Frequently Asked Questions

When you first open PSG Compass on macOS, you may encounter Apple's Gatekeeper security feature blocking the app. This is a common issue for software from independent developers who haven't paid Apple's costly developer fees.

To allow PSG Compass to run:

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions)
2. Navigate to Privacy & Security
3. Scroll down to find PSG Compass in the security section
4. Click "Open Anyway" or "Allow"

Why does this happen? Apple requires developers to pay annual fees and go through their notarization process. As an independent developer, I've chosen to keep costs down and pass those savings on to you rather than pay Apple's "gatekeeper tax."

Your privacy is protected: As stated in our Terms of Service, PSG Compass does not collect personal information from users. The only data we store is:

• Your email address (for purchase records only)
• Your computer ID (to link your license/serial number)

You will never receive spam emails from us, and your limited information will never be misused or shared.

For more detailed instructions, see this helpful guide: How to Open Apps from Unidentified Developers on Mac

Each PSG Compass license is valid for one computer at a time. When you enter your serial number, it becomes linked to that specific computer's hardware ID.

What if I need to switch computers?
If you need to use PSG Compass on a different computer (for example, if your original computer breaks, you upgrade to a new machine, or you simply want to switch devices), I can unlink your serial number from the old computer so you can re-link it to a new one. Just contact me at psgcompass@gmail.com and I'll help you transfer your license.

Important limitation: A single serial number cannot be active on multiple computers simultaneously. I understand this may be frustrating for users who own several computers, but this is the only way I can prevent unauthorized distribution of the app while keeping it affordable for individual users.

I hope you understand why this policy had to be implemented, and I appreciate your support as an independent developer!

You definitely don't have to start from scratch! Creating a copedent from a blank slate can be overwhelming, especially for first-time users. Here's why:

When you add a new string, it defaults to A4, so you need to change both the note and the octave manually. Some users have had confusion with octave selection, which can create frustration during setup.

Here's the easier way:

1. Start by selecting one of the default copedents that's closest to yours (by the way, I only play 12-string Universal and both GFI defaults in the app are my personal copedents)
2. Click the "Edit Copedent" button on the selected default
3. Make your modifications from there

This way, most of the work is already done—you just need to adjust the differences to match your specific setup. You can change the metadata (name, description, author, social media links) and any string/pedal/lever configurations you need.

Important notes:

• When you save an edited default copedent, it creates a new user copedent—you cannot overwrite the defaults
• If you edit a user-created copedent and keep the same name, the app will warn you that it will overwrite the existing copedent
• To avoid overwriting, simply change the name when saving, and you'll have multiple versions to choose from

Great question! A half-stop is a knee lever, pedal, or mechanism that, when pushed halfway, changes a string to one pitch, and when pushed all the way, changes it to another pitch.

Example: RKR half-stop that lowers the 2nd string from D# to D (halfway), and to C# (fully engaged).

You have two options to set this up:

Option 1: Use Two Separate Knee Levers

1. Set one knee lever (e.g., RKR2) to lower the 2nd string to D (this is your half-stop position)
2. Rename it to something like "RKR-HS" (for "Half-Stop") in the copedent editor
3. Set another knee lever to lower the same string to C# (this is your full engagement)
4. Name it "RKR-Full" or just "RKR"

The app understands these cannot be engaged simultaneously (you can't physically push both at once), so it won't create a split. The chord calculation engine will automatically choose whichever position fits the chord you're searching for.

Option 2: Use Custom Mechanisms

You can define a half-stop in the Custom Mechanisms section. This works similarly to Option 1, except you must also define which other pedals/levers/mechanisms this mechanism can and cannot combine with. In Option 1, this is handled automatically because RKR and RKR-HS are mutually exclusive by nature.

Pro tip: Check out the video tutorial on the Copedent Editor page for visual guidance: https://psgcompass.com/copedent-editor

PSG Compass supports advanced techniques like double-foot action, where players use their right foot to engage higher pedals (typically P7, P8, or P9).

You can set this up using Custom Mechanisms in the Copedent Editor:

1. Create a custom mechanism for your right-foot pedal action
2. Define which strings it affects and how
3. Important: Specify which other pedals/levers/mechanisms this custom mechanism can and cannot combine with

This is similar to setting up half-stops (see the question above), but with the added flexibility of defining complex pedal combinations specific to your playing technique.

I know all these specifics can be a bit confusing at first, but once you set it up, the app will accurately calculate chord voicings based on your unique copedent configuration!

For more guidance, watch the tutorial video: https://psgcompass.com/copedent-editor

Welcome! Here's a quick start guide:

1. Select your copedent - Choose from the defaults or create/edit your own
2. Start with Chord Finder - Enter a chord name (like "Cmaj7") and see all the positions where you can play it
3. Try Chord Decipher - Press some strings and pedals to see what chord you're making
4. Explore Scale Finder - Discover scale patterns across your fretboard
5. Check out Voice Leader - Build chord progressions and find smooth voice leading

Watch the tutorial videos on the website for detailed walkthroughs of each feature!

PSG Compass offers a 10-day free trial that starts the first time you open the app. During the trial, you have access to all modes with the following limitations:

Chord Finder (CF):

• Limited to Basic Triad Chords (12 chord types): Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Major ♭5, Minor ♯5, Major 7 (no 5th), Minor 7 (no 5th), 7 (no 5th), Minor Major 7 (no 5th), Major 6 (no 5th), and Minor 6 (no 5th)

Scale Finder (SF):

• Limited to the 7 modes of the Major Scale: Ionian, Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian, and Locrian

Chord Decipher (CD):

• Limited to 10 chord searches

Voice Leader (VL):

• Limited to 4 measures in arrangements
• Same chord limitations as Chord Finder

PDF Export:

• Not available during trial

Despite these limitations, you'll still get a great sense of everything PSG Compass can do and how it can support your learning journey before purchasing the full App.

When the trial expires, the app will lock and prompt you to either:

• Enter a serial number to unlock the full version
• Close the app

Don't worry—your custom copedents and saved data are preserved. Once you enter a valid serial number, you'll have immediate access to everything again.

• Basic License: Includes Chord Finder, Scale Finder, and the Copedent Editor. Perfect for most players who want to find chords and explore scales.
• Pro License: Includes everything in Basic, PLUS Chord Decipher and the Voice Leader tool for building chord progressions with intelligent voice leading suggestions.

Both licenses support unlimited custom copedents, PDF exports, and all future updates to their respective feature sets.

No! Your license includes all future updates within your tier (Basic or Pro) at no additional cost. PSG Compass will notify you when updates are available, and you can download them from the website.

Yes! PSG Compass uses a standardized copedent file format (.cop) that you can:

• Export your custom copedents to share with others
• Import copedents created by other users
• Back up your copedents to external storage

You can also export copedents with full metadata (name, description, author, tuning philosophy, social media links) so others can learn about your setup. In https://psgcompass.com/extra-copedents you can download some example copedent files from Pro Users that support PSG Compass.

Unfortunately, there's no built-in undo for copedent deletion. However, if you previously exported the copedent as a .cop file, you can re-import it.

Best practice: Regularly export your custom copedents as backups, especially before making major changes.

Absolutely! The Copedent Editor supports:

• 3 to 20 strings (6-string, 10-string, 12-string, 14-string, etc.)
• 1 to 15 pedals
• 2 of each of the 6 knee levers (LKL, LKR, VL, RKL, RKR, VR) - meaning you can have LKL1 and LKL2, RKR1 and RKR2, etc.
• Any open tuning (standard, all 4ths, all 5ths, etc.)
• Multiple pedals affecting the same string
• Knee levers with multiple raises/lowers
• Custom mechanisms for advanced setups

If you can play it, PSG Compass can model it!

The App Migration System allows you to export and import EVERYTHING you've created in PSG Compass in one go. This is perfect for:

• Backing up all your work
• Sharing your complete setup with other users
• Transferring to a new computer
• Archiving your projects

What gets exported:

• All custom copedents
• All favorite chords
• All chord progression files
• All voice leading arrangement files
• All your saved work and preferences

You can export everything to a single migration file and import it on another installation of PSG Compass, making it easy to keep your work safe or collaborate with others.

Yes! PSG Compass includes an audio playback feature. Click the play button on any chord voicing in Chord Finder, Chord Decipher, or Scale Finder to hear it.

Yes! All modules support PDF export:

• Chord Finder/Decipher: Export as fretboard diagrams or tablature
• Scale Finder: Export scale patterns as diagrams
• Voice Leader: Export chord progressions as tablature

You can choose between portrait and landscape orientations, and PDFs include your copedent information and custom headers.

Voice Leader (Pro license only) is 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 (fret start position, fret jump between chords, and bar movement direction: 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.

Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart the app - Close completely and reopen
2. Check for updates - Go to Help → Check for Updates
3. Verify your copedent - Ensure strings, pedals, and levers are configured correctly
4. Check your license - Go to Help → License Information

If problems persist, contact me at psgcompass@gmail.com with:

• A description of the issue
• What you were doing when it occurred
• Your computer OS and version
• Screenshots (if applicable)

Yes! PSG Compass is available for both:

• macOS (11 Big sur and later)
• Windows (Windows 10 and later)

Download the appropriate version for your operating system from psgcompass.com/#download.

No! PSG Compass works completely offline after installation. The only times it connects to the internet are:

• License validation when you first enter your serial number (and periodic revalidation every 30 days)
• Update checks (once per week, or manually via Help menu)

All chord calculations, scale finding, and voice leading happen locally on your computer.

Your custom copedents and app settings are stored in your system's application data folder, separate from the app itself. However, to be safe:

• Before uninstalling: Use the App Migration System to export all your data
• After reinstalling: Import your migration file to restore everything

This ensures you never lose your work, even if something goes wrong during reinstallation.

PSG Compass accepts payments via Paddle, accepting credit/debit cards, PayPal, and other payment methods through our secure checkout.

Yes! If PSG Compass doesn't meet your needs, contact me at psgcompass@gmail.com within 14 days of purchase for a full refund, no questions asked. I want you to be completely satisfied.

Yes! Upgrading from Basic to Pro is fully automated through the website:

1. Go to the upgrade page on psgcompass.com
2. Choose the upgrade option
3. Enter your Basic serial number when prompted
4. Complete the payment
5. Your serial number is automatically converted from Basic to Pro

You'll receive confirmation via email, and your serial number will immediately unlock Voice Leader and all Pro features.

PSG Compass is designed with privacy in mind:

• Email address - Only for purchase receipts and license delivery
• Computer ID - Only to link your serial number to your machine
• No usage tracking - I don't track what you do in the app
• No analytics - No third-party analytics or tracking scripts
• Local storage only - Your copedents and settings never leave your computer

See the full Terms of Service at https://psgcompass.com/terms for complete details.

Yes, this is a known bug from the first version (0.1.0) of the app. I sincerely apologize for this issue!

How to fix it:

1. Download and install the latest version from psgcompass.com/#download
2. If your serial number was saved, the app should open automatically with your license activated
3. If not, simply input your serial number again and the app will continue as normal

Good news: Starting with version 1.1.0 and onwards, PSG Compass includes both automatic weekly update checks and a manual update checker (Help → Check for Updates). This means you'll always be notified about the latest version and can access all the newest features and bug fixes as they're released.