Scaler 3 Explained

Join music production expert Larry Holcombe for an in-depth video tutorial series on Scaler 3! In this Scaler 3 video course, you'll learn how to use Scaler 3 to create chord progressions, melodies, and more, all of which can make production duties like writing, arranging, revising, and reharmonizing quick and easy. By the end of this Scaler 3 course, you'll be completely up to speed with all of its parameters and ready to start using it confidently and effectively right away. These videos are designed for new Scaler 3 users.

Videos

• Introduction & the Interface (16:19) - This video introduces the series and plugin and also outlines the different areas of the interface. We discuss the differing functions of the browse, arrange and create pages leading to the creation of compelling chord progressions and song structures. We also outline the plugin operation modes, demonstrating the use of Scaler 3 as a virtual instrument or MIDI effect.

• Initial Tips & the Header Menu (12:06) - We discuss the options available in the header menu next. Here, we can access presets, export options and the settings menu.

• Browse Page Section A (08:52) - Next up, we discuss section A providing the ability to choose chord sets and scale presets from Scaler 3's database.

• Browse Page Section B (10:28) - This video is concerned with section B. Here, we can access Scaler 3's full database of sales. This shows the mother scale from which our section A chord set is derived.

• Browse Page Section C (15:28) - Next up, we discuss Section C, where you can access custom chord progressions, explore complementary chord suggestions, preview your chord set with an instrument of your choosing and save or export your chord set to use within your DAW.

• Circle of Fifths (14:32) - This video covers the create page starting with the circle of fifths allowing us to alter existing chords or find entirely new ones. We continue on to cover the various tabs within the modulation section providing the ability to move from scale to scale with modulation paths.

• Modulation & Modal Interchange (13:27) - We cover the secondary scale and modal interchange next. These provide further options for creating new and exciting chord progressions. Secondary Scale allows us to move our compositions to another scale and model interchange provides chord alternatives from parallel scales.

• Mediants & Neo-Riemannan (06:15) - Next up, we investigate mediants and neo-riemannan options. These provide alternative strategies for innovative harmonic composition leading to potentially more unique progressions.

• The Explore Mode (06:15) - We demonstrate the explore option next. Here we can use a constellation of chords organised by genre and mood. Offering a different approach to composing, this is a sure fire way of breaking out of tried and tested pathways.

• The Colors Mode (06:14) - Next up, we can enhance our basic chords by using more colored, extended chords, voicings and inversions. This provides more varied and potentially expressive chord progressions.

• The Arrange Page (16:55) - In this video, we demonstrate the Arrange Page, a multi-track DAW style environment where instruments and performances can be layered all based around the Section C Main Track chords. We demonstrate arranging clips in the arrange page and adding in expressions and articulations to create dense compositions.

• The MIDI Editing (13:08) - Next up, we continue to look at the MIDI editing options including the MIDI modifier sidebar for wholesale, bulk changes to MIDI clips. We also investigate the MIDI editor which acts more like a traditional Piano Roll for more in depth MIDI editing.

• The Mixer (04:31) - In this video, we cover the Mixer, providing control over each track including solo, mute, pan and volume. We can also add 3rd party plugins as both instruments and audio effects here, extending the power of Scaler 3.

• Instrument Panel & Global Controls (17:21) - Next up, the instrumental panel is covered including both the piano and fretboard modes. We also cover the global controls which allow motions, swing and voice groupings to be added to the main chord track.

• Export Options & Detection Circuits (05:30) - Finally, we complete our look at Scaler 3 by covering the export options, both MIDI and audio. We also demonstrate the detection function enabling MIDI to be detected from both audio and MIDI sources.