What is the Plugin for MIDI Chords Generator?
A MIDI chord generator VST is a plugin that automatically generates chords based on scale, key, and user input. These tools help producers create complex, professional-sounding progressions without needing in-depth music theory knowledge.
Top Chord Generator Plugins for Producers
1. ChordJam by Audiomodern (Best for Versatility)
With ChordJam, you can explore a wide variety of chord progressions with ease. This plugin offers a vast library of chords, which can be easily customized to fit your needs.
🎛️ Why It Stands Out?
✔ Perfect for both beginners and pros – Intuitive interface for quick workflow.
✔ Creative randomization – Generate fresh progressions instantly.
✔ Seamless integration – Compatible with most DAWs and MIDI controllers.
Ultimate Tip: Pair ChordJam with an RnB sample pack to create soulful, expressive progressions perfect for modern RnB beats.
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Chordjam - The Ultimate Chord MachineThe Creative real-time compositional assistant |
2. Scaler 2 (Best Overall)
One of the most popular MIDI chord generator plugins, Scaler 2 offers:
🎹 Chord detection – Analyze any melody or sample and get suggested chords.
🎼 MIDI drag & drop – Easily move progressions into your DAW.
🎵 Genre-specific presets – Find chord sets tailored for electronic, hip-hop, RnB, and jazz.
Pro Tip: If you're making lo-fi beats, load a Lo-Fi Hip Hop sample pack and use Scaler 2 to generate jazzy 7th and 9th chords for a rich, organic sound.
3. Captain Chords (Best for Simplicity)
Perfect for beginners, Captain Chords helps create progressions, rhythms, and basslines with an intuitive interface. It includes:
🎛️ Easy key & scale selection
🔗 Integration with Captain Plugins for basslines & melodies
🎶 Strumming & rhythmic patterns for more natural-sounding chords
🎧 Use Case: If you’re producing deep house or electronica, try combining Captain Chords with an Electronica sample pack to create atmospheric, evolving chord movements.
4. Cthulhu by Xfer Records (Best for Experimental Producers)
Developed by the creators of Serum, Cthulhu is a powerful chord memorizer and generator that lets you:
🎵 Trigger entire progressions with one key
🎼 Create evolving chord movements with customizable settings
🎛️ Explore unique voicings beyond standard triads
Try This: Load a Hip Hop sample pack and use Cthulhu’s chord presets to create a dark, moody progression for a trap beat.
Does Ableton Have a Chord Generator?
Yes, Ableton does have built-in tools to generate chords, making it a great DAW for producers who want to create complex progressions without third-party plugins.
1. Ableton’s Chord MIDI Effect
Ableton Live includes a Chord MIDI effect, which allows you to stack multiple notes on top of a single key press. This is a quick way to generate chord voicings without manually playing each note.
🎛️ How to Use It:
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Add the Chord MIDI effect to a MIDI track.
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Adjust the shift settings to define how many semitones above or below the root note will be played.
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Experiment with different voicings to create major, minor, 7th, and extended chords.
Pro Tip: If you're producing lo-fi or soul-infused beats, combine the Chord MIDI effect with a Lo-Fi Hip Hop sample pack to create warm, nostalgic harmonies.
2. Scale MIDI Effect
The Scale MIDI effect ensures that all notes you play snap to a specific key. This is useful when building complex progressions while staying in key.
🎧 Try This: Load an RnB sample pack and experiment with the Scale MIDI effect to create lush, expressive chord movements for soulful tracks.
3. Max for Live Chord Devices
If you're using Ableton Suite, you have access to Max for Live, which offers even more chord generation tools. Some useful devices include:
✔ J74 Progressive – Generates chords and progressions based on key and scale.
✔ Chord Memorizer – Assigns custom chord shapes to individual keys for quick triggering.
Bonus Tip: If you're producing electronic music, experiment with Max for Live chord devices alongside an Electronica sample pack for rich, evolving textures.
What is the Difference Between Hookpad and Scaler 2?
Both Hookpad and Scaler 2 are powerful tools for music composition and chord progression creation, but they cater to different workflows and levels of expertise.
1. Hookpad: Best for Songwriters & Beginners
Hookpad is an online music composition tool that focuses on melody and chord progression writing. It’s ideal for:
🎵 Beginners who want to learn functional harmony.
🎼 Composing full songs with an easy-to-use interface.
🔍 Analyzing popular progressions to understand music theory.
🎛️ Strengths:
✔ Simple drag-and-drop interface.
✔ Built-in music theory tools for learning chord functions.
✔ Great for sketching ideas quickly before moving to a DAW.
Best Use Case: If you’re composing RnB, try using Hookpad to analyze classic RnB progressions, then bring them into your DAW and enhance them with an RnB sample pack.
2. Scaler 2: Best for Producers & Advanced Users
Scaler 2 is a fully-featured MIDI plugin that provides real-time chord detection, progression building, and extensive sound shaping.
🎛️ Why Choose Scaler 2?
✔ Advanced chord detection – Analyzes MIDI and audio inputs.
✔ Drag-and-drop MIDI export for quick workflow.
✔ Genre-specific presets for Hip-Hop, House, EDM, RnB, and more.
🎧 Best Use Case: If you’re working on electronic or hip-hop beats, load up an Hip Hop sample pack and use Scaler 2 to create moody, complex progressions that add depth to your track.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Use?
🔹 Use Hookpad if you want to learn music theory and write melodies and chord progressions in an intuitive way.
🔹 Use Scaler 2 if you need a powerful chord assistant with deep integration into your DAW.
How Chord Generator VSTs Can Elevate Your Productions
Whether you're a beginner looking for inspiration or an experienced producer refining your workflow, chord generator VSTs are game-changers for modern music production. These plugins remove the guesswork from harmonic composition, allowing you to focus on creativity while still maintaining control over your sound.
Key Takeaways:
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Scaler 2 is the most powerful tool for detecting and generating professional chord progressions.
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Captain Chords is ideal for beginners who want a simple, intuitive way to build chords.
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Cthulhu offers unique and experimental chord progressions with MIDI-triggered playback.
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ChordJam provides a vast library of customizable chords, making it great for all skill levels.
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Ableton’s built-in tools (Chord & Scale MIDI Effects) allow for quick chord generation without extra plugins.
- Hookpad vs. Scaler 2 – Hookpad is better for songwriting and learning music theory, while Scaler 2 is best for DAW-based production.
How to Start Experimenting
🎧 Load up a Hip Hop sample pack and build moody, dark chord progressions with Scaler 2.
🎛️ Try using an RnB sample pack alongside ChordJam to create soulful, expressive harmonies.
🎶 Use Ableton’s Chord MIDI effect to generate electronic chord stabs that blend well with an Electronica sample pack.
By integrating a chord generator VST into your workflow, you’ll unlock new creative possibilities, speed up your production process, and craft better chord progressions with ease. Ready to level up your music? Open your DAW, load your favorite samples, and start experimenting today! 🚀
