ChordPadX 4+

This complements ‘Suggester’ perfectly - and I would recommend both to any aspiring songwriter! This one allows you to put in up to 64 chord and/or single note pads on one screen - including different inversions of chords. It’s great for trying out different combinations that I’d never find with my limited piano skills!

I downloaded the demo version of this quite a while ago but I didn’t give it much of a try. I’ve gone back to it and was so impressed I paid for the full version. My only criticism is that I don’t think it’s possible to rename any customised pad settings. For example I created a 1 4 5 Dorian pad with the chord progression over 2 octaves and 1 inversion and single keys in that scale also over 2 octaves. I would like to label that as Dorian D but there’s no way of doing it. The setup saves but it’s just an unnamed pad among any others I create.

I just want to add something to my original review. I’ve since tried this out as a midi controller with Reason 10 on my PC, and it works really well. Using an iPad as a controller with a PC takes a bit of setting up, but I managed it with the camera connection kit, a USB cable to a hub and an external audio input with midi in out. I’ve got an iRig Pro connected by midi and audio to a Zoom UAC-2. If you can do that give it a try, it makes playing chords into desktop daws a doddle for those of us who aren’t proficient at playing keyboards.

I’m so glad I’ve found this chord player with live pads. This app combines functionality and easy of use in really stylish way - great interface with simple editing options and chord dictionary just click away. At this early stage it just brilliant, hope it will develop further and include step sequencer in the future.