**NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Moderator: Dave Mudgett
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
**NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
PSG Compass - Chord and Scale Analysis and Voice Leading Tool, including Chord Deciphering.
Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce PSG Compass, a desktop application for Mac and Windows that I've developed over the last 2 years, to help pedal steel players explore harmony, find chord voicings, and work with chord progressions. What It Does:
Chord Finder - Search through over 350 chord types and see every possible voicing across the fretboard for your specific copedent configuration. Results show fret position, required pedals/levers, and can be sorted by easiness (fewest pedals/levers), fret position, or favorites.
Scale Finder - Browse over 120 scale types with visual fretboard diagrams. The app shows you the harmonic context (which chords can be built from each scale) and the melodic context (which scales work over specific chords). You can engage pedals and levers to see how scale patterns shift across the neck.
Chord Decipher - Input your fret position, engaged pedals/levers, and strings played, and the app identifies what chord you're playing. Useful for transcribing or analyzing voicings you've discovered.
Voice Leader - A tool for building chord progressions and generating voice-led arrangements. You create the progression using a measure grid and radial chord menu based on the Circle of Fifths, then the app calculates efficient voice leading paths based on your directional preferences (up, down, zigzag, or random). This gives you a solid starting point that you refine to match your personal taste - it's a creative partner, not an automatic arranger.
Custom Copedent Creation - This is one of the core features. The app includes default copedents (Buddy Emmons E9, Buddy Emmons C6, and GFI 12-String Universal with and without half-stops), but you can create completely custom setups. Define your own tuning, pedals, levers, splits, and even complex mechanisms like palm levers or double-foot pedals with combination logic to model your exact instrument.
Chord/Scale Relationships - The app analyzes the relationship between chords and scales bidirectionally. Find which scales work over a chord, or which chords can be built from a scale.
Personal Favorites Library - Build your own collection of go-to voicings. You can save up to 5 custom variations of each favorite chord (muting specific strings, etc.) and use these in the Voice Leader to create arrangements that reflect your personal style.
Pricing:
Basic License - $35 USD (plus applicable tax based on your location)
Chord Finder, Scale Finder, Copedent Editor
Pro License - $65 USD (plus applicable tax)
All Basic features plus Chord Decipher and Voice Leader
Upgrade from Basic to Pro - $35 USD (plus applicable tax)
10-Day Trial Available - The trial version has limitations (basic triads only in Chord Finder, major scale modes only in Scale Finder, 10 searches in Chord Decipher, 4 measures in Voice Leader, no PDF export), but you can still create custom copedents and explore the core functionality before purchasing.
To see more info and download please go to psgcompass.com
I built this because I wanted better tools for understanding chord relationships and voice leading on pedal steel.
Happy to answer any questions about features or functionality.
Rodrigo
Hello everyone, I'd like to introduce PSG Compass, a desktop application for Mac and Windows that I've developed over the last 2 years, to help pedal steel players explore harmony, find chord voicings, and work with chord progressions. What It Does:
Chord Finder - Search through over 350 chord types and see every possible voicing across the fretboard for your specific copedent configuration. Results show fret position, required pedals/levers, and can be sorted by easiness (fewest pedals/levers), fret position, or favorites.
Scale Finder - Browse over 120 scale types with visual fretboard diagrams. The app shows you the harmonic context (which chords can be built from each scale) and the melodic context (which scales work over specific chords). You can engage pedals and levers to see how scale patterns shift across the neck.
Chord Decipher - Input your fret position, engaged pedals/levers, and strings played, and the app identifies what chord you're playing. Useful for transcribing or analyzing voicings you've discovered.
Voice Leader - A tool for building chord progressions and generating voice-led arrangements. You create the progression using a measure grid and radial chord menu based on the Circle of Fifths, then the app calculates efficient voice leading paths based on your directional preferences (up, down, zigzag, or random). This gives you a solid starting point that you refine to match your personal taste - it's a creative partner, not an automatic arranger.
Custom Copedent Creation - This is one of the core features. The app includes default copedents (Buddy Emmons E9, Buddy Emmons C6, and GFI 12-String Universal with and without half-stops), but you can create completely custom setups. Define your own tuning, pedals, levers, splits, and even complex mechanisms like palm levers or double-foot pedals with combination logic to model your exact instrument.
Chord/Scale Relationships - The app analyzes the relationship between chords and scales bidirectionally. Find which scales work over a chord, or which chords can be built from a scale.
Personal Favorites Library - Build your own collection of go-to voicings. You can save up to 5 custom variations of each favorite chord (muting specific strings, etc.) and use these in the Voice Leader to create arrangements that reflect your personal style.
Pricing:
Basic License - $35 USD (plus applicable tax based on your location)
Chord Finder, Scale Finder, Copedent Editor
Pro License - $65 USD (plus applicable tax)
All Basic features plus Chord Decipher and Voice Leader
Upgrade from Basic to Pro - $35 USD (plus applicable tax)
10-Day Trial Available - The trial version has limitations (basic triads only in Chord Finder, major scale modes only in Scale Finder, 10 searches in Chord Decipher, 4 measures in Voice Leader, no PDF export), but you can still create custom copedents and explore the core functionality before purchasing.
To see more info and download please go to psgcompass.com
I built this because I wanted better tools for understanding chord relationships and voice leading on pedal steel.
Happy to answer any questions about features or functionality.
Rodrigo
-
Bill McCloskey
- Posts: 8259
- Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Nanuet, NY
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Very cool. Couple of notes;
If you are on a mac you need to go through some steps. First, google will tell you not to download it. I downloaded any way. Then a mac will not let you open it because it is not from a developer who is authorized. In order to open it you need to go to settings: privacy and security and then scroll down to security and choose Open Anyway.
Question: does it allow for more than 10 strings?
If you are on a mac you need to go through some steps. First, google will tell you not to download it. I downloaded any way. Then a mac will not let you open it because it is not from a developer who is authorized. In order to open it you need to go to settings: privacy and security and then scroll down to security and choose Open Anyway.
Question: does it allow for more than 10 strings?
Mullen G2 D10 9x9
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Bill McCloskey wrote: 20 Nov 2025 5:53 pm Very cool. Couple of notes;
If you are on a mac you need to go through some steps. First, google will tell you not to download it. I downloaded any way. Then a mac will not let you open it because it is not from a developer who is authorized. In order to open it you need to go to settings: privacy and security and then scroll down to security and choose Open Anyway.
Question: does it allow for more than 10 strings?
Yes, I understand about this Google and Apple low walls, they implement them to dis-encourage any independent developer that does not go thru their distribution and selling channels, to but as you well mentioned, they are easy to jump,
To answer your question, Yes, you can put up to 20 strings in your copedent!!
Thank you for the interest.
Rodrigo
-
Bill McCloskey
- Posts: 8259
- Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Nanuet, NY
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
You got a customer. Just purchased. This thing is cool as hell. I love the ability to add splits.
Mullen G2 D10 9x9
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Thank you so much Bill, you are my 1st customer!! please let me know any thoughts or suggestions or questions or any problem you encounter with the app, and if you would like me to add your testimonial and your thought about it ito the website, I would be very glad to do that as well, you can write to me psgcompass@gmail.comBill McCloskey wrote: 20 Nov 2025 6:36 pm You got a customer. Just purchased. This thing is cool as hell. I love the ability to add splits.
-
Slim Heilpern
- Posts: 388
- Joined: 19 Mar 2016 9:18 am
- Location: Aptos California, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Nice work Rodrigo! Thanks for putting the effort in to make this -- happy customer here.
- Slim
- Slim
Chromatic Harmonica, Guitar, and Pedal Steel (Williams U12 Series 700, Emmons lap)
http://slimandpenny.com
http://slimandpenny.com
-
Bill McCloskey
- Posts: 8259
- Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Nanuet, NY
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?
Mullen G2 D10 9x9
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
-
Dale Rottacker
- Posts: 4024
- Joined: 3 Aug 2010 6:49 pm
- Location: Walla Walla Washington, USA
-
Doug Taylor
- Posts: 742
- Joined: 28 May 2019 8:17 am
- Location: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Bill McCloskey wrote: 21 Nov 2025 12:34 pm Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?
I have almost the same question as Bill, I have a M2 Mac mini with not much hard drive space so once or twice a year I reformat. When I do this will I have any trouble reinstalling with the same activation code?
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Thank you so much Slim,Slim Heilpern wrote: 21 Nov 2025 12:14 pm Nice work Rodrigo! Thanks for putting the effort in to make this -- happy customer here.
- Slim
If you would like and give me permission I would love to get more testimonials or the website, so once you have gone thru it and if you really like and dig it, you could send me yours to psgcompass@gmail.com and I would love to put it on the website.
Thanks again and don't hesitate to ask any questions you have about it.
Rodrigo
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Hello Bill,Bill McCloskey wrote: 21 Nov 2025 12:34 pm Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?
Each license for the app is to use it in only 1 computer at a time, so no, you cannot use the same serial number in several computers, when you input the serial number it gets linked to that specific computer, you can ask me to unlink it and I can certainly do that for you in the case you want to link another computer for that license, or if your linked computer brakes, or any failure happens to the linked computer, I can unlink it for you be able to re-link that serial number to a new computer. But not the same serial number in 2 or more computers at the same time. I am sorry if that is frustrating to customers that have many computers and want to install the app in all of them, but this is the only way I could avoid unauthorized app distribution. I hope customers understand this term and why it had to be implemented.
Thank you
Rodrigo
-
Rodrigo de la Mora
- Posts: 35
- Joined: 24 Oct 2019 9:14 am
- Location: Nevada, USA
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Hello Doug,Doug Taylor wrote: 21 Nov 2025 1:38 pmBill McCloskey wrote: 21 Nov 2025 12:34 pm Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?
I have almost the same question as Bill, I have a M2 Mac mini with not much hard drive space so once or twice a year I reformat. When I do this will I have any trouble reinstalling with the same activation code?
As I explained to Bill each license for the app is to use it in only 1 computer at a time, but in your case you must not have any trouble, because the linking process is made to the specifics of that computer (mother board and chip), so even when you reformat it, your computer will have the same motherboard hard ware and the app along with the serial number and the link to that computer is the same will recognize it with ease, same would happen to a windows user, UNLESS they changed the mother board on the computer. And in those cases all you need is to ask me to unlink the license so it can be re-linked to a new computer, if you ever run into any trouble like this please contact me at psgcompass@gmail.com
Thank you
Rodrigo
-
Doug Taylor
- Posts: 742
- Joined: 28 May 2019 8:17 am
- Location: Shelbyville, Kentucky, USA
-
Bill McCloskey
- Posts: 8259
- Joined: 5 Jan 2005 1:01 am
- Location: Nanuet, NY
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
Okay, I'll contact you when I get the new computer setup to have it unlinked. however, I would suggest at least letting two computers use it.
Mullen G2 D10 9x9
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
ETS S10 3x5
MSA D12 Superslide
Benoit 8 String Dobro
-
Peter J Birch
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 23 Oct 2025 10:56 am
- Location: Midway Point Tasmania Australia
Re: **NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!
First Impression WOW!
Second Impression I am totally amazed at the amount of work you have put into this. Very Very Useful.
Set it up for a S12 with locking mechanism and 8 pedal etc and it shows all the notes/intervals all over the fretboard in combinations of pedals and levers. This is SO good.
Just one thing when I viewed the neck layout and then decided to print it - I exported to PDF but it defaults to portrait. Would be nice to somehow have the option to print the neck layout in Landscape.
Second Impression I am totally amazed at the amount of work you have put into this. Very Very Useful.
Set it up for a S12 with locking mechanism and 8 pedal etc and it shows all the notes/intervals all over the fretboard in combinations of pedals and levers. This is SO good.
Just one thing when I viewed the neck layout and then decided to print it - I exported to PDF but it defaults to portrait. Would be nice to somehow have the option to print the neck layout in Landscape.