Hello people, here's my Scale Remapper macro.
The idea came about from wanting to try out scales and modes I don't normally use and learn their sound, without having to memorize them on the keyboard first. Not being a keyboard player, this can come in handy in situations where you just want to improvise on a certain scale or mode without having to worry about playing "wrong" notes. This still requires that you to learn the mappings, but these are easy as they remain the same no matter what key you're in.
For the sake of completeness, I decided to include scales which are already quite easy to play/memorize (the whole tone scale, for example).
Mappings go like this:
8-note scales = C major scale plus the A# key (all other keys unmapped)
7-note scales = C major scale (all white keys, black keys unmapped)
6-note scales* = C major scale minus the B key (all other keys unmapped)
5-note scales = C# (Db) pentatonic scale (5th mode of the Eb minor pentatonic...All black keys, white keys unmapped)
*Also included the blues scale as part of 6-note scales, and the mapping is the same as the pentatonics except for an added G key for the "blue note".
The mappings cover the C-2 to G8 range. Keep this in mind if you use key switches mapped chromatically. You can always unpack the macro and change the range of the chord memorizer objects within if you need to.
So basically you choose a scale type, a scale/mode, and the root key.
To keep it simpler, transposition of root keys only goes up (If you need to transpose down to some other key use the octave buttons in your keyboard). I've added an On/Off switch so that you can go back to being a real musician every once in a while, plus a keyboard monitor that shows which notes are actually coming out.
Uses:
Great for brainless keyboard improvisation and experimenting with polytonal sequencing.
Learning the sound of scales and their modes without much effort
Attached is a project file (done in logic 9) which includes the scale remapper in its own layer.
Easiest is to just save the project as a template so you don't have to reconnect the macro (if you decide to import the layer to another project).
Note:
This is intended for live input so it does not adapt notes on MIDI regions to any scales.
Finally, if you have the time and motivation, learn to play the piano properly!!
Enjoy!
[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/5112370809_996352dd98_b.jpg[/img]
Get it here:
http://www.box.net/shared/gz0cu0yqpl
J.