Chordmonger is a MIDI chord controller that seeks to expand creativity among musicians by instantly placing a multitude of chords at a finger’s reach. Chordmonger integrates seamlessly with any MIDI enabled hardware synthesizer, electric keyboard, or music production program. Its 108 chords, chord speed slider, and minimalist design create a platform of possibilities that anyone can enjoy, regardless of experience level.

Chordmonger is designed to be uncomplicated from the outset. It simply plugs in through USB or 3.5mm MIDI, and your chords are playable. Its chord speed slider allows for any chord to be broken into an arpeggio, smoothly sped or slowed even during chord play. Its latch mode continues the last played chord until the next is pressed.

# Chordmonger Features

Although it’s ready to play chords right out of the box, Chordmonger offers a handful of fun features to take your chords a step further. Switching between chord shape, changing octave, and changing arpeggio direction are all performed using easy keystrokes. MIDI velocity is toggled with a function button and controlled with the slider without interrupting your arpeggio speed setting. It offers a simple sequencer that allows you to play a set of programmed chords at the touch of a single button while playing notes.

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Chordmonger also allows you to sync with an external MIDI clock in order to allow arpeggio speed to match your tempo. In this mode, the arpeggio speed slider will modify chord speed in subdivisions of your tempo, even in triplets.

Chordmonger creators Cantrell Hepner and Russell Strand combined their skills and experience in electronic design and assembly, mechanical fabrication, CAD drafting, and aesthetic design to create something not only beautiful and functional but with efficient and consistent manufacturing in mind. For 12 months, they have prototyped and tested both product and process.

Chordmonger is housed in an all-acrylic case that possesses outstanding durability and simplicity. Its 41 silicone buttons are soft to the touch and have excellent feedback and longevity. Although Chordmonger is a handmade product, it has the look, feel, and durability of a mass-produced piece of hardware.

Meet the Team


If you contribute 89 USD, you will receive a Chordmonger with USB charger/connector.

For $99 USD, you will receive a Chordmonger with a USB charger/connector and a 3.5mm to 5 pin MIDI adapter.

For $129, you will receive the Chordmonger, the USB connector, the MIDI connector, and a custom denim drawstring travel bag. And, the sticker!

If we reach our stretch goal of $89,000 USD, we will provide black buttons for easier half-step identification while using note mode.

# Risks and challenges

Chordmonger is created by an electronic musician and a visual artist. We have combined our skills and experience to create a high quality, repeatable product. We are not only comfortable with electrical and mechanical CAD drafting and design, but are no strangers to the production fabrication table. The pre-production samples you see here are designed with volume production in mind and are fully functional. They are built using the same high-volume-ready parts, custom components, and manufacturing methods that will be seen in production Chordmongers. We have conveyed our high-volume needs with each part and material supplier in order to eliminate production hangups with absolute certainty. We plan to keep every supporter updated on a regular basis as to the status of their product. All pre-production components and materials were ordered and received during heightened Covid-19 precautions, so we do not expect any delays. Chordmongers will be hand built by us in a small shop, and we have had a chance to practice and refine our techniques using these high-volume-ready parts and materials. We confide in our ability to produce hundreds, or even thousands of Chordmongers using these tested processes.