Awesome Piano Roll Scale Tricks // Scale Guide in Bitwig Studio

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This trick will make sure you keep in key and scale when composing in the piano roll. Today we look at some awesome piano roll tricks to give you scale guides when composing in Bitwig Studio. Bitwigs piano roll is quite basic by default. Most of the power in Bitwig comes from the deep devices, plugins and the modulators. But there are actually some tricks you can do to enhance the piano roll experience when composing melodies!
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[@LeiChat]

Another great piece of advice for Bitwig Studio. Thanks for sharing.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thanks, glad you showed up for the premiere! 🥳☀️🎻

[@johnstanford5171]

On the second tip, you can move the ghost notes to -1.4. This will achieve the same effect without messing with the song timeline.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Many ways to Rome indeed ;)

[@jesusgamborino4049]

All beatifull but... How can I move the notes to -1.4 in Bitwig 5 (Windows)?? Does not allow me to select and drag , and i don't found in the 700 pages user guided, and also in internet. It's like "yes move on the left" ok perfect, just like Ableton, but HOW??? Because is not like Ableton, select notes and press ctrl and left arrow. NO. Please, someone can tell me?

[@UniversalStand]

@@jesusgamborino4049hold the shift key.

[@linaeller]

Looks like it's pretty easy to implement in base functionality of bitwig. Hope we will get it in some future update

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah would be great with the piano roll features from FL Studio. 🥳🍿

[@FurkanTopal]

How do you write melodies within line in Btiwig? Whatever I write it's always out of the grid and I'm realizing when I zoom in.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Make sure grid snapping is avtivated if you are adding notes with a mouse. If recording, make sure to use the quantize function after recording.

[@FurkanTopal]

@@MattiasHolmgren I had dealt with settings and changed the quantization and after restarting the daw it worked. But I don't know how that happened because I was with mouse, idk where did I activate these grid snapping. I have another question, actually I'm an ableton producer and I'm really fast at it and I don't wanna switch daw but it keeps crashing and I may end up switching a daw, lately I took a video about it, Bitwig opened my crashing Ableton project without giving a crash so it was very impressive to me, do you give 1 to 1 consultation and if so do you have a specific hourly rate for that? I'd like to learn within two weeks if it's possible. (considering I know Ableton's and FL Studio's almost everything and I'm advanced in music production) I can learn by myself but I wanna speed up the process because I have clients waiting.

[@shadowhenge7118]

Great tips. Hopefulky Bitwig gets sp.e piano roll love in the next major release.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

I hope so too! It could do with some awesome new features from FL Studio. ;)

[@ContentScientist]

Mattias, this is one of the greatest videos EVER to help with newbies to Bitwig. You got down !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Happy to inspire Miquiel! ☕️🎻☀️

[@felixbpunkt6694]

Thanks for the help, Mattias! I figured out that you can also save these clips (eg. "G Minor") in the clip library so you can get immediate access to the different scales via the clip browser. This is super fast and convenient and is almost as good as the functionality in other DAWs after the initial setup is done.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah, great idea: to save chords and scales as clips. 👍☀️

[@felixbpunkt6694]

@@MattiasHolmgren That's great idea as well but I meant saving the whole scale as a clip. G Minor Scale, F Minor Scale etc. Can also be done to prepare the techniques you outlined in this video.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

This trick will make sure you keep in key and scale when composing in the piano roll. Today we look at some awesome piano roll tricks to give you scale guides when composing in Bitwig Studio. Bitwigs piano roll is quite basic by default. Most of the power in Bitwig comes from the deep devices, plugins and the modulators. But there are actually some tricks you can do to enhance the piano roll experience when composing melodies! // OMEGA presets for VITAL synth: store.morningdewmedia.com/products/omega-vital-presets // BITWIG MASTERCLASS: store.morningdewmedia.com/products/complete-guide-to-bitwig-masterclass Discount Code: MATTIAS20 Use the code on checkout and get 20% discount on the Bitwig Masterclass!

[@rano12321]

thanks for the tip dude. I was using reaper before and wanted to try some more 'producer, edm' focused daws, and it's funny considering how much bad rep reaper's midi editor gets but it has had scale lock for like 10+ years now yet bitwig needs these workarounds, hopefully they'll add something like that in the future.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah Bitwig has def. focused on other areas, where it's king...like modulation, modularity, scifi ;)

[@DaveTherrien]

Thanks for this video, Mattias, alays insightful. I'm too lazy to look up the notes of a scale and enter them. I am new to Bitwig ( installed today), coming from Ableton, and I am seeing some things like Scale mode missing from Bitwig. But, in this case, I have a Push2 (with DrivenByMoss integration) that gives me visible scales on the Push2 with Bitwig. I have a Komplete Kontrol Keyboard as well as a Launchkey 37 Mk3 that also support scales in some form.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi Dave. You will learn the sound and pitches of the ”useful” scales with time. You are lucky to have so many tools available. Congrats. Thanks for writing.👌💎😄☕️🍀

[@meathead919]

Bitwig should really incorporate this trick (with background coloring of scales) as a built-in feature. This is good for beginners.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah super helpful!

[@tyler361t2]

yeah honestly it's a bit weird we have to do these work arounds, it doesnt seem hard to implement

[@SrNutritivo]

You can always use midi packs. They’re insane!

[@solarsound744]

Mattias , Is there a way to start playback from selected note ? Like playback cursor jumps to a selected region in arranger view and hitting space

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Did you make a search in the shortkeys? I never tried that command myself.

[@solarsound744]

@@MattiasHolmgren nothing there .. in behaviour there is :Set Play Start Marker -> selecting clips / time on arranger . But no option for note start . thnx . I will mail support

[@scottp8575]

Thanks, I didn't even know there was a layer mode, still learning Bitwig! I guess you are showing the clip layer mode there, where you have to select both clips you want to appear together. I see there is a track layer mode as well where you don't have to select things but can "pin" the tracks you want to see along with the track you are editing so you can just compare the parts on other tracks which is also super useful.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi Scott, thanks! Yeah its a bit of a ”hidden feature” but great for new producers who are unsure of the notes in scales etc.

[@levosing7200]

If they added this in the piano roll (scale and harmonization assistance) i'd renew my update plan. This workaround is smart but you could do it also with a good old pen and paper ;) . I feel like there is a lot to be done about the piano roll to match the one of FL, as you mentioned at the beginning of the vid.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Indeed, there are super many midi devices in Bitwig to go really far out there with the signals. But I agree it needs to rip some piano roll functionality of FL. That would rock!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Enroll my Bitwig Masterclass course 👉 bit.ly/bitwig-masterclass

[@pierbover]

Cool trick. Shame Bitwig doesn't seem interested in implementing these type of core features and we have to resort to these hacks.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yeah as a composer who work a lot in the piano roll rather than with random / generative midi I vote for more features in the piano roll to make the composing work faster. Scale helpes are also great learning tools.

[@JeremyForTheWin]

I'm sure they are interested but they are also a small team with a lot of backlog

[@degstep9968]

Thank you 👍

[@MattiasHolmgren]

You are welcome

[@StarMaze]

Great trick for many

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Oh yes, super useful when doing orchestral part writing, or just melodies against chords too. 🎻

[@TheVal1234567]

Damn that scale trick is awesome man!! Thanks! What is this monster synth in the background?!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hey Valery, its the Novation Summit. I totally swear by it, love the sound engine of the Summit! Wicked synth! Check my video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4i0loWCeqaMgZY thanks! 🥳☕️🥁

[@TheVal1234567]

Thanks! looks and sounds great! i took your idea a bit further and created two scale clips with one is just the root notes and the other is all the rest with different color. When you layer and lock both its easier to see the octave seperation. Just like in ableton.

[@prajwal_bagewadi]

sir I cant find it in bitwig 8 track the layer edit feature

[@paradoxic1888]

These are some awesome tips. Will be sure to use them. I wish the key filter showed you the keys that are filtered because I usually have no clue which keys are being used when producing other than looking it up online. On that note (pun intended), is there a way to see what key you're in based on some random notes you put together in a clip so I can correct it across the rest of the project?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Superb, well there are mostly constraints/ filter midi-devices (plugins) in Bitwig, not ones that analyze what key you are in and restrict to that. YOu can predefine scales etc with "Key filter" device.

[@Pspiralifemusicandedu]

That was a super nice tutorial! Simple stuff but very effective thank you :)

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@franzvohn]

Hey Mattias, Something that I cannot figure out myself, but have seen it multiple times in other videos, is how to make a track bigger? Like in the projekct all instrument tracks etc. have the same "hight", right? And sometimes that feels to small and sure I can zoom, but I am not able to just focus on one track. Do you, by any chance, know how to do this? Loved the video! Thanks!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hi Franz, do you mean like the track height in the arrangement? Drag the bottom of the "track header" downwards (or up) to resize in height. Tip: Hold ALT and drag to resize ALL tracks in the arrangement at the same time. If you mean a bigger view of the waveform, you might be referring to the EDIT window. Look at the bottom left corner of Bitwig interface, it reads "ARRANGE, MIX, EDIT". Either press EDIT there, or use the useful short key = SHIFT + TAB, to jump between ARRANGE and EDIT view. Did that solve your issues? Cheers, //Mattias

[@franzvohn]

@@MattiasHolmgren wow. Now I feel stupid for how simple that was haha But honestly, that is something I really appreciate about your chancel. You are like the teacher who is patient beyond any limits and even answers to obvious stupid questions. So... thanks for that!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

U art welcome! 😁😂🥁🥳☀️

[@chewlay111]

Just got this pack mate nice work!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Superb, thanks for grabbing the pack Chew! 🙏💎☕️

[@chewlay111]

@@MattiasHolmgren happy to support! Plenty of value on your channel for bitwig 🤟🏻

[@lawinter1949]

Thanks second trick is money! I knew the first one but the second one is way faster! I would combine that with a scale temple clip and then we are really cooking!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

The first tip to use a second track is golden when writing orchestral parts / separate voicings on separate tracks. Invaluable!

[@xpm9657]

Your videos are awesome

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Thanks! 🥁🍿☕️☀️

[@loooid07]

Thank for advice !!!!!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Always welcome

[@MrMallum]

By that token you can create a folder of MIDI clips containing all the different scales which you can then just drop on to a track when you know what scale you want to work in….

[@MattiasHolmgren]

👌🏆 also an option

[@andrewbulhoes6420]

apparently the first way you showed us does not work in Bitwig 5 or am I doing something wrong I am following the instructions but can't seem to see those ghost keys the way you did it the way in the video

[@dubtube6691]

2024 any news about this feature in Bitwig?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

No piano roll scales yet. But you can create scale clips and drag them to your preset lib…and reuse when u want. It’s a workaround though 😂

[@skrabio]

I'll just keep writing in Scaler 😁

[@MattiasHolmgren]

😂✌️

[@mhomhiamusic1843]

Can I remplace audio in bitwig? Like Midi

[@MattiasHolmgren]

What do you mean by replacing audio? Elaborate. ☀️

[@mhomhiamusic1843]

@@MattiasHolmgren yes, For example a kick pattern audio..Like replace a kick midi but an audio

[@SmileyFabian]

Thanks for this great tip! :)

[@MattiasHolmgren]

You are welcome Fabian!!

[@AlexOskin]

Hey bro! :) i allways use a first trick, very helpful!

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Hey Alex awesome! 🎹☀️

[@mickeymegabyte]

it's a pity that you can't see your layers superimposed together on the same roll in drum editor mode. :(

[@01superstardj]

Or here's a thought? hear me out.......... you could just add them in just like Ableton did, I'm in the process of moving from Ableton which I'm a long-term user of due to instability, I'm really liking Bitwig but it has things missing or issues I don't like, namely the lack of being able to lock in chords in the piano roll easily without faffing around like in this tutorial and when moving an automation point how it gets stuck like it's pushing through an invisible wall before it eventually moves.

[@MarcoPolux]

... or just remember which notes to play (or easier because always are less, which notes not to play.... )

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Yes, by ear is fastest…that is how I roll / work.:) but the note (track) layer feature is great when you are writing stems / separate parts for violin, viola, cello etc general orchestral composition. I used to use this A TON in Logic and FL when I was learning orchestral arranging and part writing. ☀️🥁🎻

[@thegroove2000]

Scaler 2. The dogs bollocks.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Indeed! ;)

[@CRayBeats]

Or you could just write the melody staying on all the white keys from D to D then transpose to A later..

[@andrewjones_fitness]

Disappointing that Bitwig does not include such a fundamental feature. Don't want to have to jump through hoops just to do this. idk smh

[@MattiasHolmgren]

I guess they want to encourage people to learn the basic scales. 😂👌

[@dubtube6691]

its a real shame that bitwig has nothing to offer here in terms of the piano roll

[@MattiasHolmgren]

I bet most Bitwig producers use midi devices to fiddle with the midi. But yes, I agree it would be lovely to see as fully featured piano roll like in FL Studio. That one is sick!

[@EntropyExhaustion]

Don't mix up a collection of notes with a scale and chords. C major has the same notes as A minor. Any scale or harmonic context comes from the "roles" a note plays in the scale. Note C is root in C major. In A minor it's NOT the root. And even though you can restrict notes played in one teack by the notes of another track in Bitwig, this has nothing to do with chords, because the structur of the chord is not preserved. BW simply has no notion of a chord track, aka the correct chord, inversion in an harmonic context... the promises made sounds a bit too much like in the direction of selling snakeoil.

[@MattiasHolmgren]

You do what you can with the tools at your disposal. I often get the question how to get some kind of scale helper, or edit multiple tracks at the same time in Bitwig. So…Not much of snake oil. 😄 Snakes can bite though. 😂🐍

[@nemirov]

This way seems too ridiculous and not handy and not fast for modern DAW.

[@christoroppolo8742]

The piano roll is so primitive it’s ridiculous 🫤👽

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Oh how so? 😄

[@christoroppolo8742]

@@MattiasHolmgren example ….it took me a while ( without having used the daw before ) to get why notes did not appear when I clicked in a midi region in the editor like every other daw I have ever used does . It takes two clicks with bitwig.Also the bitwig instruments suddenly stopped responding to the controller keyboard when they initially did but the keyboard in the piano roll fires the the notes the controller now does not . But if I open the mixer clip view and highlight the “s” on the channel poly synth for instance is on then it responds to the controller but not on the time I clicked on it little keyboard icon which won’t highlight when a track is selected . Stuff like that is ridiculous And I followed your example for side chain too lol and it still doesn’t work no matter what I do . Same thing with exporting a wave file of a song it just sits there and does nothing . I probably won’t be using bitwig much longer since nothing is going very well so far but I managed to build a two minute long electro song with actual key changes and third party plugin instruments unlike the native bit wig instrument garbage playing just fine .I just wish there was a real iOS version of this on my iPads so I could get rid of the mouse and keyboard shifting and shortcuts etc (infuriating garbage as far as I’m concerned ) but the intel folks do get touch ? Seems unfair .