User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions

Line 5:

'''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 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.

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]]."

Line 12:

Line 14:

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==

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.

There are many possible methods for configuring a soft synth in a DAW to create music set in diverse tuning systems. Which you choose will depend on the larger context in which you're working and your specific needs, which will be explored here in a general way. You'll also find links to sections of the Xen wiki's "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article [currently still a draft], which offers 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.

The tutorials below assume you already have the Surge XT synth and Reaper DAW 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.

==Methods for setting a tuning==

[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~~.

Four common 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're invited to review the extensive "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article to explore more possibilities.

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.

Line 54:

Line 56:

'''Notes'''

...

The Kontakt sampler system offers a simple microtuning script for re-tuning 12-note scales. [briefly describe how to use it.] For more complex scales in Kontakt, see this [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]].

===Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file===

Line 68:

Line 70:

* Quickly apply a prepared tuning to your musical instrument.

* ....

* Numerous popular and rare tunings have existing tuning files already prepared and available online.

* Scala keyboard mapping files can support many custom keyboard formats and controller devices.

'''Disadvantages'''

Line 120:

Line 123:

[What is a tuning plugin, also called a re-tuning plugin?] [What different mechanisms do tuning plugins use to control a musical instrument?]

There is no convincing case for using this tuning method with Surge XT, AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to an MTS-ESP tuning source, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin ~~to provide those functionalities~~. For more about tuning plugins, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning plugins and retuners|Tuning methods]] article.

There is no convincing case for using this tuning method with Surge XT, AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to an MTS-ESP tuning source, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin. For more about tuning plugins, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning plugins and retuners|Tuning methods]] article.

[Rather than provide instructions for using a tuning plugin here, I could instead do that in a different Guide for using a synth that requires one. If I expand this doc to include another synth, I probably will need to split this Method into 3a ... using a tuning plugin with MPE, and 3b ... using a tuning plugin with multichannel pitch bend (and there are more possibilities). That seems like a lot! I think that a separate article "[[User:Mousemambo/Guide to using tuning plugins|Guide to using tuning plugins]]" is almost certainly the way to go, with sections for MPE, monophonic pitch bend, polyphonic pitch bend (through multichannel), etc. using a few different tuning plugins (e.g. select from [https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite], [https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], [https://wilsonic.co/ Wilsonic MTS-ESP], [https://infinitone.com/ InfinitoneDMT], or [https://www.pitchinnovations.com/products/fluid-pitch/ Fluid Pitch]).]

Line 128:

Line 131:

* '''Advantages'''

** Support for many synths that can't be re-tuned any other way.

** When new technologies become available, new plugins can provide a supporting bridge to older instruments.

** May include a [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning system explorer|tuning development environment]] to assist with developing new tunings.

** ...

* '''Disadvantages'''

** Added complexity.

** ...

** Some experimentation may be necessary to find appropriate settings.

'''Instructions'''

Line 157:

Line 160:

* Supported by relatively few software synths.

* ...

* Requires an extra component, the MTS-ESP source.

* Technology is only really needed for certain circumstances.

'''Instructions'''

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 '''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 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.
+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]]."
@@ Line 12: / Line 14: @@
 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==
-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.
+There are many possible methods for configuring a soft synth in a DAW to create music set in diverse tuning systems. Which you choose will depend on the larger context in which you're working and your specific needs, which will be explored here in a general way. You'll also find links to sections of the Xen wiki's "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article [currently still a draft], which offers 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.
+The tutorials below assume you already have the Surge XT synth and Reaper DAW 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.
 ==Methods for setting a tuning==
 [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.
+Four common 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're invited to review the extensive "[[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods|Tuning methods]]" article to explore more possibilities.
 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.
@@ Line 54: / Line 56: @@
 '''Notes'''
-...
+The Kontakt sampler system offers a simple microtuning script for re-tuning 12-note scales. [briefly describe how to use it.] For more complex scales in Kontakt, see this [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]].
 ===Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file===
@@ Line 68: / Line 70: @@
 * Quickly apply a prepared tuning to your musical instrument.
-* ....
+* Numerous popular and rare tunings have existing tuning files already prepared and available online.
+* Scala keyboard mapping files can support many custom keyboard formats and controller devices.
 '''Disadvantages'''
@@ Line 120: / Line 123: @@
 [What is a tuning plugin, also called a re-tuning plugin?] [What different mechanisms do tuning plugins use to control a musical instrument?]
-There is no convincing case for using this tuning method with Surge XT, AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to an MTS-ESP tuning source, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin to provide those functionalities. For more about tuning plugins, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning plugins and retuners|Tuning methods]] article.
+There is no convincing case for using this tuning method with Surge XT, AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to an MTS-ESP tuning source, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin. For more about tuning plugins, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning plugins and retuners|Tuning methods]] article.
 [Rather than provide instructions for using a tuning plugin here, I could instead do that in a different Guide for using a synth that requires one. If I expand this doc to include another synth, I probably will need to split this Method into 3a ... using a tuning plugin with MPE, and 3b ... using a tuning plugin with multichannel pitch bend (and there are more possibilities). That seems like a lot! I think that a separate article "[[User:Mousemambo/Guide to using tuning plugins|Guide to using tuning plugins]]" is almost certainly the way to go, with sections for MPE, monophonic pitch bend, polyphonic pitch bend (through multichannel), etc. using a few different tuning plugins (e.g. select from [https://oddsound.com/mtsespsuite.php MTS-ESP Suite], [https://entonal.studio/ Entonal Studio], [https://wilsonic.co/ Wilsonic MTS-ESP], [https://infinitone.com/ InfinitoneDMT], or [https://www.pitchinnovations.com/products/fluid-pitch/ Fluid Pitch]).]
@@ Line 128: / Line 131: @@
 * '''Advantages'''
 ** Support for many synths that can't be re-tuned any other way.
+** When new technologies become available, new plugins can provide a supporting bridge to older instruments.
 ** May include a [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#Tuning system explorer|tuning development environment]] to assist with developing new tunings.
-** ...
 * '''Disadvantages'''
 ** Added complexity.
-** ...
+** Some experimentation may be necessary to find appropriate settings.
 '''Instructions'''
@@ Line 157: / Line 160: @@
 * Supported by relatively few software synths.
-* ...
+* Requires an extra component, the MTS-ESP source.
+* Technology is only really needed for certain circumstances.
 '''Instructions'''