What is simple mode in a pace notes app?

Simple mode uses plain-language calls like easy, medium, and hard to describe corner severity, making it accessible for drivers who don't know the rally 1-6 scale.

What does the 1-6 pace note scale mean?

The 1-6 scale rates corners from 1 (tightest hairpin) to 6 (gentle curve). It originated in rally co-driving and gives experienced drivers more granular information about each corner.

Which pace note mode should a beginner use?

Beginners should start with simple mode (easy/medium/hard) to build familiarity with audio corner calls before switching to the more detailed 1-6 advanced scale.

Can you switch between simple and advanced pace notes?

In Rods, you can switch between simple mode and advanced mode at any time in settings. Both modes use the same underlying corner analysis, so you lose no accuracy either way.

Simple vs Advanced Pace Notes: Which to Use

Not everyone needs full rally co-driver calls. When Rods was designed, a key question was: how much information does a driver actually need? A professional rally co-driver reads dozens of modifiers per corner. A casual touring driver might just want to know "there's a sharp corner ahead."

The answer was two modes: Simple and Advanced. Both give you advance information about corners and hazards, but they communicate that information differently. This guide explains both modes, what each one sounds like, and how to choose the right one.

Two Ways to Hear Corner Calls

Rods processes road geometry the same way regardless of which mode you choose. The underlying analysis — corner detection, severity calculation, hazard identification — is identical. The difference is purely in how the information is presented to you as audio calls.

Think of it like weather forecasts: a simple forecast says "cold and rainy." A detailed forecast says "8°C, 15mm precipitation, wind SSW at 25 km/h." Same information, different levels of detail.

Simple Mode: Easy Medium Hard

Simple mode reduces every corner to one of three categories:

Easy — A gentle curve you can take with minimal adjustment. Equivalent to a 5 or 6 on the rally scale.
Medium — A noticeable corner that requires some braking or a clear lift off the throttle. Equivalent to a 3 or 4.
Hard — A tight corner requiring significant braking. Equivalent to a 1 or 2.

What Simple Mode Sounds Like

"Easy left... Medium right... Hard left ahead"

The calls are plain English, immediately understandable, and require no learning. You hear "hard right" and you know to slow down significantly for a sharp right-hander. There's no number system to memorize, no scale to internalize.

Who Simple Mode Is For

New users who want to try pace notes without a learning curve
Casual drivers who want basic corner awareness without full rally-style detail
Passengers who want to follow along without rally knowledge
Motorcycle riders who want minimal cognitive load while managing a bike
Anyone who finds the 1-6 scale unnecessary for their driving style

Simple mode communicates the most critical information — how sharp is the next corner? — in the most accessible way possible. For many drivers, this is all they need.

Limitations of Simple Mode

The tradeoff is granularity. Simple mode collapses six severity levels into three, which means you lose distinction within each band. A "medium" corner might be a comfortable 4 or a moderately challenging 3 — they sound the same in simple mode.

You also lose modifiers like "tightens" and "opens" in simple mode, which means you won't know if a corner changes character partway through. For touring and everyday driving, this is rarely an issue. For winding backroad driving, the distinction matters.

Advanced Mode: The 1-6 Rally Scale

Advanced mode uses the full rally pace note system: the 1-6 corner severity scale, directional calls, and modifier information.

What Advanced Mode Sounds Like

"Left 4... Right 2 tightens... Left 5 over crest... Right 3 long"

These are the same calls used by WRC co-drivers. Each number has a specific meaning, and modifiers add detail about corner behavior.

The 1-6 Scale Quick Reference

1 — Hairpin. Near stop.
2 — Very tight. Heavy braking.
3 — Tight. Clear braking.
4 — Medium. Lift or light brake.
5 — Fast. Slight lift.
6 — Flat. Barely a corner.

Who Advanced Mode Is For

Rally fans who already understand the 1-6 scale from watching WRC or playing rally games
Driving enthusiasts who want maximum information about each corner
Repeat users who've outgrown simple mode and want more detail
Track day drivers who want to develop their ability to respond to pace note calls
Anyone who wants to learn the rally pace note language

Advanced mode provides more precise information, which enables more precise driving decisions. The difference between a 3 and a 4 might be one gear ratio or a meaningful difference in how you approach the corner — and knowing that difference helps you drive more smoothly and efficiently.

The Learning Curve

The 1-6 scale takes a few drives to internalize. At first, you'll consciously translate: "3 means tight, so brake." After a handful of sessions, the translation becomes automatic — you hear "3" and your foot moves to the brake without conscious thought.

If you play Dirt Rally 2.0 or EA WRC, you already know this system. The calls in Rods use the same scale, so gaming experience transfers directly.

Switching Between Modes in Rods

Switching between simple and advanced mode takes seconds in the Rods app settings. You're not locked into a choice — many users start with simple mode and switch to advanced after a few drives, once they're comfortable with the concept of audio pace notes.

Some drivers switch modes based on context:

Simple mode for relaxed touring or riding with a passenger
Advanced mode for unfamiliar twisty roads where maximum awareness is valuable

There's no wrong choice, and you can experiment freely.

Which Mode Should You Start With?

If you're new to pace notes, start with simple mode. The goal of your first few sessions is to get comfortable with the concept of audio corner calls — learning to listen, trust the calls, and integrate them into your driving. Simple mode lets you focus on that without also learning a new number system.

Once the concept feels natural — when you're instinctively adjusting your approach based on what you hear — consider trying advanced mode. The additional detail will feel like an upgrade rather than an overload.

If you already know the 1-6 scale from rally games, WRC viewing, or real rally experience, go straight to advanced mode. You already speak the language; Rods is just a new voice using the same words.

The most important thing is that you're getting advance information about the road ahead. Whether that information comes as "hard right" or "right 2," the result is the same: you know what's coming, and you can drive accordingly.