3 Comments
User's avatar
Marco Raaphorst's avatar

Interesting. I agree that changing keys is not always necessary, but staying in one key can be boring. Live 12 has this feature called Scale Mode. You cannot automate it, so a key change is not possible. This kind of feature forces the user into a way of working. So I think the tools we use are the reason we don't hear so many key changes. On a piano or a guitar it's very logical, but on modern equipment it's very complicated.

The cool thing is that it makes room for new ways of making music, but the complexity of the key changes makes for a more rigid sound. I think it is just a matter of time. Fancy key changes will come back when the tools make it easier. Perhaps in Live 13, if they decide to add this feature to automate scale mode... who knows?

Expand full comment
Ethan Hein's avatar

Even if you could automate scale mode, you would have to know that it was a thing you wanted to do and why you would do it. I have a feeling that anyone who would be able to automate scale switches didn't need them to begin with.

Expand full comment
Marco Raaphorst's avatar

Yes, it needs adoption from the music makers.

AI does change keys. Which also is interesting.

Expand full comment