Scala Scale

A module that generates an S-Poly scale signal from a .scl Scala file.

Scala files are relatively small text files that describe the tuning of notes in a scale.

This module is helpful when working with unusual scales that use microtonal tunings rather than the more common equal tempered (12-TET) scales provided by other LSSP modules.

Files can be loaded by clicking on the LOAD button or by dragging and dropping them onto the module.

The pitch of the first note of the scale is determined by a 1 V / octave CV connected to the KEY IN socket. If nothing is connected then the tonic is C2.

Scala files usually contain a short textual description and this can be viewed by clicking on the DESCRIPTION button.

Once a Scala file has been loaded the data is stored inside the Voltage Modular patch so the original file is no longer required.

An archive of many thousands of Scala files is available at https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/downloads.html#scales. Most of these files are quite esoteric in nature but if you are interested in microtonality then you probably already have some knowledge about the archive.

There's a useful text file at https://www.huygens-fokker.org/docs/scalesdir.txt that contains a brief description of each scale.

See https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html for technical details about the Scala file format.

This module can only handle scales containing up to 15 notes as this is the maximum number of different pitches that can be transmitted by an S-Poly connection using the S-Poly scale/chord format.