Drum Charter

Name: Drum Charter
Author: Ralf Brauchler

By: Ralf Brauchler

Text-based drum chart editor

Features & Capabilities

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.