Getting Started with ChordWalk and Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio gives you a huge range of authentic instrument sounds, editing tools, effects, and recording features. But what if you don’t have much music theory knowledge or playing experience? How can you create music that feels fun, meaningful, and inspiring—without needing an external MIDI keyboard, sequencer, drum pad, or even the piano roll?
That’s where ChordWalk comes in.
Whether you’re just starting out or already an experienced producer, ChordWalk can make your workflow smoother and help spark new ideas—especially when you hit a creative block.
If you’re working on Windows and want to transfer MIDI data between ChordWalk and Bitwig, you’ll need to set up a Virtual Loopback MIDI Port. You’ll find step-by-step instructions for setting this up in the Creator’s Guide.
Activating Your Virtual MIDI Port in ChordWalk
Once you’ve created your Virtual MIDI Port using loopMIDI, ChordWalk will detect it as an available MIDI source. To enable it:
Open MIDI Devices
Click the MIDI Devices icon in ChordWalk.View Available Devices
A floating window will appear, showing all recognised MIDI destinations.Activate Your Port
Find the Virtual MIDI Port(s) you created in loopMIDI and activate the corresponding number(s).
After activation, ChordWalk will be able to transmit MIDI data through your chosen Virtual MIDI Port.
Pairing ChordWalk Creation Areas with Bitwig Instrument Tracks
One of ChordWalk’s most powerful features is the ability to route MIDI data from any individual creation area directly to a specific instrument track in Bitwig. This means you can independently pair different areas of ChordWalk with different Bitwig tracks, each playing its own virtual instrument sound.
To set this up:
Select a Track in Bitwig
Click on the instrument track you want to pair.Assign in ChordWalk
In ChordWalk, go to the assignment area (highlighted in red in the image below) and select it.
This pairs your chosen ChordWalk creation area with the selected Bitwig track, letting you control and play its virtual instrument directly.
Assigning Ports and Channels
In the Bitwig menu (as shown in the example):
Choose the Port
Select Port 1 (or whichever Virtual MIDI Port you’re using).Match the Channel Number
Assign the channel number that corresponds to the creation area in ChordWalk you want to pair with.
This ensures the MIDI data from your chosen ChordWalk creation area is routed correctly to the matching Bitwig track.
Playing and Expanding Your Setup
Once paired, the MIDI data stream from the ChordWalk creation area will now play the sound assigned to that Bitwig track—independently of any other tracks.
You can repeat this pairing process for as many creation areas as you like, linking each one to its own instrument track in Bitwig. Add as many arpeggios as you wish, and explore different sounds by assigning them to different tracks.
For more tips and guidance, check out the Creator’s Guide and our Music Theory Course, which cover a wide range of topics to support your music-making journey.
Good luck, and enjoy creating!