Dimension Pro 1.2 and Scala - Transposing

I'm not sure if a) I do this in Scala; b) in Dimension Pro; or c) I'm overthinking it and it's a lot simpler than I'm making it.....

For the SCALA crowd: I've created a fun little scale based on the harmonic overtone series, nos. 8-32, normalized, so that it's become a 16 key "octave." Fabulous harmonic relationships, b/c as you reach partials 17-32 you start to deviate wildly from the expected western scale relationships, yet once your ears attune to the sound, it makes perfect sense....

But here's my question. When I create the scale in SCALA, save it over to my DimPro/Tunings file and then load it into an element, I seem to be locked into the harmonic series based on Middle C. But my piece is in, let's say, the key of A, so I really want to explore the harmonics of A, a minor third down from C. And to get really neat relationships, let's say I want to set up another instrument where the harmonics are based on D.....

But I'm stumped on how to do this. In Scala, there's a function called Modify/Key, where it allows me adjust scale degrees, but I'm not quite sure what that does....and the help function associated with it doesn't seem to match perfectly. Or, I can use SET FREQUENCY and reset the base freq to 220 and save the scale under a different name, but that seems more like a work around than the right solution. In DimPro, when I use transpose, it only transposes the MIDI notekey within the context of the existing scale. It doesn't reset the harmonic base.

So, I know there are some very smart SCALA types here, I've read the posts and B Rock was very helpful with yesterday's stupid question...

I probably overwrote this question, but I wanted to make sure I had full disclosure of my own bumbling attempts at finding the answer.

Thanks in advance.

Andrew

b is correct. Just use the 'Transpose' function in Dimension Pro main display to set the center of your scale wherever you need.



-René

Unfortunately, using Transpose in the multisample area doesn't work if you have a scale that is (per scala) not normalized. In other words, it doesn't actually transpose the tonic or base partial of a harmonic series, it simply moves you X number of steps up or down within the partial list.

Transpose actually sets the center for the Scala. If you transpose down one semitone, then the center of your scala file moves from C to B. If you transpose two semitones, it moves from B to A. The rest of the scala remains unchanged, provided that you keep the transposition on the new tonality.

If an interval which is not a multiple of semitones (100 cents) is required, you can use a combination of tune and transpose.



-René

thanks - I got sucked away from music (it's that paying job thing, keeps coming up every Monday), but I'll look at tonight. Part of it is I may have outsmarted myself by creating my own harmonic scales, rather than relying on the 3000+ that already exist. I'm sure that the existing scales will all transpose the way you outline.

Out of curiosity, if you don't mind me asking, what 'kind' of music do you write that you use alternative tunings? Not so long ago, microtuning was the exclusive domain of the avant-garde classical types (my background), but with access through Scala and synths growing so quickly, it seems that it is finally cutting across all different kinds of music. Harry Partch would be so happy!

Andrew