MDScaler Machinedrum Tonal Quantizer for Monome Norns

Check out MDScaler — a Monome Norns script I developed to bring tonal pitch control and creative randomness to the Elektron Machinedrum (or any CC-controllable synth).

Author: HANJO — Tokyo, Japan & SyntheticJudah – Ural Mountains, Russia

With MDScaler, you can:
Quantize any incoming CC to a musical scale of your choice
Randomize notes within the active scale for generative ideas
Map to Machinedrum’s pitch parameter (using Tonal mode in X firmware)
Use parameter-lock compatible CC control so each step can evolve melodically
Switch encoder modes: channel select, CC number, note stepping, octave cycling
In this demo video, I walk through the interface, show it in action on a pattern, and explore how randomness + scale constraints can yield interesting melodic/rhythmic results.

Controls (via Norns / MDScaler):
Element Function
E1 Change Scale Mode
E2 Adjust Root Note (C, C#, D, etc.)
E3 Toggle between Channel / CC / Note modes
K2 Send a Random Note from current scale
K3 Mode Select (toggling E3 behavior)
K3 + K2 Cycle Octave
Pitch mapping / defaults:
By default, MDScaler maps to Machinedrum tracks via CCs using a consistent offset pattern across groups of 4 tracks (16, 40, 72, 96) per channel. You can reassign or explore as desired.

Links & Resources:
Project & source code: https://github.com/hanjo-synth/MDScaler

#norns #monome #machinedrum #elektron #elektronmachinedrum #mdscaler