Article Blue Amazon

Editing Design Mike Moggi Mannix

Mario Nieto “Chord Generator – Effortless Harmonies, Endless Creativity”

“It’s not about being lazy. It’s about generating something you’d never think of on your own.”

Mario Nieto is an independent software developer creating some of the most inspiring MIDI generation tools available today.

Based in Spain, he originally began by developing Ableton Max for Live devices, including riff generators, random chord tools, and rhythm-based processors. It was a natural progression for him to further his development skills and work alongside companies such as AudioModern—before launching his own independent platform, MNR Development LLC.

He is perhaps best known for his creative melody generator Harmony Bloom, which produces unique melodic patterns that are often difficult to program into a DAW’s piano roll or play manually on a MIDI keyboard. For those in the modular world, think of it as a stochastic style generator with a touch of Euclidean rhythm—random yet musical, mathematical yet creative.

When I think of modular, I see Mario Nieto as a kind of modular software creator. Much like in the hardware world, he’s breaking rules, challenging conventions, and building from an independent platform—where innovation and experimentation thrive most in music technology. This is where the true cutting edge lies.

 

Focusing on Chord Generator

At first glance, you might think chord generators are nothing new—they’re even built natively into many DAWs. True, but most of them are limited in functionality, restricted to basic chord shapes, and offer little beyond that. They’re fine if you just want a few rave-style triads or one extended chord played chromatically, but sometimes you need something more.

And while it’s easy to argue that you could just play the chords yourself, you’d be surprised how many accomplished pianists still use chord generators.

It’s not about laziness—it’s about generating something unexpected and inspiring, beyond what you might naturally come up with.

I’ve tried many chord generators (alongside playing manually), and there are plenty of reasons to keep exploring new options.

 

What Can Chord Generator Do?

First of all, it’s a fully-fledged desktop app as well as a plugin (AU, VST, and AUv3 formats supported). The desktop version includes its own sample playback engine so you can audition chords as you experiment. Within a DAW, you simply assign it to a software instrument.

As a starting point, you have a single selectable chord or shape, which you can transpose chromatically across the keyboard—similar to the chord trigger techniques popular in ’90s music. Cool chord stabs, here we go!

Switching into keyboard mode allows you to assign different chords to single key triggers or pads (like an MPC). You can edit each chord from a wide selection, re-trigger them in sequence, or reorder them by pressing different keys—instantly creating unique progressions. You can also globally lock the key/scale to match your taste or track.

There is also a healthy section of pre-set progression if you prefer to explore those first.

One standout feature is its inversion tools. Skilled keyboard players often use chord inversions—keeping note spacing tighter to smooth transitions between chords, and reducing the changes in chords to avoid sounding jumpy. Chord Generator provides this same flexibility, letting you shift individual chord tones across three octaves and add lower bass notes.

The inversion editor is fast to use and creates inversions effortlessly

The velocity section lets you edit the dynamics of each note in the chord, while the strumming generator adds realism and movement. This feature can sweep notes across time (like strumming a guitar), either forward or in reverse, and can be quantized to your DAW’s grid (quarters, eighths, sixteenths, etc.).

Similarly, the very cool repeater section allows individual notes in a chord to repeat at quantized values—again, per chord—unlocking endless rhythmic possibilities. These features alone can produce fascinating, evolving textures unheard before. Keep in mind you can adjust this on a per-chord and note basis.

It’s hyper creative and flexible

 

Add to that randomisation tools (per section or globally) for fresh inspiration, plus MIDI capture/export (drag and drop to your DAW), and you have a plugin that’s not just functional but creatively empowering.

Would you also like to send the generated chords to external synths/equipment? Well, you can.

 

Do you need to understand music theory?

Knowing theory always helps—it deepens your understanding and makes it easier to produce what you imagine musically. But it’s not essential here. Even without theory, Chord Generator gives you a solid creative starting point. You can even break music theory/rules to creative effect and taste.

If you do want to align other instruments to your chords, just start with the root note of each chord and build around it. With some experimentation, your ears will guide the rest. In fact, sometimes not knowing the “rules” leads to more interesting results.

 

The shocking part

Chord Generator costs just €29.

 

That’s pocket change compared to the value it offers—especially when you consider it’s updated regularly at no extra cost. For producers looking for fresh inspiration, it’s one of the most creative, cost-effective MIDI tools available right now. Compared to hardware MIDI chord generators, you would be spending hundreds, plus some.

“Chord Generator feels like having an endless supply of harmonic ideas—without breaking the bank.”

 

It’s available via Mario Website here – https://marionietoworld.com/

 

Credits

Blue Amazon – Lee Softley

Lee Softley, known as Blue Amazon, has long been synonymous with quality in electronic music and is widely regarded as a key contributor to the genre. An active and influential figure, he continues to push boundaries across multiple facets of the industry.

His extensive body of work includes the progressive club classic No Other Love and the Javelin album. He has also delivered remixes for renowned artists such as Sasha, Skunk Anansie, New Order, Placebo, and Madonna.

On the underground scene, Lee has collaborated with Alex Flatner and Robert Owens on Kling Klong Records, as well as with Germany’s Disscut, Louie Le Fink, and Zak Gee. Together, they created the acclaimed Interpretations series, alongside numerous other projects.

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