# Sketchpad & Timeline vs Scaler 2 Patterns

**URL:** <https://forum.scalermusic.com/t/sketchpad-timeline-vs-scaler-2-patterns/19484>\
**Category:** Scaler 3 General Discussion\
**Created:** [March 21, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://forum.scalermusic.com/t/sketchpad-timeline-vs-scaler-2-patterns/19484 "2025-03-21T00:04:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GoliathGrouper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GoliathGrouper](https://forum.scalermusic.com/u/GoliathGrouper)\
**Post date:** [March 21, 2025, 12:04am UTC](https://forum.scalermusic.com/t/sketchpad-timeline-vs-scaler-2-patterns/19484/1 "2025-03-21T00:04:36Z")

</div>

Looking for help understanding the changes denoted in my subject line. In Scaler 2, if we wanted to build a song (imagine 32-bar AABA pop) we did it by chaining together 8-bar patterns in the Patterns window. In Scaler 3, that song-building tool looks like it’s become the Timeline. Which is great, and familiar to us DAW users.

That said, Scaler 3’s Sketchpad looks a lot like the old Patterns window. But it’s billed more as a testbed for comparing changes in the same chord pattern - changes in instruments, changes in expressions, chord subs, etc. - rather than a song-building tool.

The thing is, I like a space where I can build a verse/chorus/bridge song in one place without having to do it on a long linear time line. So can the Pattern window be used for that purpose? Am I missing something basic?

Speaking of, here’s a big dumb additional question: In using Scaler 3 standalone, I’ve got no problems on audio EXCEPT when I’m on Sketchpad - when I press play on a pattern, I see it moving, but I get no audio, even though audio plays fine elsewhere. Is there something I need to do?