PowerChord
by Rob Papen · Instrument · Power chord guitar groove instrument
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PowerChord is a guitar instrument for building power chord grooves, with 55 guitar models and a groove sequencer.
It can also be played manually with strokes, long strokes and ghost strokes, and includes filters, FX and synth-style shaping, for $79.
Best for: Guitars, Sound Design. Genres: Rock & Indie, Metal, Electronic & EDM.
Keywords: guitar instrument, sequencer, modulation matrix, sound design, analog-sounding, analog, subtractive.
What it does
PowerChord is a guitar instrument for building power chord grooves from MIDI, using a groove sequencer rather than sampled loops. It is aimed at producers more than guitarists; Rob Papen admits it "will never replace a real guitar player", but argues it makes sounds a player can't.
- Guitar models: 55 in total, 12 solo sounds plus 41 stacked variations, including Drop-D, Drop-A, Grunge and single-note versions.
- Groove sequencer: build your own power chord sequences of up to 32 steps across A, B, C and D zones, or pick from the preset grooves.
- Manual playing: play parts yourself with strokes, long strokes and ghost strokes.
- Filters and distortion: 25 analog-modeled filter types with ring modulation, and 11 pre-filter distortions.
- Effects and EQ: three serial effect blocks with 34 effect types, including delays, reverbs and amp simulators, plus a 5-band parametric EQ with low cut.
- Modulation and control: an 8-slot modulation matrix, a ribbon controller with tempo-based features, a bank manager and UI sizes from 100% to 200%.
KVR lists version 1.0. A demo is available from Rob Papen.
Source: Rob Papen product page
When to use it
PowerChord is the quick way to drop sequenced rock and metal power chords into a track, with the option of pushing them into synth-like textures. Compared with Heavier7Strings, it is less about realism and articulated performance and more about fast grooves and sound design, with filters, distortion and a modulation matrix that a sampled guitar doesn't offer. Unlike Spectrasonics Trilian or MODO BASS 2, which cover bass, it is built only around chord stabs and riffs. It is also cheaper than most realistic guitar instruments, but limited to power chords and single notes.
- Best for: quick power chord parts, chugging rhythm grooves and guitar-flavoured synth layers.
- Genres: rock, metal, and electronic genres that borrow guitar riffs.
- Look elsewhere if: you need realistic, articulated guitar performances or full chords; Heavier7Strings goes much deeper.
Where to buy
- Best Service: $74.27
- Rob Papen: $79
- Plugin Boutique: $79
- PluginFox: $79
- AudioDeluxe: $79
Tutorials and reviews
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