Scaler 2 Workflow | Starting with a Melody

[@dr0010x]

As a former music teacher I would recommend all of my students this plug-in because of how well it lays out and connects the dots between "theoretical concepts" that often get overlooked because they are perceived as "boring" or difficult to grasp.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Good to hear thanks for feedback and good vibes!

[@humblehombre9904]

I was one of those who mad3 that claim. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, for hearing us and helping out. This was a brilliant lesson. I am learning scales and notes currently. I’m older, a drummer, and never needed to know this stuff. I always sang my music to my guitarist. Now I’m on my own, writing. So again, thank you for this.

[@Bronwyn031]

LOL, I've owned Scaler 2 for nearly 2mos now and I still went with Captain Chords and Captain Melodies because I didn't know how to use Scaler 2. Because Scaler 2's interface can be very daunting to the uninitiated. This video has helped me out IMMENSELY!!! PLEASE, do more videos like this. More tips and alternatives to one's workflow can be so inspirational and helpful. 💖💖💖

[@Robert-kx8mp]

I’m a long time user of the original Scaler plugin. I finally got the upgrade on sale yesterday and I’m very impressed. Scaler 2 has again elevated my producer skills. It’s a lifetime of music theory knowledge packaged in a practical and easy to use tool. I have other songwriting tools, but Scaler has always been my favorite because of how it interacts with the user. Other tools can generate riffs and random note sequences, but Scaler really invites you to be creative and explore, even if your piano playing skills are dog poop.

[@squoblat]

Scaler 2 is the best plugin I've bought in a long time.

[@zendobrendo0001]

I know people keep using the word, but truly this is amazing. I bought Scaler 1 to help me learn my scales and the related chords, and it worked really well for that purpose, but this function will jump start turning my random improvisations into full song parts. I'm so happy to have this learning and composing tool. Bravo!

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Great to hear and thanks for supporting.

[@philjames1019]

Discovered Scaler 2 a few months ago .... absolutely love using it, and thoroughly enjoying these high quality and concise lessons. Thank you David Carbone for your time and effort on behalf of us Scaler 2 newbies.....

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Glad you like them! Thanks for the nice words.

[@JazJazgot]

Hi David! It is a pleasure to listen to your voice. This video is a great example of how tutorials should be done. True professionalism is bursting all over the place.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Thanks for feedback, truly. appreciate it. I enjoy making these videos as I love Scaler!!!

[@GaryCorben]

Ah, I also love Scaler and already written a few songs with it that I couldn't have worked out with my lack of theory - but I got stuck with some elements of it. Scaler 2 is awesome but I still didn't get a few of the functions and underestimated it's power at first. Now it's my go to tool for composing. Didn't know the manual was there lol. This is a great video, super helpful.

[@deepsynth3495]

Davide this plugin is a work of art. Any composer knows exactly how much work into it. Thank you for a killer vst.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Thank you for supporting, I love Scaler very much so I never consider it work. All of the DEV team feel the same way. Thanks again.

[@ClaudeYoung]

This video was amazing! Having owned Scaler 2 for a while, this video finally made the whole plugin make sense to me with regards to it's application when writing! Brilliant!!!!

[@paapawilliams2317]

An absolute must for any songwriter and producer at any level. Great for triggering inspiration and moving ideas along.

[@mercurial71]

Excellent! I got Scaler 2 for Christmas, and it's already provided me with loads of help and inspiration for several new ambient tracks. I've never seen this level of ongoing support and quality educational material produced for a plugin (except perhaps the $499 Ozone suite). I am deeply envious of this studio, though! I hope you sell many thousands of these, David & co.

[@Jvaldes609]

Best tutorial done yet on scaler 2. Thanks now I really got it.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Thank you for the feedback.

[@mnordavind]

I've been using scaler for almost 1 year and haven't seen the bass and melodic perform modes, thanks!

[@darylw-m9549]

This is brilliant, thanks David. I hadn't thought of using Scaler like this.

[@Virtual-Media]

More of these please. even with a basic understanding of music theory, it helped tremendously learning how to apply and experiment.

[@audineteoliveira8786]

8

[@cathywilson1273]

Thank you for sharing this video!! I had only envisioned using Scaler 2 to set my chords, and to make sure that the proper scale was set before transferring the data to my DAW. But, even better, is using more than one, Scaler 2 instance, in a session - to flesh out a basic song mix - which will really help smooth out the process and help me to move forward, being confident, that my mix is in the [proper] and intended scale that I had in mind from the start.

[@Skebtik]

Thanks man. I wrote something saying I needed a very basic explanation and here it is. I think this will be the best video you guys made.

[@MistaBusha]

This is exactly the tutorial video I needed. Thank you for taking time to explain this powerful instrument. I’m so happy with my purchase now.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Glad you liked the video Mista, hope you get some love out of Scaler. It's very lovely!

[@issiewizzie]

Happy new year David

[@LeeCrampton]

Absolutely brilliant session. Thanks so much. I bought scaler 2 a few weeks ago but haven’t had chance to get time on it yet. Definitely inspired now 🙏

[@sorry11303]

This program just get better and better 😃🎶🎹👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@mimikoss]

The best scaler tutorial

[@1trueaccord]

Scaler changed the game for me. I love that is still allows you be creative. You still have to have an ear for music though.

[@jreber]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks for sharing.

[@danzesociety]

Excellent tutorial. Love Arcade as well.

[@umanoid1523]

I picked up scaler 2 a few weeks ago and started using it on track I had started yesterday. I wish I had watched this first. I wasted a lot of time trial and error and using the manual. I hadn't even thought about creating different instances so was trying create chords and melodies on the same instance. I ended up recording in Scaler and dragging out to the track. I also did a lot of hand-editing of my notes after realizing the timings were off for some reason. I'm still working on the track so this gives me a few ideas for adding some pads and rhythmic elements. I was just trying to come up with some piano elements for a semi future garage track I'm attempting to write. My theory skills after 40 years are still negligible and need all the help I can get.lol Nice track and great tutorial. Thanks!

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

You're welcome, Scaler is a deep program can have a steep learning curve when you are working out how to implement It into your workflow so these videos are designed to make it easier. Glad you enjoyed and good luck with the track.

[@umanoid1523]

@@SchoolofSynthesis its deeper than i thought when i picked it up.I’ve watched a few more videos and it also has more uses than I expected. I think I’m going to try a track starting with Scaler and create a bunch of instances as youve shown in your tutorials. The track is done for now. I usually get to a rough mix stage and leave it alone to get distance on it. Ill come back to it eventually to Mix and master if I still like it weeks/ months from now.

[@Yamahman]

Greatest piece of software ever.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Very nice thank you. We are always trying to improve. Lots of new developments on the way.....

[@jonathanbennett4535]

Great start to finish tutorial! I particularly like the way you suggest Scalar has done it’s bit, now time for your own layers/tracks using whatever inspiration you have just been given by Scalar. Wonderful.

[@NovaPulsar]

I had Scaler for more than 2 months and thanks to this video I'm learning a lot, thank you!

[@therantingboy]

How are you doing the binding bit?

[@rene.rodriguez]

Excellent video. I will purchase Scaler 2 now. Thanks!

[@whentheleavesarefalling]

Really liked this tutorial on Scaler. You really achieved what you set out to do, explain it for new comers like myself :D

[@kayodeoluwafemi8955]

Thanks for this vid. Now i have a better understanding on how to use Scaler.

[@anzatzi]

@9:26 How are you moving the chords up an octave without opening the chord editor? thanks!

[@wwlittlejOfficial]

I had been asking the popular daws for a mini Scaler of sorts for years.i laid out useful features concepts, literallly everyone on the forums said such a features would never be functional or even wanted. It's so hard to live in the present but think in the future.

[@easylisteningdave]

Such a very serious tool. This is an amazing plugin. I am thankful the creators developed Scaler. It has made my writing skills over the top. thanks dave

[@jamesrampant]

Love to see this song continued in another video but with a section that modulates to another key like a bridge in a song.

[@waynepryce34]

I used that "Wait for me" from output

[@cesar_m.p.]

This is the only one thing that I don't like: they way played keys are highlighted in the top keyboard. Since there are so many different colors and marks, when the played keys are highlighted they got lost in plain sight. I think it should be an option, to optionally choose and inline color, with a palette of phosphorescent colors to choose from and draw a thin line (outline/inline) in each white and black keys when it is played.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Good feedback, passed on. Don't forget to leave feedback at the community over at scalerplugin.com

[@rikkshow]

I second this. It is very hard to make out what is played. The scale is shown with small blue dots as well to make it even more busy. I think a one octave keyboard on the side would be enough to show the selected scale keys. Ie a new little image. Appreciate if you can look over this visual aspect so it is super easy to see what is played. Cheers.

[@flxojo]

Fantastic tutorial!

[@StacyODell]

Very cool. I'm so glad I bought this!

[@javierpenya]

Very interesting. Thank you, I learned about this powefull tool !

[@boniface2149]

Scaler has made someone like me that doesn't know how to play piano a music monster 💩 I can now play whatever comes to my mind and it fits perfectly, I now have fun making music, I can now play play play play play play play.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Great to hear, it's had the same effect for many of us!

[@bosshoggduke2675]

You made a banger in 30 minutes 🤯

[@evanthorn5089]

Just phenomenal

[@markkilley2683]

A great tool, just started to get the hang of it.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Nice one Mark and welcome to the Scaler journey, it's a fun one.

[@BrysonPrice]

7:36 how did you ‘bind’ those chords to the keyboard? Thanks for the video : ) Edit: I saw you do it at 8:50

[@elyot4010]

He clicked the button on the far right for that section. For the different sections, you see A, B, C. Those bind the chords to the keys

[@BrysonPrice]

@@elyot4010 yessir , thank you : )

[@ghal3on]

awesome vids. no nonsense, straight to the point. Well laid out. thank you!!!!

[@arivirtanen2568]

Thanks this is amazing

[@toddwmac]

Great stuff..thanks!

[@MrBerard]

This guy's all about the harmonic content.

[@iaminbetweendays]

Thanks. This was a real good video.

[@dezinerAhmad]

My Life Saver... Thanks for another Great Video For Aspiring Musician... Just wanted to know that is ARCADE following Scaler or it is Playing its own tune in Cmin.

[@kayodeoluwafemi8955]

Think its the latter

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Yes indeed Arcade is playing it’s own phrase.

[@ShehzaadPro]

Best. This is called tutorial

[@elyot4010]

You guys definitely put in some quality work

[@Upload_Backup]

Thank toy great content

[@frizzsupertramp6434]

Which effects in Logic Pro did you add to the raw "Retro Base" sound starting at 5:01? I really like this sound! 🙂

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Heya Fritz, listening to it sounds like I have just added the default patch of NI Replica which from memory is just a delay on a 1/8th (possibly 1/4th?) dotted rhythm about 50% wet with feedback around 30%.

[@frizzsupertramp6434]

@@davidecarbonemusic Thank you very much :-)

[@lovomusic4027]

Gracias. Ahora entiendo mejor como aplicar Scaler 2 en forma práctica creando una melodía.

[@FromTheStretfordEnd]

Great video - I've followed along and recreated each step in Logic using the same instruments to create the same sound. Mine sounds different and I suspect you have some reverb/delay/echo (that I haven't used) assigned to Bus 5 and Bus 8 - is this correct? If so, what are your settings? Thanks.

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Indeed. Bus 5 has a small plate in this instance soundtoys little plate but just use any short verb with short decay. Bus 8 is what will make the difference and that is NI Replika from memory a delay with dotted 8ths and 50/50 wet dry but just any delay would do. Hope that helps.

[@FromTheStretfordEnd]

@@davidecarbonemusic thanks Davide, it does help. I'll see if I can do something similar.

[@toyaavant5129]

If you know music theory you will get the most out of scaler.. learn a little music theory and this plugin will come to life for you.

[@AKSourGod]

Love these tutorials, thank you! 🙏🏾

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Thank you for watching.

[@vivektyagi6848]

It will bring about better understanding if a reference song with vocals was taken and recreated using only Scaler. With a reference song you will pick the exact Chords and Rhythm and Melody and deliver a specific output. It will be Awesome if you could create such a tutorial with Scaler.

[@Hansbakpopguitar]

Do scaler have option to choose scale and play that using only white keys even scale has black keys b/#. I have on my Maschine that option as well komplete m32.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Yes indeed there are many further options too. White keys, true scale, keys lock etc: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3i5o6aZmbuNo5I

[@humball]

Amazing...

[@flyme-z7b]

I love my Scaler 2.5 but there is one seemingly simple feature that I cannot get to work for me: I use Logic Pro X and I would like to simply drag a chord from Scaler onto the Logic's Piano Roll so that the midi notes will then be shown in the roll. I have tried for hours but cannot get it to work. I select "Drag", then attempt to drag the chord with my mouse to the Piano Roll but nothing 'sticks'. Any tips would be greatly appreciated. Also, thank you for amazing videos that you make to support this wonderful production tool!

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Hey PJ, just drag a chord box straight onto the main window Logic, Ensure you are dragging onto an Instrument channel not an audio channel. Should work fine, as you mention you could also use the DRAG button (drag it to the main window). Otherwise post what you are doing over at forum.scalerplugin.com where we can help you further!

[@flyme-z7b]

@@SchoolofSynthesis You are correct sir! I was dragging it into the Piano Roll (which seemed to make sense) but dragging it into the track widow as you suggested did the trick. Many thanks for your speedy reply. Happy New Year to you and yours and please keep up the amazing work you do.

[@tenzi24]

Great video, Sir

[@rubenmolino1480]

personal methods that each one uses to compose ... it would be an interesting debate in this medium and very didactic ... thanks

[@DWINC]

Ok you’ve won me over!

[@jeanparizot1923]

Magnifique !

[@julianwilsonsongwritermusi9413]

Really enjoyed this lesson. Just realised that I'll have to get thousands together to buy this kit! lol Music has come a long way since the 'you have to be able to play an instrument well'. This stuff is all about you have to understand how music actually works! I pretty much do these days - but its only because I can write songs quickly just using a guitar usually. This video showed me that even I could make pro sounding modern stuff if I could just afford the kit now I am retired. Anybody need a lyricist? lol J

[@peen2804]

what do you mean? scaler is like $50 which is an insanely low price in a world where plugins costing more than Ableton Suite aren’t uncommon and the most basic tools can be $250+ or get yourself the fancier eq with an extra virtual knob for only $500. Also if that’s not your point I misunderstood and I apologize!

[@julianwilsonutube]

@@peen2804 it's all the rest of the stuff you need..

[@sautsitumorangkpk]

awesome .. must have ..

[@anzatzi]

Very well presented. Question: I see very little control of individual chords withing the progression? Like creating a sus2 in a progression.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

There have been several updates since this video, you can edit all individual notes and chords and have all chords suggested, you can compose with the circle of fifths and modulate anywhere. Check out some of the more recent videos in this playlist and the manual is always updated too 👍

[@anzatzi]

@@SchoolofSynthesis Thank you. Learning much about music theory and scaler through your videos.

[@agentcalm]

I'm hoping to get scaler2 at the end of the month. I dont use Arcade or any of those subscription loop sites. Can I still use Scaler2 just using my synths and real guitars / vocals etc?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Of course, scaler can work on its own but it also offers the flexibility of using third party and acoustic instruments. Looking forward to having you as part of the scaler community!

[@ImaplanetJupiteeeerr]

What I would have liked from Scaler is to import the melody with the midi notes, and to be able to pick chords from the suggest, so that it takes into account the melody and its rhythm. And in a way that when exporting the chords into midi, they would be synced to the melody I started with. That is actually what I kinda thought Scaler could do, but apparently not, or then I just haven't found a video explaining how to do it.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Hey Jupiter, well scaler can do all of this via multiple methods as really what you want to do is what it is designed for. Check out the EDIT page which can work in DAW synthesis and allows you to change the lengths of the chords, you can then copy multiple scalers and being using different expressions. Keep watching through some of the other videos but start here kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3i5o6aZmbuNo5I

[@ImaplanetJupiteeeerr]

@@SchoolofSynthesis Thanks reply, I actually figured out the length of the chords, but how do I do the afore mentioned part where scaler suggests chords for my melody in different parts of the melody, so that it actually fits it? So far I have analyzed the melody, figured out the possible scales and therefore chords, but after that I haven't found any tool of what I described in the upper comment, i.e taking the melodys different parts and suggesting chords for them?

[@rinnpro]

Excellent!!!!!

[@trancephile2412]

wow AMAZING

[@macinead7]

How do you use Native Instrument plugins like Native Instruments Noire in Scaler. I want to experiment with the chords but use Noire as the sound instead of Scalers presets. Love Scaler. Game changer

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Depends on your DAW but easy enough. In Logic you use MIDI FX in Ableton, Cubase and Studio One you can route. Check the manual. Click on help within scaler to see how to route or visit forum.scalerplugin.com

[@unkletonebeats1956]

liked and subbed --quick question --how did you bind the chords there--i usually have to drag chords from up top and drag them down to where it says pattern 1 to trigger chords with my midi controller. :)

[@scalermusic]

You can bind section A,B,C By clicking the button like Davide does at 2:40

[@unkletonebeats1956]

@@scalermusic thanks so much!

[@foodstampz]

amazing video

[@gabriel_guitar]

Thank you for these tutorials, very helpful - is there a recommended number of keys for a keyboard midi controller to have in order to take advantage of all Scaler's features? (i.e. hot switches)

[@davidecarbonemusic]

I'd always recommend a 64 key but 49 minimum however you can make any keyboard work it just requires a bit of fiddling

[@gabriel_guitar]

@@davidecarbonemusicthank you!

[@leggzter]

Please can you add a standalone mode for Scaler? I'd love to just 'noodle' with it, outside the DAW

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

On the roadmap. I know DEVS have big plans for scaler

[@eakwarren]

Check out the free Minihost Modular by Image Line. It can host VST and AU plugins in standalone mode. Manual at www.image-line.com/fl-studio-learning/fl-studio-online-manual/html/plugins/Minihost%20Modular.htm. Installer at forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?f=1919&t=123031. It's older, but works fine on MacOS Big Sur and Win 10.

[@noahofficialmusic]

yes more of these please!

[@rubenmolino1480]

Personally I would like a lot as a curiosity about the way in which a composer begins… .. what approach technique? or composition idea? will you use when creating a work ... for example ..... where does it start? . with or without score Step by step .... I think ... that would be the most interesting debate!

[@jbognap]

Thanks for the demo Davide - I have some workflow questions: Are the individual Scaler instance settings saved when the project is saved? What is the best practice for saving Scaler settings across project sessions? For managing multiple instances, is there an option for identifying each one with a meaningful name (track name or number?) ?

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Yes all instances save with project, If I want to use across projects I go to settings/session/export state and just name it however you want. Then when you open a new scaler you go back to settings/session/import state and import whichever scaler you want.

[@mauromanno5412]

Great video! superb :-)

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@lukather1]

I wish they would do a full guitar set of features this would blow everything away If the guitar area on scaler showed the chords -inversions and arps it would be awesome ! Come on guys 😎

[@davidecarbonemusic]

Indeed and we are taking this underdeveloped area seriously and it is getting a complete overhaul with the help of some of the worlds best lead guitarists. Big plans and hopefully delivering something special in 2021

[@lukather1]

@@davidecarbonemusic Worlds best guitarists ? Wow ? Just getting the chords in a diagram shape would be unbelievable A bit like the Guitar Toolkit App ! 😎

[@rayderrich]

Relaxing, educational and inspirational, I could not ask for more. Thanks!

[@patlecat]

@SQS Great tutorials as always but can you pls talk in a more constant loudness and clearer? Maybe use a compressor to bring up the low parts so I don't have to skip back and relisten so often?

[@davidecarbonemusic]

This is absolutely fair and apt criticism, during covid I didn't have a team to film so had to learn video editing, filming and lighting all by myself which meant my are of expertise (audio production) got completely neglected. I promise my next vid in development I will spend some time on the VO

[@Yosser70]

Just looked at the website. Is what’s being used here the basic plugin as there seems to be a lot of variations. I ask because it seems pretty cheap for what it does!

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Everything you see here is included in Scaler 2. Only just the one price point for all the features. 🙏

[@Yosser70]

@@SchoolofSynthesis Cool! Must be different bundles it comes with that I saw. Another big value plus for me, is all these instructional videos, makes buying something like this less daunting and means I’d get the most out of it.

[@TryptychUK]

Your tutorials are excellent, but I cannot find anything anywhere about the basic principles starting from cold. Scaler 1 appeared quite some time back, and most tutorials are now no longer applicable. A total newbie 101 for scaler 2.5+ would be very helpful for a lot of people.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Agreed, stay tuned something on the way!

[@TryptychUK]

@@SchoolofSynthesis Many thanks.

[@cendakrys]

Cool vidéo très intéressante 👍🎶🎼

[@PADR]

Love the software and tuts but the hanging note issue in latest update is ruining it for me.

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

DEVS are aware of hanging notes for a small amount of Scaler 2 users using certain setups. A fix is days away 😀

[@montazownianr1]

Yes it's drives me crazy!

[@proteus1]

Does cubase 10.5 / 11 have a similar feature? What midi keyboard do you use too?

[@MrMartyg2009]

Class

[@scottyb3b7]

Helpful to be sure. Still not seeing if a user can build chords from scratch or are we locked into the basic chord choices within the pre-fab progressions?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Of course there are many ways a user can build chords from scratch in CHORD edit mode you enter notes one by one and it will begin suggesting chords, or you can write in the circle of fifths. Check out our tutorials in this playlist,

[@alexiwiedemann]

fantastic!!! when are you going to hava scaler for IPAD?

[@SchoolofSynthesis]

Soon!

[@justinmarkhurst]

Time For The Upgrade Me Thinks 😍

[@weakcannow]

I've been skimming through all these videos trying to find someone shows you binding the code the court progression and playing and playing one thing accords in a long sided that playing melody which of the hand in the fidelity notes a lot to the court can you show me this or send me the video or the link to the video with this if you understand what I'm saying