anybody), what happens to these chords when slide (portamento) is enabled? Hope to get my A4 next week, I'm excited!

anigbrowl wrote:

I don't think so, isn't the sub-octave fixed to either 12 or 7 semitones below Osc 1?
Each osc has its own subosc, each of which can be set 12 or 7 semitones below its root.

yeah that's not going to work for a diminished chord then.

I guess this was a misunderstanding, look at the next line, of course you can do a lots of chords using all four parts of the A4. The poster didn't know the talk was about the new subosc division setting.

sdesign wrote:
I was trying to figure out which chords are now available on the A4 with the latest update (without using Neighbour mode). These are the obvious ones, have I missed any?

major 0,4,7
minor 0, 3, 7
5th 0, 7
suspended 4th 0, 5, 7
suspended 2nd 0, 2, 7
minor7th 0, 3, 7, 10
major7th 0, 4, 7, 11

Those should be the most useful ones, the rest is probably quite dissonant/theoretic.


A quick guide on how it works and how to use it:

The "5TH" sub oscillator option adds a 33% pulse waveform one perfect fifth (seven semitones) below the oscillator. The sub oscillator is now at 2/3 of the oscillator frequency. If, for instance, the oscillator plays a G, then the sub oscillator will play the C below it. Together with the other oscillator, this makes it possible to play a simple chord using just one track of the Analog Four.

To get a C minor chord (C, Eb, G), turn up the oscillator coarse tune to +7 semitones (for the G), set the sub oscillator to 5TH (for the C), and turn up the other oscillator to +3 semitones (for the minor third, Eb).

To get a C major chord, turn up the other oscillator to +4 instead (for the major third, E).

Suspended chords are reached by tuning the other oscillator to +5 (the perfect fourth, F) for a Csus4 chord, or to +2 (the major second, D) for a Csus2 chord.

Moreover, four-note chords like the major 7th chord (maj7) and minor 7th chord (m7) is possible by using both oscillators' sub oscillators in 5TH modes, as these chords consists of two perfect fifths. With oscillator coarse tune settings of +7 and +11 semitones (G and B, respectively) the sub oscillators will be placed at C and E, forming a C major 7th (Cmaj7) chord. Tuning the oscillators to +7 and +10 semitones instead (G and Bb) the sub oscillators end up at C and Eb, forming a C minor 7th (Cm7) chord.

Now the desired chord can be heard when the keyboard or the sequencer plays a C. When playing other notes, the chord will transpose accordingly, enabling simple chord progressions. Transitions between the minor and major chord can be done on step basis in the sequencer by parameter locking the other oscillator's pitch to +3 or +4 where desired. And similarly for other chords.

Enter house & dub territory.

(Note that this is a way of playing chords with one synth voice - it has nothing to do with polyphony.)

It couldn't get any easier, excellent summary, thanks!

Excellent explanation, thanking you sir!