Chord Identifier

Key Features

• •Context-Aware Chord Detection: Uses a harmonic gravity engine to identify chords from real-time MIDI input, considering the key and scale to provide musically accurate names. This feature eliminates guesswork and helps musicians understand complex harmonies within their proper context.
• •Scale Mode with Note Highlighting: Offers over 60 scales and highlights scale tones in green while out-of-scale notes appear red. Auto-detects the scale after 30 notes, making it easy to stay in key and avoid errors during composition and practice.
• •Multiple Layout Options: Switch between Dot, Piano, and Guitar Fretboard layouts. Adjust the visible key range to match your MIDI keyboard (25/49/61/88 keys). Chord search lets you type a chord name and see its layout, aiding in learning new voicings.
• •Waterfall MIDI Player: Import any MIDI file to play along, transpose, and adjust tempo (auto-set from file). Learn from existing songs, compose alongside them, and use for live jam sessions. Great for analyzing chord progressions and structure.
• •Native Synthesizer & Custom Instruments: Two-oscillator synth with ADSR, filter, reverb/delay, and drive effects. Create custom instruments from WAV files or import SFZ/SF2 soundfonts. The visual oscilloscope and spectogram show sound shaping in real time.
• •MIDI & Audio Recording: Record both WAV audio and MIDI data simultaneously by clicking the record button. Exports can be dragged into your DAW for further production. Essential for capturing ideas quickly without additional hardware.
• •Quiz Mode for Ear Training: A fun game where the app plays random notes or chords and you identify them by ear. Five questions per round, with ability to repeat sounds or play middle C for reference. Effective for developing aural skills.

Use Cases

• •Learning Complex Jazz Chords: A student can play any chord on their MIDI controller and instantly see its name on the piano layout, along with its scale context. This accelerates understanding of extended harmonies and helps internalize chord theory.
• •Songwriting in a Specific Key: A songwriter uses scale mode to ensure all notes fit the chosen key. Out-of-scale notes flash red, preventing accidental dissonance. The waterfall MIDI player lets them import a reference track to study its structure.
• •Ear Training Practice: Using quiz mode, a musician trains their ear by identifying chords and notes played by the app. With adjustable difficulty and five questions per round, it provides structured practice that improves recognition skills.
• •Analyzing Favorite Songs: Import a MIDI file of your favorite song into the waterfall player. Transpose it, change tempo, and see chord names in real time as you listen. This helps in understanding the harmonic structure and learning to play the song.
• •Recording and Exporting Ideas: A producer records a MIDI performance along with audio in one click. The recording is saved as WAV and MIDI, ready to be imported into a DAW like Ableton or FL Studio. This captures ideas without interrupting creative flow.

Who is this for?

Musicians, producers, composers, and music educators who use MIDI controllers and want to improve their understanding of chords and music theory. Visual learners who benefit from graphical feedback will find the scale highlighting and multiple layouts especially useful. Songwriters seeking a real-time compositional aid and students preparing for ear training exercises will also benefit. The software is designed for both Windows and Mac users, with Linux support forthcoming. It is particularly suited for those who want an interactive, context-aware approach to learning harmony, rather than traditional textbook methods. Beginners to advanced players can all use Chord Identifier to enhance their practice and creativity.