User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) more work on the "Using a tuning file" section |
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
[''This is a thinking-out-loud sketch of what a guide might look like for detailing how to use Surge XT with alternative (non-12-EDO) tunings in Reaper. It might be part of a larger document also describing how other popular but less full-featured synths or samplers can be used for microtonal music in Reaper. Or it might be part of a larger document also describing how Surge XT can be used for microtonal music in other DAWs.''] | [''This is a thinking-out-loud sketch of what a guide might look like for detailing how to use Surge XT with alternative (non-12-EDO) tunings in Reaper. It might be part of a larger document also describing how other popular but less full-featured synths or samplers can be used for microtonal music in Reaper. Or it might be part of a larger document also describing how Surge XT can be used for microtonal music in other DAWs.''] | ||
== Introduction == | == Introduction == | ||
Surge XT can be used within the Reaper DAW to create music set in microtonal or other uncommon tuning systems using several methods. Which method you use will depend on the larger context in which you're working and your specific needs, which will be explored below. Reaper is a popular and inexpensive DAW that fully supports all of Surge XT's requirements for using alternative tuning systems. This tutorial was last verified using Surge XT version ???? and Reaper version ???? in August 2023. | Surge XT can be used within the Reaper DAW to create music set in microtonal or other uncommon tuning systems using several methods. Which method you use will depend on the larger context in which you're working and your specific needs, which will be explored below. Reaper is a popular and inexpensive DAW that fully supports all of Surge XT's requirements for using alternative tuning systems. This tutorial was last verified using Surge XT version ???? and Reaper version ???? in August 2023. | ||
| Line 29: | Line 21: | ||
==== Disadvantages ==== | ==== Disadvantages ==== | ||
[Why you would want to use this method.] | [Why you would not want to use this method.] | ||
==== Procedure ==== | ==== Procedure ==== | ||
| Line 37: | Line 29: | ||
# Load a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows: | # Load a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows: | ||
## In Surge XT's Menu select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." | ## In Surge XT's Menu select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." | ||
## Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the 12- | ## Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the (ideally 12-tone) Scala tuning files that come with Surge XT, e.g. something beginners might have read about and would recognize, like just intonation Ptolemy_intense_diatonic.scl or meantone WerckmeisterIII_equal_beating.scl, or instead choose something named in condensed code like ED3-12.scl. Note that without a Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) also loaded, Surge XT might assume a default tonic frequency and keyboard mapping that sets the first note specified in the tuning file as MIDI Note C.60 and the reference pitch as international standard pitch (MIDI A.69=440.000Hz). [Or will it? Seems undocumented. In fact, it does not. Default is a tonic of C.60 and the reference pitch is C.60=261.626Hz, which is close but not international standard.] However, if we are using a just intonation scale and music with a tonic of F (F4, MIDI 65, 349.23 Hz), we need to use a keyboard mapping file to ensure the tuning is correct. Remember that when you load a Scala tuning file you should always load a keyboard mapping file to prevent mistuned surprises. To learn more about how to use Scala tuning and keyboard mapping files, including what to do when your instrument doesn't offer the option to load a keyboard mapping file, see <this awesome document that doesn't exist yet>. | ||
# Load a keyboard mapping file, for example the "Halberstadt 60-440-69.kbm" file [which *is* international standard]. | # Load a keyboard mapping file, for example the "Halberstadt 60-440-69.kbm" file [which *is* international standard]. | ||
# Optionally, open Surge XT's Tuning editor (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. | # Optionally, open Surge XT's Tuning editor (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. | ||
| Line 52: | Line 44: | ||
== How to test the tuning == | == How to test the tuning == | ||
[ | [Briefly: est using the tuner that comes with Reaper, or an external (e.g. phone-based tuner.] | ||