Guitar MIDI for Logic Pro · 21 genres
JBT Riff Builder
You don't play guitar? Your songs do.
JBT Riff Builder writes complete rhythm guitars for pop punk, emo, metalcore and 18 more genres. As MIDI, with real chord shapes, palm mutes and double-tracked takes. One click gives you a whole song with intro, verse, chorus, breakdown and final chord. Drag the file into Logic, add vocals, done.
Planned: a free demo (pop punk and metalcore, all features, no time limit) and the full version for €39 at the introductory price, €59 after that.
Screenshots
Features
Real chord shapes
Every chord is looked up on the fretboard: shapes spanning at most four frets with four fingers, barre chords detected, the hand stays in its position. When a chord comes back, so does the same shape.
Strumming
Strings sound 2.5 to 4.5 ms apart. Upstrokes run in reverse and only hit the high strings.
Palm mutes & chugs
Muted chords, root-note chugs and dead notes. In Logic on their own tracks with real palm mute samples.
Double-tracked takes
Two differently played takes hard left and right, four for metalcore, deathcore and djent. No copied MIDI that sounds phasey.
Song dynamics
Verses strummed softer than choruses, the last chorus the hardest. Anticipated chords, stops and a final chord that rings out.
Tunings
E standard down to drop C with the guitars built into Logic, drop B and drop A with Stratus FREE.
Over 230 patterns
Rhythms named after how they are played, for example “Gallop Verse” or “Push on the 4-and”. Plus a loop library with over 1,000 loops.
No expensive library needed
Sounds good with the sampler guitars already included in Logic Pro. Every song comes with the exact settings: instrument per track, amp chain, panning. Optional for any DAW: Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE.
Your songs
Everything the Riff Builder creates belongs to you and may be used commercially without royalties.
21 genres on the setlist
Each genre has its own tempos, tunings, chord progressions, song forms and playing styles. Tempo range in BPM.
- Punk Rock165–195
- Pop-Punk150–190
- Emo / Emo-Punk120–160
- Hardcore Punk165–205
- Melodic Hardcore150–185
- Skate Punk180–220
- Metalcore130–170
- Melodic Metalcore120–165
- Nu Metal90–115
- Post-Hardcore130–180
- Easycore160–200
- Deathcore90–130
- Djent / Prog-Metalcore100–140
- Rock100–145
- Hard Rock105–150
- Alternative Rock95–145
- Grunge85–130
- Pop-Rock100–140
- Pop88–128
- Indie Rock110–160
- Emo-Pop / Dark Pop72–120
System requirements
- macOS
- macOS 12 or later, Apple Silicon and Intel. App window with piano roll preview, installer (.pkg)
- Windows
- Beta: built for Windows 10 and 11, not yet tested on real machines
- Linux
- Beta: x86-64, not yet tested on real machines
- DAW
- Logic Pro or any other DAW (MIDI file), guitar via Logic built-ins or Stratus FREE
- Language
- English (app, song sheets and file names)
FAQ
Can I release and sell the songs?
Yes. Everything the Riff Builder creates belongs to you and may be used commercially without royalties, including on streaming platforms.
Do I need to play guitar or read music?
No. You pick a genre, the app decides everything else. The “Chords & Sound.txt” sheet still shows you the chords in case you want to sing along or change something.
Does it work without Logic Pro?
Yes. Any DAW opens MIDI files. Without Logic, use the free Shreddage 3 Stratus FREE guitar in Kontakt Player, which runs in all common DAWs.
Is it a plugin?
It is a standalone app that creates MIDI files. That has an advantage: it runs alongside any DAW and any DAW version, without plugin formats.
Does it sound like a real band?
The notes are played like a guitarist would, with all the small imperfections. How real it sounds in the end depends on the instrument and the amp. The included guide (“Realism Tips.md”) shows how to get a lot out of Logic built-ins and free plugins.
Is there a subscription or copy protection?
No. Buy once, personal download link, no online requirement. Updates within version 1.x are free.