InstaChord MIDI chord plugin interface by W. A. Production

InstaChord: MIDI Chord and Progression Plugin by W. A. Production Free Download

Rated 4.3/5 on Plugin Boutique (10,550 ratings)

InstaChord is a MIDI processing plugin by W. A. Production that helps you play chords and chord progressions faster, using a chord bank, five voicing modes and up to 24 chord keys.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit
AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique
Free trial available from the developer
01Overview

InstaChord is built for people who want to write, play or study harmony without spending time on chord construction. It gives you access to a large set of common chord types, including major, minor, sus2, 6th and 7th chords, and lets you assign them to keys on your controller. The developer notes that changing the progression can shift the mood of a song, and InstaChord is aimed at finding those changes quickly. It includes 40 factory presets with chord progressions to start from.

Best for

  • Songwriting chord progressions
  • Live key changes
  • Keyboard chord practice
  • Music theory study
  • Arpeggio and strum patterns
  • Jam track creation
Store
Plugin Boutique
02Key features

What you get

  • Chord bank with common types including maj, min, sus2, 6th and 7th
  • Five voicing modes: basic, 1st and 2nd inversions, guitar and wide
  • Up to 24 chord keys for switching between chords
  • 24 customizable action keys for strums, notes and transpose
  • Hold mode for sustained chords, like a sustain pedal
  • Transpose all chords to any key with a button
  • 40 factory presets with chord progressions
  • Lockable action key setup that persists across presets
03In depth

Chord voicings and playing styles

InstaChord offers five voicing modes: basic, 1st and 2nd inversions, guitar, and wide. Each one orders the notes differently, so the same chord can sit better against the other chords in a song.

You can hit or strum chords with different note combinations, speeds and directions. A key can strum the top three notes of a chord while another hits the two middle notes. You can also play individual chord notes separately for arpeggios or manual strumming.

Hold mode lets the chord keys control sustain, so notes keep ringing while a chord key is held, similar to a sustain pedal.

Workflow, transposing and customization

InstaChord's transpose function moves the current chords to any other key, which is useful when a song's key changes during a live performance. Action keys, 24 in total, can be set to functions such as a full strum, first two notes, or transpose.

You can lock your action key setup so it stays the same when you load a new preset. The positions of the chord and action keys can also be moved up or down across two octaves to suit your controller.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

DeveloperW. A. Production
TypePlugin
CategoryMusic Theory Tools
FormatsVST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systemsWindows, macOS
Architecture64-bit
Free trialYes
05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does InstaChord support?

InstaChord is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats.

Which operating systems can run InstaChord?

InstaChord runs on Windows and macOS. The Windows requirement lists Windows 8 and later in 32- and 64-bit versions, and the Mac requirement lists macOS 10.13 and later, 64-bit only.

Is there a trial version?

Yes, InstaChord has a trial version. In the trial, only major chords are available, so you can check DAW compatibility before buying.

Are there known issues on Apple Silicon Macs?

W. A. Production says there may be some issues with InstaChord on Apple Silicon Macs and that it is working on them. Check the current compatibility status for your system before purchasing.

What do I need to use InstaChord?

InstaChord is a MIDI processing plugin. It works in software that supports VST/VST3 plugins with MIDI routing, or AU/AAX MIDI effect types. The developer lists compatibility with DAWs including FL Studio 12, Cubase 9.5, Studio One 3, Ableton Live 9/10 and Pro Tools 11+, while Reason is not compatible.

07Developer

More from W. A. Production

All W. A. Production products →