SongEngine is a music plug-in that creates chord progressions and generates basslines, phrases, and melodies to fit them. Users can build chords with Chord Pads, import MIDI progressions, or generate progressions inside the plug-in. Its free core includes more than 60 presets for basslines, arpeggios, phrases, and melodies. Live Mode transforms MIDI chords sent from a keyboard or DAW into new MIDI phrases in real time. Generated parts can be dragged into a DAW as standard MIDI files; an optional MassExporter can write hundreds of phrases to a computer folder. SongEngine runs as a VST2, VST3, or AU plug-in and needs a compatible host, such as FL Studio or Ableton Live. Windows support covers versions 7, 8, 10, and 11 in 64-bit. macOS support starts at 10.13 and requires a 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon processor. There is no official Linux build. The maker says the software is not an AI tool and that generated MIDI files may be used in commercial releases.
Who it is for
SongEngine suits music makers working in a compatible DAW who want to build progressions or generate related MIDI parts. It is also suited to users who want a free core with presets and MIDI export.
What is good
- Free core includes more than 60 presets.
- Live Mode creates MIDI phrases in real time.
- Exports generated parts as standard MIDI files.
- Generated MIDI files may be used in commercial releases.
- Supports Windows and macOS.
What to know first
- Requires a compatible VST2, VST3, or AU host.
- There is no official Linux build.
- No free trial is listed.
Verdict
SongEngine offers chord and phrase generation within a compatible DAW, with generated parts available as MIDI. Check host and operating-system support before choosing it.
SongEngine plans and pricing
All plansCompared on chord finder software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Reverse chord lookup
- Yes
- Progression generator
- Yes
- Voicing explorer
- Yes
- Chord chart export
- Yes
- Mobile apps
- none
- Chord audio playback
- Yes
