MacBook M1 laptop, Logic Pro 10.7.7, Rosetta, Monterey 12.6.3.
I have some basic operational issues that are frustrating my ability to use this software, killing my workflow, and I’m new to it. Here we go:
I drug a sample into Scaler in F#min. It did not identify the key or the chord progression correctly (some form of lydian, and I want it as natural minor. The progression is basically in Gm although the second chord is an Gbdim (F#dim) and there is an Ab in it as well. As a result it misidentified the scale to reconcile the chords “out of key” (see above) and mislabeled them as well. I’d like to edit the names of those chords correctly.
I wanted to edit the A section and transpose it up 1/2 step since the project will be in Gm. The online manual refers to a semitone button to the left of the chords in A section. That button does not exist and has been replace by midi and audio detect. Anybody know how to transpose the entire A section up one half step before I proceed? The manual is clearly referring to an earlier version and is incorrect.
I transposed the sample in LPX, but Scaler can’t read the audio file from LPX, it’s needs it loaded in from outside the software? I transposed the sample in LPX, bounced it, and drug the bounce to the desktop, and then into scale. That works, but it’s three extra steps. I take it Scaler can’t read an Apple loop?
Next, I lifted the chord progression on piano and played it manually into Scaler and captured the midi. Again it misidentified key signature information, i.e. in Gm the third chord is shown was A#/E# which should read Bb/F in two flats and other as above.
I know the chord progression and understand the chords that are out of key, can somebody share with me how to manually enter the chord progression I want here from the sample in Section A? I have a B.S. in music (theory up the hoop), I can label it properly if it will allow me to do so.
And last, my chord progression is longer than 8 chords in my 8 bars from the sample (just in this section it’s four bars of antecedent and four bars of consequent). How do I get all the chords to be seen together in Pattern 1 or link Pattern 1 to Pattern 2? This will be important to generating different bass lines, melodies, arpeggios etc.
Thank you sincerely for your guidance. I appreciate the help. I’m sure I’ll get this if I keep trying.
Hi Greg, I am not intending to sound dismissive in anyway so sorry if I come across not helpful in advance! Scaler can do all of what you want but it sounds like you may need to spend some time having a good read of the manual, watching some online vids on YT or even doing the Scaler 2 Course which covers the lot. We do have many helpful users who may be altruistic enough to answer your questions so who knows!
David: I appreciate any response. You’re the first response I’ve received and I put that up months ago so I can’t gauge altruism just yet. I’m sure people are getting more out of this program than I am. I still haven’t figured out how to make a progression that is more than 8 chords long, and all of my compositions by the time I get an intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro whatever. I’ve done a tutorial course that came with my program and it was somewhat helpful but did not address any of the questions. If you have areas in the manual you can point to for this information I’m up for some direction. I’ve haven’t been able to find answers to my questions there, maybe because they’re specific. Users would be probably be most informed.
You have almost certainly done this, but if not check
where there are many videos covering a lot of ground. (when you get to the page shown here, you need to be looking at all the vids in the rights hand side)
There are a lot of useful posts in this board covering more detailed questions. For example, audio recognition operates in a particular way which is maybe not immediately obvious, so searching for that term on the board will come up with some useful info.
Be aware, like all audio recognition tools, it is hugely dependent on the content of the piece; mots have issues of some form or other. Scaler has quirks in tis respect, and it’s more an art than a science. Don’t forget that (1) Scaler deals with chords not single notes, and (2) it is not time aware - it detects changes in chords, so you will have editing to do.
Also check out 41 Fingers - YouTube - he has some useful scaler vids from a use perspective.
Hi Greg,
This is the first time I’ve seen your post so not sure why that is. I’ve been on the forum since it started I think. In any event I’ll try and answer these as best I can but I need to wait till I’m back at the computer. Too much here to tackle on a phone pad.
More later.
Jamie: No rush, but thanks for any pointers. Lots of cool stuff in the program, and I’d like to get deeper for someone that comes with a good theory background!
This is probably not what you are looking for but this is what I have -
I drug a sample into Scaler in F#min. It did not identify the key or the chord progression correctly (some form of lydian, and I want it as natural minor. The progression is basically in Gm although the second chord is an Gbdim (F#dim) and there is an Ab in it as well. As a result it misidentified the scale to reconcile the chords “out of key” (see above) and mislabeled them as well. I’d like to edit the names of those chords correctly. - You say you wanted it as a Natural Minor Scale. Did you know that’s exactly what it was? In any event, Scaler’s detection from audio requires some fiddling with and does best with single instruments. Scaler often mislabels or at least labels chords as other than we expected. It’s usually a real chord but it’s not always what you want it to be. They are working on this so I expect it will be getting better.
I wanted to edit the A section and transpose it up 1/2 step since the project will be in Gm. The online manual refers to a semitone button to the left of the chords in A section. That button does not exist and has been replace by midi and audio detect. Anybody know how to transpose the entire A section up one half step before I proceed? The manual is clearly referring to an earlier version and is incorrect. - If you detected the chords then it seems to stay in detect. You need to save the set by using the save button on the lower right. As soon as you save you will see the transpose button.
I transposed the sample in LPX, but Scaler can’t read the audio file from LPX, it’s needs it loaded in from outside the software? I transposed the sample in LPX, bounced it, and drug the bounce to the desktop, and then into scale. That works, but it’s three extra steps. I take it Scaler can’t read an Apple loop? - Scaler can detect .wav / .aif / and Flac files. Apple Loops are not listed
Next, I lifted the chord progression on piano and played it manually into Scaler and captured the midi. Again it misidentified key signature information, i.e. in Gm the third chord is shown was A#/E# which should read Bb/F in two flats and other as above. - As I stated earlier Scaler does this often when detecting. Sometimes even if I enter the chord in manually it will name it something I didn’t expect although it is technically correct. Devs are aware and will continue working on it.
I know the chord progression and understand the chords that are out of key, can somebody share with me how to manually enter the chord progression I want here from the sample in Section A? I have a B.S. in music (theory up the hoop), I can label it properly if it will allow me to do so. - Same ground - you can enter the notes correctly in the edit chord window but Scaler will name it as it does. Again Devs are aware.
And last, my chord progression is longer than 8 chords in my 8 bars from the sample (just in this section it’s four bars of antecedent and four bars of consequent). How do I get all the chords to be seen together in Pattern 1 or link Pattern 1 to Pattern 2? This will be important to generating different bass lines, melodies, arpeggios etc. - This one is the easiest to answer - you just need to lasso however many patterns have chords in them. If you have 2 patterns with 8 chords each and lasso the pattern buttons so both are selected, you can play each chord from the keyboard as long as you have Bind turned on. (The button to the right of the pattern that will blink blue if bind is on.
Thank you sir! I got the new Scaler tutorial and I’m working through it. I’ll dig into this directly. I have a project idea I put aside because I couldn’t grasp it. With your help, I’m ready to try again.
