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HiChord

Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike
edited February 8 in Hardware

I’m sure many are aware of the HiChord, but here’s a quick rundown:

The HiChord (by Pocket Audio) is a portable, handheld digital synthesizer and looper designed to make music creation—specifically chord progressions—accessible to anyone, regardless of their music theory knowledge.
Think of it as a modern, pocket-sized Omnichord. It is designed to be played like a handheld game console, using your thumbs to trigger chords and manipulate sounds.

Core Features
• One-Button Chords: It uses the "Nashville Number System." You choose a key (e.g., C Major), and the 7 main buttons are automatically mapped to the chords that naturally fit that key. This ensures you never play a "wrong" note.
• Modification Joystick: While a button triggers a basic chord, the joystick allows you to transform it in real-time. Moving the joystick adds 7ths, 9ths, Suspended (Sus) tones, or switches between Major and Minor scales.
• Pocket Studio: It isn't just a synth; it includes a dual-track looper and a drum machine with quantized finger-drumming, allowing you to build full songs on the go.
• Powerful Engine: Despite its size, it features a 12-oscillator digital engine (FM and Subtractive synthesis) and built-in effects like reverb, delay, and tremolo.

I finally received my Hichord this afternoon after ordering it in October. The units were help up in customs for a spell but also got significant upgrades:

Hardware upgrades
• Built-in Microphone: New for the latest batch, allowing for live sampling and vocoding.
• CNC Aluminum Chassis: A more rugged, premium feel compared to earlier builds.
• High-Performance DSP: Runs at 96kHz / 24-bit audio for cleaner output.
• Audio over USB-C: You can now send digital audio directly to your phone or computer without an interface.

Firmware upgrades
• Sampler Functionality: You can now upload your own samples via the Companion App and play them through the chord engine.
• Vocoder Mode: Utilizes the new built-in mic (on supported units) to modulate synth sounds with your voice.
• New Play Modes: Includes Strum Mode, Arpeggio Mode, and "Rhythm Mini-games" for practice.
• Nashville Number System Polish: Smoother transitions between keys and improved joystick sensitivity for chord variations (7ths, Sus, Dim).

I will say, HiChord works great with iOS! Along with that, it literally fits in your pocket, comes with a great case, the construction is tank-like, and is very much a self-contained music creation tool, spiritually close to Telepathic Instruments Orchid, but still unique. Please feel free to ask questions if this kind of tool interests you 🙏

Comments

  • FizzyLizzy27FizzyLizzy27

    This looks like it has the potential to be one of my favorite gadgets. Probably not something in the budget anytime soon, but it’s inspired me to try making a poor man’s setup with MusiKraken, a DualShock 4, and ChordPolyPad.

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike

    @FizzyLizzy27 said:
    This looks like it has the potential to be one of my favorite gadgets. Probably not something in the budget anytime soon, but it’s inspired me to try making a poor man’s setup with MusiKraken, a DualShock 4, and ChordPolyPad.

    Oh wow, this sounds like an inventive way to engineer the HiChord workflow!

  • wimwim

    https://hichord.shop

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike
    edited February 8

    @wim said:
    https://hichord.shop

    The new gray version is beautiful, I was afraid to wait another week for it 😂

  • Edward_AlexanderEdward_Alexander

    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

  • GavinskiGavinski

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

    As could a midi controller hooked up to the free Chordi app, maybe?

    @Stuntman_mike did the Orchid not scratch this kinda itch enough?

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

    Good point! Yeah the tiny screen is forgettable, it is really fun to play with and make happy accidents 💥

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike

    @Gavinski said:

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

    As could a midi controller hooked up to the free Chordi app, maybe?

    @Stuntman_mike did the Orchid not scratch this kinda itch enough?

    😂 I was waiting for someone to ask!
    I actually preordered each around the same time, but just gassed on the HiChord 🤣
    I’m glad I did though, it’s different, kinda feels like when I play with my Polyend Tracker. The weirdness that comes out of these devices can be replicated without trying too hard. It’s the wonkiness of HiChord and Tracker that makes them weird, idea machines. I would say Orchid is the utilitarian idea machine and HiChord is the idea machine with all the tattoos and piercings lmao

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike
    edited February 8

    Oh and honestly, the design of HiChord is something to marvel in its self, Pocket Audio squeezed a ton of features into it and keep updating the firmware 😎

  • Edward_AlexanderEdward_Alexander

    @Stuntman_mike said:

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

    Good point! Yeah the tiny screen is forgettable, it is really fun to play with and make happy accidents 💥

    Oh, so it does have a little screen?

    I honestly only saw the couple pics of the thing flipping around, and read about how it works with chords/chord creation.

  • wimwim

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    I honestly only saw the couple pics of the thing flipping around, and read about how it works with chords/chord creation.

    That's some really annoying web design right there, I gotta say.

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike
    edited February 9

    @Edward_Alexander said:

    @Stuntman_mike said:

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    This thing looks interesting. I really kinda want one!

    I can think of someone who’d probably kill me if I spent 320 bucks on a gadget like this.

    I think my favorite part of this thing, is the fact that it doesn’t have a screen! For when my old and tired eyes need a break, this could be the answer!

    Good point! Yeah the tiny screen is forgettable, it is really fun to play with and make happy accidents 💥

    Oh, so it does have a little screen?

    I honestly only saw the couple pics of the thing flipping around, and read about how it works with chords/chord creation.

    Yup, the tiny screen shows values for the parameters with a few cute animations à la Teenage Engineering

  • Stuntman_mikeStuntman_mike
    edited February 9

    @wim said:

    @Edward_Alexander said:
    I honestly only saw the couple pics of the thing flipping around, and read about how it works with chords/chord creation.

    That's some really annoying web design right there, I gotta say.

    Yeah, I hope they create an iOS app eventually

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