Play on scales without computer

The Lounge Other Gear
#1

Hello,

I got rid of my Push 2 recently to only play with machines and synths directly. But I miss the ability to play my synths on scales, because I’m a shitty piano player. It was really nice to play smooth solos and to have the correct notes lit up on the push.

Is there any device out there able to do that? Some sort of MIDI controller where you can select a mode and a root note and notes/pads would lit up or wrong notes would be disabled or tuned to correct next note? Maybe those Komplete Kontrols with those little lights?

1 Like
#2

I think the Arturia Beatsteps have a similar function?

1 Like
#3

You may check https://global.novationmusic.com/launchpad-pro-scale-mode but i’m not sure if it works standalone or only with Ableton Live.

1 Like
#4

Thanks! Will check those two devices.

I found (too late unfortunatley) another topic on the subject: https://www.elektronauts.com/t/midi-controller-keyboard-with-key-scale-chord-mode/

#5

…some novation gear, some ios apps and also the digitone is capable of staying fixed in one pre fixed scale only…
beyond that, pretty much all the rest takes place in software…
apart from the a4, where u can transpose already layed out grids in realtime, which leads to kind of similar results end of the day…
if ur a logic user u even can have dedicated midi plugins for doing so…

1 Like
#6

How so?

#7

There’s also apparently a scale mode on the Squarp Pyramid: http://squarp.community/t/how-does-the-scale-feature-work-with-external-midi-keyboards/208/11

But that’s quite an investment for just that feature :sweat_smile:

#8

I really like the push keyboard cuz you can make shapes and play them anywhere and they make musical sense. I realised it’s similar to the hexagonal layout of accordians eg this great weird thing by Roland https://www.roland.com/us/products/fr-8xb/ - I would really like a midi controller like that, but all the ones I’ve found are silly expensive. Boo.

#9

Plugins

There’s Captain chords

from the Serum Xfer guys :
https://www.xferrecords.com/products/cthulhu

Scaler from pluginboutique
https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/3-Studio-Tools/72-Utility/3933-Scaler

1 Like
#10

Hardware

(Kordbot from Isla instruments)

I think for the price it’s difficult to beat, there’s some chord memory on some synth also I know Novation ultranova as it (chord memory) but it’s not as powerful as Kordbot because it’s a dedicated tool in scale / progression

#11

https://www.irijule.com/

And iirc the novation circuit does it.

2 Likes
#12

Would be nice to only have the right part of this controller! I kinda disliked the part of their video where they say “music theory is confusing”. The problem is my hands not my brain :sweat_smile:

If the novation circuit can be used as a midi controller it’s really a nice little machine!

#13

Sorry the circuit has a scale mode?, how comprehensive is it?

#14

Yes forgot this one :slight_smile: Nice ! :wink:

#15

Owned it and sold it. Its a great device but those rubber keys are eughhh, plus the velocity needs tweaking. I stick to a cheap ipad and nab kordot or similar

1 Like
#16

TheoryBoard seem to be stronger built

#17

Seems to be massive tho, and I don’t need the chord mode.

From all the choices mentioned in this topic and the other, the Launchpad Pro seems one of the best options outside of the Push as it can work in standalone mode. Although if the pads of the Launchpad Pro are the same “eughhh” pads as the one on the Circuit, maybe it’s a concern. If anyone can confirm?

iPad apps could also be a solution, tho, even if it’s not quite “computerless”. What’s nab kordot? :smiley:

1 Like
#18

The Isla kordbot is legit, I pick one up once the sequencer is introduced. Its pretty powerful and the time I had it, it really did open many other possibilities. Its tactile too but those rubber keys are just naff. Sorry but I can imagine them rubbing off or dying over the time.

#19

Oh so you weren’t speaking about the Novation Circuit? :thinking:

#20

+1 Launchpad Pro if you want to stick with a pad controller like the Push. The pads are very playable. A bit less sensitive than Push 2’s pads, but not so much that I’ve wanted one over the Launchpad.

In addition to the scale stuff you’d have a powerful midi controller if you felt like getting into that. The LP Pro brings me a lot of joy and value to my setup for such an inexpensive thing.

1 Like