Lazy songwriter (Chords track playback/accompaniment)

Dorico
1

I find the Dorico Lead Sheet template very useful. Entering a melody and typing in chord symbols is easy and natural.

The Chords track playback is also handy. I was dreaming of a quick and lazy way to get a simple “accompaniment” directly from it (without a lot of extra work). I did get something crude working once, with a specific guitar plugin and some fiddling, but not very satisfactory.

As an experiment, I’ve created a small “synth” plugin to use on the Chords track, which goes in that direction. It accepts the Dorico playback notes and extends/expands them using some simple rules.

I chose a Chords note range of E2:40 through C4:60.
The plugin:

  • Produces an “organ-ish” sound.
  • Moves any chord extension notes as high as possible in the range.
  • Moves the triad notes as low as possible in the range.
  • Doubles the triad notes, at octaves, without clobbering the extensions.

It isn’t quite complete yet, but has started working well. The sky is the limit. I would really like to introduce a very simple arpeggiator.

It would be possible to achieve the goal better if a MIDI FX plugin could be inserted ahead of a synth in an Endpoint (or even in the Chords track itself).

Maybe no one else is as lazy as I am? (I am somewhat better at creating plugins than songwriting.)

2

Note: I am a very satisfied user of Scaler 3. It can produce a multitude of chords and patterns based on an input. Unfortunately, triggering is done by sending it single notes which fire pre-programmed items. So it isn’t directly compatible with Dorico Chords output.

3

Sounds like BIAB (Band In A Box) to me. Used that loooong time ago, don’t know if it still exists.

You entered a chord progression, could choose a music style, and it outputted a midi file containing piano, bass, drums

4

I have BIAB, and have been using/upgrading it for 10 years or more. Editing melodies is a pain. So yes it is perfect for generating full accompaniment from chords.

I am using Dorico for the nice engraving features. When writing, the playback is very helpful, doesn’t need to be very complete (for my use).

It would be great if two products that are superb in their own areas could be conveniently connected.

5

They connect through midi.

Just import the output from BIAB into Dorico :slight_smile:

If it worked in Finale97, it should work in Dorico 6 too

6

I can exchange MIDI data among Dorico / BIAB / DAW in both directions - and have probably done every combination depending on my workflow. Lately I have been hoping to find/make a method for real-time connection. Maybe not feasible, or not worth the effort.

1 Like
7

I’ve been experimenting with this recently using Toontrack’s EZ Keys 2. I use their most basic grooves and just re-enter the chord sequence already there in the lead sheet into the EX Keys Grid Editor. It works pretty well.

8

UPDATE: My “simple accompanist plugin” experiments have been quite successful. Although it is crude, it seems to validate the concept (does basically what I want).

I found that simpler rules work better (handle inversions and extensions properly).
I chose a Chords note range of E2:40 through C4:60.

The plugin:

  • Allows choices of an “organ-ish” or “e-piano” sound.
  • Moves the lowest note in the chord toward the bottom of the range.
  • Moves the remaining notes in the chord toward the top of the range.
  • Optionally, allows the lowest/root note to be assigned to a “bass” instrument.
  • Optionally, applies a very simple arpeggiation pattern.

Still, it would be possible to achieve the goal better (better sounds) if a MIDI FX plugin could be inserted ahead of a synth in an Endpoint (or even in the Chords track itself).

9

AVAILABLE: Simple accompaniment plugin for Chords track. For anyone who is curious and would like to experiment.

Plugin on Google Drive

From the documentation:

  1. What does it do?
    This is a 64-bit VST3 plugin. It accepts MIDI chord notes (i.e. from the
    Dorico Chords track) and produces a very simple arpeggiated accompaniment.

    It is not intended to be a performance instrument. It is intended to be a
    composition helper.

  2. How to use it in Dorico?
    a. Install the VST3 to the normal location used by Dorico.
    b. Add a VST instrument in Dorico. Choose “ChordAccomp” from manufacturer
    “kevinmather.com”. (Port, Channel and Expression map are unimportant and
    defaults should be OK.)
    c. Assign it to the Chords track, and enable Chords playback.

  3. Restrictions/cautions
    It only seems to work properly on the first flow in Dorico.

  4. How to use it in a DAW?
    a. It can be installed as a normal instrument/synth.
    Set up MIDI input as chord notes, maximum 6, stacked closely together.
    b. It can play its internal sounds, adjusted by sliders.
    c. The arpeggiator transmits MIDI output: high notes on channel 1, bass on
    channel 2. These can be sent to another synthesizer.