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Cons:
Scaler Music has unveiled Scaler 3, a major update that implements with workflow changes, including 3rd party plugin implementation. This update includes an additional timeline MIDI editor, audio and MIDI export, standalone functionality, and a new Create page. Scaler 3 aims to become the next homebase for a new generation of music producers. But does this major update live ip to the hype?
Contenido
Scaler 3 is an effective tool for teaching yourself music theory without needing a tutor. The new workflow introduces a sequence that gets you working right away with sound. When working with your DAW, it removes the initial intimidation of facing a blank timeline. You can immediately start working with the sequence and structure of an actual song, and create a demo within 20 minutes, cutting out much of the trial and error that typically comes with this process.
Scaler 3 has introduced many new chord sets and one of my favorite new additions, known as Motions. These are musical phrases that will get you started with musical composition techniques. What I especially like about Motions is that you can actually see their shapes (which are pre-built), giving you a recursive sense of what makes up a musical phrase, which lays the foundation for creating your own phrases within the MIDI editor. We’ll expand on that later in the review.
In this Scalere 3 review, I will draw on some of my previous experience with Scaler 2. I will use simple theory language so beginners can understand and get started with Scaler 3 as quickly as possible. Let’s get going!
Whether you’re a musicologist or don’t know anything about theory, Scaler makes it easy to quickly find what you’re looking for. Even if you are a student of theory, there will always be gaps in our knowledge – and Scaler 3 makes it easy to start filling in those gaps.
With Scaler 2, I was quite impressed that everything fit on one page – well, almost! There were times when rescaling the UI made it difficult to re-access parts of the menu, or certain parts would be cut off. Scaler Music has addressed this issue by making Scaler 3 a 3-part plugin. The three main pages are located in the upper left corner – right next to the Scaler logo. They are the Browse Page, Create Page, and Arrange Page.
To the right of the main page tabs, you’ll notice there are brand-new DAW-like Transport controls.
Starting from the left:
Presets
A first for Scaler, you now have a selection of Templates to start from, as well as the ability to save your own User Presets.
Transport (+ MIDI/Audio Detect)
By default, Scaler is set to MIDI Capture. However, when you press on the “Record” button, you have the option in a drop-down menu to either detect MIDI or Audio.
Note: By default, Scaler is in DAW sync mode. If you want to quickly turn this off, right-click on the Play button in the Transport controls.
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Loop Region
Similar to the one found in your DAW, this will repeat the highlighted portion of your Timeline. The Loop Region will highlight in grey when activated.
Position
This is a reference for Scaler’s position on the timeline. When DAW Sync is on, the position should be synced with your DAW’s.
Time Signature/BPM
Set to 4/4 and 120BPM by default. When DAW Sync is on, these values follow the ones in your DAW.
MIDI Panic
If there is ever any issue with MIDI playback, simply click this button.
Export
New in Scaler 3 is Audio Export, which is specifically helpful for when using third party plugins and effects. MIDI Export is also available, though you can also simply drag and drop MIDI you see on-screen into your DAW.
Undo/Redo
Simply put, this will undo or redo actions in Scaler 3.
Hamburger (Settings)
Note: Go to this menu and click on Preferences – Show Tooltips when you’re starting out.
The Browse page is where all the sampling of different chords, progressions, and theory elements begins. To give an example of the typical workflow within Scaler 3, I’ll take you through my experience of making a demo in the plugin. There is a new Search function that allows you to search for moods or individual scales.
First, I started by playing with some Scales, but since that is closer to starting from scratch than I liked, I went on to some Chord Progressions. When you start with Scales, that gives you more control over phrasing, but requires more of you. Beginning with a Progression is like beginning with pre-set parameters of structure that you would have to create yourself by starting with a scale.
The Chord Set is your initial progression of chords, which come from the scale of origin. You can start with either a scale, or a chord progression set in the main bank.
To start with a scale, go to “All Scales”, select your scale, and drag in to C Main Track from B Current Scale.
To start with a chord progression, go through the chord progressions until you see something you like, and drag in to C Main Track from A Chord Set.
These progression sets are based upon all scales included in Scaler 3. For beginners I would recommend starting with a chord progression based on the genre you’re familiar with producing in. For me, I started with an Ambient chord set – Ambient 7 specifically, which is based on the A Harmonic Major Scale.
Once you choose your chord set, you will see it in the B Section – Current Scale. This will act as your reference point as you continue production. I recommend clicking on the little heart icon to the right of the chord progression in the menu so you have easy access should you come back to this style again.
The nice thing about starting with a chord progression is that you can customize them to your liking – they are simply a starting point. You can work by phrase or sketch out the entire song if you want.
You can work by phrase or sketch out the entire song if you want. For example, I added a repeat of IV D Octave, iv Dmin Octave(No.5) Add 9 / F, to the end of my Progression to add a sense of phrasing. You will likely find yourself doing similar things in Scaler 3 – adding to the predetermined aspects of the workflow with your own creative ideas.
So in my chord progression, I added 2 more chords from the default Progression in Ambient 7 to begin my work.
As long as you have your scale or chord progression selected, the default sequence of your current scale is displayed in the B section. Ex., for C Major, it will look like this:
The Main Track will serve as your initial track to get your song started, and will carry over to the Create and Arrange pages. Think of the Main Track as the heart of your song. It may not be the intro, or bridge, or other aspects of your song, but it is the launching-off point of your track.
The Main Track is also situated directly above some additional controls that themselves sit above the Piano Roll (which now sits at the bottom of the UI, whereas in past versions of Scaler was at the top – it’s much more intuitive this way in my opinion!) The keyboard is also lockable to your scale, and you can also see that every single key is labeled so you never lose your location.
Starting from the left:
Instrument Panel Display – Piano or Guitar
In a new addition, you may choose to display Scaler’s playback Instrument as a Piano (By default) or a Guitar. When set as Guitar, you will see the chords of your chosen Scale as a guitar fretboard, with the in-scale chords in blue.
When beginning your track, it may be helpful to hear your Chord Progression in other styles, and sounds, to suit the genre you are working in. After inputting your chord progressions, you can then activate Performance Mode, which will then enable you to access a bank of newly introduced Motions. Motions are the playstyle of the chord progression you have chosen. These Motions have associated illustrations that give you a sense of the shape of the Motion/performance.
Note: Motions appear in 3 common places in Scaler – in the Controls above your piano roll in the Browse Page (toggles on or off – a place to audition your current Main Track), in the Sketch tab in the Create Page (to create different aspects of your song) and finally when adding a new track to your Arrangement in the Arrange Page, whenever you click on the + button.
As you can see, there is a preview of the “shape” of each performance. This gives you a sense of the motion and percussiveness of the phrase as well. I recommend starting with Genres to begin, as these are likely to help guide you when you’re just starting out.
The Create page helps you expand on the foundation of your chord progression by adding your own touches. Here, you can access a host of additional customization based on the chords you have chosen. These customizations are based on proven music theory methods. I recommend you start in the Sketch section for building your song out. The other sections are a little more advanced.
The Circle of Fifths page can help you find not only related chords to your currently active Main Track scale, but similar scales as well. Major scales are on the outer edge, and Minor scales are in the inner circle. If you click on the innermost icon in the circle, you can switch between displaying Circle of Fifths chords as Sharps, Flats, or Natural (Scale Sensitive).
Scaler expresses the similarity between chords and your Main Track chords/scale in the Circle of Fifths tab like this:
Blue means that all keys are in your current Scale. Light means 1 key is outside your current Scale. Grey means that 2 or more keys are outside your current scale, but even a risky selection like this could fit.
The nice aspect of having these Light Blue and Grey options is that you would likely not otherwise be able to access them with your base knowledge of theory, even if well-versed. When learning theory it’s common sense to intentionally avoid breaking the rules. Scaler 3 helps to bridge that gap, no matter your skill level. And perhaps at an earlier skill level than you would in formal training.
The Modulation section returns from Scaler 2 in its own page, and implements some more advanced music theory concepts. It is possibly the deepest part of Scaler 3, as it is the only sub-page with its own sub-pages. These include:
Do not let these concepts intimidate you too much. Some research helped me understand some of them a little better, if only on a surface level. Scaler 3 invites you to up your skills to start exploring them further.
The Explore tab gives you a “constellation” view that may look somewhat similar to the Circle of Fifths.
The Explore tab is mood-based, rather than being explicitly theory-based. The chords on the left side are considered Light whereas the ones on the right are considered Dark, and of course two Neutral middle points. The chords on the inner circle tend to be ones that make more sense within your chosen Scale, and the ones on the outer circle are more adventurous choices.
The “Colors” tab represents different Voicings of your chosen Chord Progression. Where in Scaler 2 Voicings were a bit buried in the menu, they get their own dedicated section here.
Remember that in music theory, Voicings are a separate concept from Progressions. Progressions are a sequence of chords. Voicings are how the individual chords are played.
For example, you may have 3 different ways of playing a Major C chord. The Root version of a Major C is C-E-G, but you may play it as E-C-G, or G-C-E. This is simply changing what order makes up the chord, but you are playing the same notes. However, changing the voicing of a chord can change its essential feel and sound slightly.
In simple terms:
The Sketch page acts as a sort of extension of your main Chord Progression, but allows you to also audition alternatives to your current progression. These used to be implemented as Suggestions, but this is a far expanded version of the concept with multiple lanes of suggestions.
For example, the Chord Progression that I srarted with and modified may act as the main “phrase” or “hook. In the Sketch menu, I can come up with additional sections that make up other portions of the song. A lull in the form of a pre-Chorus Bridge, for example.
You can click on the Lightbulb icon, which generates a new Progression for you based on your currently selected scale. This can then be dragged into the C Main Track section, anywhere you like – the beginning or end for example. This is a hugely important part of the arrangement process, as you can add to the structure of your song this way.
The modular workflow of Scaler 3 allows you to leave this section and come back to it as you like. I especially appreciate how the Sketch section encourages you to continue re-iterating on the ideas included in your Main Track. This keeps you from getting “stuck” on the initial Chord Progression you have started. Plus, it gets you thinking about the other parts of your song.
The Arrange page introduces a multi-lane timeline editor not unlike the one in your DAW to Scaler 3. Now, you should be able to see your Main Track/Current Progression at the very top of this timeline. The timeline follows the playhead of your DAW by default, and you should be able to see the one in Scaler progressing at the same rate as your DAW when you hit “Play”.
In the Arrange page, You have a Timeline, MIDI editor and a MIXER, the latter of which is where you can also either choose from Scaler’s internal soundbank or from your device’s own internal plugins, and adjust volume of each track. You can also add instrument lanes based on Motions, which will follow your main Chord progression you already chose in the Browse page.
Every additional track we add is automatically going to play in tune with our Main Track chords. Again, the Main Track acts as a guideline from which all other elements follow. At the top of the Timeline your Main Track progression and scale are always at the top for you to reference.
Note: You can press Shift + Click on any of these chords and it will mute the individual chord.
Each chord in the Main track can be adjusted in length, and you can move any chord around the length of the timeline to arrange each section as needed. Any added tracks will follow suit and change as well if they are Blue. The Arrange Page is where the Loop Region option is most useful. You can for example arrange out to a certain number of chords, then begin composing a new separate grouping of chords with the Loop Region on, without having to replay the entire phrase.
Add a MIDI track by clicking on the little + icon at the top of the timeline:
The MIDI editor is your hub to further customize Phrases you have added as tracks to your Timeline.
By default when you create a Phrase, the MIDI will be “attached” to your Main Track, and appear Blue. This makes it easy to continue adding parts to your arrangement without having to worry about anything falling out of time. You could for example begin building out your song in this timeline and slowly drag in section-by-section into your DAW, while still maintaining the structure of your song within Scaler.
When you edit a MIDI phrase, it will turn Red, and become independent from the Main Track, so keep that in mind.
Note: You can see the Main Track chord notes in a greyed-out form underneath the Piano Roll. This works as a reference point for you to be able to stay on track while continuing to compose.
This parallel method of working with your Main Track chord progression adapts as you adjust the length of any chords – for example, if you lengthen one chord, all other tracks will follow and play their part for as long as the Main Track does, then change when the next chord comes up.
The Mouse, Eraser, Pencil and Scissor tools are right on hand for you to use and changes will be reflected in the Timeline.
The Mixer is where you can control the volume output of the different parts of your song. This is also where you can use 3rd party plugins – either instruments or FX. If you want to keep it simple however, Scaler has provided some very nice internal default sounds – I myself actually like starting with the Felt Piano, as it got me thinking in an “Arrangement” way before I got too deep into the “Sound Design” part.
There are a few different workflows you can consider when working in Scaler 3:
There are probably more methods, but these are the main 3 that most will find themselves using, and it may take a few sessions with the software to determine which works best for you – no matter how you begin however, Scaler 3 is as accessible as something with this deep a feature set can be, and we find ourselves returning to it often.
Scaler 3 is almost two whole versions of updates in one; it is almost unrecognizable from its previous iteration. The previous version had quite a few hurdles to overcome to outclass itself, and Scaler Music has addressed every single one of these with mastery and class.
Aside from the UI scaling receiving an improvement, there have been intuitive improvements to the workflow that are invaluable. I had some challenges with the previous version of Scaler being a single-panel UI, especially in the iPad version. Now, Scaler feels like a full-fledged experience, where each page is a place to invest time into, and where you will genuinely get results.
I found myself unconsciously learning aspects of theory as I worked on this Scaler 3 review – for example:
If you want to take a break from our Scaler 3 review, here you can watch an in-depth overview:
Scaler 3 is currently available for $79, an introductory reduction from the full price of $99. Users of Scaler 1 or 2 can get an even bigger discount at $29 during the current promotion – and for $39 when the promotion ends on April 30th.
You can purchase Scaler 3 directly from Scaler’s website or through Plugin Boutique.
Technical Specifications:
Note: Scaler 3 for iOS will be launched Q2, 2025 and it will require a separate purchase through the App Store.
While working on this Scaler 3 review, I’ve found the software to be exceptionally effective for sketching out demos – and why not, for inspiring new tracks. It’s not trying to be a DAW, but those workflow enhancements have become an indispensable part of my process. The Sketch page, in particular, is a significant asset. The way it generates intelligent phrase suggestions, allowing for experimentation without committing to the track view, is genuinely useful.
I think Scaler 3 can be a valuable tool for any musician’s toolkit, especially considering the theory learning curve. Many producers can operate without extensive theory knowledge, but even for experienced artists, Scaler 3 unlocks new creative possibilities. Who wants to feel restricted, right? These workflow techniques are not just about speed; they facilitate new ways to sketch out songs, while subtly reinforcing music theory. And the best part? It’s all packaged in a way that’s genuinely accessible, regardless of skill level.
Worth knowing: Scaler 3 is LITTERALLY a major update. According to the developer, ‘everything in Scaler 3 is rebuilt from the ground up’. While this ambitious overhaul brings exciting new features, some areas may still feel rough around the edges. Over the coming months, you can expect updates and fixes to refine the experience further. To stay informed or share your feedback, consider joining the official forum and becoming part of the Scaler community.
C_Quin is a producer, playlist curator, and 1/2 of 3rdPersonProductions – a music collective from WA, US. Please visit @3rdPersonProd on Instagram for more info!
Music Theory Assistant on Steroids
Scaler 3 is a valuable tool for any musician’s toolkit, especially considering the theory learning curve. Many producers can operate without extensive theory knowledge, but even for experienced artists, Scaler 3 unlocks new creative possibilities.
Pros:
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Cons:
Scaler Music has unveiled Scaler 3, a major update that implements with workflow changes, including 3rd party plugin implementation. This update includes an additional timeline MIDI editor, audio and MIDI export, standalone functionality, and a new Create page. Scaler 3 aims to become the next homebase for a new generation of music producers. But does this major update live ip to the hype?
Scaler 3 is an effective tool for teaching yourself music theory without needing a tutor. The new workflow introduces a sequence that gets you working right away with sound. When working with your DAW, it removes the initial intimidation of facing a blank timeline. You can immediately start working with the sequence and structure of an actual song, and create a demo within 20 minutes, cutting out much of the trial and error that typically comes with this process.
Scaler 3 has introduced many new chord sets and one of my favorite new additions, known as Motions. These are musical phrases that will get you started with musical composition techniques. What I especially like about Motions is that you can actually see their shapes (which are pre-built), giving you a recursive sense of what makes up a musical phrase, which lays the foundation for creating your own phrases within the MIDI editor. We’ll expand on that later in the review.
In this Scalere 3 review, I will draw on some of my previous experience with Scaler 2. I will use simple theory language so beginners can understand and get started with Scaler 3 as quickly as possible. Let’s get going!
Whether you’re a musicologist or don’t know anything about theory, Scaler makes it easy to quickly find what you’re looking for. Even if you are a student of theory, there will always be gaps in our knowledge – and Scaler 3 makes it easy to start filling in those gaps.
With Scaler 2, I was quite impressed that everything fit on one page – well, almost! There were times when rescaling the UI made it difficult to re-access parts of the menu, or certain parts would be cut off. Scaler Music has addressed this issue by making Scaler 3 a 3-part plugin. The three main pages are located in the upper left corner – right next to the Scaler logo. They are the Browse Page, Create Page, and Arrange Page.
To the right of the main page tabs, you’ll notice there are brand-new DAW-like Transport controls.
Starting from the left:
Presets
A first for Scaler, you now have a selection of Templates to start from, as well as the ability to save your own User Presets.
Transport (+ MIDI/Audio Detect)
By default, Scaler is set to MIDI Capture. However, when you press on the “Record” button, you have the option in a drop-down menu to either detect MIDI or Audio.
Note: By default, Scaler is in DAW sync mode. If you want to quickly turn this off, right-click on the Play button in the Transport controls.
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Loop Region
Similar to the one found in your DAW, this will repeat the highlighted portion of your Timeline. The Loop Region will highlight in grey when activated.
Position
This is a reference for Scaler’s position on the timeline. When DAW Sync is on, the position should be synced with your DAW’s.
Time Signature/BPM
Set to 4/4 and 120BPM by default. When DAW Sync is on, these values follow the ones in your DAW.
MIDI Panic
If there is ever any issue with MIDI playback, simply click this button.
Export
New in Scaler 3 is Audio Export, which is specifically helpful for when using third party plugins and effects. MIDI Export is also available, though you can also simply drag and drop MIDI you see on-screen into your DAW.
Undo/Redo
Simply put, this will undo or redo actions in Scaler 3.
Hamburger (Settings)
Note: Go to this menu and click on Preferences – Show Tooltips when you’re starting out.
The Browse page is where all the sampling of different chords, progressions, and theory elements begins. To give an example of the typical workflow within Scaler 3, I’ll take you through my experience of making a demo in the plugin. There is a new Search function that allows you to search for moods or individual scales.
First, I started by playing with some Scales, but since that is closer to starting from scratch than I liked, I went on to some Chord Progressions. When you start with Scales, that gives you more control over phrasing, but requires more of you. Beginning with a Progression is like beginning with pre-set parameters of structure that you would have to create yourself by starting with a scale.
The Chord Set is your initial progression of chords, which come from the scale of origin. You can start with either a scale, or a chord progression set in the main bank.
To start with a scale, go to “All Scales”, select your scale, and drag in to C Main Track from B Current Scale.
To start with a chord progression, go through the chord progressions until you see something you like, and drag in to C Main Track from A Chord Set.
These progression sets are based upon all scales included in Scaler 3. For beginners I would recommend starting with a chord progression based on the genre you’re familiar with producing in. For me, I started with an Ambient chord set – Ambient 7 specifically, which is based on the A Harmonic Major Scale.
Once you choose your chord set, you will see it in the B Section – Current Scale. This will act as your reference point as you continue production. I recommend clicking on the little heart icon to the right of the chord progression in the menu so you have easy access should you come back to this style again.
The nice thing about starting with a chord progression is that you can customize them to your liking – they are simply a starting point. You can work by phrase or sketch out the entire song if you want.
You can work by phrase or sketch out the entire song if you want. For example, I added a repeat of IV D Octave, iv Dmin Octave(No.5) Add 9 / F, to the end of my Progression to add a sense of phrasing. You will likely find yourself doing similar things in Scaler 3 – adding to the predetermined aspects of the workflow with your own creative ideas.
So in my chord progression, I added 2 more chords from the default Progression in Ambient 7 to begin my work.
As long as you have your scale or chord progression selected, the default sequence of your current scale is displayed in the B section. Ex., for C Major, it will look like this:
The Main Track will serve as your initial track to get your song started, and will carry over to the Create and Arrange pages. Think of the Main Track as the heart of your song. It may not be the intro, or bridge, or other aspects of your song, but it is the launching-off point of your track.
The Main Track is also situated directly above some additional controls that themselves sit above the Piano Roll (which now sits at the bottom of the UI, whereas in past versions of Scaler was at the top – it’s much more intuitive this way in my opinion!) The keyboard is also lockable to your scale, and you can also see that every single key is labeled so you never lose your location.
Starting from the left:
Instrument Panel Display – Piano or Guitar
In a new addition, you may choose to display Scaler’s playback Instrument as a Piano (By default) or a Guitar. When set as Guitar, you will see the chords of your chosen Scale as a guitar fretboard, with the in-scale chords in blue.
When beginning your track, it may be helpful to hear your Chord Progression in other styles, and sounds, to suit the genre you are working in. After inputting your chord progressions, you can then activate Performance Mode, which will then enable you to access a bank of newly introduced Motions. Motions are the playstyle of the chord progression you have chosen. These Motions have associated illustrations that give you a sense of the shape of the Motion/performance.
Note: Motions appear in 3 common places in Scaler – in the Controls above your piano roll in the Browse Page (toggles on or off – a place to audition your current Main Track), in the Sketch tab in the Create Page (to create different aspects of your song) and finally when adding a new track to your Arrangement in the Arrange Page, whenever you click on the + button.
As you can see, there is a preview of the “shape” of each performance. This gives you a sense of the motion and percussiveness of the phrase as well. I recommend starting with Genres to begin, as these are likely to help guide you when you’re just starting out.
The Create page helps you expand on the foundation of your chord progression by adding your own touches. Here, you can access a host of additional customization based on the chords you have chosen. These customizations are based on proven music theory methods. I recommend you start in the Sketch section for building your song out. The other sections are a little more advanced.
The Circle of Fifths page can help you find not only related chords to your currently active Main Track scale, but similar scales as well. Major scales are on the outer edge, and Minor scales are in the inner circle. If you click on the innermost icon in the circle, you can switch between displaying Circle of Fifths chords as Sharps, Flats, or Natural (Scale Sensitive).
Scaler expresses the similarity between chords and your Main Track chords/scale in the Circle of Fifths tab like this:
Blue means that all keys are in your current Scale. Light means 1 key is outside your current Scale. Grey means that 2 or more keys are outside your current scale, but even a risky selection like this could fit.
The nice aspect of having these Light Blue and Grey options is that you would likely not otherwise be able to access them with your base knowledge of theory, even if well-versed. When learning theory it’s common sense to intentionally avoid breaking the rules. Scaler 3 helps to bridge that gap, no matter your skill level. And perhaps at an earlier skill level than you would in formal training.
The Modulation section returns from Scaler 2 in its own page, and implements some more advanced music theory concepts. It is possibly the deepest part of Scaler 3, as it is the only sub-page with its own sub-pages. These include:
Do not let these concepts intimidate you too much. Some research helped me understand some of them a little better, if only on a surface level. Scaler 3 invites you to up your skills to start exploring them further.
The Explore tab gives you a “constellation” view that may look somewhat similar to the Circle of Fifths.
The Explore tab is mood-based, rather than being explicitly theory-based. The chords on the left side are considered Light whereas the ones on the right are considered Dark, and of course two Neutral middle points. The chords on the inner circle tend to be ones that make more sense within your chosen Scale, and the ones on the outer circle are more adventurous choices.
The “Colors” tab represents different Voicings of your chosen Chord Progression. Where in Scaler 2 Voicings were a bit buried in the menu, they get their own dedicated section here.
Remember that in music theory, Voicings are a separate concept from Progressions. Progressions are a sequence of chords. Voicings are how the individual chords are played.
For example, you may have 3 different ways of playing a Major C chord. The Root version of a Major C is C-E-G, but you may play it as E-C-G, or G-C-E. This is simply changing what order makes up the chord, but you are playing the same notes. However, changing the voicing of a chord can change its essential feel and sound slightly.
In simple terms:
The Sketch page acts as a sort of extension of your main Chord Progression, but allows you to also audition alternatives to your current progression. These used to be implemented as Suggestions, but this is a far expanded version of the concept with multiple lanes of suggestions.
For example, the Chord Progression that I srarted with and modified may act as the main “phrase” or “hook. In the Sketch menu, I can come up with additional sections that make up other portions of the song. A lull in the form of a pre-Chorus Bridge, for example.
You can click on the Lightbulb icon, which generates a new Progression for you based on your currently selected scale. This can then be dragged into the C Main Track section, anywhere you like – the beginning or end for example. This is a hugely important part of the arrangement process, as you can add to the structure of your song this way.
The modular workflow of Scaler 3 allows you to leave this section and come back to it as you like. I especially appreciate how the Sketch section encourages you to continue re-iterating on the ideas included in your Main Track. This keeps you from getting “stuck” on the initial Chord Progression you have started. Plus, it gets you thinking about the other parts of your song.
The Arrange page introduces a multi-lane timeline editor not unlike the one in your DAW to Scaler 3. Now, you should be able to see your Main Track/Current Progression at the very top of this timeline. The timeline follows the playhead of your DAW by default, and you should be able to see the one in Scaler progressing at the same rate as your DAW when you hit “Play”.
In the Arrange page, You have a Timeline, MIDI editor and a MIXER, the latter of which is where you can also either choose from Scaler’s internal soundbank or from your device’s own internal plugins, and adjust volume of each track. You can also add instrument lanes based on Motions, which will follow your main Chord progression you already chose in the Browse page.
Every additional track we add is automatically going to play in tune with our Main Track chords. Again, the Main Track acts as a guideline from which all other elements follow. At the top of the Timeline your Main Track progression and scale are always at the top for you to reference.
Note: You can press Shift + Click on any of these chords and it will mute the individual chord.
Each chord in the Main track can be adjusted in length, and you can move any chord around the length of the timeline to arrange each section as needed. Any added tracks will follow suit and change as well if they are Blue. The Arrange Page is where the Loop Region option is most useful. You can for example arrange out to a certain number of chords, then begin composing a new separate grouping of chords with the Loop Region on, without having to replay the entire phrase.
Add a MIDI track by clicking on the little + icon at the top of the timeline:
The MIDI editor is your hub to further customize Phrases you have added as tracks to your Timeline.
By default when you create a Phrase, the MIDI will be “attached” to your Main Track, and appear Blue. This makes it easy to continue adding parts to your arrangement without having to worry about anything falling out of time. You could for example begin building out your song in this timeline and slowly drag in section-by-section into your DAW, while still maintaining the structure of your song within Scaler.
When you edit a MIDI phrase, it will turn Red, and become independent from the Main Track, so keep that in mind.
Note: You can see the Main Track chord notes in a greyed-out form underneath the Piano Roll. This works as a reference point for you to be able to stay on track while continuing to compose.
This parallel method of working with your Main Track chord progression adapts as you adjust the length of any chords – for example, if you lengthen one chord, all other tracks will follow and play their part for as long as the Main Track does, then change when the next chord comes up.
The Mouse, Eraser, Pencil and Scissor tools are right on hand for you to use and changes will be reflected in the Timeline.
The Mixer is where you can control the volume output of the different parts of your song. This is also where you can use 3rd party plugins – either instruments or FX. If you want to keep it simple however, Scaler has provided some very nice internal default sounds – I myself actually like starting with the Felt Piano, as it got me thinking in an “Arrangement” way before I got too deep into the “Sound Design” part.
There are a few different workflows you can consider when working in Scaler 3:
There are probably more methods, but these are the main 3 that most will find themselves using, and it may take a few sessions with the software to determine which works best for you – no matter how you begin however, Scaler 3 is as accessible as something with this deep a feature set can be, and we find ourselves returning to it often.
Scaler 3 is almost two whole versions of updates in one; it is almost unrecognizable from its previous iteration. The previous version had quite a few hurdles to overcome to outclass itself, and Scaler Music has addressed every single one of these with mastery and class.
Aside from the UI scaling receiving an improvement, there have been intuitive improvements to the workflow that are invaluable. I had some challenges with the previous version of Scaler being a single-panel UI, especially in the iPad version. Now, Scaler feels like a full-fledged experience, where each page is a place to invest time into, and where you will genuinely get results.
I found myself unconsciously learning aspects of theory as I worked on this Scaler 3 review – for example:
If you want to take a break from our Scaler 3 review, here you can watch an in-depth overview:
Scaler 3 is currently available for $79, an introductory reduction from the full price of $99. Users of Scaler 1 or 2 can get an even bigger discount at $29 during the current promotion – and for $39 when the promotion ends on April 30th.
You can purchase Scaler 3 directly from Scaler’s website or through Plugin Boutique.
Technical Specifications:
Note: Scaler 3 for iOS will be launched Q2, 2025 and it will require a separate purchase through the App Store.
While working on this Scaler 3 review, I’ve found the software to be exceptionally effective for sketching out demos – and why not, for inspiring new tracks. It’s not trying to be a DAW, but those workflow enhancements have become an indispensable part of my process. The Sketch page, in particular, is a significant asset. The way it generates intelligent phrase suggestions, allowing for experimentation without committing to the track view, is genuinely useful.
I think Scaler 3 can be a valuable tool for any musician’s toolkit, especially considering the theory learning curve. Many producers can operate without extensive theory knowledge, but even for experienced artists, Scaler 3 unlocks new creative possibilities. Who wants to feel restricted, right? These workflow techniques are not just about speed; they facilitate new ways to sketch out songs, while subtly reinforcing music theory. And the best part? It’s all packaged in a way that’s genuinely accessible, regardless of skill level.
Worth knowing: Scaler 3 is LITTERALLY a major update. According to the developer, ‘everything in Scaler 3 is rebuilt from the ground up’. While this ambitious overhaul brings exciting new features, some areas may still feel rough around the edges. Over the coming months, you can expect updates and fixes to refine the experience further. To stay informed or share your feedback, consider joining the official forum and becoming part of the Scaler community.
C_Quin is a producer, playlist curator, and 1/2 of 3rdPersonProductions – a music collective from WA, US. Please visit @3rdPersonProd on Instagram for more info!
