User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions

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=== Load a tuning file in Surge XT ===

~~Why you would choose this method: ...~~

~~Disadvantages of~~ this method~~: ..~~.

==== Advantages ====

[Why you would want to use this method.]

~~Briefly: '''~~Create~~'''~~ a new instrument track in Reaper. Add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track. ~~'''~~Load~~'''~~ a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows: In ~~the~~ Menu select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the 12-note 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. ~~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, 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]. ~~'''~~Optionally~~'''~~, open Surge XT's Tuning editor to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. ~~'''~~Test~~'''~~ the tuning to ensure it is correct.

==== Disadvantages ====

[Why you would want to use this method.]

==== Procedure ====

# Create a new instrument track in Reaper.

# Add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track.

# Load a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows:

## 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-note 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].

# Optionally, open Surge XT's Tuning editor (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files.

# Test the tuning to ensure it is correct.

==== 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 default) or on.

=== Control Surge XT's tuning with a tuning plugin ===

~~Briefly:~~ There is no case for this ~~version~~ AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to MTS-ESP ~~control~~, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin to provide those functionalities.

There is no 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. [Rather than provide instructions for using a tuning plugin here, I will instead do that in a different Guide for using a synth that requires it like Vital, which can load a Scala tuning file but not a keyboard mapping file, and supports MPE tuning.]

=== Control Surge XT's tuning using MTS-ESP without a tuning plugin ===

Briefly: Add an MTS-ESP source plugin on one track, and Surge XT on another. Load a tuning file into the MTS-ESP source plugin. Set Surge XT to listen to MTS-ESP.

Briefly: Add an MTS-ESP tuning source plugin on one track, and Surge XT on another. Load a tuning file into the MTS-ESP source plugin. Set Surge XT to listen to MTS-ESP.

== How to test the tuning ==

[Test using the tuner that comes with Reaper, or an external (e.g. phone-based tuner.]

@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
 === Load a tuning file in Surge XT ===
-Why you would choose this method: ...
-Disadvantages of this method: ...
+==== Advantages ====
+[Why you would want to use this method.]
-Briefly: '''Create''' a new instrument track in Reaper. Add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track. '''Load''' a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows:  In the Menu select the Tuning option, then choose "Load .scl tuning..." Use the resulting file selection popup to choose one of the 12-note 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. 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, 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]. '''Optionally''', open Surge XT's Tuning editor to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files. '''Test''' the tuning to ensure it is correct.
+==== Disadvantages ====
+[Why you would want to use this method.]
+==== Procedure ====
+# Create a new instrument track in Reaper.
+# Add Surge XT as a plugin on that instrument track.
+# Load a Scala tuning file into Surge XT as follows:
+## 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-note 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].
+# Optionally, open Surge XT's Tuning editor (Menu > Tuning > Open tuning editor...) to confirm the correct data was loaded from the files.
+# Test the tuning to ensure it is correct.
+==== 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 default) or on.
 === Control Surge XT's tuning with a tuning plugin ===
-Briefly: There is no case for this version AFAIK. If you want to set a custom tuning, or load a tuning file, or respond to MTS-ESP control, you can do all those in Surge XT without any need for an additional plugin to provide those functionalities.
+There is no 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. [Rather than provide instructions for using a tuning plugin here, I will instead do that in a different Guide for using a synth that requires it like Vital, which can load a Scala tuning file but not a keyboard mapping file, and supports MPE tuning.]
 === Control Surge XT's tuning using MTS-ESP without a tuning plugin ===
-Briefly: Add an MTS-ESP source plugin on one track, and Surge XT on another. Load a tuning file into the MTS-ESP source plugin. Set Surge XT to listen to MTS-ESP.
+Briefly: Add an MTS-ESP tuning source plugin on one track, and Surge XT on another. Load a tuning file into the MTS-ESP source plugin. Set Surge XT to listen to MTS-ESP.
 == How to test the tuning ==
 [Test using the tuner that comes with Reaper, or an external (e.g. phone-based tuner.]