User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods: Difference between revisions
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{{Mbox|type=notice|text=Please use this page's [[User_talk:Mousemambo/Tuning_methods|Discussion page]] for comments and suggestions. This developing page is initially just an outline, but will be expanded into a proper page.}}Brief article summary goes here... | {{Mbox|type=notice|text=Please use this page's [[User_talk:Mousemambo/Tuning_methods|Discussion page]] for comments and suggestions. A summary of my thinking and my own comments are there too. Or you can join the discussion in the #wiki channel of the Xenharmonic Alliance's [https://discord.com/invite/FSF5JFT Discord server]. This developing page is initially just an outline, but will be expanded into a proper page. I use square brackets to set apart my document development notes, which will all be removed before the final document version.}}'''Brief article summary''' goes here.... | ||
== Overview == | == Overview == | ||
'''Temporary Outline''' | |||
*Why? We need to tell hardware (electronic) and software (virtual) musical instruments what tuning system to use when they receive controller input or MIDI data. | *Why? We need to tell hardware (electronic) and software (virtual) musical instruments what tuning system to use when they receive controller input or MIDI data. | ||
*What? Either the instrument itself, or an intermediary component dedicated to tuning, may need to be provided either with direct tuning data entry or a data loaded from a tuning file. You may need to specify what tuning mechanism(s) the instrument supports or should use, and sometimes also additional information about how to use that tuning data. | *What? Either the instrument itself, or an intermediary component dedicated to tuning, may need to be provided either with direct tuning data entry or a data loaded from a tuning file. You may need to specify what tuning mechanism(s) the instrument supports or should use, and sometimes also additional information about how to use that tuning data. | ||
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*Addressing the complexity. There are many different types of hardware and software musical instruments, each of which will have a specific method or set of methods for tuning which it supports. This page will summarize what methods are being or have been used, and the advantages and disadvantages of alternatives. But you'll need to consult the manual for the specific instrument you are using to learn what tuning method (or methods) it actually supports, and you may need to choose components able to implement a method. These writings are intended to ensure that when you read that manual, you understand what it's saying and can make informed decisions. | *Addressing the complexity. There are many different types of hardware and software musical instruments, each of which will have a specific method or set of methods for tuning which it supports. This page will summarize what methods are being or have been used, and the advantages and disadvantages of alternatives. But you'll need to consult the manual for the specific instrument you are using to learn what tuning method (or methods) it actually supports, and you may need to choose components able to implement a method. These writings are intended to ensure that when you read that manual, you understand what it's saying and can make informed decisions. | ||
*Some example configurations could be briefly described here in general forms. | *Some example configurations could be briefly described here in general forms. | ||
'''Main body of this section''' goes here.... | |||
== Direct tuning | == Direct tuning == | ||
'''Temporary Outline''' | |||
*'''Intro'''. Some musical instruments have a built-in system for setting their tuning, via drop-down menu selection or user-customized tuning settings. Note: I don't like the expression "direct tuning" but can't think of something better right now. | *'''Intro'''. Some musical instruments have a built-in system for setting their tuning, via drop-down menu selection or user-customized tuning settings. Note: I don't like the expression "direct tuning" but can't think of something better right now. | ||
*Kontakt "microtuner" built-in script. Because Kontakt is so important, this needs to be stated explicitly, and a how-to link provided. | *Kontakt "microtuner" built-in script. Because Kontakt is so important within the musician community, this needs to be stated explicitly, and a how-to link provided ([[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]). | ||
*Other instruments (e.g. <list of example instruments>) | *Other instruments (e.g. <list of example instruments>) | ||
'''Main body of this section''' goes here.... | |||
== Tuning files == | == Tuning files == | ||
''This whole "Tuning files" section should probably be split out into a separate "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning file|Tuning file]]" article, leaving just a summary in the main "Tuning methods" article.'' | ''This whole "Tuning files" section should probably be split out into a separate "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning file|Tuning file]]" article, leaving just a summary in the main "Tuning methods" article.'' | ||
'''Temporary Outline''' | |||
*Intro | *Intro | ||
**What are tuning files? | **What are tuning files? In an outside file that needs to be loaded, they provide the information necessary to tell a musical instrument (or software that in turn tells an instrument) how to implement a specific tuning system. | ||
**What are | **What are some important features of tuning files? Features may include establishing intervals, frequency assignment, controller data mapping, full-keyboard microtuning support, and more. | ||
*Instrument-specific tuning files | *Instrument and manufacturer-specific tuning files | ||
*Anamark (.TUN) tuning files | **Kontakt scripts | ||
* | **Harmor Pitch Map (.FNV) | ||
**Max/MSP coll (.TXT) | |||
**PureData text (.TXT) | |||
**Soniccouture tuning file (.NKA) | |||
**Sytrus Pitch Map (.FNV) | |||
**Korg Sound Librarian Scale/Octave (.mnlgtuns/.mnlgtuno) | |||
*[[Anamark tuning file format|Anamark (.TUN) tuning files]] | |||
* [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala (.SCL/.KBM) tuning system]] | |||
**Scala tuning files (.SCL) | **Scala tuning files (.SCL) | ||
**Scala keyboard mapping files (.KBM) | **Scala keyboard mapping files (.KBM) | ||
'''Main body of this section''' goes here.... | |||
== Tuning plugins and retuners == | == Tuning plugins and retuners == | ||
''This whole "Tuning plugins and retuners" section should probably be split out into a separate "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning plugin or retuner|Tuning plugin or retuner]]" article, leaving just a summary in the main "Tuning methods" article. I need a better article title than "Tuning plugin or retuner" though.'' | ''This whole "Tuning plugins and retuners" section should probably be split out into a separate "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning plugin or retuner|Tuning plugin or retuner]]" article, leaving just a summary in the main "Tuning methods" article. I need a better article title than "Tuning plugin or retuner" though.'' | ||
'''Temporary Outline''' | |||
*Intro | *Intro | ||
** What are retuners and tuning plugins? They take a tuning file as input (or direct tuning info), and appropriately modify the data going to an instrument. They interpret a tuning file to map controller data into the format the instrument can use. There are both software and hardware implementations, depending on specific musical system (e.g. all software, modular synth system, etc.). | ** What are retuners and tuning plugins? They take a tuning file as input (or direct tuning info), and appropriately modify the data going to an instrument. They interpret a tuning file to map controller data into the format the instrument can use. There are both software and hardware implementations, depending on specific musical system (e.g. all software, modular synth system, etc.). | ||
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**alt-tuner | **alt-tuner | ||
*Hardware retuners. Hardware modules for integrated hardware synths or for CV-controlled modular synths, independent of an all-purpose computer (PC, tablet, phone). | *Hardware retuners. Hardware modules for integrated hardware synths or for CV-controlled modular synths, independent of an all-purpose computer (PC, tablet, phone). | ||
'''Main body of this section''' goes here.... | |||
== Other tuning methods == | == Other tuning methods == | ||
'''Temporary Outline''' | |||
*MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | *MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | ||
* Legacy manufacturer-specific and instrument-specific tuning methods | * Legacy manufacturer-specific and instrument-specific tuning methods | ||
*RPN tuning | *RPN tuning | ||
*Other SysEx-based tuning methods | *Other SysEx-based tuning methods | ||
'''Main body of this section''' goes here.... | |||
== Appendix == | |||
=== Base note, pitch center and tonic === | |||
[Terminology and inter-relationship between base note, pitch center, tonic, diapason, reference pitch, and other related terms.] | |||
=== Look-up Table vs MIDI stream mechanisms === | |||
[Note-on re-tuning vs. dynamic pitch bending.] | |||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
* [https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/microtuning-and-alternative-intonation-systems Microtuning and Alternative Intonation Systems], by [[Jacky Ligon]]. MIDI.org | * [https://www.midi.org/midi-articles/microtuning-and-alternative-intonation-systems Microtuning and Alternative Intonation Systems], by [[Jacky Ligon]]. Sep 2020. MIDI.org. | ||
* [https://producelikeapro.com/blog/getting-started-making-microtonal-music/ Making Microtonal Music is Easier Than You’d Think], by Michael W. Dean (aka SyntheticThought). Produce Like a Pro | * [https://producelikeapro.com/blog/getting-started-making-microtonal-music/ Making Microtonal Music is Easier Than You’d Think], by Michael W. Dean (aka SyntheticThought). July 1, 2021. Produce Like a Pro. (also archived at the Xenharmonic Wiki, as [[Making Microtonal Music is Easier Than You’d Think|Part 1]] and [[Making Microtonal Music is Easier Than You’d Think, Part 2|Part 2]]) | ||
* [https://newmusicusa.org/nmbx/essential-tools-for-xenharmonic-music/ Essential Tools for Xenharmonic Music]. 2017. Newmusic USA. | |||
* [[wikipedia:MIDI_tuning_standard|MIDI tuning standard]]. Wikipedia. | * [[wikipedia:MIDI_tuning_standard|MIDI tuning standard]]. Wikipedia. | ||
* [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file (.SCL) format specification]. Huygens-Fokker Foundation | * [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file (.SCL) format specification]. Huygens-Fokker Foundation. | ||
* [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file (.KBM) format specification]. Huygens-Fokker Foundation | * [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file (.KBM) format specification]. Huygens-Fokker Foundation. | ||
* [https://www.mizzan.de/anamark-format Anamark tuning file (.TUN) format]. Mizzen Microtonal Piano ( | * [https://sevish.com/music-resources/#tuning-files Resources for Microtonal Music § Tuning Files]. Sevish Music. | ||
* [https://github.com/xenharmonic-devs/scale-workshop/wiki/Import-export-tunings Scale Workshop manual: Import Export Tunings]. Scale Workshop. | |||
*[https://www.mizzan.de/anamark-format Anamark tuning file (.TUN) format]. Mizzen Microtonal Piano. | |||
* Tutorial for creating TUN files with Scala. 2003. Huygens-Fokker Foundation. ([https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/Scala_TUN_Tutorial.pdf PDF]) | |||