**NEW*** Pedal Steel guitar application, PSG Compass Released!!

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

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

[Bill McCloskey]

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?

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

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]

You got a customer. Just purchased. This thing is cool as hell. I love the ability to add splits.

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

You got a customer. Just purchased. This thing is cool as hell. I love the ability to add splits.

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.com

[Slim Heilpern]

Nice work Rodrigo! Thanks for putting the effort in to make this -- happy customer here.

- Slim

[Bill McCloskey]

Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?

[Dale Rottacker]

[Doug Taylor]

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]

Nice work Rodrigo! Thanks for putting the effort in to make this -- happy customer here.

- Slim

Thank you so much 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]

Quick question: I just got a new computer. Can I used the same activation code if I want to install it on another computer?

Hello Bill,
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]

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?

Hello Doug,
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]

Thank you

[Bill McCloskey]

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.

[Peter J Birch]

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.

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

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.

Thank you for your kind words Peter, you are correct about the layout, I had not thought about that, I will add the ability to change to landscape, I promise, very soon. I will let you know.

If you would like and give me permission I would love to get more testimonials on 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.

[Tim Toberer]

Very cool app! Will it work with 8 string copedants?

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

Very cool app! Will it work with 8 string copedants?

Hello Tim, yes, you can create copedents from 3 up to 20 strings, 1 up to 15 pedals, up to 2 pairs of knee levers (6 each pair, and up to 10 custom mechanisms that you define completely.
Rodrigo

[Gardner Goetze]

I tried to download the free trial to my MacBook Pro but I kept getting this message. Your thoughts? Cheers, Gardner

[Dale Rottacker]

I tried to download the free trial to my MacBook Pro but I kept getting this message. Your thoughts? Cheers, Gardner

I got the same thing on my iMac ... go into your Safari > Preferences > Downloads > look for PSG Compass in the Websites Tab and unblock or allow whatever it says there.

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

I tried to download the free trial to my MacBook Pro but I kept getting this message. Your thoughts? Cheers, Gardner

Hello Gardner,
Yes you are right, Apple does this to every app that is not sold or distributed by them, please go to System Settings/Privacy and Security/ and there you will see the option to let the app PSG Compass to run.

You can also read this article:

https://macpaw.com/how-to/allow-apps-anywhere


Unfortunately that is something Apple does to independent developers like me to discourage users from getting software not passed thru their capitalist paywall, but it is really just a gate keep for them to charge more for distribution of apps. Do not worry, PSG Compass, as you can read in the disclaimer in the webpage does not recollect ANY type of personal info from user other than the email for the purchase and the number of the computer for the serial number to work that computer, and you will never receive mails from me or about the app if you do not choose to.

Any other questions please let me know

Rodrigo

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

Hi everyone, I'm excited to announce that PSG Compass v1.1.0 is now available for download at https://psgcompass.com!
What's New in v1.1.0
New Features:

• Landscape PDF Export - All PDF exports (Chord Finder, Scale Finder, Voice Leader) now support landscape orientation for better readability and printing

• Automatic Update Checker - The app now checks for updates weekly and notifies you automatically

• Manual Update Check - Check for updates anytime via Help > Check for Updates in the menu bar

• Release Notes Display - See what's new in each update right from the app

Critical Bug Fix:
Fixed a licensing bug where the app would remain locked even after entering a valid serial number when the trial expired

New Website Features:
FAQ Page - We've added a comprehensive FAQ section at https://psgcompass.com/faq with:

• Detailed macOS installation instructions (including Gatekeeper permissions

• Complete guide to using the Copedent Editor

• Advanced techniques like setting up half-stops

• Licensing and trial information

• Technical support and troubleshooting

Download & Update:
You can download the latest version from https://psgcompass.com/#download .
Your license, custom copedents, and all saved data will be preserved when you update.

Important Note: Although I will be attentive for any replies here, this will be my last forum announcement about updates. If you have questions, issues, suggestions or any comments please contact me directly to psgcompass@gmail.com, I get instant notifications and will be faster for me to respond.

Please check out the new FAQ page first: https://psgcompass.com/faq If you need help, or feel free to email me at psgcompass@gmail.com
Thank you all for your continued support!
Best regards,
Rodrigo De La Mora
PSG Compass

[Rodrigo de la Mora]

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.

Thank you for your kind words Peter, you are correct about the layout, I had not thought about that, I will add the ability to change to landscape, I promise, very soon. I will let you know.

If you would like and give me permission I would love to get more testimonials on 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.

Hello Peter,
Just to let you know that the Landscape PDF exporting has been implemented, please go to the website to update the app to the new version there, just download and reinstall, and you will see that new option in every PDF export you do in the App, thank you for the suggestion!!

Rodrigo