The Groovebox That’s Changing the Game: Chordcat Just Dropped Worldwide

AlphaTheta just dropped Chordcat, a compact groovebox that’s here to flip the script on how producers build chord progressions and spark ideas. It’s portable, powerful, and packed with features that actually help you create music—not just make noise.

After a sold-out debut in Japan, Chordcat’s now available worldwide. From casual beatmakers to seasoned producers, this tool is built for anyone who wants to capture ideas quickly without the usual creative friction. It’s not trying to replace your DAW—it’s trying to get you to start the song in the first place.

Chordcat At a Glance

  • Chordcat helps you build chord progressions with no theory required, thanks to Chord Cruiser mode.
  • It’s got 8 tracks, 145 sounds, 16 drum kits, and smart effects—all in a travel-friendly shell.
  • You can power it with batteries, plug in via USB-C, and sync it to your whole setup with MIDI.

Chord Progressions Made Stupid-Easy

Chordcat’s standout feature is Chord Cruiser mode. Tap in a few notes and it starts suggesting what should come next—based on an internal bank of over 110,000 chord combinations. You don’t need to know theory. You don’t need to be a keyboard wizard. You just hit what feels good, and Chordcat keeps things flowing.

There are also 18 Chordsets included. Some are based on genre styles like house and future bass, while others are basic major/minor templates. Use them straight out of the box or tweak them into something fresh.

As you play, each chosen chord triggers the next suggestion. It’s fast. It’s reactive. It feels like someone else is feeding you ideas—but you still make the final call.

More Than Just Chords

Screenshot

This isn’t a one-trick groovebox. Chordcat gives you 8 tracks to layer drums, bass, synths, and more. You get 145 sound presets, 16 drum kits, and control over key, scale, filters, envelopes—the works. Automate changes per pattern so your music evolves without touching a screen.

And then there’s the FX. You get three big ones: Arpeggiator (for building melodies from chords), Delay (for adding space), and Ducker (for pumping dynamics). Use the XY pad to control them in real-time—it’s fast, hands-on, and honestly just fun.

The Running Direction feature lets you change how patterns play—right, down, clockwise, or counterclockwise. That alone can flip a basic loop into something wild. And with 128 steps per pattern and 16 pattern slots per track, you’ve got room to build actual tracks, not just loops.

Takes Your Setup Further, Not Over

Screenshot

Chordcat plays nice with your current setup. MIDI IN/OUT/THRU and USB-C mean you can connect synths, drum machines, and computers with ease. Plus, the Chordcat Manager software lets you move patterns between the box and your DAW. Build something in hardware, finish it in software—done.

Register your unit and you’ll also get a free Ableton Live Lite license. That’s a solid bonus if you’re just getting into production or need a lightweight DAW for editing on the fly.

Chordcat’s clean, flat layout skips the knobs and switches for a reason—it fits in your bag without a fight. It runs on six AA batteries or USB power, so whether you’re commuting, traveling, or working from your bedroom floor, you can sketch full ideas without dragging a laptop around.

And the key/scale locking means you’ll never hit a wrong note. Set the key, pick your scale, and Chordcat maps the pads accordingly. Every hit is in tune. For beginners, it’s foolproof. For pros, it just speeds things up.

The post The Groovebox That’s Changing the Game: Chordcat Just Dropped Worldwide appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.