Scale design software - Revision history

Mousemambo: /* Linear keyboard mapping */

2023-09-04T15:39:01Z

Linear keyboard mapping

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:39, 4 September 2023
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	=== Linear keyboard mapping ===		=== Linear keyboard mapping ===
	A mapping between scale and keyboard controller keys, ~~such that~~ the notes of the scale are simply applied in a sequential order starting from the tuning base. In the absence of an explicit keyboard mapping, music software will typically assign linear keyboard mapping. ~~Consequently,~~ the pattern of black and white keys on a standard piano keyboard might not align with meaningful intervals of the scale.		A mapping between scale and keyboard controller keys, in which the notes of the scale are simply applied in a sequential order starting from the tuning base. In the absence of an explicit keyboard mapping, music software will typically assign linear keyboard mapping. In this case the pattern of black and white keys on a standard piano keyboard might not align with meaningful intervals of the scale.

	==List of scale design software==		==List of scale design software==

Mousemambo: /* Reference pitch */

2023-08-21T17:20:12Z

Reference pitch

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:20, 21 August 2023
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	=== Reference pitch ===		=== Reference pitch ===
	The exact pitch frequency (typically in [[Wikipedia:Hertz\|Hz]]) for the reference note, ~~based on which~~ all other notes in the scale or tuning system will be assigned a frequency, according to their intervallic relationship to the reference note. Also called the pitch reference, or tuning center, and sometimes the [[Wikipedia:Concert pitch\|concert pitch]] (for an ensemble).		The exact pitch frequency (typically in [[Wikipedia:Hertz\|Hz]]) for the reference note. Based on that pitch frequency, all other notes in the scale or tuning system will be assigned a frequency, according to their intervallic relationship to the reference note. Also called the pitch reference, or tuning center, and sometimes the [[Wikipedia:Concert pitch\|concert pitch]] (for an ensemble).

	The reference note and pitch are sometimes casually specified with a combination named note, MIDI number, and pitch frequency expression, e.g. A4-440Hz-MIDI.69, meaning 440 Hz exactly for the A above middle C, because A4=440Hz is the international standard. For cases other than A4=440Hz, in a tuning specifier like C4-261Hz-MIDI.60 for example, the "261" is typically an approximation. It implies a more accurate number should be specified in the tuning file itself, with 2-4 digits after a decimal point (e.g. 261.6256).		The reference note and pitch are sometimes casually specified with a combination named note, MIDI number, and pitch frequency expression, e.g. A4-440Hz-MIDI.69, meaning 440 Hz exactly for the A above middle C, because A4=440Hz is the international standard. For cases other than A4=440Hz, in a tuning specifier like C4-261Hz-MIDI.60 for example, the "261" is typically an approximation. It implies a more accurate number should be specified in the tuning file itself, with 2-4 digits after a decimal point (e.g. 261.6256).

Mousemambo at 06:28, 19 August 2023

2023-08-19T06:28:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:28, 19 August 2023
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	==Glossary for scale design software==		==Glossary for scale design software==
	Some of the terms discussed below appear in various forms in all music software, while others are specific for tuning software and electronic instruments. However, when establishing tuning for tonical (aka tonal) music set in non-12edo tunings it can be critically important to recognize the concepts behind each of these terms, and not take for granted that a software or electronic musical instrument will properly set these properties or even recognize the need to do so. The distinction between tuning base and reference note is especially important ~~in non-EDO~~ tunings.		Some of the terms discussed below appear in various forms in all music software, while others are specific for tuning software and electronic instruments. However, when establishing tuning for tonical (aka tonal) music set in non-12edo tunings it can be critically important to recognize the concepts behind each of these terms, and not take for granted that a software or electronic musical instrument will properly set these properties or even recognize the need to do so. The distinction between tuning base and reference note is especially important outside equal temperament tunings.

	In brief, a tuning base anchors the scale, maps it to a [[MIDI]] note number, and may be the note from which an intervallic network is established, all without necessarily specifying any reference pitch frequency. In contrast, a reference note is used to set the specific pitch frequency of one of the notes in the scale, from which the pitch of the others is implied by the intervallic network. The tuning base note may or may not be set the same as the reference note.		In brief, a tuning base anchors the scale, maps it to a [[MIDI]] note number, and may be the note from which an intervallic network is established, all without necessarily specifying any reference pitch frequency. In contrast, a reference note is used to set the specific pitch frequency of one of the notes in the scale, from which the pitch of the others is implied by the intervallic network. The tuning base note may or may not be set the same as the reference note.
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	The reference note can also be used as the tuning base note. For simplicity, it is common to use C4 as both tuning base and reference note for EDO scales, with a reference pitch of 261.63 Hz. However, in the case of tonical music using a non-EDO scale (e.g. set to [[just intonation]] or [[meantone]] tuning systems) carefully setting the tuning base is critical because the uneven intervals require placing the tuning base on the tonic note of the music. Otherwise, the tuning will be off.		The reference note can also be used as the tuning base note. For simplicity, it is common to use C4 as both tuning base and reference note for EDO scales, with a reference pitch of 261.63 Hz. However, in the case of tonical music using a non-EDO scale (e.g. set to [[just intonation]] or [[meantone]] tuning systems) carefully setting the tuning base is critical because the uneven intervals require placing the tuning base on the tonic note of the music. Otherwise, the tuning will be off.

	But the reference note used for the reference pitch can still be any note of the scale. A4 is commonly used as a reference note because 440 Hz exactly is the ISO-16-1975 tuning reference standard pitch for A4 on a piano keyboard, so no frequency approximation is required. An alternative approach for non-EDO tonical music is to set both the tuning base and reference note to the music's tonic, and set the reference pitch to what the reference note's pitch frequency would have been in a standard ~~12-EDO~~ concert pitch system.		But the reference note used for the reference pitch can still be any note of the scale. A4 is commonly used as a reference note because 440 Hz exactly is the ISO-16-1975 tuning reference standard pitch for A4 on a piano keyboard, so no frequency approximation is required. An alternative approach for non-EDO tonical music is to set both the tuning base and reference note to the music's tonic, and set the reference pitch to what the reference note's pitch frequency would have been in a standard 12edo concert pitch system.

	=== Reference pitch ===		=== Reference pitch ===

Mousemambo: added sections "Scale designers and tuning editors", "Glossary for scale design software", and "See also"

2023-08-19T06:16:19Z

added sections "Scale designers and tuning editors", "Glossary for scale design software", and "See also"

@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 [[Scala]] is one of the most popular, long-standing, and powerful scale and tuning development environments and worth exploring. However, its learning curve is steep and its text-based roots make it less enjoyable to use for some people. More recently developed scale designers are centered on graphical tools that clearly show relationships between scale notes. They are frequently built into [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins|tuning plugins]], so your preferred scale design software may just be the one that fits your preferred retuning workflow. Other scale designers are standalone desktop applications like Scala, browser-based applications like [[Scale Workshop]], or built into a virtual instrument (e.g. Surge XT).
-== List of scale design software ==
+== Scale designers and tuning editors ==
 A few currently popular or notable scale designers are listed below. Most are embedded in software that also performs other functions. You'll find more complete and up-to-date lists in the [[List of music software#Tuning manipulation software|Tuning manipulation software]] section of the "List of music software" page, and the [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins|Tuner plugins]] section of the "List of microtonal software plugins" page. Note that not all tuner plugins include a well-developed scale designer.
-* [[Scala]], from [[Manuel Op de Coul]] (standalone desktop application)
+*[[Scala]], from [[Manuel Op de Coul]] (standalone desktop application)
-* [[Scale Workshop]], from [[Lumi Pakkanen]] and [[Sevish]] (browser-based application)
+*[[Scale Workshop]], from [[Lumi Pakkanen]] and [[Sevish]] (browser-based application)
-* [https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], by Entonal (tuner plugin)
+*[https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], by Entonal (tuner plugin)
-* [https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite] and [https://oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php MTS-ESP Mini], by ODDsound (tuner plugin)
+*[https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite] and [https://oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php MTS-ESP Mini], by ODDsound (tuner plugin)
-* [https://infinitone.com/ Infinitone DMT], by Infinitone (tuner plugin)
+*[https://infinitone.com/ Infinitone DMT], by Infinitone (tuner plugin)
-* [https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (software synthesizer)
+*[https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (software synthesizer)
 [[Category:Software]]
 [[Category:Scale]]

Fredg999: Markup, categories, misc. edits

2023-08-16T04:35:13Z

Markup, categories, misc. edits

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:35, 16 August 2023
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	~~Scale~~ design software, or a scale designer, is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of [[~~Scale\|scales~~]] and sometimes also [[~~Tuning~~ system~~\|tuning systems~~]], for creating entirely new scales and tunings, and for semi-guided scale and tuning development based on [[General theory\|principles discovered by theorists]]. The tools provided by a scale designer may include tables showing the scale's pitches in decimal cents, ratios and named interval formats; [[Interval size measure\|interval analysis]]; [[Horogram\|circular]] or [[Graph-theoretic properties of scales\|other graphical mappings]]; scale or tuning transformations; comparisons between alternatives; and many more.		A '''scale design software''' application, or a '''scale designer''', is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of [[scale]]s and sometimes also [[tuning system]]s, for creating entirely new scales and tunings, and for semi-guided scale and tuning development based on [[General theory\|principles discovered by theorists]]. The tools provided by a scale designer may include tables showing the scale's pitches in decimal cents, ratios and named interval formats; [[Interval size measure\|interval analysis]]; [[Horogram\|circular]] or [[Graph-theoretic properties of scales\|other graphical mappings]]; scale or tuning transformations; comparisons between alternatives; and many more.

	[[Scala]] is one of the most popular, long-standing, and powerful scale and tuning development environments and worth exploring. However, its learning curve is steep and its text-based roots make it less enjoyable to use for some people. More recently developed scale designers are centered on graphical tools that clearly show relationships between scale notes. They are frequently built into [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins\|tuning plugins]], so your preferred scale design software may just be the one that fits your preferred retuning workflow. Other scale designers are standalone ~~apps~~ like Scala, ~~web~~ browser-based, or built into an instrument (e.g. Surge XT).		[[Scala]] is one of the most popular, long-standing, and powerful scale and tuning development environments and worth exploring. However, its learning curve is steep and its text-based roots make it less enjoyable to use for some people. More recently developed scale designers are centered on graphical tools that clearly show relationships between scale notes. They are frequently built into [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins\|tuning plugins]], so your preferred scale design software may just be the one that fits your preferred retuning workflow. Other scale designers are standalone desktop applications like Scala, browser-based applications like [[Scale Workshop]], or built into a virtual instrument (e.g. Surge XT).

	A few currently popular or notable scale designers are listed below. Most are embedded in software that also performs other functions. You'll find more complete and up-to-date lists in the [[List of music software#Tuning manipulation software\|Tuning manipulation software]] section of the "List of music software" page, and the [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins\|Tuner plugins]] section of the "List of microtonal software plugins" page. Note that not all tuner plugins include a well developed scale designer.		== List of scale design software ==
			A few currently popular or notable scale designers are listed below. Most are embedded in software that also performs other functions. You'll find more complete and up-to-date lists in the [[List of music software#Tuning manipulation software\|Tuning manipulation software]] section of the "List of music software" page, and the [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins\|Tuner plugins]] section of the "List of microtonal software plugins" page. Note that not all tuner plugins include a well-developed scale designer.

	*[~~https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/~~ Scala], from Manuel Op de Coul (standalone)		* [[Scala]], from [[Manuel Op de Coul]] (standalone desktop application)
	*[~~https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/~~ Scale Workshop], from Lumi Pakkanen and [[Sevish]] (~~web~~ browser based)		* [[Scale Workshop]], from [[Lumi Pakkanen]] and [[Sevish]] (browser-based application)
	*[https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], by Entonal (tuner plugin)		* [https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], by Entonal (tuner plugin)
	*[https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite] and [https://oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php MTS-ESP Mini], by ODDsound (tuner plugin)		* [https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite] and [https://oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php MTS-ESP Mini], by ODDsound (tuner plugin)
	*[https://infinitone.com/ Infinitone DMT], by Infinitone (tuner plugin)		* [https://infinitone.com/ Infinitone DMT], by Infinitone (tuner plugin)
	*[https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (~~synth~~)		* [https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (software synthesizer)

			[[Category:Software]]
			[[Category:Scale]]

Mousemambo: new page!

2023-08-15T17:29:28Z

new page!

New page

Scale design software, or a scale designer, is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of [[Scale|scales]] and sometimes also [[Tuning system|tuning systems]], for creating entirely new scales and tunings, and for semi-guided scale and tuning development based on [[General theory|principles discovered by theorists]]. The tools provided by a scale designer may include tables showing the scale's pitches in decimal cents, ratios and named interval formats; [[Interval size measure|interval analysis]]; [[Horogram|circular]] or [[Graph-theoretic properties of scales|other graphical mappings]]; scale or tuning transformations; comparisons between alternatives; and many more.

[[Scala]] is one of the most popular, long-standing, and powerful scale and tuning development environments and worth exploring. However, its learning curve is steep and its text-based roots make it less enjoyable to use for some people. More recently developed scale designers are centered on graphical tools that clearly show relationships between scale notes. They are frequently built into [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins|tuning plugins]], so your preferred scale design software may just be the one that fits your preferred retuning workflow. Other scale designers are standalone apps like Scala, web browser-based, or built into an instrument (e.g. Surge XT).

A few currently popular or notable scale designers are listed below. Most are embedded in software that also performs other functions. You'll find more complete and up-to-date lists in the [[List of music software#Tuning manipulation software|Tuning manipulation software]] section of the "List of music software" page, and the [[List of microtonal software plugins#Tuner plugins|Tuner plugins]] section of the "List of microtonal software plugins" page. Note that not all tuner plugins include a well developed scale designer.

*[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/ Scala], from Manuel Op de Coul (standalone)
*[https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/ Scale Workshop], from Lumi Pakkanen and [[Sevish]] (web browser based)
*[https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], by Entonal (tuner plugin)
*[https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite] and [https://oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php MTS-ESP Mini], by ODDsound (tuner plugin)
*[https://infinitone.com/ Infinitone DMT], by Infinitone (tuner plugin)
*[https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (synth)