Key Mode is one of Orchid's most powerful features for songwriting and inspiration. When activated, it locks the keyboard to a specific musical key, ensuring that every note you play results in a harmonically correct chord from that scale.
- How to Activate: Turn the Key Dial to select your desired key (e.g., C Major, A Minor). Push the Key Dial once to lock it in. The selected key will appear in the top-left of the display.
- How it Works: Once locked, simply press any key on the right-hand keyboard. Orchid will automatically play the correct corresponding chord from the selected scale (e.g., in C Major, pressing the D key will play a D Minor chord). You do not need to use the Chord Type buttons, but you can use them to override the key correction in order to play chords that are out of your chosen key.
- Why it's Useful: It makes creating harmonically pleasing chord progressions effortless, even with no formal music theory knowledge. It's a fantastic tool for overcoming creative blocks and exploring new musical ideas
- Quick Key Selection: Long press the Key Dial and then press a keyboard key for quick Key selection. (e.g., Long press the Key Dial, then press Min + C to set the key to C minor)