HiChord

The HiChord is a pocket-sized all-in-one chord synth — and, per chord-synths-compared, “almost a mini groovebox disguised as a chord instrument.” A 7-button diatonic chord system is the front door, but behind it sits a full little production box: a 6-track looper, drum machine, sampler, vocoder, sequencer, and arpeggiator, with 30+ instrument sounds.

Specs

• 6-voice polyphony, 30+ sounds
• 100 × 71 × 29 mm, rechargeable 2400 mAh battery
• $320 RRP
• Pitched at songwriting and building complete pieces with no external gear

Where it sits

The HiChord is the workstation corner of the chord-synth trio: where Minichord strips down and Orchid deepens harmony, HiChord adds integration — looper, drums, sampler, sequencer in one pocket box. That makes it a miniature cousin of the MPC groovebox and the groovebox thesis: value from everything living in one device, now entered through chord buttons instead of pads. It’s the accessibility interface of a chord synth bolted onto the all-in-one ambition of a groovebox.

Source: Piano & Synth Magazine comparison (T2). Specs/price are the maker’s.