Chords

One of CharaChorder devices’ greatest features is their chording ability. Read this section to learn what chording is and how you can benefit from it on your own CharaChorder.

What are Chords?

A chord is a type of input/output action on a keyboard: you press two or more keys at the same time and release them at the same time, after which a predefined output will replace the originally pressed keys.

By chording, we are able to type one word at a time instead of one letter at a time. It’s even possible to have chords for phrases and entire sentences.

How do I use Chords?

A chord has an input and an output. We will describe what each of those is and how they affect chords on your CharaChorder device below. Throughout this guide, we might use the term “perform” when talking about carrying out a chord.

Chord Input 

A chord input is the combination of keys used in order to get a desired, predetermined output. For example, we can have a chord that requires the simultaneous press and release of the keys b and c to get the output “because”. In chord notation, we would write that chord input as b+c. Since chord inputs are performed simultaneously, meaning that all of the keys needed for an input are pressed and released at the same time, chord inputs are not order-specific. b+c is the same as c+b.

Chord Output 

A chord output is the predetermined letters, words, phrases and/or actions that result after performing a chord. If we use the chord input of b and c and the result is the word “because”, then the word “because” would be the output. In chord notation, we would write that chord (the input and the output) as b+c = because.

Chord Notation 

Chord notation is the way that we write chords for CharaChorder devices. It is a writing format that allows us to communicate chords to other users, and to the CharaChorder, without using any descriptions. You can find the different symbols used in chord notation in the table below.

Character Name	Symbol	Usage
Plus Operator	+	Used for separating inputs for chorded operations
Vertical Bar Operator	\|	Used for separating all sequential operations
Equal Sign	=	Used for separating a chord input from a chord output

You can read some examples of chords written in chord notation below. You can try these chords on your CharaChorder device!

y+u+o = you
k+b+a = back
t+o+n+d = don’t
w+o+n+d = down
c+b = because
p+m+i = important

How do I make Chords?

You can make chords for your CharaChorder using a few different methods which we will discuss below. In order to make a chord, you will have to indicate your desired chord input as well as your desired chord output.

Your CharaChorder device already comes with some chords loaded onto it. These cover some of the most common words in the English language. You can click on the link to see that list in an external tab: Starter Chords.

You can create custom chords on the Device Manager. Additionally, you, can create chords on the go by using impulse chording. Read on for specific instructions on how to do that.

On Device Manager 

The CharaChorder Device Manager is our official web based configuration tool designed for CharaChorder devices. On there, you can do a variety of things. You can read all about Device Manager in this section.

The process for adding chords to your CharaChorder is the same on all of our CharaChorder devices. You can add new chords, or import an existing chord library. Read how below.

Adding New Chords on Device Manager 

The steps to do this are in the Device Manager documentation.

Impulse chording 

Impulse chording is a method of adding chords that doesn’t require anything except your CharaChorder after a space to type in. It allows you to create ‘on the fly’, custom chords which can be spontaneously created anywhere that you can type via the Impulse menu.

The idea of impulse chords is that whenever you come across a word that you don’t have a chord for, you can instantly create one mid-email, mid-discord chat, mid-whatever, without the need to switch windows, import, connect, etc. Just punch in your input and output via the Impulse Menu and then keep typing without skipping a beat. Read below for instructions on how to create an impulse chord on your specific device.

Note: When creating an impulse chord, all keystrokes are recorded as part of the output. If you make a mistake when defining the chord output, trigger escape and start over instead of deleting the input.

Creating an Impulse Chord on the CharaChorder One 

Standard process for creating an impulse chord on a CharaChorder One: In short: 1. CHORD INPUT, 2. CALL IMPULSE, 3. TYPE OUTPUT, 4. CONFIRM OUTPUT 5. CONFIRM INPUT

Impulse chording on the CharaChorder One

Anywhere that you can see a cursor, chord the input you want (example: b+u+r+s+t). You will either see a jumble of letters (example: “tsubr”) or you will see a chord which is already programmed to that input. If you continue, any conflicts will be overwritten.
Call the impulse command with either GTM >I<mpulse OR with the hard coded chord i+DUP.
Follow the prompt and type your output in character entry mode. (example: >I<mpulse output: burst ).
Press enter to confirm your output.
Verify that the desired input is correct (you will see a confirmation message similar to this: >I<mpulse input(1): b + r + u + t + s).
If the input is incorrect, perform your desired input at this step. Once the input is the desired input, press enter.

These steps should take 1-3 seconds.

Creating an Impulse Chord on the CharaChorder Lite 

Standard process for creating an impulse chord on a CharaChorder Lite: In short: 1. CHORD INPUT, 2. CALL IMPULSE, 3. TYPE OUTPUT, 4. CONFIRM OUTPUT, 5. CONFIRM INPUT

Impulse chording on the CharaChorder Lite

Anywhere that you can see a cursor, chord the input you want (example: b+u+r+s+t). You will either see a jumble of letters (example: “tsubr”) or you will see a chord which is already programmed to that input. If you continue, any conflicts will be overwritten.
Call the impulse command with either GTM >I<mpulse OR with the hard coded chord i+DUP.
Follow the prompt and type your output in character entry mode. (example: >I<mpulse output: burst ).
Press enter to confirm your output.
Verify that the desired input is correct (you will see a confirmation message similar to this: >I<mpulse input(1): b + r + u + t + s).
If the input is incorrect, perform your desired input at this step. Once the input is the desired input, press enter.

These steps should take 1-3 seconds.

Creating an Impulse Chord on the CharaChorder X 

Standard process for creating an impulse chord on a CharaChorder X: In short: 1. CHORD INPUT, 2. CALL IMPULSE, 3. TYPE OUTPUT, 4. CONFIRM OUTPUT, 5. CONFIRM INPUT

Anywhere that you can see a cursor, chord the input you want (example: b+u+r+s+t). You will either see a jumble of letters (example: “tsubr”) or you will see a chord which is already programmed to that input. If you continue, any conflicts will be overwritten.
Call the impulse command with either GTM >I<mpulse OR with the hard coded chord i+ESC.
Follow the prompt and type your output in character entry mode. (example: >I<mpulse output: burst ).
Press enter to confirm your output.
Verify that the desired output is correct (you will see a confirmation message similar to this: >I<mpulse input(1): b + u + r + s + t).
If the input is incorrect, perform your desired input at this step. Once the input is the desired input, press enter.

These steps should take 1-3 seconds