Support

Torah Tones is an AUv3 MIDI effect for iPad that plays the melodies of Torah chanting (trope) as MIDI notes, in any key and mode, in time with your music app. Here are answers to the usual questions. Anything else: write, and a person answers.

Questions

I tap a pad and hear nothing.

Torah Tones makes no sound itself; it sends MIDI. Put an instrument after it: in AUM or Logic Pro, add an instrument, then add Torah Tones as a MIDI effect in front of it. Using the app on its own, open another music app and choose “Torah Tones” as its MIDI input. (The Hear buttons on the Learn Trope page are the one place it plays sound itself.)

Which apps can host it?

Any app that hosts AUv3 MIDI effects on iPad, including AUM, Logic Pro for iPad, Loopy Pro, Cubasis and Drambo. GarageBand doesn't host MIDI effects.

Which keys play which marks?

The 25 marks run up from C3, one per key (Show Keys on the Play page labels the pads; MIDI Setup moves the starting key, or learns it from your keyboard). Keys below that are your left hand.

How do I change the key while I play?

Use the home note arrows at the top, or play with your left hand: one key sets the home note, and a chord can set major or minor too (MIDI Setup › Left hand).

Why does Etnachta play three notes on one pad and two on another setting?

A mark's tune depends on the word: one steady note for each syllable before the accent, then the melody. “Before the accent” on the Play page chooses: as on the mark's own name (et-nach-ta), none, or one to three.

Can it follow my song's tempo?

Yes. In a host it follows the host's tempo and bars. Feel › Next melody starts can make each melody wait for the next beat or bar line.

Which trope does it use?

Reform Torah cantillation, as charted in The Art of Torah Cantillation. There are many traditions; this is one of them.

New to trope?

Open Learn Trope at the top of the screen. To learn to chant it yourself, Torah: Turn It teaches it lesson by lesson.