I have been looking at a few options for MIDI scale and chord assistance.  I recently got the Ample Music Bass with the riffer, and that is quite cool.

But I have also been looking at a few options to deal with more of the instruments in a song arrangement, mostly something simple to use as a scratchpad for ideas and to experiment with scales and chord progressions.  Not really looking for a DAW, but something to start an idea in, then import to Sonar to polish it.  Something less complex than BIAB for example, and keeping the budget under $100 would be a major factor.  Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome! 

I have played with Sundog Scale Studio v2 ($49) demo for a few days, and it seems promising.  It seems that they have a version 3 coming out next week.  I will check that out.  http://feelyoursound.com/sundog/  

How to quickly come up with new Chord Progressions in your Studio (Sundog)



The other apps for chord assistance I am looking into are:
 
Cubase Elements 9 - ($99 - demo available) with arranger track, chord track, and chord editor, Circle of Fifths, comes with Halion Sonic SE, and supports external VSTs). https://www.steinberg.net...cubase-elements-9.html
 
How to Use the Chord Track in Cubase Elements | Getting Started with Cubase Elements 9

 
RapidComposer (on sale $139, demo available, just downloaded it) http://www.musicdevelopments.com/index.html

RapidComposer Tutorial Part 1 (Introduction)

Thanks abacab, some more to add to my list!

Seriously, I have been making a list on my phone as I usually have that with me when I see ideas /suggestions.

These are what I had...

Obscurium http://sugar-bytes.de/content/products/Obscurium/index.php 

Cthulu https://www.xferrecords.com/products/cthulhu 

Odesi http://odesi.mixedinkey.com/howtoguide

Chordmaps2 (ipad) - also see http://mugglinworks.com/chordmaps/chartmaps.htm

Navichord (ipad) - using the free demo at the moment and it's impressive. Will definitely pay a few pounds for the full version which allows MIDI output. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/navichord-chord-sequencer-and-midi-controller/id916452748?mt=8 
Here's a YouTube demo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlhZlmxIffI 

Chordy (and ChordyMidi) ipad https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chordy/id769936188?mt=8 
YouTube demo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaVR2FG-G60 

Tonespace http://www.mucoder.net/en/tonespace/

Hookpad...
https://www.hooktheory.com/hookpad
 
What about Air Ignite?  -> http://www.airmusictech.com/product/ignite#.WOiyC_mLSUk 
Sort of a scratchpad for messing around with ideas before moving them to a DAW for further work.

Sorry typing this on phone.

I found another one the other day but can't remember the name, think it began with M (will check my browser history).

Cheers
ZT
EDIT: Updated with a few links

Should also have added Band in a Box of course!

You can install Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol software for free. This had recently neen updated with many more scales, I use it with a NI keyboard. I know a lot of functionality is availabe with any keyboard but I am not sure how much of the auto scale and chord generation functions will work but I suspect most will. Certainly worth a try.
 
Its also worth checking out Autotheory http://www.autotheory.net/
 
 
 

http://www.chordpulse.com/index.html
 

Glyn Barnes
... 
Its also worth checking out Autotheory http://www.autotheory.net/
...

I have to recommend AGAINST this one, not because of its capabilities or lack thereof, but because it installs a multi-channel MIDI pipe (like LoopBe or LoopMIDI) that there is NO WAY to uninstall. And it can muck things up in certain circumstances. Another user confirmed this with the developer. I have yet to see an update the provides a proper uninstall.

scook
http://www.chordpulse.com/index.html

I quite like Chord Pulse. Sure wish the dev would post another update with additional Styles, but there are plenty to get started.
 
FWIW, I successfully dragged an 80-bar tune out of Chord Pulse into Odesi. Mapped perfectly.

ZincTrumpet
Thanks abacab, some more to add to my list!

Seriously, I have been making a list on my phone as I usually have that with me when I see ideas /suggestions.

These are what I had...

Obscurium

Cthulu

Odesi http://odesi.mixedinkey.com/howtoguide

Chordmaps2 (ipad) - also see http://mugglinworks.com/chordmaps/chartmaps.htm

Navichord (ipad) - using the free demo at the moment and it's impressive. Will definitely pay a few pounds for the full version which allows MIDI output.

Chordy (and ChordyMidi) ipad

Tonespace http://www.mucoder.net/en/tonespace/

Hookpad...
https://www.hooktheory.com/hookpad

Sorry typing this on phone.

I found another one the other day but can't remember the name, think it began with M (will check my browser history).

Cheers
ZT

Hey Zinc, thanks for the additional suggestions!  I have looked into a couple of these, but many of them I will need to check out.
 
Cthulhu looks interesting, but I reckon it's strongest skillset is as an arpeggiator.  I watched a video with the developer and a DJ, deadmau5, going to town with it.  Looked cool though!  The dev studied piano growing up and has included hundreds of the Bach chorales among the included patterns!
 
Odesi also looks very interesting, but it appears to be a web only application.
 
Will have to check out the others ...
 
 

ZincTrumpet
Should also have added Band in a Box of course!

Good call, Zinc!
 
Band in a Box is remarkable, and I already have that.  But I am seeking something different than an auto accompaniment tool.  With BIAB, you pick a style and plug in a chord progression, and it generates the backing tracks. I like the way BIAB will follow the chords you plug in and alter the arrangement if you change the chords.
 
For one thing, I just want a tool that will let me create the backing tracks, but still shift the harmonic structure of all tracks if I decide to change key or the chords, like BIAB, or Liquid Notes.
 
I also have Liquid Notes, which is awesome if you already have a multi-track MIDI arrangement and you want to experiment with reharmonization.  It will list suggested chord variations and shift all tracks to your chosen chord.  But you already need to have a piece fairly well constructed and then import that via MIDI file for it to work its magic.
 
"Load the MIDI tracks of your projects into Liquid Notes and have them harmonically analyzed providing you with the corresponding chord symbols and a combined piano roll view of the notes in all tracks. Regardless of the complexity and style of the arrangement, Liquid Notes provides an accurate harmonic analysis of your music. And it establishes a solid base for the changes and alterations you may want to make to selected tracks or an entire song. Lay down the foundation to a new tune in no time!
 
The software offers a wealth of revolutionary and creative music making features. You can transform the chords and harmonic progression to your liking, use the convenient drop-down chord selector, change the basic functionality and directionality of any chord, and spice up the flavor of your music by adding varying degrees of tension and harmonic color to your chords with the simple twist of a knob."
 
So what I'm saying is that I'm really looking for something to help start an idea from a blank sheet of paper, but with the structure of scales and chords to put a framework around what I plug in, in case I get stupid, LOL! 
 
I'm also not looking for a one key chord player, or auto-accompaniment.  I have a cheap Yamaha keyboard that can do that ...

ZincTrumpet

Tonespace http://www.mucoder.net/en/tonespace/

That looks great for free!  Grabbed it, thanks!