Top40 Theory Top40 Theory Timeliner

The Top40 Theory Timeliner is a free Windows and Mac app for analyzing songs. Load a track and map it while you listen: sections and techniques go on a timeline as bubbles, in as many layers as you need (form, techniques, lyrics, chords, production).

Version 2 adds melody. Tap the melody’s rhythm with one key and it lands on the beat grid as notation; type scale degrees and the melodic contour and range bands draw themselves.

Features
– Multi-layer bubble diagrams with nested levels, labels, subheadings, notes and color palettes
– Beat grid from the song’s detected tempo, with snapping and quantize
– Rhythm notation and melodic contour from tapped notes and typed scale degrees
– Pacing shades for showing how often a song changes
– Two audio tracks (such as a vocal and an instrumental), switchable mid-playback
– Opens Variations Audio Timeliner (.v2t) and Audio Timeliner (.tim) files
– Exports editable PDF and SVG for Canva, slides and handouts.

Made by Asaf Peres, Ph.D. (Top40 Theory), songwriting educator and creator of the Melodic Math course.