Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my DAW name chords differently than Motivic MIDI?

If you connect Motivic MIDI to a DAW like GarageBand or Logic, you might trigger a Dm9 in the app, but your DAW calls it an Fmaj7(13). Is the app generating the wrong notes?

Not at all! This happens because Motivic MIDI and your DAW look at harmony in two completely different ways:

Motivic MIDI understands the "DNA": The app generates chords based on their theoretical function within a scale. It knows you want a Dm9 based on the tonal center you've selected.
DAWs read literal physical keys: A DAW doesn't know what scale or key you are working in; it only looks at the exact physical MIDI notes being played and usually assumes the lowest note is the Root.

The Two Rules of the Motivic Engine

To make your chords sound professional, clear, and playable, Motivic MIDI applies two common techniques used by session keyboardists:

Omission Rules (Dropping the Mud): When playing highly extended chords (like 9ths), stacking every single note creates a dense, muddy sound. Motivic MIDI automatically drops the "Perfect 5th" from these chords to free up sonic space. If you drop the 5th (A) from a standard Dm9 chord, you are left with the core identifying tones: D-F-C-E.
Voice Leading (Inversions): The app frequently uses inversions to create smooth, musical transitions. If that D-F-C-E chord is played in 1st Inversion, the D moves up an octave, leaving the F at the bottom: F-C-E-D.

When your DAW receives those physical MIDI events (F-C-E-D), it sees an F in the bass and calculates the math upward. It sees a Root, a Perfect 5th, a Major 7th, and a 13th. Therefore, it correctly labels the physical keys as an Fmaj7(13).

Both names are correct! Motivic MIDI tells you the harmonic function and intent, while your DAW tells you the literal physical layout. This difference isn't a bug—it is proof that the engine is generating highly musical, professional-level voicings instead of rigid, blocky math.

How does Motivic MIDI generate its progressions? Is it just random?

Motivic MIDI doesn't use pure randomness; it uses constrained mathematical generation.

Here is the four-step generative pipeline that happens every time you press the "Regenerate" button:

The Regenerate Button

1. The Boundaries: You set the guardrails. You choose the Key and Scale, and then use the Generation Settings to decide what the app is allowed to use (e.g., "Only allow 7th and 9th chords," or "Only allow Arpeggios").
2. The Dice Roll: The app selects four random scale degrees (for example: the 2nd, 5th, 1st, and 6th notes of your scale) and assigns your allowed variations (like voicings and rhythms) to each pad.
3. The Harmonic Math: The app calculates the theoretical "DNA" for those chords based strictly on your chosen scale. It automatically applies omission rules (dropping unnecessary notes) and voice-leading (shifting notes up or down an octave) so the progression stays in a comfortable, playable register.
4. The Performance: Finally, a temporal sequencer takes that stack of notes and applies your chosen rhythm (like a Roll or an Arpeggio) before sending it to the audio engine and the MIDI output.

The result is a progression that is surprising and unique every time, but always mathematically guaranteed to sound musical and stay within your chosen harmonic constraints.