Drum Charter

Text-based drum chart editor

Free

NEW in 2.0: MusicXML & MIDI File Export! Open charts in MuseScore, Sibelius & DAWs. Concert Mode playback. Multi-column lyrics. New app icon. iPhone, iPad & Mac. Drum Charter is a professional drum notation app for creating, editing, and playing drum charts using an intuitive text-based format. Perfect for drummers, music teachers, and composers who need a fast, distraction-free way to write drum patterns. KEY FEATURES * Text-Based Notation Simple ASCII symbols represent drums: 'x' for hi-hat, 'o' for snare, 'Q' for kick. Triplet notation with the ³ symbol for advanced rhythms. Fast to type, easy to read. * Smart Symbol Palette Context-aware buttons show only relevant symbols based on cursor position. No accidental input errors. * Real-Time Audio Playback High-quality drum sounds powered by FluidR3_GM soundfont. Hear patterns instantly with professional MIDI-based playback. * Flam & Ghost Notes Two expressive symbols for snare: Flam for quick grace notes before the main hit, Ghost for subtle quiet notes. Perfect for Jazz, Funk, and dynamic playing. * Lyrics Mode Create charts without drum notation - just lyrics, chords, and cues. Perfect for multi-instrumentalists with mixed setlists. Section headers in teal, cue lines in gray. Embedded drum bars automatically detected. Chord symbols highlighted in blue. * PDF Export Export your charts as PDF with optional beat grouping stripes. Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Perfect for printing or sharing. * MusicXML Export Export charts to MusicXML for MuseScore, Sibelius, Finale, and more. All time signatures, triplets, repeats, flams, ghost notes, swing markings, and rehearsal marks. Professional notation from text-based charts. * MIDI File Export Export as Standard MIDI Files with two-voice layout. Configurable stem grouping. Import into any DAW. * Practice Mode with MIDI Hit Visualization Dedicated practice environment with visual and audible metronome (Wood Block). Live BPM detection from MIDI e-drums. Target BPM slider (60-240). Trend display. Bar Loop Playback for practicing individual bars or two consecutive bars. MIDI Hit Visualization shows cyan stripes where your hits land on the notation - instant visual feedback for timing accuracy. * Concert Mode with Playback Controls Full-screen performance view with large custom font (10-40pt). Beat grouping with adjustable opacity. Metronome click. Playlist with folder navigation. Play, skip, and navigate with on-screen controls and keyboard shortcuts. Native macOS fullscreen. Multi-column lyrics with [columns: N]. * Multi-Time Signature Support Full support for 4/4, 3/4 (Waltz), and 6/8 (Compound Time). UI picker for quick time signature changes. * Swing & Shuffle Support Authentic Jazz/Blues feel with standard swing notation. Write "Shuffle" for classic 67% swing, or specify 50-75%. UI button with 5 presets. * BPM Control via Metadata Set tempo directly in your chart with [140 BPM]. Range 60-200 BPM. Play at the exact speed you need. * Smart Bar Management Auto-numbering up to 999 bars. Repeat notation (4x) for efficient charting. Move bars up/down. Section headers for song structure. * Combination Symbols Three symbols for simultaneous Snare+Tom hits: p (Snare+Tom1), d (Snare+Tom2), g (Snare+FloorTom). Perfect for complex fills. * Multi-Column Export Export in 2, 4, 6, or 8 bars per line format. Optional "Replace rests with spaces" for LogicPro compatibility. * Universal App - iPhone, iPad, Mac Native experience on all devices with seamless iCloud sync. Start on iPhone, continue on iPad or Mac. WHO IS THIS FOR? - Drummers learning new songs - Music teachers creating lesson materials - Composers sketching drum parts - Multi-instrumentalists with mixed setlists - Anyone who prefers text over complex notation software PLATFORM SUPPORT - iPhone (iOS 15.0 or later) - iPad (iPadOS 15.0 or later) - Mac (macOS 12.0 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel) - Optimized for all screen sizes Perfect for drummers who want professional results without complexity.

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Version 2.0 - The Export & Stage Update Drum Charter 2.0 is the biggest update yet. Export your charts to professional notation apps and DAWs. Perform with full playback controls on stage. A new app icon completes the refresh. EXPORT * MusicXML Export Export drum charts to MusicXML - the universal notation exchange format. Open in MuseScore, Sibelius, Finale, Dorico, or any MusicXML-compatible app. Full support for all time signatures (4/4, 3/4, 6/8), triplets, repeats with play counts, flam grace notes, ghost noteheads, swing/shuffle markings, and rehearsal marks. Proper beaming and two-voice layout. * MIDI File Export Export as Standard MIDI Files (.mid) with two-voice layout. Cymbals separated from kick/snare/toms for clean DAW import. Configurable stem grouping. Works with Logic Pro, GarageBand, Ableton, and any DAW. STAGE * Concert Mode Playback Play, pause, skip forward/back - all from the stage view. On-screen controls in the BPM widget plus keyboard shortcuts (Space, Arrow keys). Editor playback stops automatically when entering Concert Mode. * Multi-Column Lyrics New [columns: N] directive for multi-column lyrics in Concert Mode. Fit more text on screen during performance. Columns adapt to screen width. N = 1-3, works on iPad and Mac. * Native macOS Fullscreen Concert Mode enters its own fullscreen Space with auto-hiding menu bar. True immersive stage view. * Background Audio Mixing Play along with Apple Music, Spotify, or any other app. Drum Charter mixes audio instead of interrupting it. PRACTICE * MIDI Hit Visualization Cyan stripes show exactly where your hits land on the notation. Instant visual feedback for timing accuracy. * Bar Loop with 2-Bar Mode Loop individual bars or two consecutive bars. Practice transitions across bar lines. * Metronome Click Audible Wood Block reference in Practice and Concert Mode. Visual metronome with beat indicator. IMPROVEMENTS * New App Icon - fresh design with teal accent * Improved MIDI connection stability and reconnect behavior * Concert Mode BPM widget stays reachable near screen edges * macOS multi-window keyboard command routing fixed * iPad multi-scene document command guard * Larger touch targets for Concert Mode controls * Improved beat grouping stripe alignment at all font sizes BACKWARD COMPATIBILITY All existing charts work unchanged. New features are additive. Settings preserved across updates. iPhone (iOS 15+), iPad (iPadOS 15+), Mac (macOS 12+). iCloud sync across all devices.

The developer, Ralf Brauchler, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

  • Data Not Collected

    The developer does not collect any data from this app.

    Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

    The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More

    Seller
    • Ralf Brauchler
    Size
    • 152.9 MB
    Category
    • Music
    Compatibility
    Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
    • iPhone
      Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
    • iPad
      Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
    • iPod touch
      Requires iOS 15.0 or later.
    • Mac
      Requires macOS 12.0 or later.
    • Apple Vision
      Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
    Languages
    • English
    Age Rating
    4+
    Copyright
    • © 2026 Ralf Brauchler