Autochords vs Roland Chord Director

Autochords is an iPhone and iPad app that helps songwriters find chord progressions and learn chords on guitar, piano and ukulele. Choose a progression style and key to see a main progression and alternatives for other song sections. Progressions can be previewed at a selected tempo with piano, guitar or ukulele playback, and the app provides diagrams for each instrument. Its built-in library contains dozens of progressions across styles of western music, though some require PRO. The free plan provides the app's free features. PRO adds more progressions, favorites, tempo changes, color themes, custom progressions and MIDI export. Export uses the iOS share sheet to open files in compatible apps, including desktop DAWs such as Logic or GarageBand. PRO costs $2.99 a month, $12.99 a year or 29.99 USD once for lifetime access. If a PRO subscription expires, existing favorites and custom progressions remain accessible, but users cannot add or remove favorites or create or delete custom progressions. Astrocode Pty Ltd develops the app, which is operated by a solo developer.

Roland Chord Director is a free companion app for Roland’s GO:KEYS 3 and GO:KEYS 5 keyboards. It supplies additional ready-made chord patterns that can be loaded into a connected keyboard with a touch. The touch interface also lets users change keys and edit chord patterns, or create new patterns from their own chord progressions. The app links to the keyboard through Bluetooth and is listed for iOS and Android through the App Store and Google Play. Roland describes it as a way to use chord patterns for favorite songs and new compositions with a full-band sound. A free Roland Account is required to access pre-made patterns. Roland says GO:KEYS 3 and GO:KEYS 5 added support in system program version 1.11. Product questions go to Roland’s Knowledge Base, with product support handled through BACKSTAGE. Google Play reports possible collection of personal information, app activity, and device or other IDs; it also reports encryption in transit and deletion requests.