SongEngine is a music plug-in for creating chord progressions and generating basslines, phrases, and melodies to fit them. Users can build chords with Chord Pads, import MIDI progressions, or generate progressions in the plug-in. Its free core includes 60+ presets for basslines, arpeggios, phrases, and melodies. Live Mode converts MIDI chords 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 save hundreds of phrases to a computer folder. SongEngine runs as a VST2, VST3, or AU plug-in, so it needs a compatible host such as FL Studio or Ableton Live. It supports Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 in 64-bit, plus macOS 10.13 and later on 64-bit Intel or Apple Silicon processors. There is no official Linux build, though the manual says users have reported using Wine. The maker says SongEngine is not an AI tool and that its algorithms were made by human musicians. 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 generate chord progressions and related MIDI parts. It also fits users who want to shape ideas with presets or turn incoming MIDI chords into phrases in real time.
What is good
- Free core includes 60+ presets.
- Accepts chords built, imported, or generated in the plug-in.
- Live Mode generates phrases from incoming MIDI chords.
- Generated MIDI files may be used in commercial releases.
What to know first
- Requires a compatible VST2, VST3, or AU host.
- No official Linux build.
- No free trial is listed.
Verdict
SongEngine combines chord creation with MIDI generation and offers several ways to move parts into a DAW. It requires a compatible host and has no official Linux build, so check those requirements 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
