Phrasebox 2
by Venomode · Utility · MIDI phrase arpeggiator
Not rated yet
Phrasebox 2 is a MIDI effect that turns held chords into melodies, basslines and phrases in real time, using rows of rules for pitch, timing and velocity.
Piano-roll editing, MIDI CC automation, per-row loops, polyrhythms, Euclidean timing, scale locking and multi-channel output are included, for £69 (about $91.40).
Best for: Keys & Synths, Bass, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: bass, samples & loops, cinematic, MIDI-controllable, mixing, simple, sound design, steep learning curve, utility.
What it does
Phrasebox 2 is a phrase arpeggiator: it takes the chords you play and turns them into melodies, basslines and full phrases in real time. It outputs MIDI to drive your instruments and makes no sound of its own.
- Rows and rules: unlimited rows, each with its own rules for which chord note to pick, repeats, transposition, pitch, timing, velocity, random selection, fixed notes and MIDI channel.
- Piano-roll editing: freeform, DAW-style editing with no fixed steps; draw notes, set phrase lengths and add probability variations.
- CC automation: controller lanes for filters, pitch bend, sustain, expression and other CCs across several channels, or a CC-only mode.
- Timing tools: per-row loop points, note repeaters on a grid or evenly spaced, polyrhythms and Euclidean rhythms.
- Phrase generation: builds new phrases from rules you set, which you can then edit by hand.
- Scale lock and routing: keeps transposed notes in key, and sends phrases to several instruments over multiple MIDI channels.
The current version is 2.1.0. Free demos are available.
When to use it
Phrasebox 2 is the better pick when you want to design detailed, evolving arpeggios rather than just generate chords. Compared with Xfer Cthulhu it goes much further on the arpeggio side, with rule-based rows, freeform piano-roll editing, CC lanes and polyrhythms, and it costs more. It also takes more setup than Cthulhu, since getting its MIDI output to your instruments works differently in each DAW.
- Best for: turning chord progressions into moving arps, basslines and melodic parts, and driving several instruments from one chord track.
- Genres: electronic, synthwave, pop, hip-hop and cinematic music.
- Look elsewhere if: you mainly need chord generation or a quick, simple arpeggiator (Cthulhu), or you work in GarageBand, Reason or Maschine, which it doesn't support.
What producers say
Users like its flexibility and piano-roll approach, while the learning curve and DAW routing are the usual complaints.
- KVR users rate it 4.75 out of 5 from 8 reviews, mostly written for version 1; one called it "the best arp/sequencer currently available" and another preferred its piano-roll editing to grid-based arps.
- Plugin Boutique buyers describe it as flexible and good for beating writer's block, with an intuitive piano-roll workflow.
- Criticisms: a steep learning curve and fiddly MIDI routing in DAWs like Ableton Live and Cubase; one KVR user found sequences starting mid-pattern rather than from the top.
Where to buy
- Venomode: $91.40 (Listed at £69; converted at £1 = $1.3247 (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
- Plugin Boutique: $94
Tutorials and reviews
Similar plugins
- Thesys by Sugar Bytes · Step MIDI sequencer · $99
- BLEASS Arpeggiator by BLEASS · MIDI arpeggiator · $29
- Cthulhu by Xfer Records · MIDI chord / arpeggiator · $39
- Stochas by Surge Synth Team · Probabilistic polyrhythmic MIDI sequencer · Free
- Nest by Sugar Bytes · Modular MIDI sequencer · $99
- TATAT by K-Devices · Generative MIDI sequencer · $44.28
- Loop Engine 3 by W.A. Production · Multi-voice MIDI loop generator · $19.90
- HATEFISh RhyGenerator by HoRNet · Euclidean MIDI rhythm sequencer · $17.02
- Riffer 4 by Audiomodern · Generative MIDI riff sequencer · $55