About
Melody Scanner is a browser-based, AI-driven music transcription application that transforms audio into readable sheet music with no installation required. Musicians can upload MP3, M4A, or OGG files, import directly from YouTube URLs, or record their instrument in real time — and within moments receive accurate musical notation they can edit, export, and share. The tool supports a wide range of solo instruments: piano (with polyphony, velocity, and hand separation up to 86% accuracy), guitar (with tab output), flute, violin, saxophone, bass (with four-string tab view), singing, and chord detection. Each instrument uses handcrafted algorithms enhanced by AI research for optimal results. The built-in score editor offers three views — classical score, piano roll, and guitar tabs — so users can work in whichever format suits them best. Smart editing tools leverage music theory to assist with transposition and chord labeling. Finished scores can be exported as PDF, MIDI, or MusicXML. Melody Scanner is ideal for music students learning songs by ear, composers documenting improvised ideas, guitarists creating tabs from recordings, and music teachers preparing lesson materials. A free tier is available with basic functionality, while paid subscriptions unlock longer recordings, full sheet views, custom exports, and cloud storage across devices.
Key Features
- Multi-Source Audio Import: Transcribe music from MP3/M4A/OGG uploads, live instrument recordings, or directly from YouTube URLs with no extra software needed.
- Multi-Instrument AI Transcription: Dedicated AI algorithms for piano, guitar, flute, violin, saxophone, bass, voice, and chord detection deliver high-accuracy results for each instrument type.
- In-Browser Score Editor: Edit transcriptions in classical score view, piano roll, or guitar tab view — all within the browser, with smart tools for transposition and chord labeling.
- Flexible Export Options: Export finished scores as beautifully formatted PDFs, standard MIDI files, or MusicXML for use in other notation software like MuseScore or Sibelius.
- Cloud Songbook: Store all imported and transcribed scores in a personal cloud library, accessible from any device at any time.
Use Cases
- A musician records a piano improvisation and uses Melody Scanner to instantly generate printable sheet music without manually notating each note.
- A guitar student pastes a YouTube link to their favorite song and receives accurate guitar tabs they can practice from right away.
- A music teacher uploads student performance recordings to quickly produce notation for feedback and lesson planning.
- A composer hums or sings a melody and transcribes it into sheet music to preserve and develop the idea further.
- A bassist imports an MP3 of a jazz track and extracts the bass line as four-string tab notation for rehearsal.
Pros
- No Installation Required: Runs entirely in the browser, making it accessible on any device without downloading or configuring software.
- Broad Instrument Support: Covers seven distinct solo instruments plus chord detection, making it useful for a wide range of musicians.
- Free Tier Available: Musicians can get started at no cost with core transcription features, including YouTube import and short recordings.
- Multiple Export Formats: PDF, MIDI, and MusicXML exports make it easy to use transcriptions in other software or share them with others.
Cons
- Solo Instruments Only: Band recordings, orchestras, and multi-instrument tracks are not currently supported, limiting use for ensemble music.
- Free Tier Restrictions: The free plan caps recordings at 1 minute and limits sheet music to 40 bars, which may be insufficient for full songs.
- Transcription Accuracy Varies: While piano accuracy reaches ~86%, complex or background-heavy recordings may produce less reliable results for other instruments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments does Melody Scanner support?
Melody Scanner currently supports piano, guitar, flute, violin, saxophone, bass, and singing/voice, as well as chord detection. Each instrument has its own dedicated AI algorithm for best results.
Can I transcribe a full band or orchestra recording?
No — Melody Scanner currently only supports solo instrument recordings. Multi-instrument recordings such as full band tracks or orchestras are not supported at this time.
How accurate is the AI transcription?
Accuracy varies by instrument. The piano mode is the most mature and reaches up to 86% accuracy. Flute mode can even separate flute notes from background music. Results depend on recording clarity and instrument type.
What file formats can I import or export?
You can import MP3, M4A, OGG, MIDI, and MusicXML files, as well as YouTube video links. Export options include PDF, MIDI, and MusicXML (available on paid plans).
Is there a free plan, and what does it include?
Yes. The free plan includes YouTube import, AI composition, recording up to 1 minute, and sheets limited to 40 bars with basic PDF export. Paid plans start at $9.99/month and unlock longer recordings, full sheets, and additional export formats.
