Transposing

Loadout has three transpose surfaces, each scoped differently. Knowing which one to use saves a lot of "why does this guitarist see G when I see A" surprise.

1. The song's default key

Set in the Details panel of the song editor: the Key field. This is the band's canonical key for the song. Every chord in the ChordPro body is read against this.

Change this only when the band has actually agreed to play the song in a new key permanently. It affects every setlist, every gig, every band member.

2. The per-gig key override

Set on a setlist row: each song in a setlist has a Key override field. The override applies only to that one setlist position.

Use it when:

• The vocalist is sick and you need to drop the wedding closer down a step for one night.
• One particular gig wants a specific medley arrangement.
• You're trying out a new key without committing to it as the band default.

The override doesn't touch the song's default key. Other setlists keep playing the song in its original key.

3. The stage-view personal transpose

In the stage view, the Settings sheet (the ⋯ button) has a Transpose section with - / 0 / + controls. This shifts the chart on your screen only — your bandmates' devices are unchanged.

Use it when you play in a different position than the band default — a guitarist using a capo, a horn player who reads in a different key. Your transpose persists across songs within the session.

The personal transpose and the per-gig key override stack: if the song's default is G, the setlist override is A, and your personal transpose is +2, you'll see the chart in B.

What you see in the editor preview

The transpose buttons above the Lyrics & chords preview in the song editor are a fourth, sort-of-hidden surface — they don't save anything. They're a "what if" inspection tool: shift the preview to see how the chart looks in a different key before you decide to change the default.

Capo songs

If the ChordPro chart has a {capo: N} directive, the renderer in the editor shows a toggle: show as written (the bracket chords) vs. show sounding pitch (what listeners actually hear). Default is "as written" so the player plays what's on the page.

Tip: Picking a transpose lane: did the band agree the song lives in this key now? Default. Just this gig? Setlist override. Just your device because you capo? Personal.

What's next

• Setlist builder — where the per-gig key override lives.
• Stage view overview — the personal transpose, plus everything else.