For Synth Enthusiasts

12-Voice Pocket Synthesizer
With Real Polyphonic Synthesis

12-voice polyphonic synthesis with analog waveforms, FM, and sample playback. Full ADSR, multi-mode filter, LFO modulation. The joystick transforms chord voicings in real-time. This is sound design in your pocket.

Buy Now — $320 Explore Sound Engine

Stereo Voices

48kHz

Sample Rate

Chord Types

Scales

Sound Engine

Real Synthesis, Not Preset Playback

HiChord runs 6 stereo oscillator pairs with analog waveforms, FM synthesis, and sample playback. Full parameter control through the Companion App.

∿

Sine

⋀

Saw

⊓

Square

△

Triangle

♬

Wurli

🎹

Piano

FM Synthesis Engine

Beyond analog waveforms, HiChord includes FM synthesis presets modeled after classic DX-style synthesis. Create bell tones, electric pianos, and complex timbres that evolve over time.

DX7-style FM Piano preset
FM Electric Piano (Wurlitzer character)
FM Organ with drawbar-style harmonics
FM Brass with velocity response
FM Bell tones and metallic textures

Full ADSR + Effects Chain

Shape every sound with complete envelope control. Six ADSR presets give you instant access to common shapes, or dial in custom settings through the Companion App.

LONG, SHORT, SWELL, PLUCK, TOUCH, SUSTAIN presets
Reverb with adjustable decay
Delay with tempo-synced rates (1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32)
Chorus and Flanger modulation effects
Lowpass filter with sweepable cutoff
LFO modulation (LOW, MED, HIGH intensity)
Glide/portamento for smooth pitch slides
Tremolo with tempo-synced rates

The Chord-Modifying Joystick

This is the patent-pending innovation that makes HiChord unique. The joystick doesn't just add expression — it transforms chord voicings in real-time across 8 directions.

↑ UP: Major/minor flip
↗ UP-RIGHT: Dominant 7th (blues feel)
→ RIGHT: Major 7th (jazz voicing)
↘ DOWN-RIGHT: Add9 (modern pop)
↓ DOWN: Sus4 (open, unresolved)
↙ DOWN-LEFT: 6th chord (vintage soul)
← LEFT: Diminished (tension)
↖ UP-LEFT: Augmented (dreamy)
Three joystick modes: Default, Extension, Chromatic

Technical Specifications

Built for Sound Design

Audio Engine

Sample Rate 48kHz

Bit Depth 16-bit / 32-bit internal

Polyphony 12 voices (6 stereo pairs)

Oscillators per Voice 1, 2, 4, or 8

Synthesis Types Analog, FM, Sample, Hybrid

Connectivity

USB USB-C Audio + MIDI

Audio Output 3.5mm TRS Stereo

MIDI Output USB + 3.5mm TRS

Built-in Speaker Yes

Microphone Built-in (vocoder/sampling)

Harmony Engine

Chord Types 28 (Maj, min, 7th, 9th, sus, dim, aug...)

Scales 10 (Major, Minor, Pentatonic, Blues, Dorian...)

Keys All 12

Voice Leading Automatic inversions

Joystick Modes Default, Extension, Chromatic

Hardware

Processor STM32H750 @ 400MHz

Display 64×32 OLED

Dimensions 100 × 71 × 29mm

Body CNC Aluminum

Power USB-C (battery powered)

Play Modes

15 Ways to Play

From chord stabs to generative arpeggios, HiChord adapts to your workflow.

ONESHOT

Full chord on press

STRUM

Guitar-style cascade

LEAD

Monophonic melodies

DRONE

Infinite sustain

ARPEGGIO

6 patterns, tempo-synced

REPEAT

Rhythmic chord gates

DRUM

Finger drum 7 kits

AUTODRUM

Pattern playback

SEQUENCER

16-step chord sequencer

LOOPER

6 tracks, 20s each

MIC SAMPLE

Record up to 3s

TUNER

Chromatic tuner

Studio Integration

Works With Your Rig

Class-compliant USB MIDI and audio. No drivers needed.

MIDI Controller + Sound Module

Use HiChord as a MIDI controller to trigger your favorite soft synths, or use its internal engine as the sound source. USB audio streams directly into your DAW — no extra cables.

Works with Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, GarageBand
MIDI note output for all chords and modes
3.5mm TRS MIDI out for hardware synths
USB audio streaming (no interface needed)
Companion App for deep preset editing
Firmware updates via browser

Buy Now

HiChord — Aluminum Edition

Shipping Now

$320USD

International shipping — taxes & duties included

What's Included

HiChord device CNC aluminum chassis

EVA protective case Included

USB-C cable Included

Quick start guide Included

Warranty 1 year

FAQ

Questions Synth Heads Ask

Actual synthesis. HiChord runs 6 stereo oscillator pairs with real-time waveform generation. Analog waveforms (sine, saw, square, triangle) are generated algorithmically. FM synthesis uses multi-operator architectures. The Companion App lets you adjust ADSR, filter, LFO, and effects parameters.

HiChord uses the Nashville Number System. The 7 buttons map to diatonic scale degrees (I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, vii°). Change keys instantly and the same button relationships hold. The joystick applies real-time chord transformations — not just transpositions, but actual chord type changes (adding 7ths, suspensions, alterations). Three joystick modes (Default, Extension, Chromatic) give you different transformation sets.

Yes. The Companion App (app.hichord.shop) gives you deep control over synthesis parameters, custom sample uploads (up to 1MB per slot), and AI-generated sound creation. Presets store full parameter states. Firmware updates regularly add new features and sounds — all free.

Different philosophy. OP-1 is a full workstation at $1,299. Pocket Operators are $59-89 sequencer toys. HiChord sits between — it's a real polyphonic synthesizer with a unique chord-based interface at $320. The joystick chord transformation is unique to HiChord. If you want to explore harmony and voicings in ways a keyboard doesn't easily allow, this is the tool.

HiChord is class-compliant USB MIDI, so latency depends on your DAW and audio interface buffer settings. The device itself processes at audio rate (48kHz). Most users report imperceptible latency for live performance and recording.

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