Unlocking the Power of Scales with 'Squeyle 0.12' - A Guide to Multi-Track Scale Distribution and Morphing in Ableton Live

Squeyle 0.12, developed by schlam, is digital tool that holds the capability to transform your Ableton Live music production experience to an entirely new level. This multi-track device, offering the capacity to control and synchronise up to twelve separate tracks' scales, allows you to expand upon your creative music making horizons by facilitating complex scale distribution across several tracks, independent scrambling of track scales, and chromatically morphing real-time sounds between two different scales.

To start with creating your unique soundscapes, you will need to set up the system and ensure it corresponds to each track's scale device for it to function effectively. Firstly, on each track which you require to apply Squeyle 0.12, insert a stock 'scale' MIDI device (do note that grouping or nesting a scale device will result in its exclusion). Then, insert Squeyle in an audio track or master and press REFRESH to ensure that the number of scales/tracks detected corresponds to the number you desire - refreshing will be necessary each time you move, add or delete a track or scale device.

With your system set up, you're now ready to start designing your scale in Squeyle. A point to note is that the device's bottom row acts as a 'no note' and the lack of a 13th row implies that there are no out of range values. All proceded tracks now share the same scale, and by shift-clicking the first preset square slot, you can easily save this scale.

Now comes the transformative part: scrambling and distributing. Utilise the versatile features of Squeyle 0.12 to scramble your scale tracks independently - still within their common scale - or distribute them using hocket technique. The final touch can be added by employing the device's morphing feature by shift-clicking the second preset slot, therefore shifting in real time between two different scales. To fully experience the shifts taking place, feed the same (or different) clip or begin playing in real-time while manipulating the device parameters.

Squeyle 0.12 is equipped with two more features that give you further control over your sound: REV/OFFSET and LIVE DIAL. The REV/OFFSET function enables you to reverse or offset all scale tracks by one semi-tone, allowing for a different perspective on your music. The LIVE DIAL, on the other hand, permits smooth transposing of all your tracks within the selected scale, providing greater freedom and flexibility.

The additional feature, BASE STORING, ensures that the base of each Scale device can be saved, recalled or left dormant - an added utility factor to the seemingly endless list of Squeyle's capabilities.

Despite Squeyle 0.12 being in its beta release stage, with some bugs reported by users, it presents itself as an undeniably powerful device that can cater to professionals and beginners alike. It provides a vast area to explore scale manipulation and creative sound morphing, truly unlocking the power of multi-track scale distribution and morphing in Ableton Live.

Example Usage

I'm going to help you unlock the power of scales with a fantastic Max4Live device called Squeyle 0.12 developed by schlam. This device is a game-changer for those looking to create a multi-track music composition with unique scale arrangements.

To start, let's discuss the setup. You'd want to add a stock 'scale' MIDI device to each track you intend to process with Squeyle. Next, add the Squeyle device to an audio track or the master channel.

Once that's done, press 'Refresh' on the device. If the number at the bottom of the device does not match the number of scale/track you've set up, just press 'Refresh' again. Now, let's get creative with our scales.

Create a scale in Squeyle. Remember, the bottom row functions as "no note," so don't worry about adding a note there. Once your scale is ready, all the tracks you've chosen previously will be linked to this same scale.

This is where you start exploring what Squeyle can do. You can Scramble or Distribute the scale across your tracks, or even tweak the matrix. Shift+click the first preset square slot to save your scale.

Now, to hear the magic of Squeyle, you need to send the same clip or realtime playing to each track that you've set up. As you do this, experiment with the device's settings.

For instance, you can click on the 'Scramble' button, which will jumble the scale sequencing on each track independently, but still within their scales. You can use the 'Distribute' function to spread a scale across different tracks.

Moreover, a powerful feature of Squeyle is its ability to Morph between 2 different scales. Just Shift+click on the 2 preset slots and move the automatable slider to chromatically morph up to 12 tracks between these scales.

Lastly, Squeyle comes with revolutionizing features such as 'REV/OFFSET' and the 'LIVE DIAL.' The REV/OFFSET allows you to reverse the scales on all tracks or offset them by one semi-tone. The LIVE DIAL lets you transpose all the tracks within the scales you've set.

There you have it. A step-by-step guide on using Squeyle 0.12 to add a new dimension to your music. Despite being an early beta release with some minor bugs, Squeyle 0.12 is an exciting device and is sure to add a lot of value to your Ableton setup. Excited to hear the music you create with this clever tool.

Let's dive into a creative example to unlock the power of Scales with Squeyle 0.12 in Ableton Live. This example will walk you through distributing a minor scale across several tracks to create a rich, multi-dimensional sound.

First, set up your Ableton Live session by creating four tracks with different sound-generating Ableton devices (like a Wavetable, a Sampler, a Drum Rack, and an Analog), to create a varied soundscape.

Insert a stock 'Scale' MIDI device on each track, ensuring it is not grouped or nested. This increases the flexibility for scale distribution. Now, insert the Squeyle 0.12 on your master track.

Press 'REFRESH' on the Squeyle interface; the bold number at the bottom should indicate '4', the number of scale/track detected. If it doesn't, press 'REFRESH' again.

Create a minor scale in Squeyle. We'll start with A minor for illustrative purpose, but feel free to experiment with other scales. The difference between distributing a scale in Squeyle and inputting notes in the MIDI roll manually is in the surprise you get with Squeyle; you can base your progression on a scale but not know exactly what harmonies it will generate, thus getting a sense of newness and exploration.

With our scale created in Squeyle, all our four tracks now share the same scale. To save your scale, perform a shift-click on the 1st preset square slot.

Now that we have our scale distributed, let's "SCRAMBLE". Clicking 'Scramble' will independently scramble the scale across your tracks while keeping everything in the same key. This creates unique harmonies and pairings of notes you might not think of when manually inputting notes into the MIDI roll.

Following the scramble, perform a second shift-click, this time on the 2nd preset slot.

To hear the result, we need to activate clips in all the tracks. I recommend designing one clip in each track, then sending it to the respective tracks. Adjust the amount of notes, duration, and velocity to taste, but make sure all notes are within the same scale.

Now, you can start shaping your sound by playing in real-time with the scale morphing slider between the two saved presets, scrambling, distributing, and tweaking the matrice. By reverse or offsetting the entire scale, you can shift your tonal center by one semi tone, which offers a sophisticated level of complexity and movement in your composition.

Incorporate the LIVE DIAL, which allows transposing all the tracks within the current scale for harmonic consistency and experimentation with scales and emotions they generate.

The Base Storing feature gives the opportunity for each Scale device's "base" to be saved/recalled, yielding more options for reusing and repurposing developed sound palettes.

Experiment with these tools on Squeyle 0.12 to understand how scale distribution and morphing can unlock new doors of creativity in your music. Remember, the goal here is not a scientifically perfect execution but to discover harmonies, rhythms, and note pairings that surprise and inspire you. Happy experimenting!

Further Thoughts

In the realm of experimental melody creation, 'Squeyle 0.12' is an invaluable tool. This Max4Live device by schlam allows users to facilitate a 'hocket' like technique, but with scales. This advanced usage example will guide you on how to use 'Squeyle 0.12' for elaborate scale distribution and morphing across your tracks in Ableton Live.

Firstly, it's essential to set up your Ableton session. To experience the full power of Squeyle 0.12, create multiple midi tracks. On each track, insert a stock 'scale' MIDI device. Remember, Squeyle doesn't work independently but controls and synchronises the 'scale devices' of your live set.

Now, insert 'Squeyle 0.12' on an audio track, press REFRESH until the number at the bottom of the device matches the number of tracks with scale/track you inserted. This indicates that Squeyle has successfully detected all your tracks.

Next, create or draw a scale in Squeyle. Remember that the bottom row acts as "no note", and there is no 13th row. Once you've drawn your scale, all your tracks now share the same scale. To save the scale, shift+click the first preset square slot.

The real fun begins when you start manipulating the scales across your tracks. Click on 'Scramble' or 'Distribute', or tweak the matrice to start modifying the scales on your tracks. Each track’s scale will be scrambled independently but will remain faithful to its original scale. This allows for fascinating, interlinked yet unique scalar melodies.

To hear what you've done with your scales, you need to send the same (or different) clip or realtime playing to each of the tracks you're processing while tweaking the device. This way, the resulting sound will be a cacophony of scales, each twisted and turned in its distinct way whilst harmoniously blending with the others.

For shifting scales in real-time, Squeyle 0.12 has a phenomenal morphing feature. After your initial manipulations, shift+click the 2nd preset slot to begin morphing. This takes your tracks on a seamless journey between two distinct scales, adding a dynamic aspect to your composition.

Lastly, Squeyle provides additional features for nuanced control. The REV/OFFSET option can reverse or offset your scales by a semitone. The LIVE DIAL allows comprehensive transposition within the current scale, while the BASE STORING feature provides control over the "base" of each Scale device being saved/recalled or not.

Remember Squeyle 0.12 is in beta mode and might have a few glitches, but don't let that deter your sonic exploration. Navigation through the various layers of scales and morphing them in real-time not only expands your melody creation palette but also morphs your approach towards music production holistically.

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