2.5 scale mode

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123
  1. 1SYNTH
  2. 2T2
  3. 3SHIFT

2.5.1 scale mode introduction

type: keyboard locked to a scale · by maiko

Locks the keyboard to a scale so you can't hit a wrong note. With a scale on, the 14 white keys play the scale's notes in order and the black keys go silent.

The panel is a glockenspiel: one bar per white key, with the note it now plays. The root's bars are white. A bar lights up when you play it.

New engines are in the engine list: SYNTH, then SHIFT + T1. They come without presets, so they have no folder in the sound browser (SHIFT + 1 … 8): look in SHIFT + T1.

The scale panel: KEY D, DORIAN, and a glockenspiel of 14 bars
d dorian
The scale panel with one bar lit up
the note you play lights up

2.5.2 opening scale mode

step 1

SYNTH

step 2

T2

step 3

SHIFT

SYNTH, press T2, then hold SHIFT. The panel shows under PLAYMODE and PORTAMENTO.

2.5.3 knobs

turn (shift held)

+

blue

playmode, as before

+

green

portamento, as before

+

white

key (root): c to b

+

orange

scale

2.5.4 scales

Orange goes: off, major, dorian, phrygian, lydian, mixolydian, minor, locrian, harmonic minor, melodic minor.

No key moves more than a whole tone from its usual note. C major is the white keys as they are. Off is the normal keyboard, black keys included.

2.5.5 tips

  • One setting for every synth sound. It stays on after power off.
  • Drum sounds are never changed.
  • Changing the scale while holding notes is safe: each key releases the note it started.
  • Release SHIFT before playing: SHIFT + white keys are the euclid and dots shortcuts.