Which devices Chordzy runs on
Chordzy works on almost any device. The supported devices include:
- Internet browsers. The web version is the same game, embedded in the site, with nothing to install.
- Desktop computers, via the app. There are builds for macOS, Windows and Linux on x86_64.
- Mobile devices (currently in testing).
- Stand-alone hardware, like a Raspberry Pi.
- Game consoles (theoretically).
In a browser, one limit comes from the browser rather than from Chordzy. Reading a MIDI keyboard needs Web MIDI. On a computer, Chrome, Edge, Opera and Firefox have it, and Safari does not. The MIDI keyboards guide has the full table, phones included.
Jams are the other gap. They send notes as UDP packets, and web browsers do not support UDP, so jams only run in the app.
Moving between devices costs you nothing. Sign in with a free account and your synth settings come along.
Why Chordzy is built on Unity3D
The Chordzy app is built using Unity3D, a popular game development platform.
That lets us make a single app that is fast and works everywhere. Unity is perfect for it, because a music learning app has many of the same needs as games, such as:
- Fast, smooth graphics
- Clear, rich sound
- Instant data transfer for real-time jams
- Universal distribution
The jam numbers show why the third one matters. Chordzy sends a key press from a MIDI keyboard in under 2ms, and the other player's computer turns it into sound in under 5ms.
Universal distribution means one Unity project builds for the web (WebGL), macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android. A fix to the grading reaches all six at once.