A Cthulhu alternative with chords that know your key
Cthulhu plays the chords you store. still.synth works them out for you from a shape and a root, in whatever key you’re in.
Compared in November 2026. Prices and features change — check each maker’s site for the latest.
Xfer’s Cthulhu is a classic MIDI effect: a chord memory that plays a stored chord from a single note, plus a deep step arpeggiator, for $39. still.synth costs the same and works differently: there’s nothing to store — pick a shape and a root and the chord is built in your key (Smart adds smooth voice leading), and it comes with its own sound, a bassline, drums and a looper.
Side by side
| Cthulhu | still.synth | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | MIDI effect: chord memory and arpeggiator by Xfer Records | Instrument with its own sound, plus MIDI export |
| Where chords come from | Chords you store per note, or one of 150+ factory presets | Built on the fly from a shape and a root in the current key |
| Bass | Not included | A bassline under every chord, 12 presets |
| Drums | Not included | 8 kits, 10 patterns, fills |
| Looper and recording | Not included | 32-layer looper; WAV and MIDI export |
| Sound | None — it drives the synths you already have | Built-in synth, bass and drums |
| Price | $39 | $39 during beta ($59 after) |
Why producers pick still.synth
Nothing to program
No chord memory to fill — pick a shape and a root and the chord is built in your key.
Its own sound
A synth, a bassline and drums built in, so you hear a finished idea without routing other instruments.
Same price, more instrument
$39 for chords, bass, drums, a looper and WAV/MIDI export.
Play it before you buy it
The home page has a live version of the chord pads — tap a shape and a root and listen.
Other comparisons
Set it up in your DAW
Sources for Cthulhu: MusicRadar review of Cthulhu · KVR Audio on Cthulhu. Cthulhu is a trademark of its owner; still.synth isn’t affiliated with it.