To select the midi OUT device use the menu.  The currently selected device (if any) will be shown with a check mark.

The play button will change from a disabled to a selected state:

To start the device click on the play button again.  The button will change to a started state:

Once a midi out device is started, all sound produced by the program -- in any mode -- is routed to the midi device.  Often, such as the example shown above, some internal midi drivers fail to produce sound.  That is why when you select a particular midi OUT device the program plays a tone.  If you don't hear it, select a different device.  See Midi and DirectX Sound and Stopping Midi.

   DirectX          midi

Anywhere in the program, whether on chords, table, melody or play modes, the background color of the speaker button tells whether DirectX sound or midi sound is being produced.

With external midi instruments it is often necessary to turn the instrument on before running FastChords.

In some cases it is necessary to first shut down the computer, then start the midi instrument and then restart the computer, in that order.