Check out the best free chord generator VST plugins to play chords, scales, or identify chords in your favorite VST-supported software. These free chord plugins work with Windows and Mac.
Here’s a look at chord generator plugins, with lists of features, screenshots, and videos. I’ve downloaded and tried out hundreds of free VST plugins, and these stand out as some of the best chord generator plugin options.
Best Chord Generator VST Plugins
- Tonespace
- Chordz
- AutoTonic Player
- Ripchord
- Surge Synth Team
- Harvest Mini
- Free Chord Generator
- kawaChord2
- Simple Chord Detection
- Chordator
- Chordit
- midiChords
- Mini-Chord
I have included chord generator plugins that work for Windows and Mac.
Instructions: Click the links to visit each Chord Generator VST plugin. Look around each website for the download link or button. Do not install any suspicious software.
1. Tonespace
Tonespace is a chord generator and visualizer that makes it easy to understand the structure of chords and scales. It displays chords on a grid, making it easy to see their structure and play them.
It supports 39 chord types, 25 chord voicings/inversions, 21 scales, 18 keys, and 50 different grids. You can output chords over MIDI to your favorite synth.
You can use Tonespace either as a VST plugin or Audio Unit in your DAW or as a standalone application. With Tonespace, you can audition and play chords while you move the mouse around in a grid-like space or use a traditional MIDI keyboard instead.
Tonespace is a great tool for both learning about chords and writing chord progressions.
Features
- Chord generator and visualizer
- Supports 39 chord types
- 25 chord voicings/inversions
- Visualizes chords on a grid
- Output chords over MIDI
Pros
- Easy to understand chord structures
- Displays chords on piano keyboard
- Audition chords with mouse or MIDI keyboard
- Learn scales and keys easily
- Auto chord generation to fit scales
Cons
- It may be complex for beginners
- Requires MIDI setup for full functionality
- Standalone app separate from DAW
- Limited to 50 grids
- Specific to chord-related functions only
Tonespace | PC / Mac / Linux
2. Chordz
This innovative VST plugin allows you to trigger full chords by playing single notes, making it easy to create custom chord voicings and progressions.
With Chordz, you can quickly and easily add complex chord arrangements to your music production tracks without having to learn music theory.
Just select a scale and root note, and the plugin will suggest diatonic chords that sound great together.
You can even spread the notes out over several octaves to create inversions and other custom voicings.
Chordz is super easy to use, so you can focus on making music instead of learning theory.
This app lets you play complicated chord progressions easily.
Features
- Play chord progressions
- Trigger Chords from Single Notes
- Chord Suggestion Feature
- Easy Mode
- 50 Chord Types
- 40 Scale & Chord Templates
- Randomize Features
- Add Custom Templates
- Create Chord Inversions
- Stay In Key
- Add Custom Chords
- Virtual Keyboard Display
Chordz | PC
3. AutoTonic Player
With the AutoTonic Player, you’ll enjoy an unlimited, hassle-free playing experience with no time restrictions or authorizations required.
This version also features dozens of scale/tonic combinations and a TicTacToe game built in for added fun.
MIDI must be set up on every launch, but this is a small price to pay for the endless possibilities of music-making at your fingertips.
AutoTonic Player | PC & Mac Os
4. Ripchord Chord Generator VST
Ripchord is the perfect tool for music producers who want to add some creativity and uniqueness to their music.
With Ripchord, you can create custom chord progressions from scratch or import MIDI files containing chords, and Ripchord will automatically create a preset for them.
You can even load expansion packs to compose complex progressions easily.
You can also make, give away, or sell expansion packs for Ripchord. Creating chord progressions can be made fun and easy with just a single press of a note when using Ripchord.
- Play Chord Progressions
- MIDI Keyboard Support
Ripchord | PC & Mac
5. Stochas
Stochas is a polyrhythmic step sequencer and chord generator that can add randomness and variation to your step sequencing process.
It can be used with other plugins and hardware synthesizers to create more dynamic patterns or generate random or semi-random melodic or drum lines.
With its ability to add slight timing randomness to notes, this plugin can help you create more organic and realistic-sounding sequences.
Stochas | PC / Mac / Linux
6. Harvest Mini
The Harvest Mini MIDI loop-generating plugin is the perfect tool for creating unlimited melodies, chord progressions, and drum loops.
With its ability to choose scales and rhythms, you’ll get tons of possibilities for your music.
Harvest Mini | PC & Mac
7. PML Chord Generator ( Ableton )
With the PML Chord Generator, you can create interesting chord progressions in seconds without any knowledge of music theory.
Select the notes you want to use, and the generator will do the rest.
The software is easy to use and requires no prior knowledge or experience.
With the ability to generate chords in any key, the sky is the limit for what you can create.
PML Chord Generator | PC & Mac
8. kawaChord2 ( Free Version )
The kawaChord2 “Free Version” is a handy tool for quickly entering chord tones without the need to know all the individual notes in each chord.
Press the chord name button, and the MIDI notes will be sent as chord tones.
The diatonic chords are highlighted based on the main key and chords’ root you set.
You can also place chords in your DAW as MIDI Clip Items.
The kawaChord2 also features a step sequencer of chord tones, a chord progression mode, and a search chords mode from the musical scale.
- Visual Chord Charts
- Intelligent Chord Suggestions
kawaChord2 | PC & Mac
9. Simple Chord Detection
With Simple Chord Detection, you can quickly and easily detect chords and show note information with a clean, intuitive interface. You can resize the window for width and change colors to suit your needs.
This VST is perfect for musicians of all levels who are looking for a quick and easy way to detect chords and show related notes.
- Detect Chord Notes
- Clean Interface
- Useful Setting Options
Simple Chord Detection | PC 64-bit
10. Chordator
This handy tool turns incoming notes into full chords of up to six notes, making it easy to play big, bold power chords and complex harmonies.
It is super easy to use. Just press one key, and you’re ready to rock.
Chordator | PC 32-bit
11. Chordit
Chordit is a simple tool for keyboardists of all levels. With Chordit, you can trigger chords by playing a single note. This allows you to quickly switch between chords, making it easy to create beautiful melodies and progressions.
Chordit also comes with a built-in octave switch, so you can play the chords in any range that you like.
Chordit | PC
12. midiChords
midiChords is the ultimate chord VST plugin for making creative and engaging music.
With its keyboard or guitar view for chord input, basic strumming capabilities, and ability to save/load chords as text files, midiChords is the perfect tool for any musician looking to add depth and creativity to their sound.
Additionally, midiChords’ supports multichannel chords, allowing each chord note to be output to any combination of MIDI channels – making it truly versatile.
With its optional chord name recognition and global mode, midiChords is the perfect solution for any musician looking to add a professional touch to their music.
Features
- Keyboard or Guitar Chord Input
- Basic Strumming
- Keyboard Display
- MIDI Learn
- Chord Shapes
- Keyboard Mappings
- Copy & Paste Chords
- Chord Name Recognition
- 128 Different Chords
- Octave Mode
- 128 Internal Programs
midiChords | PC & Mac
13. Mini-Chord
Looking for an easy way to add some unique sound effects to your music? Look no further than the Mini-Chord chord organ.
This little powerhouse can create a four-note chord for each note hit, giving your music a whole new dimension.
Plus, you can select different wave types to get familiar with electric organ tones and use the tempo-synced effects to add rhythm and movement.
- ADSR Control
- Panning
- Auto Drift
- Chords: Minor, Majory, 7th, Minor 7th
- Wave Types: Sine, Saw, Ramp, Triangle, Pulse, Pink Noise, White Noise
Mini-Chord | PC
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Chord Generator VST?
A chord generator VST is a software plugin that can generate chords based on a specified scale and tonic note. Most chord generator VSTs will let you select the scale, tonic note, and type of chords you want to generate.
Common chord types can be generated as major, minor, seventh, and ninth chords. If you’re unfamiliar with music theory or just starting to learn to play guitar or another instrument, a chord generator VST can help you learn how to play chords.
What Is A Chord?
A chord is a group of three or more musical notes played together. The notes in a chord can be played simultaneously (stacked on top of each other), or they can be played after one another (arpeggiated). In most cases, chords are named after the first note in the chord. For example, a C chord consists of the notes C, E, and G.
What Is A Chord Generator?
A chord generator is a plugin that plays chords in a VST-supported program. It usually has a keyboard or other input device, and it will create chords based on the notes you play. It may also have additional features, such as the ability to save chords, change keys, or transpose the chords.
These great plugin options can help generate multiple chords and suggest chords to create melodies and chord progressions faster.
Its excellent flexibility and editing features enable users to customize chord progressions and write chords using a MIDI controller or a DAW’s piano roll.
It is also a great inspiration for remixing chord progressions and exploring sound design.
Overall, such tools are a must-have for novice music composers and seasoned professionals looking to get their creative juices flowing and generate musical ideas.
These free plugins are excellent free alternatives to paid plugins like Captain Chords, Chord Composer by Intuitive Audio, Chord Prism by Mozaic Beats, Re-Compose Liquid Notes, ChordPotion, Cthulhu by Xfer Records, and other paid plugins on Plugin Boutique.
I hope you find this list of free chord generator VST plugins helpful. These free plugins can be used with the most popular DAWs, such as FL Studio, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and more.
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