README.md
March 21, 2026 ยท View on GitHub
Chartchotic is a VST3/AU plugin that visualizes MIDI as rhythm game highways -- Clone Hero, YARG, and Rock Band style. Preview your charts in real time as you write them.
Features
Multi-Highway - View up to 4 instruments or difficulties at once. Guitar, Bass, Keys, Drums, Rhythm, and Co-op Guitar are all supported.
Guitar - Notes, chords, sustains, HOPOs, opens, taps. Trill and tremolo lane markers. Configurable auto-HOPO threshold.
Drums - Standard and Pro Drums with cymbals, 2x kick, ghost/accent dynamics, and disco flip. Roll and swell lane markers.
REAPER Integration - Auto-discovers instrument tracks by name. Zero-latency timeline scrubbing. Live updates when tracks are added, removed, or renamed.
DAW Compatibility
| DAW | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| REAPER | Fully supported | Zero-latency timeline scrubbing, auto track discovery, multi-highway |
| Other DAWs | Not currently supported | Broader DAW support planned for a future release |
Installation
Download the latest version from releases.
macOS:
- VST3:
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/ - AU:
~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/
Windows:
- Most DAWs:
C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ - REAPER: Check Preferences > Plug-ins > VST for custom paths
Linux:
- User:
~/.vst3/ - System:
/usr/local/lib/vst3/or/usr/lib/vst3/
After installing, restart your DAW to autoscan for the plugin.
Quick Start
- Add Chartchotic to any MIDI track in REAPER
- Name your tracks using standard chart names:
PART GUITAR,PART BASS,PART DRUMS,PART KEYS - The plugin auto-discovers instruments and displays them
- Click instrument/difficulty icons in the toolbar to control what's visible
- Adjust note speed and highway length to your liking
Supported Track Names
| Track Name | Instrument |
|---|---|
PART GUITAR | Lead Guitar |
PART GUITAR COOP | Co-op Guitar |
PART RHYTHM | Rhythm Guitar |
PART BASS | Bass |
PART KEYS | Keys |
PART DRUMS | Drums |
Support
Have questions or found a bug? Open an issue.
Want to support development? Donate here.
License
Chartchotic is open source under the MIT license. Art assets are provided for build purposes only.
Art credits:
- Inventor211 - Chart assets
- kanaizo - Bundled highway textures