Is there a automated way to take a text list of chords and turn them into a MIDI clip?
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- KVRist
- 178 posts since 24 Jun, 2013
Hi,
Is there an automated way to take a text list of chords and turn them into a MIDI clip?
I am thinking something in a CSV format, maybe like this:
Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7, Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,
Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7, Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,
Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7,
Am7b5, D7#5, Gm7, Gb7, Fm7, E7,Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6
With the output being standard block chords, all the same length.
It seems like it would be a quicker way to convert a chart than writing out notes by hand in a MIDI editor, or hunting and pecking through a library to insert or copy/paste from.
Obviously, playing the part would be the fastest, but how about what I am asking about?
Thank you.
Is there an automated way to take a text list of chords and turn them into a MIDI clip?
I am thinking something in a CSV format, maybe like this:
Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7, Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,
Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7, Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,
Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6,Cm7, F7, BbM7, EbM7,
Am7b5, D7#5, Gm7, Gb7, Fm7, E7,Am7b5, D7#5, Gm6, Gm6
With the output being standard block chords, all the same length.
It seems like it would be a quicker way to convert a chart than writing out notes by hand in a MIDI editor, or hunting and pecking through a library to insert or copy/paste from.
Obviously, playing the part would be the fastest, but how about what I am asking about?
Thank you.
Last edited by D2sX9ek8w3 on Fri Jun 27, 2025 2:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- KVRAF
- 14138 posts since 20 Nov, 2003 from Lost and Spaced
You can do this with the FL Chord Progression Tool. (But only in FL)
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 178 posts since 24 Jun, 2013
Thanks, I did not know that.osiris wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 2:46 pm You can do this with the FL Chord Progression Tool. (But only in FL)
Hopefully, some other apps can do this too.
- KVRAF
- 14138 posts since 20 Nov, 2003 from Lost and Spaced
The better thing is the Piano Roll has an Automatic chord draw feature where you put in the main key and it will auto draw the correct chord where you place the note. Works well, still in primary stages but I've used it to varying degrees of success.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 178 posts since 24 Jun, 2013
I primarily use REAPER and it has a nice script available that lets you select a note and then menu click for a chord form, which then populates the grid.
It works great, but it can feel tedious.
I have also used apps like EZplayer, Scaler, Sundog, etc. to make block chord progression. They all work very well, but not as quickly as I imagine you could with a CSV file of simple text.
It works great, but it can feel tedious.
I have also used apps like EZplayer, Scaler, Sundog, etc. to make block chord progression. They all work very well, but not as quickly as I imagine you could with a CSV file of simple text.
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- KVRian
- 931 posts since 14 Dec, 2014
There is a 3rd party MIDI Tool for Ableton Live that does this.
https://midi2themax.gumroad.com/l/m2tm-chords/
I copy pasted that list straight from OP's post into it and this was the result:

https://midi2themax.gumroad.com/l/m2tm-chords/
I copy pasted that list straight from OP's post into it and this was the result:

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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 178 posts since 24 Jun, 2013
That is amazing.pottering wrote: Fri Jun 27, 2025 4:20 pm I copy pasted that list straight from OP's post into it and this was the result:
Thank you for the info.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 178 posts since 24 Jun, 2013
I just stumbled on this and it seems to work well.
https://mz-kb.itch.io/texchord2
Unless I find something that runs natively in REAPER, this seems a good solution and a big time saver.
https://mz-kb.itch.io/texchord2
Unless I find something that runs natively in REAPER, this seems a good solution and a big time saver.
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