Embedded Files
OVERVIEW
CHORD TRIGGER
Chord Trigger is a powerful MIDI effect in Logic Pro that transforms single incoming notes into full chords. It allows you to build harmonic progressions, perform complex voicings with one key, experiment with reharmonization, and create performance-friendly mappings for both studio production and live setups. Whether you're triggering lush pads, crafting EDM chord stabs, or simplifying accompaniment for students, Chord Trigger opens the door to fast, expressive, and harmonically rich music creation.
Key Features
Key Features
Two Independent Triggering Modes:
Single Mode: One key = one chord (perfect for simple mapped performance setups).
Multi Mode: Different chord variations or inversions can be assigned across multiple zones on the keyboard.
Chord Learn Function: Play any chord you want, and Chord Trigger instantly records and assigns it to a trigger note.
Keyboard Zones
Split the keyboard into ranges with different chord assignments.
Useful for running bass notes on one side and full chords on the other.
Velocity Handling: Maintain original velocity, scale velocity, or assign fixed velocities for consistent chord stabs.
Transpose Options: Shift either the incoming trigger notes or the outgoing chords — extremely useful for live play.
Presets for Common Styles: Includes pop, EDM, orchestral, jazz, gospel, and cinematic chord presets for fast inspiration.
Best Use Cases
Best Use Cases
Live Performance / Simplified Playing: Play full, complex chord progressions with a single finger — ideal for keyboardists who want consistency.
Beat Production & EDM Stabs: Trigger massive supersaw chords or piano stabs in time with the beat using simple one-note rhythms.
Composition & Reharmonization: Quickly test different chord voicings, extensions (7ths, 9ths, 11ths), or alternative harmonies.
Teaching Harmony: Demonstrate chord types, inversions, and progressions easily in a classroom environment.
Scoring & Ambient Music: Trigger evolving pad chords to create sweeping harmonic environments.
Popular Song Examples
Popular Song Examples
Zedd — “Stay the Night”
The Chainsmokers — “Don’t Let Me Down”
Marshmello — “Silence”
Calvin Harris — “Feel So Close”
Porter Robinson — “Language”
Owl City — “Fireflies”
Jon Hopkins — “Emerald Rush”
Workflow Tips
Workflow Tips
Use “Learn” to Build Custom Voicings: Play any chord shape—drop-2, quartal, 9ths—and assign it instantly to a single trigger key.
Create Left/Right Hand Zones:
Left: Single bass notes
Right: Triggered chord clusters. Perfect for live players and students learning harmonic structure.
Try “Multi Mode” for Inversion Cycling: Assign multiple inversions to adjacent keys for smooth voice leading.
Combine With Arpeggiator: Place Chord Trigger before Arpeggiator in the MIDI FX chain to generate arpeggiated patterns from full chords.
Save Custom Presets: If you build a library of song-specific or genre-specific chord maps, save them for instant recall.
LISTEN to this POD about the CHORD TRIGGER Plugin
FAMOUS USES
(These songs did not use Logic’s Chord Trigger itself, but they feature chord triggering, mapped chord pads,
or live chord playback simplification similar to what the plugin enables.)
Stay the Night
Stay the Night
Zedd — “Stay the Night”
Timestamp: 0:38–1:02
Use:: Tight, rhythmic EDM chord stabs where a mapped chord tool makes performance easier. (4:06)
Don't Let Me Down
Don't Let Me Down
The Chainsmokers — “Don’t Let Me Down”
Timestamp: (0:24–0:48)
Use: Heavy synth-chord hits that could be triggered from single-note performance patterns. (3:28)
Silence
Silence
Marshmello — “Silence”
Timestamp: 0:24–0:48
Use: Clean, consistent piano chords—easily replicated with single-finger chord triggers. (3:06)
Feel So Close
Feel So Close
Calvin Harris — “Feel So Close”
Timestamp: 0:18–0:40
Use: Big house-style stabs where chord triggering provides consistent voicing and timing. (3:26)
LOGIC VIDEO TUTORIALS
Chord Trigger Tutorial
Chord Trigger Tutorial
MusicTechHelpGuy gives a full tutorial on how to use Logic Pro's Chord Trigger. (19:14)
Chord Trigger - Full Tutorial
Chord Trigger - Full Tutorial
Constantine provides a short tutorial on how to use Logic Pro's Chord Trigger plug-in. (22:21)
Import Chords to Chord Trigger
Import Chords to Chord Trigger
MusicTechHelpGuy demonstrates how to import chords into Chord Trigger. (13:51)
Easy Chord Progressions
Easy Chord Progressions
MusicTechHelpGuy demonstrates how to use Logic Pro's Chord Trigger plug-in to create quick piano parts. (5:44)
SOURCE ARTICLES
SOURCE ARTICLES YOU CAN READ:
VOCABULARY
1. Chord Trigger: A MIDI tool that lets you play full chords by pressing a single key.
2. Root Note: The main note that determines the key of the chord played by Chord Trigger.
3. Chord: A group of notes played together that form harmony.
4. MIDI Input: The note(s) you play on a MIDI controller that trigger chords.
5. MIDI Output: The actual notes of the chord that Chord Trigger sends to your instrument.
6. Preset: A saved chord mapping that you can quickly load and use.
7. Custom Chord: A chord you create yourself by choosing which notes play together.
8. Inversion: Rearranging the order of the notes in a chord so a different note is the lowest.
9. Interval: The distance in pitch between two notes in a chord.
10. Velocity: How hard or soft a note is played; Chord Trigger can use this to affect the volume or intensity of chords.
11. Hold: Keeps a chord playing even after you release the key.
12. Transpose: Moves the chord up or down by a set number of semitones.
13. Strum: A feature that plays the notes of a chord in sequence, like strumming a guitar.
14. Quantize: Adjusts the timing of the chord notes to match the grid of the song’s tempo.
15. Note Range: The keys on your MIDI controller that trigger specific chords.
QUIZZES
MANUAL
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