User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions
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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 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 | 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 as a musical instrument plugin 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 instrument-DAW combinations. | ||
* '''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 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]]." | ||
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There are many other ways to create music with alternative tuning, like using [[List of music software|other software]], your voice, or a [[Instruments|physical musical instrument]]. This guide only explores one: a synth in a DAW. Don't know what "alternative tuning" means? Please visit the Xenharmonic wiki's [[Main Page|Main page]]. | There are many other ways to create music with alternative tuning, like using [[List of music software|other software]], your voice, or a [[Instruments|physical musical instrument]]. This guide only explores one: a synth in a DAW. Don't know what "alternative tuning" means? Please visit the Xenharmonic wiki's [[Main Page|Main page]]. | ||
== Introduction== | == Introduction== | ||
There are many methods possible for using a soft synth within a DAW to create music set in microtonal or other uncommon tuning systems. Which configuration method you choose will depend on the larger context in which you're working and your specific needs, which will be explored in a general way below. You'll find links below to sections of the Xen wiki's "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article [currently still a draft] that will offer you a deeper understanding of the components used here and how they work. | |||
The tutorials below use Surge XT as a synth, and Reaper as a DAW, and assume you already have them 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 may 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 some methods. | |||
Surge XT is a free and powerful software synthesizer that has extensive support for alternative tunings. Reaper is a popular and free to inexpensive DAW that fully supports all of Surge XT's possibilities for using alternative tuning systems. This tutorial was last verified using Surge XT version 1.2.3 and Reaper version 6.80 in August 2023. | |||
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]]). | 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]]). | ||
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[I need to think further about how I want to name these use cases. I might prefer something that says more about why rather than what or how. But there can be several different "why" use cases for each the configurations named. So I might leave them as they are, call this section "Methods" and have the first section after the title and before "Advantages" be "Scenarios" for describing typical use cases for that method. I might remove the "Method N" prefix, but its useful in this doc to quickly refer people to a method by number rather than writing out the whole name.] [I don't like the "Method 1 Scenarios" style of sub-section heading, nor "Scenarios (Method 1)" or anything other than "Scenarios" -- but then I can't make them link targets because there would be multiple occurrences of a "Scenarios" sub-section heading. Need to ponder more.] | [I need to think further about how I want to name these use cases. I might prefer something that says more about why rather than what or how. But there can be several different "why" use cases for each the configurations named. So I might leave them as they are, call this section "Methods" and have the first section after the title and before "Advantages" be "Scenarios" for describing typical use cases for that method. I might remove the "Method N" prefix, but its useful in this doc to quickly refer people to a method by number rather than writing out the whole name.] [I don't like the "Method 1 Scenarios" style of sub-section heading, nor "Scenarios (Method 1)" or anything other than "Scenarios" -- but then I can't make them link targets because there would be multiple occurrences of a "Scenarios" sub-section heading. Need to ponder more.] | ||
Four different instrument-DAW configurations for alternative tunings, here called "methods," are presented below. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, given the scenarios described. There are also other less common methods that might be appropriate or necessary for other instruments and DAWs and for special cases. If none of the offered scenarios describe your own situation, then you are invited to review the extensive "[[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 "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. | 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 === | ||
[Briefly: What is | [Briefly: What is a tuning editor?] | ||
'''Scenarios''' | '''Scenarios''' | ||
... | * ... | ||
'''Advantages''' | '''Advantages''' | ||
. | * No additional component complexity. | ||
* Can be quick and easy for simple tunings you're very familiar with. | |||
'''Disadvantages''' | '''Disadvantages''' | ||
... | * Can be time consuming with an unfamiliar or complex tuning, compared to using a tuning file. | ||
* Needs to be redone for each new instrument instance. | |||
* Tuning doesn't apply to an ensemble of instruments together. | |||
* Tuning can't be easily changed during a performance. | |||
'''Instructions''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
... | ...[Use Surge's tuning editor to recreate a custom tuning, perhaps using the example of Ptolemy's Intense Diatonic or something more unusual.] | ||
'''Notes''' | '''Notes''' | ||
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'''Scenarios''' | '''Scenarios''' | ||
[What circumstances would lead to this being the best (or at least a very good) choice among the methods listed here? The "why that is" would be answered in the next two sections.] | * [What circumstances would lead to this being the best (or at least a very good) choice among the methods listed here? The "why that is" would be answered in the next two sections.] | ||
'''Advantages''' | '''Advantages''' | ||
* Quickly apply a tuning to your musical instrument. | |||
* .... | |||
'''Disadvantages''' | '''Disadvantages''' | ||
[Why you would not want to use this method.] | * [Why you would not want to use this method.] | ||
'''Instructions''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
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==Appendix== | ==Appendix== | ||
=== Tuning base note, tuning center, and tonic === | |||
[Explain these key concepts and describe how they interact using the example of a traditional just intonation system.] | |||
===Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW=== | ===Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW=== | ||