# sqsl Nashville — Exploring heptatonic scales...

> MIDI controller for exploring heptatonic scales, modes, and chord progressions. (iPhone/iPad app by Michal Macura.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-nashville/id6752020560 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michal Macura](https://appshunter.io/developer/1648278061)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $14.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 16.6 · 5 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2025-09-08
- Data updated: 2026-07-28
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-nashville/id6752020560/reviews.md

## What is sqsl Nashville?

sqsl Nashville is a MIDI controller/tool for exploring harmonies, modes, and chord progressions within heptatonic scales.

Concept

When we press a key on a traditional MIDI keyboard/piano, we are saying: "play a specific note (pitch/frequency)". When we press a "key" in the Nashville app, we are saying "play a chord shape from this degree of the currently selected scale". The played chord shape is defined as a set of degree offset(s) from the played degree.

Examples

1/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be 3 notes (1, 3, 5), playing keys 1 to 7 would result in C Major's triads (CEG, DFA, EGB, FAC, GBD, ACE, BDF).
2/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be a single note (1), playing keys 1 to 7 would simply play the 7 notes of the C Major scale (CDEFGAB).
3/ If the scale is set to C Major and the chord shape is set to be a single note (2), playing keys 1 to 7 would play the notes of the C Major scale but shifted by one degree (DEFGABC).

Setting the scale

Scales in Nashville are set using 3 parameters:
- Scale pattern: semitone distance (interval) pattern
- Mode: rotation of the scale pattern, defining which member of the scale pattern is used as the start point
- Root note: which absolute note (pitch) is used as the start point for the rotated scale pattern

Examples

1/ We select Diatonic as our scale pattern—meaning we want to work with the interval pattern 2-2-1-2-2-2-1 (or whole, whole, half, whole, whole, whole, half). We select the first Mode (I), which means we will not rotate the scale pattern, and we select C as the root note. We have set the scale C-D-E-F-G-A-B—usually called the C Major scale.
2/ We select Diatonic again (2-2-1-2-2-2-1) but now we select the third Mode (III)—the pattern is rotated by two steps, so we get 1-2-2-2-1-2-2. Selecting C as the root will result in this scale: C-C#-D#-F-G-G#-A#. A very different set of pitches from C Major but related, as it originates from the same scale pattern.

Usage (example)
- Trigger notes/degrees in the PLAY section, capture them in a loop (REC), and modify the pattern, root, mode, and chord shape to explore variations.
- Looped data can evolve – timing and degrees are randomly recombined at the end of each loop, and the chord shape can also be selected randomly.

Using with MIDI keyboard

- White keys always trigger degrees of currently selected scale (chord shapes set in app are ignored)
- Black keys are used to change the scale on the fly
- Press C# and following key will set Root
- Press D# and following black key will set Scale Pattern
- Press D# and following white key will set Mode
- F#, G#, A# keys are used as 3 positions where 3 scales can be stored and recalled (long press = store, short press = recall)

Notes

- Settings and loops are saved automatically but there is no preset system
- App runs in the background
- Only standalone (no AUv3 support)
- Does not produce any sound of its own (only MIDI notes)
- More details at https://www.seqsual.com

## Key features

- Explore heptatonic scales, modes, and chord progressions
- Trigger chord shapes based on scale degrees
- Set scales using pattern, mode, and root note
- Record and loop musical ideas
- Randomize patterns and chord shapes
- Integrates with MIDI keyboards for on-the-fly scale changes

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-nashville/id6752020560/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Plz!!!

*2026-06-21, version 1.15*

Cool plz Auv3 midi, adaptive Cubasis 3 !!!!

### 5/5 — I’m really enjoying this app

*2025-10-23, version 1.14*

So I want to say, this is the first app I have bought from this developer because it’s the first I have found that works on both iPhone and iPad. I would absolutely buy other music apps from this developer if they had iPhone support also. I have not tried Nash on on Mac yet, but I’m excited to try. I do a vast majority of my music on my iPhone. Usually only doing cleanup and mastering on my Mac. Anyway, I like the concept of this app. It forces me to play and not compose. It’s more of a listening tool than a composing tool. It’s really easy to use and once I have setup a key signature, it’s really easy to play. The main problem I have with the app, is the lack of memory. It’s really easy to accidentally erase what you are working on. Once the jam has been erased, there is no way to get it back, that I have found anyway. So I would suggest anyone using this app to record what you are playing with another app like atom. Lack of au3 doesn’t bother me with this app. I would of course like au3 support. If there was au3 support, even if you don’t have presets or memory in Nash, you could save the state in AUM. Overall I do really like this app. I has forced me to try some different things. I mainly have been using it for ambient sounds, but I think it would be nice for other type of music also. I have no problems recommending it, if you are ok with the lack of au3 and preset/memory system.

## Frequently asked questions about sqsl Nashville

### What is sqsl Nashville?

sqsl Nashville is a MIDI controller and tool designed for musicians to explore harmonies, modes, and chord progressions within heptatonic scales. It allows users to trigger chord shapes based on scale degrees rather than specific notes.

### How does sqsl Nashville work with a MIDI keyboard?

When using a MIDI keyboard, white keys trigger degrees of the selected scale, ignoring chord shapes. Black keys are used to change the scale on the fly, with specific keys like C# and D# setting the root, scale pattern, and mode.

### Can I save my scales and loops in sqsl Nashville?

Settings and loops are saved automatically within the app. However, there is currently no preset system for storing multiple scale configurations or loop patterns.

### Does sqsl Nashville produce sound on its own?

No, sqsl Nashville does not produce any sound of its own. It functions solely as a MIDI controller, sending MIDI notes to other compatible applications or hardware.

### What devices is sqsl Nashville compatible with?

sqsl Nashville is compatible with both iPhone and iPad devices. It is rated for ages 4 and up.

### How often is sqsl Nashville updated?

The latest version of sqsl Nashville is 1.15, which was last updated on December 3, 2025. Updates typically address bug fixes and feature enhancements.

### What is the price of sqsl Nashville?

sqsl Nashville is a paid application, priced at $14.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements associated with the app.

### Does sqsl Nashville support AUv3?

No, sqsl Nashville does not support AUv3. It is designed to function as a standalone application only.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.16 — 2026-07-26

- Pitch-bend, after-touch and MIDI CCs received from external keyboard are passed to output.

### 1.15 — 2025-12-03

- Added option to play a random chord shape from the recorded loop (instead of the currently selected one).

### 1.14 — 2025-10-08

- Added iPhone support.

### 1.1 — 2025-09-19

•  Loop recording now starts only after the first pad/key is pressed
•  Added tone wheel and chord shape visualization (SCOPE)
•  Added visual representation of outgoing notes
•  Added two extra positions for chord shapes
•  Added alternative bank of 5 scale patterns (ALT)
•  Playback rate control is now bipolar (can be set faster or slower than the original)
•  Added MIDI input processing (for use with MIDI keyboards – see below)
•  Various bug fixes

External MIDI (Keyboard) Processing:
•  White keys = degrees of the current scale
•  Press C#, then another key to set the root note
•  Press D#, then a white key to set the mode, or a black key to set the scale pattern
•  F#, G#, A#:
  ⁠◦  Tap to load a previously saved quick preset (scale settings)
  ⁠◦  Press and hold for 1 second to save the current scale settings

Modwheel, pitch bend, and CC messages are ignored. Velocity received from keyboard is preserved (not randomized). MIDI channel follows the setup configuration.

### 1.0 — 2025-09-08

No release notes.

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## More apps by Michal Macura

- [sqsl Latch](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-latch/id1659829499)
- [sqsl Temp](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-temp/id6443673379)
- [Addressing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/addressing/id6449605991)
- [sqsl Mantra](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sqsl-mantra/id6755682124)

All apps by Michal Macura: https://appshunter.io/developer/1648278061

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-28.*