Scale design software: Difference between revisions
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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 | [[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. | |||
*[ | * [[Scala]], from [[Manuel Op de Coul]] (standalone desktop 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 ( | * [https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT], by the Surge Synth Team (software synthesizer) | ||
[[Category:Software]] | |||
[[Category:Scale]] | |||
Revision as of 04:35, 16 August 2023
A scale design software application, or a scale designer, is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of scales and sometimes also tuning systems, for creating entirely new scales and tunings, and for semi-guided scale and tuning development based on 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 analysis; circular or 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 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
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 Tuning manipulation software section of the "List of music software" page, and the 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)
- Scale Workshop, from Lumi Pakkanen and Sevish (browser-based application)
- Entonal Studio, by Entonal (tuner plugin)
- MTS-ESP Suite and MTS-ESP Mini, by ODDsound (tuner plugin)
- Infinitone DMT, by Infinitone (tuner plugin)
- Surge XT, by the Surge Synth Team (software synthesizer)