# ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer — Chord Sequencing with Ease

> MIDI chord sequencer with music theory engine for creating chord progressions. (iPhone/iPad app by Cem Olcay.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1526221230 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cem Olcay](https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $5.99
- Rating: 3.00/5 from 23 App Store ratings · 33 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 15 MB
- Languages: American English, French (France), German (Germany), Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese, European Spanish, Turkish
- Released: 2020-09-10
- Data updated: 2026-09-01
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1526221230/reviews.md

## What is ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer?

ChordBud 2 is a MIDI chord sequencer for building unique chord progressions in minutes.

Under the hood is a powerful music theory engine with over 40 scales. Select the scales to work with and see them laid out top to bottom on one screen, with the chords inside each scale running left to right, compare scales side by side, or borrow chords from one another through modal interchange.

By default, every chord inside the current scale and key is presented at once, and the key can be changed anytime. 
The settings menu also offers chord progressions to work within, showing only the chords that belong to the selected progression.

Build as many patterns as needed, each with its own key, scale, and chord progression. Long-press a pattern to copy, paste, or delete it, with full undo/redo backing every edit so experimentation stays risk-free. Patterns can be triggered via MIDI CC messages, enabling automation or a full song mode.

Triads are just the starting point — chords can be extended with add/sus/6/7/9/11/13 and more modifiers. 
Tap any chord on the timeline to open the chord editor and adjust its mode, velocity, octave, inversion, key, or division. Edits apply live while the sequencer plays, so changes are audible immediately.

On the timeline, chords can be repositioned by dragging, or resized by dragging their right edge. 
Pinch to zoom in or out, or zoom in further to work precisely within subdivisions.

Standalone, ChordBud 2 includes a built-in piano sampler for instant playback with zero setup, alongside MIDI, virtual MIDI, and Bluetooth MIDI connectivity for hardware and software instruments. An AUv3 plugin version is also available, dropping straight into any DAW to drive instrument tracks from inside a session.

Note: ChordBud 2 AUv3 plugin is a MIDI sequencer app. It does not produce sound itself. You need an audio app in order to get sound. Just route ChordBud 2's MIDI Out to your audio app's MIDI in and arm the sequencer.

## Key features

- Chord progression creation
- Music theory engine
- Scale exploration
- Modal interchange (borrowing chords)
- Customizable chord modifications
- Multi-pattern support
- Real-time editing

## Recent user reviews (10 of 33)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1526221230/reviews.md

### 4/5 — Cool but hoping more interactive way

*2026-08-02*

Been playing with ripchords and trying to find similar app for midi chord tool and got to here. The chord timeline is fine, but would be nice to have arpeggios, or maybe strumming and less or control random (based on current chord timeline), maybe also jazz chord and custom chords that can be interactive

### 5/5 — Update

*2026-08-01*

Scale hold to random. Plz.

### 3/5 — Stuck Notes

*2026-06-11*

Works well besides the fact I have disable the Auv after stopping play. Notes stay stuck on otherwise. Can you fix please. IOS 26 ipad air m4

### 5/5 — Chords!

*2025-08-05*

Adds so much to boring old single notes

### 5/5 — Just brilliant!

*2025-08-02*

I love Chordbud2. There are a number of similar apps but it’s so simple to use but still has a great deal of depth to it.

### 3/5 — Extremely disturbing bug , for long time

*2025-06-11*

There seems to be a bug in chordbud 2, when ever you change the key of the progression, after clicking done, the key of the progression changes automatically.
Trust me this will render Chordbud’s utility zero.

Please kindly solve the auto key changing bug.

### 1/5 — Seems not finished product

*2025-03-12*

Can’t step thru patterns. Can’t set to finish pattern before advancing esp problem with different lengths. Bought ChordBud and RhythmBud no manual no easy way to contact dev. Seems not finished and sadly can’t recommend

**Developer response:** You could try the support section ❤️‍🩹 I’m always here for you, please reconsider your rating 🙏

### 1/5 — Seems not finished product

*2025-03-10*

Can’t step thru patterns. Can’t set to finish pattern before advancing esp problem with different lengths. Bought ChordBud and RhythmBud no manual no easy way to contact dev.  Seems not finished and sadly can’t recommend

**Developer response:** You could try the support section ❤️‍🩹 I’m always here for you, please reconsider your rating 🙏

### 2/5 — Missing Time Signature

*2024-02-05*

How do you setup time signatures like 3/4, 6/8, etc. ?

### 4/5 — TY Cem! One bug down, one to go.

*2024-01-02*

I appreciate you fixing the playback bug where Chordbud2 now starts playing back on beat 1 in Cubasis. Thank you for that fix!
I’ve stumbled into another anomaly, which I presume to be an easy code fix. When changing a simple major triad chord to a b5 chord, ChordBud 2 is changing the chord to mb5. Huh? It was not a minor chord to begin with—all I want is the 5th lowered a half step so that the new chord formula is: 1, 3, b5
If it’s a minor chord to begin with, then sure, change it mb5 when I select b5, otherwise, leave the rest of the chord alone.
And, yes, I write music with those kind ofchords, as I’m sure filmmakers do, too.
Thanks, Cem!!
P.S. Notice I upgraded my rating for you fixing the playback bug. Much thanks for that fix.

**Developer response:** Hello, the new version fixes that issue.

## Frequently asked questions about ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer

### What does ChordBud 2 do?

ChordBud 2 is a MIDI chord sequencer that allows users to rapidly create and manipulate chord progressions. It features a robust music theory engine with extensive scale options and the ability to borrow chords between scales for advanced harmonic exploration.

### What are the key features of ChordBud 2?

Key features include a powerful music theory engine with over 40 scales, the ability to compare scales and borrow chords, customizable chord progressions, multi-pattern support with independent settings, and extensive chord modification options like add, sus, and 7th chords. Users can also edit chords in real-time while the sequencer is playing.

### Is ChordBud 2 free to use?

Yes, ChordBud 2 is available for free. Its core components are also open-source and available on Github, allowing users to fork them for their own music app development.

### What devices is ChordBud 2 compatible with?

ChordBud 2 is designed as an Audio Unit (AUv3) MIDI sequencer, which means it is compatible with iOS and macOS devices that support the Audio Unit format and host applications like DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations).

### How can I use ChordBud 2 in my music production workflow?

ChordBud 2 is a MIDI sequencer and does not produce sound itself. You need to route its MIDI output to an audio app or DAW that can generate sound. This allows you to use ChordBud 2 to create chord progressions and then have your audio app play them, enabling real-time editing and experimentation within your existing music setup.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.7 — 2026-08-31

This version fixes the auto-presentation of the chord editor when a new chord is added. 
The chord editor won’t show automatically if it wasn’t presented before.

### 3.6 — 2026-08-26

This version,
- Updates and improves the audio engine.
- Adds manual pattern switching options.
- You can switch patterns at the pattern or bar ending. 
- Fixes the rangehead positioning bug.
- Updates the user manual.

### 3.5 — 2026-08-01

This version fixes the tutorial flow.

### 3.4 — 2026-07-30

This version adds the "shift overlaps" mode.
- After adding/moving/resizing a chord, the overlapped chords and everything after will be pushed, preserving the progression before.
- If you use it with "add next" chord adding mode, you can insert chords after the selected one without breaking the progression. 
- The online manual has been updated explaining the behavior in detail.

### 3.3 — 2026-07-29

This version adds a pattern chaining option.
- Enable it in the settings menu.
- Select a mode: next, random, custom.
- The next mode loops the pattern the desired number of times, then plays the next pattern.
- The random mode loops the pattern the desired number of times, then plays a random pattern.
- The custom mode lets you create your own "song mode" with chaining the desired pattern the desired number of times.

## Apps similar to ChordBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Sequencer

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Navichord • chord sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navichord-chord-sequencer/id916452748) | 4.7 (586) | $7.99 | Music |
| [Chord ai - Play any song!](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chord-ai-play-any-song/id1446177109) | 4.6 (5,900) | Free | Music |
| [TONALY: Songs, Scales & Theory](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tonaly-songs-scales-and-theory/id1242467844) | 4.8 (6,323) | Free | Music |
| [Piano Chords and Scales](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-chords-and-scales/id714086944) | 4.8 (9,159) | Free | Music |
| [Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ultimate-guitar-chords-and-tabs/id357828853) | 4.7 (473,707) | Free | Music |
| [Piano Chords, Scales Companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/piano-chords-scales-companion/id598574333) | 4.8 (1,315) | Free | Music |

## More apps by Cem Olcay

- [FretBud - Chord & Scales AUv3](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fretbud-chord-and-scales-auv3/id1234224249)
- [ScaleBud - AUv3 MIDI Keyboard](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scalebud-auv3-midi-keyboard/id1409125865)
- [StepBud - AUv3 MIDI Sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stepbud-auv3-midi-sequencer/id1453104408)
- [RhythmBud - AUv3 MIDI FX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rhythmbud-auv3-midi-fx/id1484320891)
- [ArpBud 2 AUv3 MIDI Arpeggiator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arpbud-2-auv3-midi-arpeggiator/id1500403326)

All apps by Cem Olcay: https://appshunter.io/developer/523633853

## Related topics

[chordbud 2 auv3 midi sequencer](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/chordbud-2-auv3-midi-sequencer) · [looper chord](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/looper-chord)

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*
