{"id":1291,"date":"2024-10-06T21:18:16","date_gmt":"2024-10-06T21:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.julien-nevo.com\/arkostracker\/?page_id=1291"},"modified":"2025-08-22T11:46:35","modified_gmt":"2025-08-22T09:46:35","slug":"using-arpeggios","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.julien-nevo.com\/arkostracker\/index.php\/using-arpeggios\/","title":{"rendered":"Using arpeggios"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this tutorial, we’ll see how to create arpeggios and how to use their related effects in the patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before reading this, you should have a basic understanding of AT3, which this tutorial<\/a> will help you get! You should also read about the arpeggio editor<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Arpeggios are among the most expressive tricks in sound-chip music. Not only can it simulate several notes in one channel, it almost gives a composer its personality. Tim Follins, David Whittaker, Dave Rogers all have their trademark arpeggios! Now it’s your turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s dive directly into the matter. Start AT3. It opens with a new empty song. A first “Beep” sound is present. Open it and make it loop on the sixth bar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This simple sound will be the starting point upon which we will make our tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Creating a first arpeggio<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the left of the screen is the list of instruments (as you can see above), arpeggios and pitches. Press the second icon from the left to open the arpeggio list (AL). You can also press shift + F4<\/span><\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There is only one arpeggio, called “None”. It is always present and is used when you want to stop arpeggios, but we’ll see that later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like creating a new instrument, press \"\" at the bottom of the list. A dialog opens, prompting you to name your new arpeggio and select a template. Do as the following, and press OK:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“First” now appears in the arpeggio list. Let’s edit it: double-click on it, and the Arpeggio Editor will appear in the center of the screen (you can also press F4<\/span><\/a> to open the currently selected arpeggio. Note that opening the editor will automatically opens the arpeggio list too, which is a handy shortcut!):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Since the template we selected was “empty”, the arpeggio contains nothing. Only one column, and no value in it (0s are not written to have a clearer interface). Octave<\/em> adds full octave to the played notes, and Note<\/em> adds semi-tones to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may not know musical theory (I certainly don’t!), but by adding 4, then 7 semi-tones, you get a major chord. Let’s do that! You should know how to add values in the editors (check this<\/a> if that’s not the case). Let’s do it the easy way by using the mouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place your mouse above the Note<\/em> row, go to the second and third rows<\/em> (named 1 and 2) and, by using ctrl + left-click<\/span><\/a>, modify\/add the values 4 and 7. The row 0 should remain as-is. You should have something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Note two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n