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Matching step sequencer key/scale to MIDI chord input (Progressions/Scaler chords)
I spent a large part of the weekend trying to find an AUv3 step sequencer that can change scale/key based on inbound MIDI. Much of that time was spent here, so I figured I should probably join the conversation properly after lurking for some time. In any case, I believe this question has been raised here as part of adjacent discussions, but I haven’t found a satisfactory answer/solution yet. Anyway… this is my best attempt to explain what I’m looking for.
For the last couple of years I have drifted away from DAW to AUM, and now augment AUM with Loopy Pro. During that time I’ve become fond of chaining step sequencers together. Imagine you have Fugue Machine playing a 64 bar loop or StepPolyArp playing in whole notes, triggering “child” instances of StepPolyArp in Arp mode. While I’ve gone really far with this, and I like what it’s bringing to my music, after a couple of years of working like this I’ve concluded I really want to be changing scale as well as key, and that’s where things get complicated.
So last week I started working with Progressions, and I looked closely at Scaler 2 at the weekend. In terms of engaging with the chord progression creation process, I think they are great, but I’m very surprised Scaler hasn’t got a proper step sequencer in it (unless I’m massively overlooking something)? And although I’ve been surprised by how useful/usable the Progressions arpeggiator is, I’m kind baffled that with so much work on Tone Packets and scales in Helium and MidiStep, that there’s no way to properly control the key/scale in Helium or MidiStep (ideally the latter) from Progressions. This seems like such an obviously missing connection in the wold, but I’m guessing I must be overlooking some reason why this doesn’t exist? Or maybe this ideal workflow of mine is kind of niche?
Where this leaves me at this stage is three options that I can think of:
Just use the Progressions arpeggiator and record into Helium if more flexibility is needed. This is fully functional, but not really streamlined and not the flow I want to centre on. Helium and Atom always feel like going back to the DAW to me. But having said that, in many cases the arpeggiator in Progressions is fine as-is.
Create multiple patterns in a StepPolyArp instance with custom scales aligned to each chord, then trigger pattern changes in line with chord changes. TBH, this feels like a better Plan B than Helium, when I hit the limits of the Progressions arpeggiator, but as above, not really a flow I’m gonna be excited about.
PolyBud can receive both key and scale via MIDI. That’s almost there, but PolyBud itself is probably not the step sequencer I want to be spending a lot of time in, when there are alternatives as good as StepPolyArp and MidiStep.
So… I’m guessing that somewhere in here I must be overlooking something. I am really puzzled that this doesn’t simply exist in Scaler 2 or 3 (soon to arrive on iPad I believe), although I’ve only demo’d Scaler 2 and read the manual, so I may have that wrong.
Comments
Try Brainbud + ScaleBud at the ends of the sequencer chains.
Brainbud can Broadcast key and scale changes to (most or all?) of the Bud apps.
A setup would be like this
Midi channel w Brainbud midi routed to instance(s) of ScaleBud (with only one keyboard used and that keyboard using Keys, not chords) as the last midi receiver before it outputs to an instrument.
Brainbud > Sequencer of choice > ScaleBud > instrument
And Scalar 3 does indeed have a sequencer (out on desktop now. This year for iOS?)
I’ll set up a demo AUM project in a bit and link it here.
PS if you have Riffer (AudioModern) it can change keys and scales between the 4 Riff tabs labeled R1 R2 R3 R4 at the top left of the sequencer and they can be midi triggered on and off
Oh, that’s great about Scaler 3. Thanks. I couldn’t find anything about that in what I’ve seen/watched. All I could see was the chord sequencer, which isn’t what I’m after. So it has a proper step sequencer, rather than sequencing the chords or triggering preset arpeggios/sequences? If so, that is precisely what I’m after.
If I go with the Buds I could just send the key and scale values to PolyBud, or use Brain, Scale and Poly as you suggest, but I think if Scaler 3 has a proper step sequencer that’s my answer.
Just saw the edited (longer) reply. “Sequencer of choice” is the bit I wasn’t following. Interested to see the demo, thank you!
Ah, I see the Scaler 3 sequencer is called MIDI Editor, and the arpeggiator appears to be editable. Wow. I am pretty confident that will be the solution for me. Due out for iPad Q1 2026 as of the last update I saw.
Dropbox link
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0oozu2127pbd15k70l0tg/Key-scale-change-demo.aumproj?rlkey=9t0c4nghoqj3ag4rhgzohizqp&st=dj9776vo&dl=0
Agh, sorry, I don’t actually own the buds, but I follow what you’ve set up. That’s great that any sequencer can slot in to that model. I will keep this in my back pocket if Scaler 3 doesn’t pan out. Really appreciate the help. I should have asked yesterday before trying to plunder this solo!
2.99 + 4.99
8 bucks to try it out before a 20.00+ app comes out and who knows how many months that will be
Oh, and you can sequence BrainBud (all the buds really)
Did you see the tip about Riffer?
Don’t have Riffer. You persuaded me to just get BrainBud and ScaleBud, but I see you have ScaleBud 2 in your demo. Will it work with 1 as well?
Think I have it working now. Will keep playing, thanks.
StepPolyArp is great at this.
At sequenced or triggered key changes?
@phonopsia it be interested in one of you AUM projects just to see how you set them up. I’m always learning tinkering myself.
If you’re into Mozaic, there are several scale related scripts on Patchstorage. I created two scripts that might be useful for you:
Sequence Your Keys allows you to change root, scale and MIDI channel both manually or sequenced. It helps me with my Korg SQ-1 sequencers that have limited scales:
https://patchstorage.com/sequence-your-keys-the-sq-1-companion/
Swarm Scaler can be run in multiple instances that synchronise the root/scale setting. I created it initially for scale switching in GR-2:
https://patchstorage.com/swarmscaler/
At times it's interesting to forget about keeping everything everything in sync key and scale wise, and just force it all into line at the end of the process. Interesting changes in chords and their voicing, as well as interesting melody changes can result, yet it all comes out in the wash.
I learned that from using Rozeta scaler, which has both pre-scale and post scale transposition. It's cool how changing key at the input vs changing key at the output affects things.
Basically it can react to inbound notes and will transpose accordingly, which is nice and useful, and is precisely how I’ve been working for the last two years, but it doesn’t have a way to change scale. There is the work-around I described in my first post, but it’s pretty cumbersome. In any case, it’s that gap specifically that I’m trying to fill.
Thanks! I did consider Mozaic, but I think that falls into a similar bucket as the Buds for me, which is basically having me drift away from the immediacy of what I love about AUM, and also probably takes me out of the chord progression creation flow I would be working from in Progressions (or maybe has me re-creating it in something else). I could always use the Buds or Mozaic, but then I’d be leaving behind what I like about Progressions. If it makes any sense, these feel like technical solutions that ultimately interrupt creativity for me? I do use StreamByter for some things (like multiple MidiMixer instances), but that is just a simple mapping, and once it’s done it’s done. Anyway… I probably need a bit more time plugging away with the Buds, but ultimately an all-in-one progressions, sequencer and editable arpeggiator like Scalar 3 look s like what I’m after.
I have been a bit less deliberate with some of my experimentation in the past, and I know what you mean. There can definitely be happy accidents. But playing with Progressions is really inspiring for me, so I’m keen to keep pulling that thread.
Here’s a quick example of chaining three StepPolyArp instances. I wouldn’t normally chain three, although I did construct something with four once. In any case, I often use two deep, sometimes share the parent to multiple children, and sometimes have dedicated parents. It can get really interesting when the ‘child’ instance is polyrhythmic 16th notes and the parent is 1/4 or 1/8th note triplets for instance. I also like using Fugue Machine as the parent, with each playhead chaining to one or more “child” instances, Anyway… I do really like making music this way, but Progressions is exciting me more now. https://1drv.ms/u/c/c98ef3f4472969a6/IQCTcW5mgZhuQYZcuGE8ugj7Aafa5r_Feiat5_7a_V7Y_PE
Things like this are great for making vanilla sequences more interesting. Or offsetting sequences by a small amount can yield some good results too.