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Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

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Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#1
Winamp plugin that is able to extract chords from any mp3 on your playlist. It is very good in that. You could edit missed chords if needed in plain text file.

You could see chords and guitar tabs synchronized to a song and even hear chords mixed to a song.

http://chords.fm

Thoughts?

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#2
I really like the idea, but don't use Winamp. Most of the things along this line that I've tried are pretty bad, so I'm not sure I'm willing to download two pieces of software to see if this one is different. What about an online service where I can upload the song in FLAC or mp3 and get the tab back?

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#3
At work so I can't actually demo. However, the video looked nice. One thing I noticed is that the tabs correctly displayed minor chords while the text simply said B or F# (implying major). Additionally, how good is it at picking up alternate tunings (i.e. down a half step a la hendrix) or obscure jazz chords? I suppose I can just wait until I get home to try it out, so maybe I'll report back then...

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#4
post #3

At work so I can't actually demo. However, the video looked nice. One thing I noticed is that the tabs correctly displayed minor chords while the text simply said B or F# (implying major). Additionally, how good is it at picking up alternate tunings (i.e. down a half step a la hendrix) or obscure jazz chords? I suppose I can just wait until I get home to try it out, so maybe I'll report back then...

From what I can see, major chords are displayed in uppercase, minor chords in lowercase. e.g., E for E major; e for E minor.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#8
I know from experience that Winamp plugins are hard to make money from. I also know a guy who put out a CD burning plugin. To distill his email:

X 30,000 downloads and 10 copies sold

X The French don't pay for software

X On average, more Americans pay registration fees than other people (eg, French)

X Have a time-limit (which you have) so people have to pay

X (my own experience) Cracking groups rarely pirate Winamp plugins

[additional]X There is a store for Winamp plugins (and has been for years). If you list there, you get a spotlight for a week or two, and you have to make the most of that - it usually gets a few 1000 downloads and then trails off.

Re: Ask HN: Review my startup - Chords!

#10

I really like the idea, but don't use Winamp. Most of the things along this line that I've tried are pretty bad, so I'm not sure I'm willing to download two pieces of software to see if this one is different. What about an online service where I can upload the song in FLAC or mp3 and get the tab back?

Could you send me any mp3 to kos@cbmsnetworks.com and I will send you chords back.

We plan to add online service.

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