Awarding winning, Apple Staff Favorite, Polychord is the musical instrument for beginners and experts alike - now better than ever! Songwriting at your fingertips, Polychord lets you play chords from a wide variety of...
Awarding winning, Apple Staff Favorite, Polychord is the musical instrument for beginners and experts alike - now better than ever! Songwriting at your fingertips, Polychord lets you play chords from a wide variety of palettes. Strum and solo with ease - everything is in key. Turn on auto-accompany, and a whole band is at your command. Want to dive deeper? Extensive MIDI options give you a fun, expressive way to control your favorite DAW like GarageBand or Logic. Released as one of the original top-ten music apps for iPad over fifteen years ago, Polychord has been used by musicians all around the world. Whether you're a complete novice and just want to explore chords, or a songwriting expert looking for a way to explore and break out of a groove - Polychord has something for everyone. Great Reviews: "An inspiring way to create music" - Engadget "I'm having great fun making pretty music with Polychord. " -Wire to the Ear "It has to be one of the most straightforward to use apps I've seen." -The Palm Sounds "Much easier to understand than most of the musical Apps currently available" -iSmashPhone
Version History Polychord is back! Celebrating over 15 years on the App Store. Big update, please read to the bottom for important details. Over the years it has been tempting to rewrite Polychord, but ultimately it deserves to be treated like a classic. Polychord has a unique tone and personality, and it's one of those apps that has just kept working. People keep discovering it every day. There've been lots of things we've wanted to fix and improve over the years, and the time was finally right. Here's what's new: # Looping # You can now loop chord progressions, and even strum key melodies. Tap loop, wait for the count-in, and then tap loop again. Press clear to remove it. You can save separate loops to the hot-keys by pressing and holding them. This allows you to quickly switch between loops – like for a verse, or chorus. # Full Drum Synth Control # Polychord's classic drum synth is now fully customizable by voice. Change the kick to a booming long decay. Make the high-hats tight and crisp. Crank up the noise decay on the snare. This opens up a ton of variety for Polychord's auto-accompaniment. # Bitshift # Love the chip-tunes sound? Now all the instruments include both bitrate and bits controls, so you can close your eyes and go on an 8-bit quest. # Arpeggiator Improvements # You can now control the number of octaves arpeggios climb / descend. And you can choose whether the arp follows the chords or a scale! We've also given you a 'swing' parameter. # Fatter, Nastier Saw Waves # Our analog modeled Saw Waves got a lot more ooomf. You can still filter them if you want, but now you also have the ability to great some great, powerful analog sounding tones. # Chord Inversions # You can now choose between several voicing for chords! And if your arpeggiator is following the chord's notes, it will honor your inversion choice. # More Chord Palettes # The simple Major/Minor palette selector has been upgraded, and there's now a large set of custom palettes you can choose from. Play around in a cinematic palette, or turn up the swing on the auto-accompaniment and plunk around in the Jazz palette. Write something with a Motown feel, or explore the new power chord types in the Rock palette. Opens up a ton of new areas to play in. # MIDI # Much clearer selection of MIDI destinations. Choose virtual MIDI to play synths on the same device, or physical for low-latency USBC MIDI to your computer. But maybe the coolest new feature is the ability to split your chords into multiple MIDI channels, so you can control a whole quartet in DAWs like Logic Pro, from the press of a single button. # Projects and Song Export # Polychord now has a full project window, where you can rename, duplicate, and keep track of all the recording takes. And when you're ready to share, the process is way more native and familiar – bounce a performance and a system share sheet will let you AirDrop or save your song directly to Files. # More to explore # We've tightened up a ton of details. The BPM selector is way more intuitive, and even lets you tap a tempo. Unobvious controls have been improved for clarity, while keeping the design intact. The internal synth and sequencer have been hardened, timing improved, bugs squashed. # Deprecations (Important) # In this version we say farewell to AudioBus and SoundCloud APIs. So long and thanks for everything, and on to the next chapter of iOS music making. We're also saying goodbye to the alternate color scheme. Overall we aimed for this release to be about preserving what everyone loves about Polychord, while building a foundation for the future, fixing bugs, making improvements, and adding features that users will love. It's not a ground-up rewrite, not a remodel – it's a restoration. We hope you love it. (And please remember to rate & review!) 3 Feb 1 This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included. 64 Bit Support Fixes Crash when trying to open songs and palettes 2.9.3 09/19/2017 Audiobus 2 support! Improved stability. Fixes multi-touch related crash. 2.9.2 08/20/2014 + Updated for iOS 7 AudioBus compatibility + Fixed crash when opening songs panel 2.9.1 10/21/2013 Audiobus support and major optimizations. Introducing Audiobus support: Now you can stream live audio directly to other Audiobus-compatible apps! See http://audiob.us for more information. We've also optimized every single aspect of the polychord's audio routines, freeing up more CPU cycles for your device. 2.9 04/11/2013 + Major graphics Refresh for Retina, looks better than ever! + Fixed problem with strum pitch bend (now works with in-app synth) + Stability, optimization and performance updates 2.8 03/13/2013 Fixed hanging MIDI notes. Please update your ratings and reviews. 2.69 12/05/2011 (A fix for hung MIDI chords is on the way. The stop button will often work as a make-shift MIDI panic button. If you are having trouble loading palettes, we strongly recommend that you update to iOS 5) + Playing chords with other virtual MIDI apps is improved + Uses less CPU (more efficient, better performance) + Uses less battery + "Touch Pressure" now OFF by default (turn on in chord / strum settings) + True 'polychords' now possible through MIDI (play many chords on top of each other.) 2.68 10/28/2011 + Volume Boost. Everything is louder now. + Sound Engine Off MIDI mode is 20% more efficient. 2.67 09/10/2011 MIDI update: Use polychord as a MIDI controller with even more apps and devices than before! Exciting new virtual MIDI lets you control compatible synthesizer apps that are multitasking in the background. Polychord will now send MIDI out to all available ports (USB, WiFi, and virtual MIDI). MIDI Clock/Sync can now be sent from polychord -- this allows you to use polychord to control other beat-based hardware & compatible apps. There's also a 'Sound Engine' control, allowing you to optimize polychord for use as a MIDI controller by turning off polychord's sound synth. 2.66 08/26/2011 Dynamics! Press harder or softer on the keys and chords, and hear the difference. Works great over MIDI -- now you can control your soft-synths with really natural touches. Play a keyboard with true subtlety. "Pressure Gain" control allows you to pump up polychord's sensitivity to touch, so you can adjust it to work the best whether polychord is on your lap, on a table, or whichever way you choose. And if you don't want any dynamics at all, just toggle off the 'Touch Pressure' switch. 2.65 08/15/2011 Version 2 introduced SoundCloud sharing and performance recording, with a wealth of other new features. 2.05 repairs some minor issues that we've noticed and that users have reported. For more details, see our website. Please update your reviews and ratings for the newest release. 2.05 07/05/2011 - record and share songs with SoundCloud - sleek new UI made in collaboration with Jonas Eriksson - palettes, so you can save your settings - palette f-keys, for fast switching between palettes - Sine, Sawtooth, Triangle and Square Waves for each instrument. (We used an 'analogue simulation' technique for generating the synthesizer waves, which warms them up a bit.) - Bitshift features for drums: full control over the reduction of bits / bitrate, allowing you to completely decimate the sound or just add a touch of noise. - Basic low-pass filtering, resonance for each instrument - Tremolo Depth controls - Scale mode for the strum keys: rather than the strum keys playing the notes of the current chord, you can set them to numerous other scales. - Arpeggiator based on time-signatures. Full control over the speed and count of the arpeggiator -- allows you to mix a different time signature over the beat. Arpeggiator now has all of the same synth controls as the other instruments. - The UI now highlights the last chord you pressed, rather than always highlighting the root-note. - Octave control for every instrument - Precise BPM control, with text input - A global on/off switch for Auto Accompany - File manager for renaming/deleting/loading palettes, songs, etc - pitch bending on strum keys (sends out MIDI too) - skins panel lets you switch back to the classic color scheme 2.0 05/13/2011 -Fixed yellow key 'sticking' problem -Tested on newest iOS -Added MIDI output for Arpeggiator, Drums, Bass (see website for details) 1.5 02/25/2011 Strum & Chord MIDI over WIFI (with iOS 4.2+) 1.0.2 12/17/2010 Tested on iOS 4.2 Fixed 'locking' issue 1.0.1 11/27/2010 1 11/13/2010
Previous Versions
Here you can find the changelog of polychord since it was posted on our website on 2021-12-15 20:51:01.
The latest version is 3 and it was updated on 2026-06-23 16:41:58. See below the changes in each version.
polychord version 3
Updated At: 2026-06-02
Changes: Version History Polychord is back! Celebrating over 15 years on the App Store. Big update, please read to the bottom for important details.
Over the years it has been tempting to rewrite Polychord, but ultimately it deserves to be treated like a classic. Polychord has a unique tone and personality, and it's one of those apps that has just kept working. People keep discovering it every day. There've been lots of things we've wanted to fix and improve over the years, and the time was finally right. Here's what's new:
# Looping #
You can now loop chord progressions, and even strum key melodies. Tap loop, wait for the count-in, and then tap loop again. Press clear to remove it. You can save separate loops to the hot-keys by pressing and holding them. This allows you to quickly switch between loops – like for a verse, or chorus.
# Full Drum Synth Control #
Polychord's classic drum synth is now fully customizable by voice. Change the kick to a booming long decay. Make the high-hats tight and crisp. Crank up the noise decay on the snare. This opens up a ton of variety for Polychord's auto-accompaniment.
# Bitshift #
Love the chip-tunes sound? Now all the instruments include both bitrate and bits controls, so you can close your eyes and go on an 8-bit quest.
# Arpeggiator Improvements #
You can now control the number of octaves arpeggios climb / descend. And you can choose whether the arp follows the chords or a scale! We've also given you a 'swing' parameter.
# Fatter, Nastier Saw Waves #
Our analog modeled Saw Waves got a lot more ooomf. You can still filter them if you want, but now you also have the ability to great some great, powerful analog sounding tones.
# Chord Inversions #
You can now choose between several voicing for chords! And if your arpeggiator is following the chord's notes, it will honor your inversion choice.
# More Chord Palettes #
The simple Major/Minor palette selector has been upgraded, and there's now a large set of custom palettes you can choose from. Play around in a cinematic palette, or turn up the swing on the auto-accompaniment and plunk around in the Jazz palette. Write something with a Motown feel, or explore the new power chord types in the Rock palette. Opens up a ton of new areas to play in.
# MIDI #
Much clearer selection of MIDI destinations. Choose virtual MIDI to play synths on the same device, or physical for low-latency USBC MIDI to your computer.
But maybe the coolest new feature is the ability to split your chords into multiple MIDI channels, so you can control a whole quartet in DAWs like Logic Pro, from the press of a single button.
# Projects and Song Export #
Polychord now has a full project window, where you can rename, duplicate, and keep track of all the recording takes. And when you're ready to share, the process is way more native and familiar – bounce a performance and a system share sheet will let you AirDrop or save your song directly to Files.
# More to explore #
We've tightened up a ton of details. The BPM selector is way more intuitive, and even lets you tap a tempo. Unobvious controls have been improved for clarity, while keeping the design intact. The internal synth and sequencer have been hardened, timing improved, bugs squashed.
# Deprecations (Important) #
In this version we say farewell to AudioBus and SoundCloud APIs. So long and thanks for everything, and on to the next chapter of iOS music making. We're also saying goodbye to the alternate color scheme.
Overall we aimed for this release to be about preserving what everyone loves about Polychord, while building a foundation for the future, fixing bugs, making improvements, and adding features that users will love. It's not a ground-up rewrite, not a remodel – it's a restoration. We hope you love it.
(And please remember to rate & review!) 3 Feb 1 This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.
64 Bit Support
Fixes Crash when trying to open songs and palettes 2.9.3 09/19/2017 Audiobus 2 support!
Improved stability. Fixes multi-touch related crash. 2.9.2 08/20/2014 + Updated for iOS 7 AudioBus compatibility
+ Fixed crash when opening songs panel 2.9.1 10/21/2013 Audiobus support and major optimizations.
Introducing Audiobus support: Now you can stream live audio directly to other Audiobus-compatible apps! See http://audiob.us for more information.
We've also optimized every single aspect of the polychord's audio routines, freeing up more CPU cycles for your device. 2.9 04/11/2013 + Major graphics Refresh for Retina, looks better than ever!
+ Fixed problem with strum pitch bend (now works with in-app synth)
+ Stability, optimization and performance updates 2.8 03/13/2013 Fixed hanging MIDI notes. Please update your ratings and reviews. 2.69 12/05/2011 (A fix for hung MIDI chords is on the way. The stop button will often work as a make-shift MIDI panic button. If you are having trouble loading palettes, we strongly recommend that you update to iOS 5)
+ Playing chords with other virtual MIDI apps is improved
+ Uses less CPU (more efficient, better performance)
+ Uses less battery
+ "Touch Pressure" now OFF by default (turn on in chord / strum settings)
+ True 'polychords' now possible through MIDI (play many chords on top of each other.) 2.68 10/28/2011 + Volume Boost. Everything is louder now.
+ Sound Engine Off MIDI mode is 20% more efficient. 2.67 09/10/2011 MIDI update: Use polychord as a MIDI controller with even more apps and devices than before! Exciting new virtual MIDI lets you control compatible synthesizer apps that are multitasking in the background.
Polychord will now send MIDI out to all available ports (USB, WiFi, and virtual MIDI). MIDI Clock/Sync can now be sent from polychord -- this allows you to use polychord to control other beat-based hardware & compatible apps. There's also a 'Sound Engine' control, allowing you to optimize polychord for use as a MIDI controller by turning off polychord's sound synth. 2.66 08/26/2011 Dynamics! Press harder or softer on the keys and chords, and hear the difference. Works great over MIDI -- now you can control your soft-synths with really natural touches. Play a keyboard with true subtlety.
"Pressure Gain" control allows you to pump up polychord's sensitivity to touch, so you can adjust it to work the best whether polychord is on your lap, on a table, or whichever way you choose. And if you don't want any dynamics at all, just toggle off the 'Touch Pressure' switch. 2.65 08/15/2011 Version 2 introduced SoundCloud sharing and performance recording, with a wealth of other new features.
2.05 repairs some minor issues that we've noticed and that users have reported. For more details, see our website. Please update your reviews and ratings for the newest release. 2.05 07/05/2011 - record and share songs with SoundCloud
- sleek new UI made in collaboration with Jonas Eriksson
- palettes, so you can save your settings
- palette f-keys, for fast switching between palettes
- Sine, Sawtooth, Triangle and Square Waves for each instrument. (We used an 'analogue simulation' technique for generating the synthesizer waves, which warms them up a bit.)
- Bitshift features for drums: full control over the reduction of bits / bitrate, allowing you to completely decimate the sound or just add a touch of noise.
- Basic low-pass filtering, resonance for each instrument
- Tremolo Depth controls
- Scale mode for the strum keys: rather than the strum keys playing the notes of the current chord, you can set them to numerous other scales.
- Arpeggiator based on time-signatures. Full control over the speed and count of the arpeggiator -- allows you to mix a different time signature over the beat. Arpeggiator now has all of the same synth controls as the other instruments.
- The UI now highlights the last chord you pressed, rather than always highlighting the root-note.
- Octave control for every instrument
- Precise BPM control, with text input
- A global on/off switch for Auto Accompany
- File manager for renaming/deleting/loading palettes, songs, etc
- pitch bending on strum keys (sends out MIDI too)
- skins panel lets you switch back to the classic color scheme 2.0 05/13/2011 -Fixed yellow key 'sticking' problem
-Tested on newest iOS
-Added MIDI output for Arpeggiator, Drums, Bass (see website for details) 1.5 02/25/2011 Strum & Chord MIDI over WIFI (with iOS 4.2+) 1.0.2 12/17/2010 Tested on iOS 4.2
Fixed 'locking' issue 1.0.1 11/27/2010 1 11/13/2010
polychord version 3
Updated At: 2026-02-01
Changes: Polychord is back! Celebrating over 15 years on the App Store. Big update, please read to the bottom for important details.
Over the years it has been tempting to rewrite Polychord, but ultimately it deserves to be treated like a classic. Polychord has a unique tone and personality, and it's one of those apps that has just kept working. People keep discovering it every day. There've been lots of things we've wanted to fix and improve over the years, and the time was finally right. Here's what's new:
# Looping #
You can now loop chord progressions, and even strum key melodies. Tap loop, wait for the count-in, and then tap loop again. Press clear to remove it. You can save separate loops to the hot-keys by pressing and holding them. This allows you to quickly switch between loops – like for a verse, or chorus.
# Full Drum Synth Control #
Polychord's classic drum synth is now fully customizable by voice. Change the kick to a booming long decay. Make the high-hats tight and crisp. Crank up the noise decay on the snare. This opens up a ton of variety for Polychord's auto-accompaniment.
# Bitshift #
Love the chip-tunes sound? Now all the instruments include both bitrate and bits controls, so you can close your eyes and go on an 8-bit quest.
# Arpeggiator Improvements #
You can now control the number of octaves arpeggios climb / descend. And you can choose whether the arp follows the chords or a scale! We've also given you a 'swing' parameter.
# Fatter, Nastier Saw Waves #
Our analog modeled Saw Waves got a lot more ooomf. You can still filter them if you want, but now you also have the ability to great some great, powerful analog sounding tones.
# Chord Inversions #
You can now choose between several voicing for chords! And if your arpeggiator is following the chord's notes, it will honor your inversion choice.
# More Chord Palettes #
The simple Major/Minor palette selector has been upgraded, and there's now a large set of custom palettes you can choose from. Play around in a cinematic palette, or turn up the swing on the auto-accompaniment and plunk around in the Jazz palette. Write something with a Motown feel, or explore the new power chord types in the Rock palette. Opens up a ton of new areas to play in.
# MIDI #
Much clearer selection of MIDI destinations. Choose virtual MIDI to play synths on the same device, or physical for low-latency USBC MIDI to your computer.
But maybe the coolest new feature is the ability to split your chords into multiple MIDI channels, so you can control a whole quartet in DAWs like Logic Pro, from the press of a single button.
# Projects and Song Export #
Polychord now has a full project window, where you can rename, duplicate, and keep track of all the recording takes. And when you're ready to share, the process is way more native and familiar – bounce a performance and a system share sheet will let you AirDrop or save your song directly to Files.
# More to explore #
We've tightened up a ton of details. The BPM selector is way more intuitive, and even lets you tap a tempo. Unobvious controls have been improved for clarity, while keeping the design intact. The internal synth and sequencer have been hardened, timing improved, bugs squashed.
# Deprecations (Important) #
In this version we say farewell to AudioBus and SoundCloud APIs. So long and thanks for everything, and on to the next chapter of iOS music making. We're also saying goodbye to the alternate color scheme.
Overall we aimed for this release to be about preserving what everyone loves about Polychord, while building a foundation for the future, fixing bugs, making improvements, and adding features that users will love. It's not a ground-up rewrite, not a remodel – it's a restoration. We hope you love it.
(And please remember to rate & review!)
polychord version 2.9.3
Updated At: 2017-09-19
Changes: Sep 19, 2017 Version 2.9.3
This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.
64 Bit Support
Fixes Crash when trying to open songs and palettes
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