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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 | 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 instructions 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 | * '''You just want to start making music''' set in a non-standard tuning in your DAW? You can skip to the instructions 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 don't want to use a DAW?''' See "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode|Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode]]." | * '''You don't want to use a DAW?''' See "[[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode|Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode]]." | ||
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There are many ways to configure a synth like Surge XT to use a non-standard tuning in a DAW like Reaper, named here as "methods." There are advantages and disadvantages to each. There are also other less common methods that might be appropriate for special cases. If none of the scenarios given below describe your own situation, then you may have one of those special cases, and are invited to review the "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article to explore more possibilities and go deeper. | There are many ways to configure a synth like Surge XT to use a non-standard tuning in a DAW like Reaper, named here as "methods." There are advantages and disadvantages to each. There are also other less common methods that might be appropriate for special cases. If none of the scenarios given below describe your own situation, then you may have one of those special cases, and are invited to review the "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article to explore more possibilities and go deeper. | ||
To use this Methods section, you can choose just to read the "Scenarios" section of each method to find something that is close to the actual scenario in which you plan to use Surge XT and Reaper. Then follow the " | To use this Methods section, you can choose just to read the "Scenarios" section of each method to find something that is close to the actual scenario in which you plan to use Surge XT and Reaper. Then follow the "Instructions" for that method. Or you may want to read all the "Scenarios," "Advantages," and "Disadvantages" of every method to gain a strong understanding of all these possibilities and be prepared for many scenarios. | ||
=== Method 1: Set a tuning directly in the synth itself === | === Method 1: Set a tuning directly in the synth itself === | ||
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''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
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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 Scala scale file is used to establish a tuning's [[period]] (octave or [[equave]]), its interval relationships, and other properties. A Scala keyboard mapping file is used to set the tuning's base note or tonic, tuning center, and keyboard map. The Scala format scale 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.] | [Briefly: SOME OF THE FOLLOWING GOES IN AN INTRO, SOME IN THE NOTES, SOME ELSEWHERE UNDER METHOD 2, SOME IN THE APPENDIX. A Scala scale file is used to establish a tuning's [[period]] (octave or [[equave]]), its interval relationships, and other properties. A Scala keyboard mapping file is used to set the tuning's base note or tonic, tuning center, and keyboard map. The Scala format scale 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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[Why you would not want to use this method.] | [Why you would not want to use this method.] | ||
''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
#Launch the Reaper application, create a [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW|new instrument track in Reaper]], and add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track. Note: If you are not using a DAW, but [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode|using Surge XT in standalone mode]] instead, replace this step with: Launch the Surge XT standalone application. | #Launch the Reaper application, create a [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW|new instrument track in Reaper]], and add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track. Note: If you are not using a DAW, but [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning Surge XT without a DAW in standalone mode|using Surge XT in standalone mode]] instead, replace this step with: Launch the Surge XT standalone application. | ||
#Load a [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala scale file|Scala scale file]] (.scl) into Surge XT as follows: | #Load a [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system#Scala scale file|Scala scale file]] (.scl) into Surge XT as follows: | ||
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'''Notes''' | '''Notes''' | ||
[This whole section needs consideration with regard to what should be moved to the Appendix here, or the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] article, what belongs in the [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]] article, or perhaps is best rendered in duplicate for reading simplicity. The complexity of the relationship between the Scala scale file's base note, the tuning's tuning center, and the music's tonic (if it has one) | [This whole section needs consideration with regard to what should be moved to the Appendix here, or the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] article, what belongs in the [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]] article, or perhaps is best rendered in duplicate for reading simplicity. The complexity of the relationship between the Scala scale file's base note, the tuning's tuning center, and the music's tonic (if it has one) makes this a very difficult topic for beginners. This doesn't seem to be the right place to explain it. That explanation probably belongs in [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]].] | ||
'''''More about Surge XT''''' | '''''More about Surge XT''''' | ||
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'''''Scala keyboard mapping file''''' | '''''Scala keyboard mapping file''''' | ||
*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 very close to but not exactly 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. | *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 very close to but not exactly 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 prevent mistuned surprises by loading a keyboard mapping file, 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 and tuning center." 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, | *Remember that when you load a Scala scale file you should always prevent mistuned surprises by loading a keyboard mapping file, 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, under "Alternatives for setting the tuning's base note and tuning center." 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, read the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] or [[User:Mousemambo/Scala tuning system|Scala tuning system]] articles. | ||
'''''Alternatives for setting the tuning's base note and tuning center''''' | '''''Alternatives for setting the tuning's base note and tuning center''''' | ||
* Some software, like Garritan's Aria Player sampler system [and the Vital synth IIRC], can use Scala scale files but do not support loading Scala keyboard mapping files. However, they may 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. | * Some software, like Garritan's Aria Player sampler system [and the Vital synth IIRC], can use Scala scale files but do not support loading Scala keyboard mapping files. However, they may 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. | ||
* 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 | * 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 about setting a 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''. | ||
'''''Anamark tuning files''''' | '''''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]]. | Surge XT doesn't directly support Anamark tuning files (.tun), which are an alternative to using the Scala two-file tuning system, and briefly [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Anamark tuning files|described in the Appendix]]. | ||
===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin=== | ===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin=== | ||
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