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MIDI orchestration tools built by working composers, for working composers.

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Getting Started

  • Introduction
  • Installation
  • Core Concepts
  • Signal Flow

Core Features

  • Keyswitches
  • Voice Layers
  • Chord Revoicing
  • Grid Inputs
  • Routing Matrix
  • Output Rows
  • Latch Mode

Modules

  • Phrase Arpeggiator
  • MIDI Clip Launcher
  • Smart Modifier
  • Articulation Trigger

Mixer & Presets

  • Mixer
  • Macros
  • The Preset System

Reference

  • Global Settings
  • Parameter Reference
  • Glossary
  • Troubleshooting
  • Requirements

DAW Setup

  • Logic Pro
  • Cubase
  • Reaper
  • Ableton Live
By the Forma Labs teamUpdated March 2026

Latch mode lets you hold notes indefinitely without keeping keys pressed or using a sustain pedal. Play a chord, engage the latch, release your hands—the notes continue to sound until you play something new.

How Latch Works

  1. 1Play notes normally—they sound and release as usual
  2. 2Press and hold the latch trigger note while holding your chord
  3. 3Release the latch trigger—your notes are now latched and continue sounding
  4. 4Release your hands from the keyboard—the latched notes keep playing
  5. 5Play a new chord—the latched notes release and the new chord takes over seamlessly

Latch Trigger Range

The latch system uses dedicated MIDI notes in the upper register:

  • •Latch Range — MIDI notes 95–108 (B5–C7)
  • •Latch Clear — MIDI note 108 (C7) clears all latched notes globally

These notes are above the typical playing range, so they won't interfere with your performance. Use a keyboard with enough keys, or trigger them via MIDI from your DAW.

Seamless Chord Transitions

Latch mode enables hands-free chord changes. Once notes are latched:

Auto-Clear on New Input

When you play a new note or chord, the latched notes automatically release and the new notes take over. There's no gap—the transition is seamless, perfect for sustained orchestral passages.

Manual Clear

To release a latch, the latch clear key must be depressed. Notes pressed after that will release the latch and allow the new chord to take over. Useful for creating a clean break or ending a section.

Use Cases

Orchestral Sustains

Hold string pads or brass swells while freeing your hands to play a melody line on another controller or adjust parameters.

Hands-Free Arrangement

Latch a chord, then use your free hands to adjust the mixer, switch articulations, or control expression without dropping the harmony.

Feeding Arpeggiators

Combined with Fixed mode revoicing, latch allows you to hold complex chords that feed arpeggiators continuously while you work on other parts.

Latch and Keyswitches

Latch mode works together with the keyswitch system. When you switch keyswitches using the primed switching method, latched notes are preserved until the new keyswitch takes over. This creates smooth transitions between different orchestration states without any note dropouts.

Related

Keyswitches

Seamless transitions between orchestration states

Intelligent Chord Revoicing

Fixed mode for feeding arpeggiators