Home > News > 2014 >

Casio Releases iOS App That Helps Users to Create Chord Charts for Their Favorite Songs

New Version of Chordana Viewer Enables Printing and Emailing of Chord Charts


Chordana Viewer Ver.2.0
Chordana Viewer Ver.2.0
Sample of use when connected<br />
              to key lighting keyboard
Sample of use when connected
to key lighting keyboard


TOKYO, August 5, 2014 — Casio Computer Co., Ltd., announced today that it has released a new version of Chordana Viewer, an iOS app that displays the chord progressions of songs to help users create chord charts. This new version is available at the Apple App Store today. Users who have already purchased the original version of Chordana Viewer can download the new version free of charge.

Released in October 2013, Chordana Viewer automatically detects chord progressions and creates chord charts for songs that can be listened to via music apps on the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. The app has since become popular because it allows users to virtually play along with their favorite tunes, using instruments such as guitar, piano, or electronic keyboard.

In Chordana Viewer Version 2.0, available today, Casio has added all-new functions. Now the app not only produces chord charts, but also allows users to print and exchange edited chord charts via email, creating more possibilities for playing music together with friends. The new version also lets users adjust the barline position in the musical measure when detection should take place, so that the app can accommodate more diverse music.

  • Creates chord charts for the user’s favorite songs
  • The new version of Chordana Viewer can automatically detect*1 musical chord progressions in audio files and then display them on the screen as a chord chart. Moreover, if the user wishes to change the musical key, the chords change accordingly. In addition to automatic detection of chords, the user can also set the barline position in the musical measure when detection should take place, so that the app can accommodate more diverse music.

    *1 The app automatically selects chords that most closely match the compositional character of a piece of music. The selected chords, however, may not exactly match the original chords, depending on the piece of music.


  • Allows chord charts to be edited and shared with friends
  • The chord charts automatically created by the app can be edited to suit the preferences of users. The chord charts can also be printed via Apple’s AirPrint feature, and shared with other people who use Chordana Viewer Version 2.0 via email.

  • Adds to the fun of really playing musical instruments
  • While displaying chord progressions, Chordana Viewer Version 2.0 shows the piano or guitar fingering for the chord on the screen. By playing along on one of these musical instruments, users can feel as if they are performing together with their favorite musicians.

  • Enables connection to MIDI-compatible musical instruments
  • Chordana Viewer Version 2.0 can connect to any MIDI-compatible electronic musical instrument.*2 If the app is connected to one of the key lighting keyboards from Casio, the app guides the user by lighting the keys to play according to the chords and root tone.

    *2 Commercially available MIDI interface or adapter is necessary. Please see the Main Specifications for details.


  • Accompaniment provided by virtual instruments
  • Users can choose from four virtual instrument sounds*3 shown on the screen to accompany music, and even record a performance during the accompaniment. The balance between vocals and accompaniment can be adjusted during playback—a useful function for learning to play by ear.

    *3 Musical instrument sounds can be added for a fee. Please check prices at the App Store.


《 Main Specifications 》

Compatibility
iPhone*4
iPhone 4s, iPhone 5, iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s
iPod touch
iPod touch (fifth generation)
iPad*4
iPad 2, iPad (third generation), iPad (fourth generation), iPad Air
iPad mini
iPad mini, iPad mini with Retina display
Detection of Chord Progression
Target Songs
Songs saved in standard iOS music apps (File length is limited to 10 minutes.)*5
Customizable Items
Number of chords per bar, tempo (slow, standard, or upbeat), fixed tempo (on or off),
time signature (4/4, 3/4, or 5/4), barline position (±half note duration)
Chord Chart
Display
Chord name (full screen display correspondence),
chord progression guide, chord list
Functions
Save, easy edit (choose from 3 candidate chords), manual edit, AirPrint,
exchange edited chord charts via email
Control
Transpose
Target
Audio playback, chord score, virtual musical instrument
Range
±1 octaves (pitch in semitone units)
Tempo
Target
Audio playback, chord progression guide
Range
50% to 200%
Volume
Balance
Whole Balance
Music (audio playback) / tap operation (virtual musical instrument)
Music Balance
Backing / melody
Virtual
Musical Instrument
Piano Keyboard
Keyboard
12 keys / 17 keys / 24 keys
Indicator
Keyboard position corresponding to the cord: Current cord, next cord
Max. Polyphony
12
Preset Tones*6
Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano
Piano Pad
Pad
Chord pad (white), monophony pad (black)
Indicator
Chord position for piano performance
Preset Tones*6
Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano
Guitar Pad
Pad
6 string (each string sounds independently)
Indicator
Chord position for guitar performance
Preset Tones*6
Steel-string Guitar, Nylon-string Guitar
Audio Recording
The virtual musical instrument performance is recorded with the playback song
MIDI
Functions
MIDI IN
Sounded by virtual musical instrument tone
MIDI OUT
Chord progression, tap operation (virtual musical instrument),
touch operation (chord score), touch operation (chord list)
Connection
Via USB Port
(MIDI compatible)
Lightning to USB Camera Adapter(Apple)*7 with USB cable (commercial product)
or Apple iPad Camera Connection Kit*7 with USB cable (commercial product)
Via MIDI Port
iOS-compatible MIDI interface (commercial product)

*4 iOS version 6.0 or higher is necessary.
*5 To use iTunes in the Cloud songs (songs purchased or played through the iTunes Match service), first download the songs to a device. Songs protected by DRM cannot be used even if downloaded.
*6 Additional tones are subject to fees. Please check prices at the App Store.
*7 iOS version 7.0 or higher is necessary.

To use the MIDI function, a commercially available MIDI interface and a MIDI connectable electronic musical instrument are required.

Apple, iPhone, iPod touch and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

AirPrint is a trademark of Apple Inc.

App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc.

Other product names and so forth are generally trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies.

Top of page