1. Overview
What is ChordBloom?
ChordBloom is a plugin designed to make playing and exploring chords effortless. It uses the lower octave (C2 to B2) as switches to select chord types, while pressing keys from C3 upward plays full chords based on the selected root note. This setup lets you trigger rich chord voicings with simple keystrokes. It is well suited for quick prototyping, songwriting, or live performance.
2. Getting Started
Setup suggestions
ChordBloom functions as an instrument plugin and can produce sound on its own. However, by routing its MIDI output to another instrument track, it is possible to play chords using any sound you prefer. This flexibility allows you to customize your tone while taking advantage of ChordBloom's chord features.
UI overview
3. Chord Play
Triggering chords
ChordBloom uses the lower octave keys (C2 to B2) as switches for selecting chord types, while keys from C3 upward set the root note of the chord.
The white keys from C2 to G2 correspond to basic chord types such as Major, minor, suspended, diminished, and augmented. You can select only one of these basic chords at a time. For example, pressing C2 followed by C3plays a C Major chord.
The black keys from C#2 to G#2 act as switches for additional chord tones like Major 7th, minor 7th, 6th, 9th, and 11th. Multiple additional chord tones can be selected simultaneously. For example, pressing C2 (basic Major chord) plus C#2 (Major 7th) and then C3 will play a C Major 7 chord.
This flexible system allows you to build rich chord voicings easily by combining basic chord types and added tensions.
Playing tips
You can release the chord selection keys (typically played with your left hand) without stopping the sound. This allows you to reposition your left hand to prepare the next chord shape while the current chord continues to play.
4. Voicing Control & Transpose
Each chord’s voicing is folded within a one-octave range. The Voicing parameter sets the octave range of the voicing, with a default value of 36 corresponding to notes from C3 to B3. Setting it to 35 shifts the voicing down by one semitone, covering the range from B2 to A#3.
The Transpose parameter shifts the entire voicing up or down in semitone steps from -12 to +12, allowing you to change pitch without altering the chord structure.
5. Chord Memory
Once you find a chord sound you like in Chapters 3 and 4, you can save it to one of the keys from C1 to B1. To register a chord, press and hold one or more chord selection keys with your left hand while pressing a root key with your right hand. Once the chord sounds, you can release the chord selection keys—since the chord is sustained by the root key. While holding the root key, press any key between C1 and B1 to save the chord to that memory slot.
Arrange your favorite chords across the C1 to B1 keys to discover beautiful chord progressions.
To delete a saved chord, hold the F2 (diminish) chord key and press the memory key (C1 to B1) you want to clear.
6. Parameters and Controls
Bass Volume
Adjusts the velocity of the bass note played 1 to 3 octaves below the chord root, from 0% to 200%. Default is 100%.
Bass Octave
Sets the octave of the bass note played below the chord root, between 1 and 3 octaves down. The default is -1.
OSC Switch
Turns the built-in oscillator on or off. Because the oscillator uses significant CPU, turn it off when routing MIDI to an external instrument.
7. Tips and Notes
Performance Tips
- Use the sustain pedal to add expressiveness to your performance.
- When holding down a chord memory key, you can play a melody by pressing keys from C3 upward (i.e., the root area).
- To reduce CPU load, turn off the OSC switch.
- Multiple extension chord keys (7th, 9th, etc.) can be pressed simultaneously—feel free to experiment with combinations.
- Chord Memory stores the currently sounding chord, including its voicing and bass octave. As you build your chord progression, try adjusting the Bass Oct knob to create smoother, more natural bass lines.
8. Version Info / Credits
Version 1.0 (July 28, 2025): Initial release
Version 1.0.2 (July 29, 2025): Added several factory presets, fixed Bass Octave behavior