User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) added correct links to newly created draft article: Scala tuning system |
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) start to address the complexities of the terms base note, reference pitch, tuning center, diapason, and tonic |
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'''DRAFT''' ==== Proposed page title: '''<big>Guide to tuning a software synth in a DAW</big>''' ==== '''DRAFT''' | '''DRAFT''' ==== Proposed page title: '''<big>Guide to tuning a software synth in a DAW</big>''' ==== '''DRAFT''' | ||
This guide describes some common methods for making music set in microtonal or other alternative tuning systems, by using a [[List of microtonal software plugins#Instrument plugins with microtonal support|software synthesizer]] running inside a [[DAWs|digital audio workstation (DAW)]]. It describes scenarios in which each of those methods are effective, and procedures for configuring the software using that method. The examples given use the Surge XT synth running inside the Reaper DAW, but similar procedures and reasoning will apply to other synths and DAWs. Therefore this guide will go into some detail to help give you the understanding needed to use these tuning methods with other synth-DAW combinations. | This guide describes some common methods for making music set in microtonal or other alternative tuning systems, by using a [[List of microtonal software plugins#Instrument plugins with microtonal support|software synthesizer]] running inside a [[DAWs|digital audio workstation (DAW)]]. It describes scenarios in which each of those methods are effective, and procedures for configuring the software using that method. The examples given use the Surge XT synth running inside the Reaper DAW, but similar procedures and reasoning will apply to other synths (or samplers) and DAWs. Therefore this guide will go into some detail to help give you the understanding needed to use these tuning methods with other synth-DAW combinations. | ||
* '''You just want to start making music''' set in a non-standard tuning in your DAW? You can skip to the procedure in "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file|Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file]]." | * '''You just want to start making music''' set in a non-standard tuning in your DAW? You can skip to the procedure in "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file|Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file]]." | ||
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This tutorial's instructions use Surge XT as a synth example, and Reaper as a DAW example, and assume you have them already installed on your computer. They also assume that you know how to create an instrument track in Reaper and load a plugin instrument like Surge XT onto it, but if you don't then instructions can be found below in the Appendix section "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Create an instrument track in the Reaper DAW|Create an instrument track in the Reaper DAW]]." The instructions also assume you are using a standard [[Keyboard|piano keyboard]] (i.e. Halberstadt format) in virtual or physical form, although [[Isomorphic keyboard|non-standard keyboards]] are supported by these instructions. | This tutorial's instructions use Surge XT as a synth example, and Reaper as a DAW example, and assume you have them already installed on your computer. They also assume that you know how to create an instrument track in Reaper and load a plugin instrument like Surge XT onto it, but if you don't then instructions can be found below in the Appendix section "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Create an instrument track in the Reaper DAW|Create an instrument track in the Reaper DAW]]." The instructions also assume you are using a standard [[Keyboard|piano keyboard]] (i.e. Halberstadt format) in virtual or physical form, although [[Isomorphic keyboard|non-standard keyboards]] are supported by these instructions. | ||
Some samplers or sampler systems also support re-tuning using the methods described here. Others, like Kontakt, use their own idiosyncratic re-tuning methods that are not addressed here (but see this [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]). | |||
==Methods for setting a tuning== | ==Methods for setting a tuning== | ||
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===Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file=== | ===Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file=== | ||
[Briefly: A tuning file is. | [Briefly: A tuning file is used to establish the scale's repeat span(?term.?), interval relationships and other properties. A keyboard mapping file is used to set the tuning's base note, tuning center or tonic, and keyboard map. The Scala format tuning files and keyboard mapping files together work to .... If you omit using a keyboard mapping file.... For more about Scala scale and keyboard mapping files, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] article. Ultimately, there should be articles that are companions to the existing "[[Anamark tuning file format]]" page (which almost certainly should be renamed "Anamark tuning file".. the existing page title should redirect to a section of the new page), named "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala scale file|Scala scale file]]" and "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala keyboard mapping file|Scala keyboard mapping file]]" or a single "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]]" article might incorporate both those as sections at least initially.] | ||
'''Scenarios''' | '''Scenarios''' | ||
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## In Surge XT's Menu (found in the bottom right corner) select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." | ## In Surge XT's Menu (found in the bottom right corner) select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." | ||
##Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the [ideally 12-tone for keyboard mapping simplicity] Scala scale files that come with Surge XT, e.g. [something beginners might have read about and would recognize,] like just intonation's Ptolemy_intense_diatonic.scl or meantone's WerckmeisterIII_equal_beating.scl, or instead choose [something named in condensed code like] ED3-12.scl. {I realize Scala XT at this moment only comes with two tuning files beginners will recognize by name, and one is 12-EDO.] | ##Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the [ideally 12-tone for keyboard mapping simplicity] Scala scale files that come with Surge XT, e.g. [something beginners might have read about and would recognize,] like just intonation's Ptolemy_intense_diatonic.scl or meantone's WerckmeisterIII_equal_beating.scl, or instead choose [something named in condensed code like] ED3-12.scl. {I realize Scala XT at this moment only comes with two tuning files beginners will recognize by name, and one is 12-EDO.] | ||
##* [Say something about tuning files and what they do, along with that they use various methods of establishing tunings. I might move this below to the "Method 2 Notes" section.] | ##* [Say something about tuning files and what they do, along with that they use various methods of establishing tunings. I might move this below to the "Method 2 Notes" section with a link to more detailed articles.] | ||
##* [Say something here about tuning file naming standards/practices, and the extremely terse abbreviations used for some classes of tunings. This really should go in the "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala scale file|Scala scale file]]" article or that section of a "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]]" article.] | ##* [Say something here about tuning file naming standards/practices, and the extremely terse abbreviations used for some classes of tunings. This really should go in the "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala scale file|Scala scale file]]" article or that section of a "[[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]]" article.] | ||
#Load a [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala keyboard mapping file|Scala keyboard mapping file]] (.kbm), for example the "Halberstadt 60-440-69.kbm" file [which *is* international ISO tuning standard]. [Note here that other keyboard layouts are supported by other keyboard mapping files.] | #Load a [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala keyboard mapping file|Scala keyboard mapping file]] (.kbm), for example the "Halberstadt 60-440-69.kbm" file [which *is* international ISO tuning standard]. [Note here that other keyboard layouts are supported by other keyboard mapping files.] | ||
#*Note that without a Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) also loaded, the resulting tuning may not be what you expect. Surge XT like most synths will assume a default | #*Note that without a Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) also loaded, the resulting tuning may not be what you expect. Surge XT like most synths will assume a default tuning center frequency and keyboard mapping that sets the first note specified in the tuning file as MIDI Note C.60 and the tuning center (diapason, reference pitch) as international ISO standard pitch (MIDI A.69=440.000Hz). [Or will it? Seems undocumented. In fact, it does not. Default in Surge XT 1.2.3 is a base note of C.60 and the reference pitch is C.60=261.626Hz, which is close to but not international standard.] However, if for example we are using a just intonation scale and music with a tonic of F (F4, MIDI note 65, 349.23 Hz), we need to ensure the base note is set to the tonic F, and ideally will use a keyboard mapping file to do that. | ||
#*Remember that when you load a Scala scale file you should always load a keyboard mapping file to prevent mistuned surprises. To learn more about how to use Scala scale and keyboard mapping files, including what to do when your instrument doesn't offer the option to load a keyboard mapping file, see [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]]. | #*Remember that when you load a Scala scale file you should always load a keyboard mapping file to prevent mistuned surprises, if your instrument supports that. Or your instrument may let you set a base note for your tuning as described in the Method 2 Notes below, "Alternatives for setting the tuning's base note." To learn more details about how to use Scala scale and keyboard mapping files, including what to do when your instrument doesn't offer the option to load a keyboard mapping file, see [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]]. | ||
#Optionally, if you understand Scala scale and keyboard mapping data, you may wish to open Surge XT's Tuning editor at this time (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. | #Optionally, if you understand Scala scale and keyboard mapping data, you may wish to open Surge XT's Tuning editor at this time (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. | ||
#Optionally, test the tuning to ensure it's correct. | #Optionally, test the tuning to ensure it's correct. | ||
'''Method 2 Notes''' | '''Method 2 Notes''' | ||
Surge XT also provides a button "Tune" under the label "Status" along the top of its window. If a custom tuning has not yet been added during the current session, clicking the button will reveal the same list of options as Menu > Tuning. If a custom tuning has been loaded, the Tune button will be lit (bright not dark), and clicking it will turn that tuning off (back to the software's default [[12edo|12-EDO tuning]]) or back on. | '''More about Surge XT'''. Surge XT also provides a button "Tune" under the label "Status" along the top of its window. If a custom tuning has not yet been added during the current session, clicking the button will reveal the same list of options as Menu > Tuning. If a custom tuning has been loaded, the Tune button will be lit (bright not dark), and clicking it will turn that tuning off (back to the software's default [[12edo|12-EDO tuning]]) or back on. | ||
'''''Anamark tuning files'''''. Surge XT doesn't directly support Anamark tuning files (.tun), which are an alternative to using the Scala two-file tuning system, and [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Anamark tuning files|described in the Appendix]]. | |||
'''''Alternatives for setting the tuning's base note'''''. Some software, like Garritan's Aria Player sampler system [and the Vital synth IIRC], support Scala scale files but do not support loading Scala keyboard mapping files. However, they do allow you to set the base note of the Scala scale file and its pitch. This fulfills two of the functions of the keyboard mapping file and you should use this method if it's all your instrument supports. If you are using a just intonation, for example, then setting the Scala scale file's base note to the music's tonic is essential. | |||
Surge XT | Instead of using a keyboard mapping file, you can also set the base for your scale in Surge XT using its tuning editor as described in [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Method 1: Set a tuning directly in the synth itself|Method 1]]. This can be convenient for tunings with a 12-note scale that maps to a standard piano keyboard but may lead to problematic results otherwise. See [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] for more on setting the tuning's base note, tuning center, and keyboard mapping issues, including the tuning system meanings of the terms ''base note'', ''reference pitch'', ''tuning center'', ''diapason'', and ''tonic''. | ||
===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin=== | ===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin=== | ||
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*[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]] | *[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]] | ||
*[[DAWs#Approaches%20to%20Microtonal%20Composition%20in%20a%20DAW|DAWs § Approaches to Microtonal Composition in a DAW]] | *[[DAWs#Approaches%20to%20Microtonal%20Composition%20in%20a%20DAW|DAWs § Approaches to Microtonal Composition in a DAW]] | ||
*[[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]] | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||