10 Best Chord Progression Plugins (To Avoid Producer’s Block)

Creating chord progressions can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re staring at a blank DAW project. The right chord progression plugin can transform how you approach songwriting by offering instant inspiration and musical ideas that match your creative vision.

These tools help both beginners and experienced producers break through creative blocks and discover new harmonic possibilities.

I’ve spent time exploring various chord progression plugins to find the ones that truly make a difference in music production. Some focus on AI-powered suggestions, while others offer hands-on control over specific musical elements.

The plugins I’ll cover range from simple chord generators to comprehensive harmonic workstations that can reshape your entire creative process. Let’s go!

1. PluginBoutique Scaler 3

PluginBoutique’s Scaler 3 represents a major leap forward in chord progression tools. I’ve found it transforms how I approach harmony in my tracks, offering both creative inspiration and deep technical control.

What sets it apart is the seamless blend of music theory guidance with hands-on experimentation. The plugin hosting feature means I can now use Scaler as a complete composition environment, not just a chord generator.

Here is what you get:

• Audio and MIDI Detection Engine

When I drop audio files or play MIDI into Scaler 3, it instantly identifies the key and scale. This detection works with everything from vocal melodies to complex chord loops. I can analyze samples and get immediate suggestions for matching chords that fit perfectly. The accuracy has impressed me across different genres and audio quality levels.

• Expanded Chord Set Library

It includes hundreds of chord progressions organized by mood, artist, and genre. I can browse through jazz voicings, cinematic progressions, or pop chord sequences. Each set includes multiple variations and suggested transitions. The artist-inspired collections have helped me discover new harmonic approaches I wouldn’t have tried otherwise.

• Built-in Plugin Hosting

The VST/AU hosting capability lets me load my favorite synths and effects directly inside Scaler 3. I can trigger multiple instruments simultaneously and create full arrangements without leaving the plugin. This feature has streamlined my workflow significantly since I can compose, perform, and produce all in one place.

• Multi-Track Timeline Sequencer

The new timeline view allows me to build complex arrangements with multiple chord parts. I can layer different voicings, create bass lines, and add melodic elements all synchronized to the main progression. Each track can host different instruments and effects, making it feel like a mini DAW focused on harmonic composition.

2. LANDR Composer

This AI-powered plugin works differently than traditional chord generators because it combines automation with hands-on control. Instead of just spitting out random progressions, it creates musical ideas based on the mood and style I choose.

What I really appreciate about LANDR Composer plugin is how it balances AI assistance with manual editing. I can generate something instantly but still tweak every note if needed. That said, this is what you get:

• AI-Generated Musical Ideas Based on Mood

I can pick emotional vibes like “dark,” “uplifting,” or “dreamy” and get chord progressions that actually match those feelings. The AI considers chord quality, movement, and tension to create results that feel intentional rather than random.

• Built-in MIDI Editor

Everything happens inside the plugin. I can move notes around, change timing, adjust velocity, and delete or add notes without switching to my DAW’s piano roll. This keeps my workflow smooth and focused.

• Instant MIDI Expor

Once I create something I like, I just drag it straight onto a MIDI track. No complicated routing or exporting steps. It works with any VST instrument in my setup.

• Style-Based Presets

The plugin includes presets for modern genres like trap, EDM, pop, and lofi. These influence chord density, rhythm, and melodic movement so my ideas already fit the style I’m working in.

3. Mario Nieto World Chord Generator

This MIDI plugin focuses on real-time chord creation with an emphasis on variation and musical surprise. Rather than overwhelming you with complex theory, it presents an intuitive interface where you can craft harmonies that feel fresh and unpredictable.

What sets Chord Generator VST apart is its approach to chord variation. Each trigger generates slightly different voicings and rhythmic patterns, so your progressions never sound mechanical or repetitive.

Features:

• Real-Time MIDI Chord Generation

I can trigger complex chords instantly using my MIDI keyboard or mouse clicks. The plugin responds immediately, making it perfect for jamming sessions or live performance situations. Each chord feels musical and expressive rather than robotic.

• 57 Scales and Modes Library

The scale selection goes far beyond basic major and minor options. I have access to exotic modes, world music scales, and unusual harmonic colors. This variety helps me explore musical territories I wouldn’t normally venture into.

• Intelligent Chord Variations

Every time I hit a pad, the plugin generates subtle variations in voicing, timing, and note selection. This randomization keeps my progressions interesting and prevents that “copy-paste” feeling common with other chord tools.

• Customizable Voicings and Inversions

I can adjust how chords are voiced and spread across the keyboard. The plugin offers tight clusters for tension or wide spreads for ambient textures, giving me complete control over harmonic density.

• Retrigger Mode for Fresh Ideas

This feature continuously generates new chord variations as I play. It’s like having a creative partner who suggests harmonic alternatives in real-time, pushing my compositions in unexpected directions.

4. Mozaic Beats ChordPrism 2

Rather than just giving you chord presets, ChordPrism 2 functions as a complete harmony workstation where you can build chords, melodies, basslines, and arpeggios that all work together perfectly.

The plugin runs on what I call “musical intelligence” – everything you create stays harmonically connected. When you change a chord, the melody adapts. When you shift the key, the bassline follows. This keeps your musical ideas cohesive without requiring deep theory knowledge.

Key Features:

• Instance Sync Technology

Multiple plugin instances automatically share key, scale, and chord data across your project. I can run one instance for chords, another for melody, and a third for bass – they all stay perfectly in sync without any manual setup.

• Smart Chord Builder with Voicing Control

The chord engine goes way beyond basic triads. I can create complex voicings, add extensions, control inversions, and experiment with different spread patterns while the plugin keeps everything musically logical.

• Integrated Melody Generator

This melody system understands chord tones and scale relationships. When I build a chord progression, the melody generator creates lines that complement the harmony instead of just playing random notes in the key.

• MIDI File Import and Preset Creation

ChordPrism 2.1 added the ability to drop any MIDI file directly into the plugin and convert it into playable presets. I can take existing chord progressions and instantly turn them into customizable templates.

• Velocity Matrix for Human Expression

The new velocity matrix helps me add realistic dynamics and timing variations to patterns. This makes programmed parts sound more like actual performances rather than rigid sequences.

5. Audiomodern CHORDJAM

CHORDJAM by Audiomodern feels like a creative playground wrapped in sleek design. What sets this plugin apart is its smart randomization approach – instead of giving you totally random chaos, it uses controlled randomization to create musical chord progressions that actually sound good together.

I love how it balances unpredictability with musicality. You can guide the randomization process while still getting surprised by the results.

Key Features:

• User-Guided Randomization

This is CHORDJAM’s signature feature. I can set parameters like scale types and chord voicings, then let the plugin generate unique progressions within those boundaries. It’s like having a creative partner that suggests ideas you wouldn’t think of yourself.

• Intuitive Interface Design

The plugin has one of the cleanest, most stylish interfaces I’ve seen. Everything feels organized and easy to navigate, which keeps me focused on making music instead of hunting through menus.

• Built-in Sequencer

CHORDJAM includes a powerful sequencer that can create unlimited progression patterns. I can set rhythmic patterns and let it build complex sequences that work perfectly with my tracks.

• Multiple Scale and Chord Types

The plugin offers various scale types and chord voicings. This gives me flexibility to work in different musical styles while maintaining the benefits of guided randomization.

6. Mixed In Key Captain Chords Epic

I can build chord progressions using famous patterns from hit songs across all genres, or start from scratch with complete creative freedom. The plugin stores 68 proven chord progressions in Roman numeral format, which means they work in any key I choose.

What makes Captain Chords Epic different from other chord generators is how it balances speed with customization. I get instant access to professional-sounding progressions, but I can also dive deep into chord editing, voicings, and rhythmic patterns.

Here is what you get:

• Roman Numeral Chord System

As I said, you get 68 built-in progressions use Roman numerals, so I can transpose any pattern to different keys and scales while keeping the musical relationships intact. This saves me tons of time when I need to match a specific key or experiment with different moods.

• Pianistic Playing Feature

This feature acts like having a trained pianist perform my chord progressions. It automatically combines triads, extensions, arpeggios, and bass notes to create natural-sounding performances. I spend way less time programming MIDI automation because the chords already sound musical.

• Genre and Style Filtering

I can filter chord progressions by genre and style, then audition them instantly. Whether I’m working on EDM, hip-hop, or cinematic music, the plugin presents relevant progressions that fit my project’s vibe.

• Custom Rhythm Patterns

Captain Chords Epic includes rhythm presets sorted by genre. These give me perfect starting points for different styles, and I can customize the rhythmic patterns to match my track’s energy and groove.

• Full MIDI Integration

I can drag and drop MIDI directly into my DAW or use the plugin as a real-time MIDI controller. This workflow keeps me in the creative zone without switching between different tools or breaking my momentum.

7. dBdone AI Chords

dBdone AI Chords takes a fresh approach to chord generation by using artificial intelligence to create progressions in real-time. I found this plugin particularly helpful for breaking through creative blocks when I need fresh harmonic ideas quickly.

The plugin works by letting me select a key and mood, then generates chord progressions that match my creative vision. What makes it stand out is how customizable everything is after the AI does its work.

Key Features:

• AI-Powered Instant Generation

I simply pick a key and describe the mood I want, and the plugin creates multiple chord progression options within seconds. The AI understands different emotional contexts and generates progressions that actually sound musical rather than random.

• Mood-Based Customization

The plugin offers various mood settings like dark, uplifting, emotional, and dramatic. Each mood setting changes how the AI selects chord qualities, extensions, and harmonic movements to match the feeling I’m going for.

• Editable Chord Voicings

After the AI generates a progression, I can modify voicings, add extensions like 7ths and 9ths, and adjust inversions. This means I get the speed of AI generation with full creative control over the final result.

• Direct MIDI Export

The plugin makes it easy to drag progressions straight into my DAW or route the output to any software instrument in real-time. Everything stays perfectly synced to my project tempo.

• Multiple Progression Variations

dBdone can create several variations of the same progression, giving me different options to explore. This helps me find the perfect harmonic foundation for each section of my songs.

8. Pentacom ChordBloom

ChordBloom caught my attention because it takes a completely different approach to chord generation. Instead of relying on preset progressions or complex menus, it transforms your keyboard into an intuitive chord controller.

The plugin splits your keyboard into two zones. Keys C2 through B2 become chord type selectors, while C3 and above trigger the actual chords based on your root note choice.

Key Features:

• Split-Zone Keyboard Control

I love how ChordBloom divides the keyboard into functional zones. The lower octave becomes my chord type picker, letting me choose between major, minor, diminished, and augmented chords instantly. Then I just hit any key from C3 up to hear that chord type with my chosen root note.

• Chord Extensions via Black Keys

The black keys in the lower zone add extensions like 7ths, 9ths, and 11ths to my chords. I can press C#2 for a major 7th or F#2 for a 9th extension. This makes complex jazz chords accessible without memorizing theory.

• Chord Memory System

ChordBloom lets me save favorite chord voicings to the bottom octave (C1-B1). During songwriting sessions, I can store interesting progressions and recall them with single key presses. This speeds up my workflow significantly.

• Voicing and Bass Controls

The voicing parameter spreads chord notes across different octaves, while bass controls adjust the low-end presence. I can make chords sound tight and clustered or wide and spacious depending on my track’s needs.

9. Tonespace by Mucoder

Tonespace is a free chord generator and visualizer that takes a completely different approach to harmony creation. Instead of traditional piano rolls or standard interfaces, it presents chords on an interactive grid system where you can see musical relationships unfold visually.

I find this particularly helpful because it makes abstract music theory concepts much more concrete and understandable.

The plugin works as a VST, AU, or standalone application. You can trigger chords with single MIDI notes or explore them manually by moving around the grid with your mouse.

Key Features:

• Visual Grid Interface

I love how Tonespace displays chords on a geometric grid rather than a piano keyboard. Each cell represents a different chord, and as you hover over them, you can see how they relate to your chosen scale and key.

The grid system makes it easy to spot chord progressions that work well together because related chords appear close to each other on the grid.

• Massive Chord and Scale Library

The plugin includes 39 different chord types and 25 voicings or inversions. It supports 21 scales across 18 keys, plus 50 different grid layouts. This gives me tons of options for exploring everything from basic major progressions to complex jazz harmonies or exotic scales.

• MIDI Input and Output Capabilities

I can send single notes to Tonespace via MIDI, and it will trigger the corresponding chord from my selected grid. The plugin then outputs full MIDI chord data that I can route to any synthesizer. This makes it perfect for live performance or recording chord progressions directly into my DAW.

• Smart Scale-Fitting Algorithm

Tonespace automatically fits chords to your selected scale, so you don’t accidentally play notes that clash. This helps me stay in key while still having the freedom to experiment with different chord colors and progressions.

10. Harvest Mini

What caught my attention is a completely free MIDI generator that focuses on creating musical ideas through controlled randomness. I like Harvest Mini because I pick a scale, tap in a rhythm, and let it generate chord progressions, melodies, or drum patterns that actually sound musical.

The plugin works by letting me lock the notes I like while re-rolling the rest. This means I can keep the good parts and explore variations without starting over each time.

Key Features:

• Scale-Based Generation

I can choose from preset scales to ensure all generated MIDI stays harmonically useful. This prevents random chaos and keeps everything musical and usable in my projects.

• Custom Rhythm Tapping

The plugin lets me tap in my own rhythms using mouse clicks or MIDI input. This rhythm becomes the foundation for how notes are placed, giving me control over the timing feel.

• Lock and Re-roll System

After generating a sequence, I can lock individual notes I want to keep and regenerate only the unlocked parts. This workflow helps me refine ideas without losing the good stuff.

• Randomization Controls

I can adjust the chance of rests appearing, vary note lengths, and control how much randomness affects the output. These settings help make generated MIDI feel more natural and less robotic.

• MIDI Output Integration

Plugin works as MIDI FX in my DAW, sending generated sequences to any instrument I choose. This makes it easy to audition ideas with different sounds quickly.