I discovered Midiculous-4 several weeks ago and it is growing on me. Thought I would share if this subject is of interest.
Midiculous comes in three versions, Free, Player and Pro. Geared to Piano teachers to visualize keyboard, chords and notation, it also includes a full midi player. However, the Free version is surprizingly useful.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. There is one competing program called ChordieApp. I have studied both programs in consideration of purchasing the $ version. It is a very difficult decision. Nevertheless, here is Mediculous:
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
is this a VST or a standalone? What do you see as the primary benefit? Do you load another keyboard inside of it, to play? I am sorry, the video confused me a bit!
Good questions. The free version of Midiculous is a standalone program only. The Pro Pro version provides a VST plugin version along with the standalone.
This program is typically seen alongside OBS or other screen\steaming application as a teaching aid for musicians. But you do not need any other application to use it fully. Check out my friend Simeon on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSFUjfyrVz6D3KyqQ5JUkOQ He uses this in every video to show what chords and keys he is playing.
I guess this would be applicable to a unique group of folks. But the price makes it possible for anyone to enjoy.
For me it is a learning aid. Seeing notation, along with chord names and chord voicings as I play is a big help in my understand during composing.
The free version comes with all the Midi sounds and it also permits you to insert an external VST to play via its VST manager (see picture) to get HiQ sounds.
The money ball for me is the ability to split each window out and place them anywhere on the screen. Chord window, notation window, keyboard window - and then close all the rest since I don't use it as a midi player. But that splitting is the Pro version only! Free version requires you to keep all elements visible.
Oh, did I mention besides the piano keyboard this will also display chords, notation and notes on a guitar or bass fretboard with flexible tuning. So when the guiatist asks the keyboard player how to play the C#m7(#11)(b5) in the turnaround, he can just show him on the screen.
Last edited by MusicStudent; 02/05/2202:31 PM.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
I discovered Midiculous-4 several weeks ago and it is growing on me. Thought I would share if this subject is of interest.
Midiculous comes in three versions, Free, Player and Pro. Geared to Piano teachers to visualize keyboard, chords and notation, it also includes a full midi player. However, the Free version is surprizingly useful.
Let me know if you have any specific questions. There is one competing program called ChordieApp. I have studied both programs in consideration of purchasing the $ version. It is a very difficult decision. Nevertheless, here is Mediculous:
I just checked the ChordieApp website. It requires an internet connection to operate, not just for licensing. Did not check it out any further. Looking at MIDIculous v4 now. The last time I looked at it, it was v2, so some time ago.
ThinkPad i9 32GB RAM 7TB SSD; Win11 Pro; RME Fireface UCX II; BiaB 2025 Ultra Bitwig Studio 5; Studio One Pro 7; Melodyne Studio 5; Acoustica Premium 7 Gig Performer 5; NI S61 MK3; Focal Shape 65; Beyerdynamic DT 880 & 770
I just checked the ChordieApp website. It requires an internet connection to operate, not just for licensing. Did not check it out any further.
Exactly. It has a screen which displays "calling home" each time you run the app. Not favorable in my opinion. Copy protection taken to the extreme I am afraid. And it only costs $25 USD.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
I just checked the ChordieApp website. It requires an internet connection to operate, not just for licensing. Did not check it out any further.
Exactly. It has a screen which displays "calling home" each time you run the app. Not favorable in my opinion. Copy protection taken to the extreme I am afraid. And it only costs $25 USD.
This got my attention, so I took a look. It appears the program does indeed require a consistent Internet connection during use. Not just every now and then, not even just at startup. How do they justify this extreme requirement? Like so:
Quote:
Why does ChordieApp need an internet connection?
The chord definitions are stored online so I can update them at will without needing to release an app update every time someone requests I add or modify a chord definition. The latest definitions are retrieved every time you run the app.
OK, this is absolute nonsense, and all I need to not give this product another thought. Plus this guy sounds like a control freak, and the app name is baby talk.
OK, so if you are still following this tread you must have an interest. Here is a good comparison between the two programs. Although, I agree, the calling home of Chordieapp really rules it out. So my decision now is do I need to pay for the Pro version versus the free version of Mediculous 4? I may have already answered this question based on my use of the freebee for the past month or two.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Before Mediculous, I used Pianoteq 7. I too will allow you to see the keyboard and call out the chords. But honestly, Mediculous does this much better (more flexible visibility). And Pianoteq ain't anywhere near free.
BTW - that sure don't look like a Ab6(#9)?? Cmaj min 7 (11) according to Mediculous. I think that is an artifact of my trying to hold the chord with one hand and screen capture with another.
Last edited by MusicStudent; 02/06/2209:57 AM.
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
I know ripchord well. I was part of the initial development beta testing and launch maybe a year or two ago. Good people and good product.
Have looked at chordz with some interest in the past.
But when Scaler 2 came out both those went on a back burner adn were no longer necessary. But you know my position on Scaler 2.
Otherwise, it is indeed fun to work/play with these cool tools.
Dan
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
If this device displayed correctly in both the bass and treble cleft I could see some value in reconizing chords in sight reading.
Just pressing some notes on a keyboard and having the device name the notes for you does not apear to be of any use as far as I can see.
The A flat 6 sharp 9 indication is meaningless.
Billy
“Amazing! I’ll be working with Jaco Pastorius, Charlie Parker, Art Tatum, and Buddy Rich, and you’re telling me it’s not that great of a gig? “Well…” Saint Peter, hesitated, “God’s got this girlfriend who thinks she can sing…”
We had a long discussion of this at the beginning of the year. I have used the free version off and on over since then. But the full version Midiculous Pro always had a strange attraction to me so I have kept my eye on this product. Unforturnately the price did not budget - so last night I sent them a nice email suggesting they pony up with a sale - I suggested 10 - 20% would be nice and may make me pull out my wallet. This morining I got a reply. "Check the web site" was all the message said
BIAB – 2025, Reaper (current), i7-12700F Processor, 32GB DDR4-3200MHz RAM, Motu Audio Express 6x6 - My SoundCloud (Tip: No need to create a SC account to hear music - just hit ESC ).
Just pressing some notes on a keyboard and having the device name the notes for you does not appear to be of any use as far as I can see.
... Billy
Just thought I would mention that one of my favorite BIAB features has done this for decades, and gives up to four interpretations from which to choose: Window menu, MIDI Chord Detection. Especially since I do not play piano, this feature is of tremendous importance in arranging and composing using jazz chords with complex extensions.
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Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
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In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
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We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
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XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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