The Inversions page appears in the Track Setup property window for the Chords track.

It specifies how automatic inversions should be generated for the chords in the track.

By default, Songtrix tries to form inversions using a set of pitches that covers the same approximate range for each chord, for consistency of the overall sound as they change.

You can override the automatic inversion for any chord in the Chords track by selecting a specific bass pitch, and other inversion pitches, in the chord bar or the Edit Chord window.

Controls

Chord Tones

Specifies how many tones (pitches) are to be generated for each chord inversion.  This directly controls the number of lines in rhythm segments.

You can select any number of Chord Tones from 3 to 8, but tones lines already in use by rhythm events cannot be removed unless these events are deleted first.

Where there are less chord tones available than the degrees in a selected chord, its optional degrees are dropped when forming an inversion.

Where there are more chord tones available than degrees, some of them are repeated when forming an inversion.

Target Bass Pitch

Specifies the target pitch for the lowest tone of automatic inversions.  This controls how low or high the overall inversion sounds.

The actual bass pitch generated for each inversion will depend on the chord, and may be slightly lower or higher than this, but it will be as close as possible.

Target Intervals

Specifies the target interval between each tone in automatic inversions.  This controls how open or close the overall inversion sounds.

In the example picture, there are 5 tones with a target interval of b3 (=3 semitones) between each, so overall Songtrix will try to form inversions that span an octave (=4 x 3 semitones).

Depending on the chord and bass pitch, the actual range may be less or greater than this, but it will be as close as possible.

Continuity

Specifies how the strongly the target settings should be returned to, after a custom chord inversion has overridden them.  A higher continuity setting tries to reduce the variation in bass pitch and interval span with each chord change.

For example, if the Target Bass Pitch is C4, and a custom chord inversion uses a pitch of C6 (two octaves above), then a sudden return to C4 for the next chord could seem too sudden. 

(none) - return immediately to the target settings after a custom inversion.

Low - return quickly to the target settings after a custom inversion.  In the example above, the next bass pitch target might be G4.

Medium - return moderately to the target settings after a custom inversion.  In the example above, the next bass pitch target might be C5.

High - return slowly to the target settings after a custom inversion.  In the example above, the next bass pitch target might be G5.

Sample

You can explore the effect of your settings by selecting a chord from the drop down chord matrix.  A sample inversion will be generated for it as if it was one of the chords in your song.

The sample inversion is displayed on staff lines and can also be auditioned with the Test Chord button.

Reset

Resets all settings on the page to their default values.  The number of chord tones must still take into account the existing rhythm events.