Frequently Asked Questions
How many computers can I install ChordieApp on?
Where can I read the license agreement?
One computer – One License! View the License Agreement
I lost my receipt!!
Gumroad has a page to automatically resend you your receipt! https://gumroad.com/charge
Where can I download the app/latest update?
1. From your Receipt!
2. From the product link in the Gumroad emails
3. From the library in your Gumroad account.
1. You can download the latest version of the app from your receipt.
See the above FAQ entry to send yourself your receipt if you don’t have it.
2. I occasionally send out emails via Gumroad’s “Post” feature. These emails will have an image of the product you purchased at the bottom if you were logged in to your Gumroad account during purchase. As long as you’re still subscribed, you’ll get these emails.
To access your Gumroad library, visit: https://www.gumroad.com/library
- Click on ChordieApp in your library.
- Explore the buttons that appear after clicking on the product to see all of the files you can download along with your receipt, which has your license key on it.
- if you don’t have a Gumroad account, scroll to the next FAQ entry and follow those instructions instead.
I don't see the app in my Gumroad Library!
If you already purchased the app, here are Gumroad’s instructions on how to add it to your Library.
Go to www.gumroad.com/login and login to your account
If you don’t have an account, create one here: https://www.gumroad.com/signup
- Go to the download page of this product. You can find this download page link in the receipt we emailed you after your purchase. You can also try going to the URL of the product. If you don’t know the URL, simply go to Google.com and search for the name of the product and “gumroad”
- On the download page, there’ll be an “Add to library” button. You can click that to add it to your library, and then it’ll show up here: gumroad.com/library
- It was bought with another email. You can confirm this by looking up the email receipt, and seeing the address it was sent to.
- It was bought when you were logged in under another one of your accounts.
I bought the wrong version!
If you bought the Windows version but meant to buy the Mac version (or vice versa), as long as you haven’t downloaded/opened/authorized/used the app, you can send me an email and I’ll help you out. Just reply to your receipt to email me.
I recently switched from Windows to Mac/Mac to Windows.
Can I use my existing license on this new computer running a different operating system?
Licenses are not transferable or compatible between operating systems. You’ll need a separate license for your other computer.
Why can't I open the app in OSX?
If GateKeeper is preventing ChordieApp from opening, you can open it by right-clicking on the app and selecting ‘Open’. You can also go to System Preferences -> Security and allow it to run there.
I can't authorize the app!
I see red text when I try!!
Copy your license key from your receipt exactly as it appears on the receipt.
Be sure to enter your email address exactly as you entered it during purchase, including any capitalization.
‘User@gmail.com’ is NOT the same as ‘user@gmail.com’! Red text means you have entered invalid credentials.
I can't find my license key!
Gumroad displays your license key when you click the big blue button on your receipt. You can also view it in the Gumroad Library when you’re signed in.
See “Where can I download the latest update?” Click on ChordieApp in your library.
I have a Payment Question, Payment issue or VAT question
Gumroad handles ALL payment processing, so please reach out to them via support@gumroad.com
You can also view their customer help portal here: https://customers.gumroad.com/
How do I hide the fretboard?
You can enable/disable the fretboard via the Fretboard Preferences, found under the Fretboard Menu.
Where do I change the app settings?
You can change a lot of the app settings via the menu bar in the app.
What are the letters on the left of the Manuscript View?
These are the note names of the pitches being displayed on the grand staff. It’s to help those users who don’t read notation very well.
What are the smaller chord symbols on the right, underneath the main symbol?
Chords can be described in multiple ways. A lot of players think of chords differently. For example, a C7(#5#9) chord could be thought of as an Ab Triad on top of a C7(no 5th) chord. I tried to be as thorough as possible and describe each chord with whichever names it could be described with.
I'm not hearing any sound when I play on my midi controller
ChordieApp doesn’t generate any audio. You need to use your DAW or a keyboard with sounds built in if you wish to hear what you’re playing. ChordieApp merely reads the MIDI data.
Which Operator Systems does ChordieApp run on?
Does ChordieApp run on Windows 10 or OS X Catalina?
Yes! Please see the system requirements above for specifics:
I am using a USB-MIDI Adapter to connect my keyboard to my computer. I don't see anything when I play on my keyboard in Chordie
Here are a few things to check:
- Make sure the MIDI IN port on your adapter is plugged into the MIDI OUT port of your midi controller.
- Make sure your MIDI controller is transmitting on channel 1. ChordieApp only responds to channel 1 at the moment.
- If your midi keyboard has a USB port to connect to the computer and supports sending MIDI over USB directly, use that instead of your USB-MIDI Adapter. You might need to install drivers for your keyboard. Check your keyboard manufacturer’s website and keyboard user manual.
How do I use Chordie with my DAW and MIDI Controller on Windows?
Windows doesn’t allow midi devices to be shared between applications. You have to use LoopMIDI to act as a bridge between your DAW and ChordieApp.
In general terms, you have to do this:
- Install LoopMIDI and add a port
- Open your DAW
- Enable the LoopMIDI port you created as a MIDI Out destination in your DAW preferences.
Do not enable it as a MIDI In destination. Doing so will create a midi feedback loop and LoopMIDI will mute the port. - Create an External MIDI Instrument track and set the destination to LoopMIDI port
- Open ChordieApp, and set ChordieApp’s midi input to LoopMIDI port.
Each DAW on Windows has these settings and options hidden under different menus.
Here is a search query on youtube you can use to see videos of how to do this for specific DAWs: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Chordie+Windows
If you want to play midi files through ChordieApp, drag the midi file onto the External MIDI Track that is sending to LoopMIDI and press ‘play’.
Note: ChordieApp only responds to Midi Channel 1 at this time.
Will my keyboard work with ChordieApp?
- Plug in your keyboard to your computer.
- Download https://hautetechnique.com/midi/midiview/ and run the app.
- Play some notes.
- If you see MIDI messages show up, ChordieApp will be able to read MIDI information from your keyboard.
If you need help running MidiView, check the MidiView website. I cannot provide support for that app as it is not my app.
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.
I think I found a mislabeled voicing or a bug. What do I do?
Take a screenshot. Email it along with a description of what you expected to see to chordieapp@gmail.com
I keep seeing flat symbols when I expect to see sharps!
Right now the app is using a spelling table to decide how to name notes. For the key of C, that spelling table is C Db D Eb E F F# G Ab A Bb B. That is why you’ll see E Ab B if you play an E Major Triad in the key of C.
Every key has its own spelling table. This spelling table is based on my note naming preferences. When I designed this system, most of my note-naming preferences were based on years of transcribing single-note solos (think Cannonball Adderley solos) where, for example, the most common way an F# was played in the key of C was in a line that always ascended. Sharps go up, Flats go down. I have plans to revise this entire system and give the end user more choice with regard to how notes are named.
Change the key signature to a key that has the accidental you’re looking for if a chord is being spelled incorrectly. i.e. set the key to E if you want to see G# when playing an E triad.
What happened to the 'No Key' option?
The ‘No Key’ option was identical to being in the key of C. It used the same spelling table (explained above) as the key of C. The only thing it did differently was change the text above the treble clef in the Manuscript View to say “Key: No Key”, instead of “Key: C”. Since this “feature” was essentially redundant, it was removed.
When I use the app with O.B.S. I experience a lot of latency
This is a problem with O.B.S. and is not a bug in ChordieApp.
ChordieApp is a very small application and has minimal latency when used by itself or with your DAW.
Please see these search results regarding how to control Latency when using OBS: https://www.google.com/search?q=obs+latency+video
How do I reset the app?
The app windows disappeared, help!!
The main window disappeared and I can't see anything other than the app logo in its own window.
The solution to these problems is to delete the settings file.
The settings file is found here on MacOS: navigate to <your user name>/Library/Application SuppThe Library folder is a hidden folder, so access it from Finder’s Go menu AFTER pressing ‘Cmd Shift Period’. This key command toggles the display of hidden files:
<settings>
<auth license_key=”…”
email_address=”…”
one_time_token=”…” />
</settings>
I have a question not answered here or a feature request!
Send an email to chordieapp@gmail.com