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Abletonâs Scale is a powerful MIDI effect that allows you to constrain every note on your keyboard to a specified scale. For example, if you wanted all of your keys to play only notes within an A minor scale, Abletonâs Scale can do this.
In this tutorial weâll take a look at how Scale works and map out some of our own scales.
The Basics Of Scale
A full octave of notes runs 12 keys (both white and black) on a keyboard.
Here is what one octave looks like on a keyboard:
In this octave there is the potential for a scale. A scale is a sequence of notes within the octave that fits a musical key.
Below is an example of a C Major Scale:
If a song is in the key of C Major, you could play any of those notes, and it would make âmusical senseâ within the song.
Any of the black keys (sharp/flat notes) would not fit within a C Major scale. This is where Abletonâs Scale comes in.
With Scale, you can make it so that the black keys (sharps/flats) are forced to play the same notes as the white keys. For example; an A# note on your keyboard would be shifted with Scale to play an A note
Sure there are doubles of some notes (the A# key plays an A note, as well as the A key), but this means itâs impossible to play the âwrong notesâ in any particular scale.
Abletonâs Scale In Action
As a simple exercise, weâre going to force all twelve of our keys to play only C notes.
- Drop a soft synth (Analog or Operator is fine) onto an empty MIDI track.
- Under the MIDI Effects folder in Abletonâs File and Device Browser, drop âScaleâ onto the same MIDI track.
Your copy of Scale should now look like this:
Click to activate each square on the bottom row of Scale.
Play some notes on your keyboard. Notice no matter what key you hit, youâre always getting a C note.
The only difference is when you reach the end of 12 keys, it changes an octave higher or lower.
Using Scaleâs âBaseâ Knob
Even though we have a simple âAll C Notesâ scale programmed, letâs change the base of the scale with the âBaseâ knob.
- In Scale, locate the knob labeled âBaseâ.
- Shift the knob up once to C#.
- Play some notes on your keyboard.
You should only hear C# notes being played. Whatâs happening is that Scale has shifted the âBaseâ of our notes to C#.
Shifting The Key Of A C Major Scale
Lets program a C Major scale (I know there is a preset for this, but learn by doing!):
- Change back our base scale to C on the âBaseâ knob.
- Reset back to the âAll C Notesâ scale by click on the lowest notes horizontally.
Your scale should look like this:
- Leave the first two horizontal boxes (C and C#) at a âCâ note.
- Bring the next two horizontal boxes (D and D#) 2 steps up to a âDâ
- Bring the next horizontal box (E) 4 steps up to an âEâ
- Bring the next two horizontal boxes (F and F#) 5 steps up to an âFâ
- Bring the next two horizontal boxes up (G and G#) 7 steps up to a âGâ
- Bring the next two horizontal boxes up (A and A#) 9 steps up to an âAâ
- Finally, bring the last horizontal box (B) 11 steps up to a B.
Your final C Major scale should look like this:
- At this point, all you have to do is turn the âBaseâ knob to any desired key, and your scale will conform to that key.
Here is what the key shift looks like:
I highly recommend visiting this site which has tons of visual scale charts. Use this to practice programming your own scaled into Abletonâs Scale.
The Other Options Explained
Okay, so you have a grasp of how the basics of Abletonâs Scale works. Letâs dissect the other options that are a part of scale.
Transpose â Use this option to transpose your performance up a certain number of steps. Similar to the âBaseâ knob, however, this option does not change the root of the scale.
Fold â If a note is six semitones away from the original, this button will shift it down an octave. Say you have a C1 and next to it you have a G#2, enabling fold will shift the G#2 to a G#1.
Range and Lowest â These options allow you to set the range of keys that are affected by Abletonâs Scale. With the Lowest note selected, and a certain range set, you could theoretically map a scale to only a set amount of keys.
Practice Your Scales!
As I mentioned before, the more you work with the scale, the better you will get used to it. Not all of use have the time or ability to learn all the scaled on a keyboard.
Abletonâs Scale offers a powerful alternative, and with a little bit of forethought, can be used to create scales ranging from the simple to the exotic!
Download 350 of the best MIDI files (limited time only): Click Here
Arguably, MIDI Files are now as important as sheet music.
That’s because with MIDI files you can control EVERYTHING from soft synths to hardware synthesizers, drum machines, samplers, and so many different types of MIDI controllers (like an Ableton Push for example).
Don’t get me wrong — sheet music is still widely used, but many modern music producers just write songs directly in the piano roll or MIDI editor from their DAW.
Not to mention, in the same fashion people would look for sheet music to study other composers, you can now look for MIDI files and learn from your favorite music producers!
MIDI files can range from simple melodies, chords progressions, MIDI drum grooves, even to fully completed songs!
You can study them by getting MIDI files from songs that you really like, putting them inside your DAW, and study how the artist arranged the chords, melody, drum grooves, and bass line — assuming it's all included in the MIDI file.
For that reason, MIDI files are really valuable as an educational resource.
But unfortunately, not every song out there is available as a MIDI file.
So, to help you find all the best MIDI files online, we’ve gathered a list of over 133 MIDI files!
And the best part is, they’re ALL free. So you can download them without worrying about the cost, and start learning instantly.
Also — please keep in mind that the Cymatics free MIDI files are the only ones that are guaranteed to be royalty free!
Cymatics Free MIDI Files
We have been creating MIDI files for quite a long time and included most of them in our sample packs.
We received an incredible response, and for that reason we had to start releasing even more free MIDI files as a token of our appreciation.
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 1
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 2
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 3
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 4
Cymatics - MIDI Chord Progressions Vol 5
Cymatics - Future Bass MIDI Files And Loops
Academy.fm MIDI Files (Free for a Limited Time)
If you want the highest quality original MIDI files online, you can access them with a free trial of Academy.fm!
Each MIDI pack includes 50 chord progressions that are perfect for any genre of EDM or Hip Hop. These MIDI packs will instantly improve your songwriting!
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 1
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 2
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 3
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 4
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 5
Academy.fm - Essential MIDI Collection Vol 6
EDM Free MIDI Files
EDM has been one of the fastest rising musical genres in recent years.
One of the best ways to make great EDM songs is to have really catchy hooks and memorable melodies!
For that reason, we searched for some of the biggest EDM hit songs, that way you can study some of its most common songwriting techniques and implement them in your own production.
Alan Walker - Faded
Alan Walker - Alone
Alan Walker - Sing Me To Sleep
Calvin Harris - My Way
Calvin Harris - Blame
Deadmau5 - So There I Was
Deadmau5 - 2448
Deadmau5 - Deus Ex Machina
Deadmau5 - No Problem
Deadmau5 - Hyperlandia
Deadmau5 - Let Go
Galantis & Hook N Sling - Love On Me
Galantis - No Money
Galimatias - Noelle’s Eloquence
Madeon - Icarus
Marshmello - Alone
Marshmello - Ritual
Marshmello - Summer
Martin Garrix - In The Name Of Love
Martin Garrix - Scared To Be Lonely
Martin Garrix - Hold On & Believe
Nero - The Thrill (Porter Robinson Remix)
Pegboard Nerds - Emoji
Pegboard Nerds - Melodymania
Pendulum - Witchcraft
Pendulum - Salt In The Wounds
Porter Robinson - Sad Machine
Porter Robinson & Madeon - Shelter
Vanic - Make Me Fade
Wax Motif & Vindata - Crazy
Zedd & Grey - Starving
Electronica Free MIDI Files
Electronica is another music genre that has had a big amount of success in recent years.
Some of its biggest artists like Cashmere Cat, Mura Masa, and ODESZA even made a successful crossover to the Pop music and mainstream radio world.
Producers in this music genre tend to incorporate a little bit more advanced songwriting techniques.
For that reason, “Electronica” is a really fun music genre to study that will definitely help you out getting your songwriting and production techniques to the next level!
Cashmere Cat - With me
Cashmere Cat - Rice Rain
Dawn Golden - All I Want (Manila Killa Remix)
Flume - Insane
Mura Masa - What If I Go
Mura Masa - Suicide Blades
ODESZA - Sun Models
Oh Wonder - All We Do
RUFUS - You Were Right
San Holo - Light
Pop Music Free MIDI Files
Pop music has been the most successful music genre for decades.
What many people don’t know is that Pop music producers actually borrow a lot of songwriting and production techniques from smaller genres.
This is one of the reasons why Pop music has barely seen any decline in popularity for years!
They don’t reinvent the wheel, they just keep borrowing elements from different music genres and innovate, making it accessible to the masses.
We highly encourage you to study some of these Pop songs. There’s a great deal to learn about them, and you’ll be well on your way to make catchy songs that’ll appeal to a bigger audience!
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song
Bruno Mars - Runaway Baby
Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Ellie Goulding - Love Me Like You Do
Enya - Memory of Trees
George Ezra – Budapest
Gorillaz - Saturnz Barz
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know
Imagine Dragons - Demons
James Blunt - You’re Beautiful
Major Lazer - Run Up
One Direction - Best Song Ever
Selena Gomez - Love You Like A Love Song
The Chainsmokers - Paris
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay - Something Just Like This
The Chainsmokers - Setting Fires
The Chainsmokers - Closer
The Chainsmokers - All We Know
The Weeknd - Party Monster
The Weeknd - I Feel It Coming
The Weeknd - Reminder
RnB, Hip Hop & Trap Free MIDI Files
Just like Pop music — RnB, Hip Hop, and Trap have had an incredible amount of success for decades.
These music genres also made successful crossovers to the mainstream radio world. Just as we mentioned above, borrowing elements from other styles of music is a great way to keep your music interesting.
These music styles tend to have some of the best drum grooves and sampling techniques — creatively speaking — so make sure to check some of these out!
Kaaris - Charge (Mr. Carmack Remix)
Kaytranada - You
Mr. Carmack - Crash (Charms)
Mr. Carmack - Pay For What
RUFUS - Innerbloom (What So Not Remix)
RL Grime - Aurora
RL Grime - Neat
Sam Gellaitry - Shake
Sam Gellaitry - Dreamscapes
Zeds Dead & NGHTMRE - Frontlines
Rock & Metal Free MIDI Files
Many people grew up listening to Rock and Metal music. Arguably, they were two of the most popular genres that had a place in the mainstream limelight before other styles took over.
Bands and artists in the likes of Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses — and more recent bands like Linkin Park and U2 — have become classics!
Even if they’re not that popular anymore, they achieved their status for one reason...
Incredible songwriting!
You can only benefit by studying some of these timeless songs.
Aerosmith - Dream On
Aerosmith - Come Together
Aerosmith - Janie’s Got A Gun
Cars - Let the Good Times Roll
Cat Stevens - Father and Son
Cat Stevens - Moonshadow
Def Leppard - Armageddon It
Def Leppard - Bringing On The Heartbreak
Doors - Break On Through
Doors - Love Me Two Times
Doors - The End
Eagles - Hotel California
Eagles - How Long
Eagles - Take it Easy
Eiffel 65 - Blue
Elton John - Circle Of Life
Elton John - Rocket Man
Elton John - Tiny Dancer
Elton John – Your Song
Fall Out Boy - Light Em' Up
Fall Out Boy - Sugar We’re Going Down
Greenday - Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
Greenday - Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Guns N Roses - Dust In The Wind
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watch Tower
Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line
Kiss - Detroit Rock City
Linkin Park - In The End
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Free Bird
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man’s Party
Oingo Boingo - Grey Matter
Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
R.E.M. - Losing My Religion
R.E.M. - The One I Love
Rolling Stones - Paint it Black
Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
Tears for Fears - Head Over Heals
U2 - I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
U2 - With or Without You
FL Studio Exclusive Free MIDI Files And Projects
In this section you’ll find exclusively FL Studio projects that might include different type of MIDI files, ranging from melodies, to chords, and even fully arranged songs!
ALL MARTIN GARRIX MELODIES (FL STUDIO) [Almost] 2016 *FLP DL*
Best of Marshmello Melody Compilation in Fl Studio + FLP
Best Melodies of 2016 & 2017 in Fl Studio! [FREE FLP & MIDI] (The Chainsmokers, Dj Snake
Best of EDM Melodies 2016 in FL Studio (pt 3) (FREE FLP)
Best of Calvin Harris and David Guetta Melody in FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best EDM Melodies 2015 - 2016 Part 1 By: Gerson Remakes - FL STUDIO
Best of R3HAB Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best of KSHMR Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Best of Hardwell Melody In FL Studio (FREE FLP)
Fl Studio: Beautiful Piano Melody (Free FLP Download)
Other Free MIDI Files
In this section you’ll find a few other MIDI files that will serve you as tools or inspiration to start new music projects, make sure to use them wisely!
Progressive House MIDI Pack Free Download
Ableton Live Royalty Free Progressive House MIDI Download - Alesso Manse Martin Garrix DVBBS STYLE
50 Royalty Free Midi Chords - FREE DOWNLOAD + Ableton Project File
Original EDM Melodies MIDI Pack Vol.1 (Progressive House)
Original EDM Melodies MIDI Pack Vol.2 (Progressive House)
TuenStudios: 60 Free MIDI Melodies
Uplifting Trance Chords and Melodies Volume 2 (Midi pack download)
Conclusion
The ultimate goal of this huge list of MIDI files is to give you an insight on how different genres are composed and arranged.
Having a good understanding of different music genres can open you many doors as a music producer, as versatility is a very sought skill.
These MIDI files can also serve as a great foundation to spark new ideas and we encourage you to experiment with them, but always keep in mind to pay respect to the original artist.
If you know about any other free MIDI files that aren’t included in this list, please let us know in the comment section below!
Bookmark this to stay updated, as we will continue to add resources to this list!