User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) Vital now supports .kbm files |
Mousemambo (talk | contribs) misc; used Method 3 to test an alternative layout method |
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'''Instructions''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
... | |||
'''Notes''' | |||
... | ... | ||
===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: 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.] | [Briefly: SOME OF THE FOLLOWING GOES IN AN INTRO IN THIS SPACE, 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.] | ||
Introduction paragraph goes here.... | |||
'''Scenarios''' | '''Scenarios''' | ||
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#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: | ||
## 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. | ##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 are likely to recognize by name, and one is 12-EDO. Also, the more commonly known JI and meantone scale files are 7-note not 12-note so they won't map properly by themselves. Ptolex is a 12-tone Ptolemeic JI tuning, but not widely known. Also, many people will be unable to distinguish Ptolex by ear from 12-EDO. So what example to use?] | ||
#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]. | #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]. | ||
#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, [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#How to test the tuning|test the tuning]] to ensure it's correct. | #Optionally, [[User:Mousemambo/Document draft#How to test the tuning|test the tuning]] to ensure it's correct. | ||
'''Notes''' | '''Notes''' | ||
[This whole section needs | [This whole section needs extensive review 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. I am removing as much as possible from the Instructions section, but to where? For example, 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 but it's critical for JI so something needs to be said in this article. This doesn't seem to be the right place to explain it in great detail -- the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning files|Tuning methods]] article is a better choice.] | ||
'''''More about Surge XT''''' | '''''More about Surge XT''''' | ||
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'''''Vital synth''''' | '''''Vital synth''''' | ||
[ | [Vital allows Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) import as well as Scala scale file (.scl) import. The instructions for Vital are a little different but might be worth briefly including. AFAIK, there is still no way to apply re-tuning to the filters without using the Mod Remap system instead of the tuning file import system.] | ||
'''''Scala scale file''''' | '''''Scala scale file''''' | ||
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'''''Scala keyboard mapping file''''' | '''''Scala keyboard mapping file''''' | ||
*[Note 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 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, 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. | *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. | ||
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[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 it like Vital, which can load a Scala scale file but not a keyboard mapping file, and supports MPE tuning. If I expand this doc to include another synth, I probably will need to split this Method into 3a ... using MPE, and 3b ... using pitch bend. 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 it like Vital, which can load a Scala scale file but not a keyboard mapping file, and supports MPE tuning. If I expand this doc to include another synth, I probably will need to split this Method into 3a ... using MPE, and 3b ... using pitch bend. For more about tuning plugins, see the [[User:Mousemambo/Tuning methods#Tuning plugins and retuners|Tuning methods]] article.] | ||
'''Scenarios''' | * '''Scenarios''' | ||
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* '''Advantages''' | |||
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* '''Disadvantages''' | |||
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'''Instructions''' | |||
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'''Instructions''' | '''Instructions''' | ||
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'''Notes''' | |||
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*[[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]] | *[[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]] | ||
*[[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]] | ||
==External links== | |||
*[https://www.reaper.fm/ Reaper]. A low-cost, powerful and popular DAW with excellent support for microtuning and other xenharmonic tunings. | |||
*[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/ Scala]. The Swiss army knife of alternative tunings, Scala is a powerful tool but with a steep learning curve. Scala can be used to create custom tuning files. | |||
*[https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/ Scale Workshop]. A very effective tool for creating and analyzing tunings, and creating tuning files for them, Scale Workshop is much simpler to learn and use than Scala. [That doesn't make it intuitively obvious to use, though! I guess there needs to be a page, "How to make a note-frequency chart" of your tuning, for confirming your musical instrument's correctness.] | |||
*[https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/ Surge XT]. A powerful and fully free soft synth with outstanding support for non-standard tunings, supporting a variety of tuning methods. | |||
*[https://vital.audio/ Vital]. A free to low-cost powerful software synthesizer with excellent support for alternative tuning systems. Unfortunately there is currently (Aug 2023) no mechanism for tuning the filters using tuning files (only [https://forum.vital.audio/t/veena-sarod-sarangi/9436/11 through Mod Remap]), which can rule out some sound design techniques. | |||
*YouTube tutorials | *YouTube tutorials | ||
**[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxrpZ4L404M Using Microtones in Electronic Music (microtonal tutorial)], by [[Sevish]], posted Jan 23, 2020. | **[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxrpZ4L404M Using Microtones in Electronic Music (microtonal tutorial)], by [[Sevish]], posted Jan 23, 2020. | ||
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**[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2PXnoDX1ns Retune for Live Scala File Tutorial], by [https://www.youtube.com/@ursinemusic4844 Ursine Music], posted Aug 1, 2015. | **[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2PXnoDX1ns Retune for Live Scala File Tutorial], by [https://www.youtube.com/@ursinemusic4844 Ursine Music], posted Aug 1, 2015. | ||
**[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHoTKeOYkd0 Ableton Microtuner - Microtonal Music with Ableton Live], by [https://www.youtube.com/@SeedtoStage Seed to Stage], posted Apr 7, 2022. | **[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHoTKeOYkd0 Ableton Microtuner - Microtonal Music with Ableton Live], by [https://www.youtube.com/@SeedtoStage Seed to Stage], posted Apr 7, 2022. | ||