Can Wingman turn a melody into chords and bass?
Yes. Wingman can help you turn a simple melody into a fuller musical idea by listening to the audio in your DAW and suggesting chords and basslines that fit. You can then edit the progression, shape the rhythm, change the sound, and export the result as MIDI or WAV.
From one melody to a fuller idea
This tutorial shows how to use Wingman to capture an audio idea, generate chords, add a bassline, shape the rhythm, and export the result back into your DAW.
When to use this workflow
This workflow is useful when you have a melody, vocal idea, synth riff, sample, or loop, but you are not sure what chords or bassline should go with it.
Good starting points
- A vocal melody
- A synth hook
- A piano idea
- A sample or loop
- An unfinished track idea
What you can create
- Matching chord progressions
- Basslines that fit the chords
- Rhythmic chord patterns
- Ideas you can export as MIDI
- Audio you can drag back into your session
What you need before you start
Wingman installed as a plugin inside your DAW.
A melody, vocal, loop, or audio idea loaded on a DAW track.
A few bars of audio that clearly represent the idea you want to build around.
How to turn a melody into chords and bass
Add Wingman to your DAW track
Open your DAW and add Wingman to the track that contains your melody or audio idea. This could be a vocal, synth riff, piano melody, sample, or another musical part.
Wingman works inside your DAW, so you can keep the workflow close to the project you are already producing.
Record or capture the audio into Wingman
Play the part you want Wingman to hear, then use the record option inside Wingman to capture the audio. Wingman uses this recording as the musical context for its chord and bassline suggestions.
Capture the idea you want Wingman to hear
Use Wingman’s Record Audio button to capture the melody, vocal, loop, or sample you want to build around.
Generate chords that fit your melody
After Wingman listens to your audio, explore the chord progression ideas it suggests. These ideas are based on the audio you recorded, so they are designed to fit the key, rhythm, and musical feel of your original melody.
You can audition different chord progressions until one feels right for your track.
Edit the chords until the progression feels right
Click any chord to explore alternatives. Wingman can show chord options that stay close to the original key, or let you experiment with more advanced harmonic ideas.
This is useful when the first progression is close, but you want one or two chords to feel more emotional, more simple, or more surprising.
Add a bassline that follows the musical idea
Once the chords are working, add a bassline idea inside Wingman. The bassline is designed to work with the chord progression and the original audio, so you can quickly move from a melody to a more complete loop.
You can use this bassline as a starting point, then export it as MIDI and edit it further in your DAW.
Shape the rhythm with presets, accents, and editing
If the chords or bass feel too static, use Wingman’s rhythm presets and rhythm editing tools to add movement. You can try different rhythmic patterns, add accents, and make the part feel more natural in the groove of your track.
Try different rhythms until the idea feels right
Use Wingman’s rhythm tools to quickly audition different chord and bass patterns, so the part feels less static and more connected to the groove of your track.
Change the sound or use your own VST synths
Once the musical idea works, change the chord and bass sounds. In Wingman 2.0, you can preview ideas with built-in sounds or use your own VST synths, so the idea feels closer to your actual production style.
You can also use built-in effects like reverb, delay, filters, sidechain, OTT, and more to shape the sound before exporting.
Export MIDI or WAV back into your DAW
When you find a chord progression or bassline you like, export it as MIDI or WAV. Use MIDI if you want to keep editing notes, sounds, and arrangements. Use WAV if you want to quickly drag the audio idea into your project timeline.
Tips for better results
Use a clear musical input
Wingman works best when the audio you record has a clear musical idea. If the section is too busy, try recording a simpler part first.
Try more than one progression
The first idea may not always be the best one. Audition multiple chord progressions and listen for the one that supports the melody naturally.
Edit before exporting
Use Wingman to get close, then refine the chords, rhythm, sound, and bassline before bringing the idea back into your DAW.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Wingman listens to the audio in your DAW and suggests chord progressions that fit the musical context of your melody.
Yes. Wingman can generate bassline ideas that work with the chord progression and the audio you recorded.
Yes. You can click chords, explore alternatives, adjust the progression, and shape the rhythm before exporting your idea.
Yes. Wingman 2.0 supports using your own VST synths, so you can preview ideas with sounds and presets that already fit your workflow.
Export MIDI if you want to keep editing notes, instruments, and arrangements. Export WAV if you want to quickly use the generated sound as audio in your project.
Turn your next melody into a fuller musical idea.
Use Wingman to generate chords, basslines, rhythms, and sounds that fit the audio in your DAW.