User:Mousemambo/Document draft: Difference between revisions

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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.

Although this article is written as if you are using a synth, some samplers or sampler systems also support ~~re-tuning~~ using the methods described here.

Although this article is written as if you are using a synth, some samplers or sampler systems also support retuning using the methods described here.

==Methods for setting a tuning==

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*# Kontakt offers a simple microtuning script for creating 12-notes per octave tunings. [Find an online illustration.] In brief: Wrench > Script editor > Preset > Factory > Tuning > Microtuning > Adjust each slider to an offset in cents from 12-EDO tuning.

*# You can quickly set an [[EDO]] of any size, as illustrated on this [https://chrisvaisvil.com/how-to-adjust-kontakt-4-instruments-to-any-edo/ page by Chris Vaisvil]. In brief: Wrench > Script editor > Preset > Factory > Tuning > Notes per Octave > Notes > Set the number of notes. Unfortunately, Kontakt does not offer easy custom keyboard mapping for your custom EDO — [https://sevish.com/2017/mapping-microtonal-scales-keyboard-scala/ linear keyboard mapping] will apply.

* More complex tunings or keyboard mapping in Kontakt require a custom script, as described in the [to be written] [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]. Or watch the video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWtlF2uJSY How to microtune in Kontakt]" by benyamind on YouTube (posted Jun 17, 2020).

* Some Kontakt instrument include their own re-tuning system. More complex tunings or keyboard mapping in Kontakt require a custom script, as described in the [to be written] [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]. Or watch the video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWtlF2uJSY How to microtune in Kontakt]" by benyamind on YouTube (posted Jun 17, 2020).

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

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'''''Vital synth'''''

* [Vital allows Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) import as well as Scala scale file (.scl) import. The specific instructions for Vital are different than for Surge XT but might be worth briefly including. AFAIK, there is still no way in Vital (as opposed to Surge XT) to apply ~~re-tuning~~ to the filters, and [https://forum.vital.audio/t/veena-sarod-sarangi/9436 in Vital one currently must use its Mod Remap system] for that instead of the tuning file import system.]

* [Vital allows Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) import as well as Scala scale file (.scl) import. The specific instructions for Vital are different than for Surge XT but might be worth briefly including. AFAIK, there is still no way in Vital (as opposed to Surge XT) to apply retuning to the filters, and [https://forum.vital.audio/t/veena-sarod-sarangi/9436 in Vital one currently must use its Mod Remap system] for that instead of the tuning file import system.]

'''''Anamark tuning files'''''

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===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin===

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

[What is a tuning plugin, also called a retuning 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, as far as I know. 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.

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=== Tuning base, tuning center, and tonic ===

[Explain these key concepts and describe how they interact using the example of a traditional just intonation system. Tuning center = reference pitch = diapason. Tuning base = base note = tuning base note = Middle note (in the .kbm spec). "Tonic" is not the same as "root" (scales and music have tonics, chords have roots) but root is often used to mean tonic.]

[Explain these key concepts and describe how they interact using the example of a traditional just intonation system. I note some of the following terms as equivalent, but they can have different implications and contexts for use... Tuning center = reference pitch or pitch reference = pitch standard = diapason states the note name or MIDI number and its frequency in Hertz, and is the note from which all other notes in a tuning are pitched relatively. Tuning base = base note = tuning base note = 1/1 = Reference note = Middle note (in the [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings .kbm spec]) is both 1) the note from which all intervals of the tuning are defined relatively, and 2) the (implicit) first note of a Scala scale file whose pitch the .kbm file defines. [[Wikipedia:Tonic (music)|Tonic]] = Tonic center = Tonal center is the note upon which all other notes in a tonical musical piece are hierarchically referenced, and is not the same as "root" (scales and music have tonics, chords have roots) but root is often poorly used to mean tonic and sometimes misused to mean tuning base. "Key" refers to the tonic plus the scale (e.g. C Minor, F Double harmonic major). "[[wikipedia:Concert_pitch|Concert pitch]]" can be a flexible term but most often means the pitch standard to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a particular performance, most often set to ISO 16:1975 "standard pitch" of A4=440Hz. ]

===Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW===

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=== Tuning development environment ===

~~[Briefly: What is a~~ tuning ~~explorer~~ or tuning ~~development environment? A~~ suite of tools for exploring the properties of tunings, for creating entirely new tunings, and for semi-guided development of tunings based on principles discovered by ~~others~~. E.g. Like ones provided in Scala, Entonal Studio, MTS-ESP Suite.]

A tuning development environment, or tuning explorer, is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of tunings, for creating entirely new tunings, and for semi-guided development of tunings based on principles discovered by theorists. The tools provided by a tuning development environment may include tables showing the tuning's pitches in decimal cents, ratios and named intervals forms; interval analysis; circular or other graphical mappings; tuning system transformations; comparisons between two tunings; many more. [E.g. Like ones provided in Scala, Entonal Studio, MTS-ESP Suite.]

=== Converting Anamark tuning files ===

Surge XT does not support [[Anamark tuning file format|Anamark format (.tun) tuning files]], unlike some other synths. However, if you have only an Anamark format tuning file for your tuning, there are several converter tools that can seamlessly use that file to generate a tuning file in Scala format along with a keyboard mapping file if the .tun file includes the needed mapping data. [Do .tun files always include keyboard mapping data?] [Name some good converters and provide links here and below in External links, e.g. Scale Workshop, Scala....]

[Briefly, describe why you might or might not prefer to use an Anamark tuning file instead of the Scala two-file ~~re-tuning~~ system.]

[Briefly, describe why you might or might not prefer to use an Anamark tuning file instead of the Scala two-file retuning system.]

==See also==

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==External links==

*[https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/samplers/ Kontakt sampler system]. Very widely used, this sampler system from [https://www.native-instruments.com/ Native Instruments] offers some ~~re-tuning~~ ability but making it work can be complex.

*[https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/samplers/ Kontakt sampler system]. Very widely used, this sampler system from [https://www.native-instruments.com/ Native Instruments] offers some retuning ability but making it work can be complex.

*[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 big Swiss army knife of alternative tunings, Scala is a powerful tool but with a steep learning curve. It can be used to create custom tuning files.

**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file specification].

**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file specification]. For .scl tuning files.

**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file specification].

**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file specification]. For .kbm tuning files

**[https://sevish.com/2017/mapping-microtonal-scales-keyboard-scala/ Mapping microtonal scales to a MIDI keyboard in Scala], from Sevish.

*[https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/ Scale Workshop]. A very effective tool for creating and doing basic analysis of tunings, and creating tuning files for them. Scale Workshop is much simpler to learn and use than Scala, although using it still requires some understanding of tuning issues.

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 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.
-Although this article is written as if you are using a synth, some samplers or sampler systems also support re-tuning using the methods described here.
+Although this article is written as if you are using a synth, some samplers or sampler systems also support retuning using the methods described here.
 ==Methods for setting a tuning==
@@ Line 61: / Line 61: @@
 *# Kontakt offers a simple microtuning script for creating 12-notes per octave tunings. [Find an online illustration.] In brief: Wrench > Script editor > Preset > Factory > Tuning > Microtuning > Adjust each slider to an offset in cents from 12-EDO tuning.
 *# You can quickly set an [[EDO]] of any size, as illustrated on this [https://chrisvaisvil.com/how-to-adjust-kontakt-4-instruments-to-any-edo/ page by Chris Vaisvil]. In brief: Wrench > Script editor > Preset > Factory > Tuning > Notes per Octave > Notes > Set the number of notes. Unfortunately, Kontakt does not offer easy custom keyboard mapping for your custom EDO — [https://sevish.com/2017/mapping-microtonal-scales-keyboard-scala/ linear keyboard mapping] will apply.
-* More complex tunings or keyboard mapping in Kontakt require a custom script, as described in the [to be written] [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]. Or watch the video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWtlF2uJSY How to microtune in Kontakt]" by benyamind on YouTube (posted Jun 17, 2020).
+* Some Kontakt instrument include their own re-tuning system. More complex tunings or keyboard mapping in Kontakt require a custom script, as described in the [to be written] [[User:Mousemambo/Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system|Guide to tuning the Kontakt sampler system]]. Or watch the video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWtlF2uJSY How to microtune in Kontakt]" by benyamind on YouTube (posted Jun 17, 2020).
 ===Method 2: Set a tuning using a Scala scale file and keyboard mapping file===
@@ Line 118: / Line 118: @@
 '''''Vital synth'''''
-* [Vital allows Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) import as well as Scala scale file (.scl) import. The specific instructions for Vital are different than for Surge XT but might be worth briefly including. AFAIK, there is still no way in Vital  (as opposed to Surge XT) to apply re-tuning to the filters, and [https://forum.vital.audio/t/veena-sarod-sarangi/9436 in Vital one currently must use its Mod Remap system] for that instead of the tuning file import system.]
+* [Vital allows Scala keyboard mapping file (.kbm) import as well as Scala scale file (.scl) import. The specific instructions for Vital are different than for Surge XT but might be worth briefly including. AFAIK, there is still no way in Vital  (as opposed to Surge XT) to apply retuning to the filters, and [https://forum.vital.audio/t/veena-sarod-sarangi/9436 in Vital one currently must use its Mod Remap system] for that instead of the tuning file import system.]
 '''''Anamark tuning files'''''
@@ Line 125: / Line 125: @@
 ===Method 3: Set a tuning using a tuning plugin===
-[What is a tuning plugin, also called a re-tuning plugin?] [What different mechanisms do tuning plugins use to control a musical instrument?]
+[What is a tuning plugin, also called a retuning 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, as far as I know. 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.
@@ Line 182: / Line 182: @@
 === Tuning base, tuning center, and tonic ===
-[Explain these key concepts and describe how they interact using the example of a traditional just intonation system. Tuning center = reference pitch = diapason. Tuning base = base note = tuning base note = Middle note (in the .kbm spec). "Tonic" is not the same as "root" (scales and music have tonics, chords have roots) but root is often used to mean tonic.]
+[Explain these key concepts and describe how they interact using the example of a traditional just intonation system. I note some of the following terms as equivalent, but they can have different implications and contexts for use... Tuning center = reference pitch or pitch reference = pitch standard = diapason states the note name or MIDI number and its frequency in Hertz, and is the note from which all other notes in a tuning are pitched relatively. Tuning base = base note = tuning base note = 1/1 = Reference note = Middle note (in the [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings .kbm spec]) is both 1) the note from which all intervals of the tuning are defined relatively, and 2) the (implicit) first note of a Scala scale file whose pitch the .kbm file defines. [[Wikipedia:Tonic (music)|Tonic]] = Tonic center = Tonal center is the note upon which all other notes in a tonical musical piece are hierarchically referenced, and is not the same as "root" (scales and music have tonics, chords have roots) but root is often poorly used to mean tonic and sometimes misused to mean tuning base. "Key" refers to the tonic plus the scale (e.g. C Minor, F Double harmonic major). "[[wikipedia:Concert_pitch|Concert pitch]]" can be a flexible term but most often means the pitch standard to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a particular performance, most often set to ISO 16:1975 "standard pitch"  of A4=440Hz. ]
 ===Set up an instrument track in the Reaper DAW===
@@ Line 191: / Line 191: @@
 === Tuning development environment ===
-[Briefly: What is a tuning explorer or tuning development environment? A suite of tools for exploring the properties of tunings, for creating entirely new tunings, and for semi-guided development of tunings based on principles discovered by others. E.g. Like ones provided in Scala, Entonal Studio, MTS-ESP Suite.]
+A tuning development environment, or tuning explorer, is a suite of tools for exploring the properties of tunings, for creating entirely new tunings, and for semi-guided development of tunings based on principles discovered by theorists. The tools provided by a tuning development environment may include tables showing the tuning's pitches in decimal cents, ratios and named intervals forms; interval analysis; circular or other graphical mappings; tuning system transformations; comparisons between two tunings; many more. [E.g. Like ones provided in Scala, Entonal Studio, MTS-ESP Suite.]
 === Converting Anamark tuning files ===
 Surge XT does not support [[Anamark tuning file format|Anamark format (.tun) tuning files]], unlike some other synths. However, if you have only an Anamark format tuning file for your tuning, there are several converter tools that can seamlessly use that file to generate a tuning file in Scala format along with a keyboard mapping file if the .tun file includes the needed mapping data. [Do .tun files always include keyboard mapping data?] [Name some good converters and provide links here and below in External links, e.g. Scale Workshop, Scala....]
-[Briefly, describe why you might or might not prefer to use an Anamark tuning file instead of the Scala two-file re-tuning system.]
+[Briefly, describe why you might or might not prefer to use an Anamark tuning file instead of the Scala two-file retuning system.]
 ==See also==
@@ Line 208: / Line 208: @@
 ==External links==
-*[https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/samplers/ Kontakt sampler system]. Very widely used, this sampler system from [https://www.native-instruments.com/ Native Instruments] offers some re-tuning ability but making it work can be complex.
+*[https://www.native-instruments.com/en/catalog/software/samplers/ Kontakt sampler system]. Very widely used, this sampler system from [https://www.native-instruments.com/ Native Instruments] offers some retuning ability but making it work can be complex.
 *[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 big Swiss army knife of alternative tunings, Scala is a powerful tool but with a steep learning curve. It can be used to create custom tuning files.
-**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file specification].
+**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html Scala scale file specification]. For .scl tuning files.
-**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file specification].
+**[https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/help.htm#mappings Scala keyboard mapping file specification]. For .kbm tuning files
 **[https://sevish.com/2017/mapping-microtonal-scales-keyboard-scala/ Mapping microtonal scales to a MIDI keyboard in Scala], from Sevish.
 *[https://sevish.com/scaleworkshop/ Scale Workshop]. A very effective tool for creating and doing basic analysis of tunings, and creating tuning files for them. Scale Workshop is much simpler to learn and use than Scala, although using it still requires some understanding of tuning issues.