0xy Power Chords?

[FuzzyLizard530]

So I've been tinkering with FT for a little while now, and I'm having a bit of trouble with the 0xy effect. What if I want to arp a power chord? I've tried using the following:

006
060

but it doesn't quite come out how I want it to. ideas? I know I can make an instrument for it, but switching instruments can be a pain sometimes, and I prefer to do it with the effect codes...

Thanks in advance!

[Dr. Merio]

Have you tried 07C yet? From what I know, you would define a power chord this way (please correct me if I'm wrong). Depending on what you want to achieve, you may actually have to make an instrument for it, but maybe this will work too.

[Stratelier]

006
060

There's an important caveat about the 0xy effect -- if the second parameter is zero it is ignored (so you get a 2-note arp instead of a 3-note arp). [EDIT - Wait, I think I was having a Captain Obvious moment here.]

Anyway, you're probably better off if you use a parameter of 7 (major fifth) instead of 6 (diminished fifth).

[Xyz]

Dr. Mario is correct. What is called a "power chord" is NOT root + diminished fifth. It's root, perfect fifth, octave. So 07C are the notes you want.

[HertzDevil]

A power chord does not require the octave tone to be present, so any of the following arpeggio effects defines a power chord:

• 007
• 070
• 077
• 07C
• 0C7

These are only valid in root position. The following arpeggio combination, for example, yields a sus2 chord instead:

Code: Select all

D-3 00 . 07C        A-3 00 . 07C


This is because A-3 is already a fifth above D-3, which in this instance is the bass note. To invert a power chord, simply replace the "7"s with "5"s.

[aishi]

Hey, if you know how to read music here's a theory page I made for my students a couple months ago, hope this helps!

Intervals from Unison to Octave.png (108.22 KiB) Viewed 1956 times

0 = Perfect Unison
1 = minor 2nd
2 = Major 2nd
3 = minor 3rd
4 = Major 3rd
5 = Perfect 4th
6 = Aug4th/dim5th (tritone)
7 = Perfect 5th
8 = minor 6th
9 = Major 6th
A = minor 7th
B = Major 7th
C = Perfect Octave
D = minor 9th (Octave + minor 2nd)
E = Major 9th (Octave + Major 2nd)
F = minor 10th (Octave + minor 3rd)

[FuzzyLizard530]

006
060

There's an important caveat about the 0xy effect -- if the second parameter is zero it is ignored (so you get a 2-note arp instead of a 3-note arp). [EDIT - Wait, I think I was having a Captain Obvious moment here.]

Anyway, you're probably better off if you use a parameter of 7 (major fifth) instead of 6 (diminished fifth).

Okay, that makes sense. When I did it as either one, it sounded like a lop-sided arp, where the original note played for 2 ticks, then the second note for one. I'll have to give it another listen/try.

Thanks you all for your help!

@Aishi: unfortunately, I never learned how to read music very well. I was sort of a lax student through school! Though, now in my 30's, I fully regret this...