About Drum Charter
Drum Charter is a powerful universal app for creating, editing, and playing drum notation in an innovative text-based format. Runs natively on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
KEY FEATURES
Custom DrumCharter Font for Concert Mode
Professional monospace typeface with 42 specially designed drum symbols for authentic, highly readable notation. Bold X symbols for hi-hat, filled circles for snare, stylized half-circles for toms. The custom font is only used in Concert Mode - the editor remains unchanged for maximum stability.
Adaptive Light/Dark Mode
Concert Mode and Practice Mode now automatically adapt to your system appearance settings. Black text on white background in Light Mode, white text on black background in Dark Mode - perfect for any environment.
Swing & Shuffle (NEW in v1.11)
Authentic swing feel for 8th notes following standard notation. Simply write "Shuffle" in the metadata header or specify precise swing percentages (50-75%). UI button with presets for quick access. At 67% swing, you get classic triplet feel - perfect for Jazz, Blues, and Shuffle grooves.
Text-based Notation
Use a simple yet powerful text format for drum patterns. Faster than traditional notation software, more intuitive than MIDI editors.
Real-time MIDI Playback
Hear your patterns instantly with high-quality MIDI sound. Supports all common drum instruments: Hi-Hat, Snare, Kick, Toms, Crash, Ride, and more.
Practice Mode with Live BPM Detection & Visual Metronome
Dedicated practice environment with large BPM visualization and real-time tempo detection from MIDI e-drums. Visual metronome, target BPM slider (60-240), and trend indicator (green/yellow/red) show whether you're speeding up or slowing down. Perfect for building timing consistency and monitoring your progress.
Concert Mode for Live Performance
Full-screen performance view with 22pt custom font, optimally readable from distance. Playlist support for entire song folders with arrow key navigation. Visual metronome with live BPM display. Perfect for stage and rehearsal room.
Triplet Support
8th note triplet notation with the ³ symbol for swing and advanced rhythms. Works on all drum lines and with all symbols. Detailed documentation and example patterns available.
Real-time Validation
Errors are detected and displayed immediately. The validation system checks line structure, symbol placement, and pattern length.
Automatic Formatting
Repeat notation is automatically formatted. Bars are renumbered after insertion. Section headers are automatically capitalized.
Keyboard-centric
All important functions are accessible via keyboard shortcuts. Fast workflow without mouse clicks.
Bar Management
- Insert new bars with templates
- Automatic renumbering
- Context detection (section vs. bar range)
- Tab key to complete a bar with rests
Sections and Structure
- Section headers for song parts (Intro, Verse, Chorus, etc.)
- Repeat notation for recurring patterns
- Support for up to 99 bars
Playback
- Play from cursor position
- Tempo adjustment (60-240 BPM)
- 48th note resolution (triplet support)
- Automatic repeat support
- Play/Pause with spacebar, Stop with Escape
IDEAL FOR
- Drummers who want to quickly capture their ideas
- Live performers needing large, readable notation
- Composers sketching drum patterns
- Music teachers for educational materials
- Producers for pre-production and arrangement
- Anyone looking for a fast alternative to complex notation software
ADVANTAGES OVER TRADITIONAL SOFTWARE
Faster: Type patterns in seconds
Simpler: No complex music notation required
Portable: Pure text files, version control friendly
Focused: Only the essentials, no distractions
Intelligent: Learning pattern suggestions
Professional: Custom font for perfect readability
Universal: One purchase for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Drum Charter was designed to optimize drummers' workflow. Whether for live performance, studio recordings, or simply practicing - Drum Charter is the perfect tool for modern drummers.
KEY FEATURES
Custom DrumCharter Font for Concert Mode
Professional monospace typeface with 42 specially designed drum symbols for authentic, highly readable notation. Bold X symbols for hi-hat, filled circles for snare, stylized half-circles for toms. The custom font is only used in Concert Mode - the editor remains unchanged for maximum stability.
Adaptive Light/Dark Mode
Concert Mode and Practice Mode now automatically adapt to your system appearance settings. Black text on white background in Light Mode, white text on black background in Dark Mode - perfect for any environment.
Swing & Shuffle (NEW in v1.11)
Authentic swing feel for 8th notes following standard notation. Simply write "Shuffle" in the metadata header or specify precise swing percentages (50-75%). UI button with presets for quick access. At 67% swing, you get classic triplet feel - perfect for Jazz, Blues, and Shuffle grooves.
Text-based Notation
Use a simple yet powerful text format for drum patterns. Faster than traditional notation software, more intuitive than MIDI editors.
Real-time MIDI Playback
Hear your patterns instantly with high-quality MIDI sound. Supports all common drum instruments: Hi-Hat, Snare, Kick, Toms, Crash, Ride, and more.
Practice Mode with Live BPM Detection & Visual Metronome
Dedicated practice environment with large BPM visualization and real-time tempo detection from MIDI e-drums. Visual metronome, target BPM slider (60-240), and trend indicator (green/yellow/red) show whether you're speeding up or slowing down. Perfect for building timing consistency and monitoring your progress.
Concert Mode for Live Performance
Full-screen performance view with 22pt custom font, optimally readable from distance. Playlist support for entire song folders with arrow key navigation. Visual metronome with live BPM display. Perfect for stage and rehearsal room.
Triplet Support
8th note triplet notation with the ³ symbol for swing and advanced rhythms. Works on all drum lines and with all symbols. Detailed documentation and example patterns available.
Real-time Validation
Errors are detected and displayed immediately. The validation system checks line structure, symbol placement, and pattern length.
Automatic Formatting
Repeat notation is automatically formatted. Bars are renumbered after insertion. Section headers are automatically capitalized.
Keyboard-centric
All important functions are accessible via keyboard shortcuts. Fast workflow without mouse clicks.
Bar Management
- Insert new bars with templates
- Automatic renumbering
- Context detection (section vs. bar range)
- Tab key to complete a bar with rests
Sections and Structure
- Section headers for song parts (Intro, Verse, Chorus, etc.)
- Repeat notation for recurring patterns
- Support for up to 99 bars
Playback
- Play from cursor position
- Tempo adjustment (60-240 BPM)
- 48th note resolution (triplet support)
- Automatic repeat support
- Play/Pause with spacebar, Stop with Escape
IDEAL FOR
- Drummers who want to quickly capture their ideas
- Live performers needing large, readable notation
- Composers sketching drum patterns
- Music teachers for educational materials
- Producers for pre-production and arrangement
- Anyone looking for a fast alternative to complex notation software
ADVANTAGES OVER TRADITIONAL SOFTWARE
Faster: Type patterns in seconds
Simpler: No complex music notation required
Portable: Pure text files, version control friendly
Focused: Only the essentials, no distractions
Intelligent: Learning pattern suggestions
Professional: Custom font for perfect readability
Universal: One purchase for iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Drum Charter was designed to optimize drummers' workflow. Whether for live performance, studio recordings, or simply practicing - Drum Charter is the perfect tool for modern drummers.
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