Creating Harmony Lines

[Edward]

Just bought the software based on descriptions, and after going through it, I fear it won’t accomplish the sole function for which I made the purchase.  Hoping someone can show me a solution:

I don’t need the sound reproduction (I have plenty of softsynth packages), and I don’t need the library of pre-existing midi patterns.

What I want is for the software to take my existing chord structure and melody line for a phrase (which I’d input from the midi tracks in my DAW) – and then use both sets of inputs to create harmony lines around that melody (say, for orchestral arrangement, etc).  I shouldn’t have to futz with the wheel – because I’m not looking to change any part of the existing chord structure (and the software is able to analyze/detect the existing chords).

Is there some way to accomplish this?  Even in work-around fashion?  For example, I tried:

(a) Copying the midi for both the chord structure and the melody line into a single block.  (This is so EZKeys can recognize the chord structure throughout the entire phrase.)

(b) In my DAW, selecting the notes in just the melody line, and copying/pasting them two or three times, each time bringing them them up a few half-steps so as to create temporary “templates” for harmony lines.  (This will obviously be dissonant for now.)

(c) Copying the melody/harmony template into an additional song block within EZKeys.

(d) Copying the chord structure from the first block onto the second block.

Theoretically, that should take the dissonant notes in the second block, and modify them so that they fit them within the proper chord structure – thereby creating effective harmony lines.  Well, that didn’t work.  EZKeys actually spit something out that sounded worse than the dissonant template.

Any thoughts/ideas?

Thanks in advance…

Operating system: Windows 7

Topic

[John]

Hi,

I am not sure where you have read a description like that, EZKeys is not an auto-generator of harmony lines.

You can use a simple set of manually entered chords or your recorded chords, change them, change inversion, complexity, etc. – or have a performance of another MIDI file affect your MIDI on the Song Track, among things.

But its creation/arrangement/augmentation tools are centered around the Keys and will not auto-arrange for a group of instruments or ensemble.

So for your above described intent of generating harmony lines for orchestral arrangements, it’s not the tool but for song quick sketching, sparking your creativity, developing ideas, making you take turns you hadn’t thought of, etc – it’s great.

 

BR,

John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Edward]

well – I bought it because the description on the web indicated it would be useful for creating harmony lines.  Given that this isn’t possible, I honestly have no use for the software.  Since I literally just installed it today (and will never have any use for it), how can I go about deauthorizing the software and getting a refund?

Thanks,

-Ed

[Erik]

Hi Ed,

EZkeys doesn’t assume you’re playing wrong, and if you have a dissonant note, it can’t assume that note hasn’t been left there intentionally. If you want to manipulate those notes, you can activate the Clean button in the chord wheel, and it will force the dissonant notes into their nearest function in the specified chord. This will probably not produce the results you’re after.

It is possible to create harmony lines from basic chords in the MIDI browser, by selecting a variation and pressing the “Use Browser MIDI” button above the song track. Apply the same variation to both clips and you should have to identical melodies over each of the two sequences, but in their respective harmony/function/chord sequence.

These clips will be colored only based on the specified chord, and not the clip’s MIDI notes. I.e. any melodic content you have in those MIDI files, will be replaced by what’s inside the chosen variation.

To receive support for purchases, please contact support directly: https://www.toontrack.com/faq/how-do-i-contact-support/

Erik Berglund — Toontrack

1

Thanked by: John

[Edward]

So, with this:

I.e. any melodic content you have in those MIDI files, will be replaced by what’s inside the chosen variation.

You’re saying that I can’t do what I’m looking to do.

Correct?

[Author]

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