List of microtonal software plugins: Difference between revisions
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A plugin is a software synthesizer which can be accessed within a [[DAWs|DAW]]. Usually the plugin is loaded on a MIDI track. | A plugin is a software synthesizer which can be accessed within a [[DAWs|DAW]]. Usually the plugin is loaded on a MIDI track. | ||
Instrument plugins interface with your DAW through one of a handful of standards. Steinberg's '''VST''' is a standard supported by many DAWs. AudioUnit ''' | Instrument plugins interface with your DAW through one of a handful of standards. Steinberg's '''VST''' is a standard supported by many DAWs. AudioUnit ('''AU''') is widely supported on macOS. '''AAX''' is used by ProTools, and '''RTAS''' was used in ProTools until version 10. '''LV2''' is an open-source plugin format commonly supported on Linux. Put simply, you should check your DAW's user manual to see what kind of plugins you can run. | ||
In some synths portamento/glide doesn't work properly when microtuned. Examples are Xfer Serum and LinPlug synths. There may be others, so it is recommended to test this function before making a purchase, if it is important for you. | In some synths portamento/glide doesn't work properly when microtuned. Examples are Xfer Serum and LinPlug synths. There may be others, so it is recommended to test this function before making a purchase, if it is important for you. | ||
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* "Full-keyboard microtuning" means that the plugin is capable of any arbitrary pitch, note or frequency on any given MIDI note. This is possible via .tun format, MIDI Tuning Standard, and .scl/.kbm pairs (but not .scl support on its own). | * "Full-keyboard microtuning" means that the plugin is capable of any arbitrary pitch, note or frequency on any given MIDI note. This is possible via .tun format, MIDI Tuning Standard, and .scl/.kbm pairs (but not .scl support on its own). | ||
* All synths in the list are assumed to be 64-bit by default or offer an option of 32- or 64-bit. Synths that are 32-bit only are marked with "(32-bit)" | * All synths in the list are assumed to be 64-bit by default or offer an option of 32- or 64-bit. Synths that are 32-bit only are marked with "(32-bit)" | ||
* For distinction of free software and freeware, see [[Wikipedia: Free software]] and [[Wikipedia: Freeware]]. | |||
To be added: all Homegrown Sounds synths, xen-arts | To be added: all Homegrown Sounds synths, xen-arts | ||
Revision as of 09:32, 18 February 2021
This is a list of software plugins that have full or partial support for microtonal tuning. Most are synth instruments, though some are MIDI tuners to be used with other instruments or effects to applied to audio tracks.
About software plugins
A plugin is a software synthesizer which can be accessed within a DAW. Usually the plugin is loaded on a MIDI track.
Instrument plugins interface with your DAW through one of a handful of standards. Steinberg's VST is a standard supported by many DAWs. AudioUnit (AU) is widely supported on macOS. AAX is used by ProTools, and RTAS was used in ProTools until version 10. LV2 is an open-source plugin format commonly supported on Linux. Put simply, you should check your DAW's user manual to see what kind of plugins you can run.
In some synths portamento/glide doesn't work properly when microtuned. Examples are Xfer Serum and LinPlug synths. There may be others, so it is recommended to test this function before making a purchase, if it is important for you.
The list
Further information about the list of microtonal software plugins is below the list.
| Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License / Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| accSone crusher-X | Granular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl or tun file import | €289 |
| amsynth | Subtractive / virtual analog | Linux, macOS | VST, AU, LV2, DSSI | Full-keyboard microtuning (Linux version only) | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| Applied Acoustics Chromaphone 2 | Physical modelled percussion | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics Lounge Lizard EP-4 | Physical modelled electric piano | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics String Studio VS-2 | Physical modelled strings | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics Ultra Analog VA-3 | Virtual analog | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl file import | $199 |
| Arturia Pigments | Wavetable, granular, virtual analog, sampling | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Partial microtuning support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl or tun file import | €199 |
| Audio Damage Quanta | Granular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $99 |
| Big Tick Angelina | Vocal formant synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Freeware |
| Big Tick Rhino | Hybrid FM | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $49.00 |
| Cakewalk Dimension Pro | Combines real instruments with advanced synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | Discontinued |
| Cakewalk Rapture Pro | Multisample synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | Discontinued |
| Cakewalk Z3TA+2 | Waveshaping synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | Discontinued |
| Camel Audio Alchemy 1.x | Additive synthesizer/spectral sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| Camel Audio Alchemy 2 and above | Additive synthesizer/spectral sampler | Logic Pro X bundled plugin | N/A | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±100 cents from 12-edo | Via Logic Pro settings | Part of Apple Logic Pro X |
| Celemony Melodyne | Polyphonic pitch editing and autotune | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | scl file import | €99-€699 | |
| Dexed | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, LV2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| EP-MK1 | VST, virtual Rhodes electric piano. | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU | Limited to equal divisions of the octave or a non-octave interval | In tuning section, set number for "# of Divisions" and "Interval to Divide." Can actually work on non-integer decimal EDOs (!) |
Free software |
| FB-3300 / FB-3200 / FB-3100 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±100 cents from 12-edo | User input, some presets | Freeware |
| Fxpansion Cypher2 | Various synthesizer, MPE-optimised | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €179 (demo 30 min) |
| Fxpansion Strobe2 | Various synthesizer, MPE-optimised | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €165 (demo 30 min) |
| Galactix | VST, Additive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | The built-in choice for the temperaments: Equal, Pythagorean, Just and Mean-tone 1/4 comma. Main note flexible tune (from A=440), Supports each oscillator tuning by 0.01% | Freeware / €19+ VAT |
| Garritan Personal Orchestra 5 | Sample-based orchestra library | Windows, macOS | VST/other? | Full-keyboard microtuning (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl/kbm file import | $149.95 |
| Humanoid Sound Systems Enzyme | Scanned synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| Image-Line Harmor | Additive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) Each note is ± 6000 cents from 12edo |
scl file import (doesn't adjust reference frequency properly) or user input, or from fnv preset files |
€139 |
| Image-Line Sytrus | Subtractive FM/RM synthesizer | Windows | VST | Each note is ± 4800 cents from 12edo | User input, or from fnv preset files | €169 |
| Key Tuner JSFX Script | MIDI note retuning | Runs in ReaJS in Reaper | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | Free software | |
| KORG Legacy Collection M1 | Retro Wavetable / Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12-edo | User input, some presets | $99.99 ($199.99 for 6 instrument Legacy Collection bundle) |
| KORG Legacy Collection Mono/Poly | Virtual Analog Synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12-edo | User input, some presets | $99.99 ($199.99 for 6 instrument Legacy Collection bundle) |
| kv331audio Synthmaster and Synthmaster One | Flexible semi-modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) | scl file import | $99, $79 |
| LinPlug Alpha | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug CRX4 | Sample manipulation synth | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug MorphoX | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug Octopus | Modulation synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug Organ 3 | Organ emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug SaxLab | Saxophone emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug Spectral | Additive/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| Madrona Labs Aalto | Semi-modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | $99 |
| Madrona Labs Kaivo | Semi modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | $129 |
| Madrona Labs Virta | Sound-controlled synthesizer and effects | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | $89 |
| Mark Henning AnaMark | Virtual analog/modulation synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Freeware |
| MeldaProduction MPowerSynth | Versatile synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €199 |
| MSoundFactory | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €299 |
| Microtonal Polyphonic Shiny Dirt | Based on circuit-bent analog synths | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts file import, 5000+ tuning files included, easy to add more | Freeware |
| Microtonal Poly Worms | Virtual analog | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts file import, 5000+ tuning files included, easy to add more | Freeware |
| Modartt Pianoteq | Physical-modeled piano | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | €249-€399 |
| Native Instruments Absynth | Virtual modular subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | gly file import | $149 |
| Native Instruments FM8 | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±50 cents from 12-edo | User input | $149 |
| Native Instruments Kontakt 6 | Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Kontakt script | $399 |
| Native Instruments Reaktor 6 | Modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | macros, .txt file import | €199 |
| Plogue chipsounds | Emulation of classic arcade/console sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full-keyboard microtuning (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl/kbm file import | $95 |
| Plogue chipsynth | Emulation of classic sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning (to be confirmed: if this plugin uses the ARIA engine it is likely buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl/kbm file import | $49.95 |
| Plogue Sforzando | Sampler, .sfz soundfont format | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales | scl/kbm file import | Freeware |
| Stone Voices PolyGAS | Granular synthesis | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/tun file import | Freeware |
| Imoxplus Respiro | Physical Modeling wind synthesizer | MacOS, Windows | AU, VST | built-in one-octave editor, also loads full-keyboard tuning maps | .tun file import | €165 + VAT |
| Retune for Live | Polyphonic MIDI retuning (pitch-bend based) | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import, csv file import | Freeware |
| Reveal Sound Spire | Subtractive synthesizer with flexible oscillators | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $189 + VAT |
| rncbc padthv1 | Polyphonic synthesizer | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| rncbc samplv1 | Sampler, .wav format | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| rncbc synthv1 | Subtractive polyphonic | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| Simple Microtonal Sampler 64-bit Windows | Sampler, .wav format | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| Simple Microtonal Synth (64-bit Windows) Simple Microtonal Synth (32-bit Windows) Simple Microtonal Synth (macOS version) |
Virtual analog | Windows, macOS | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| Spectrasonics Keyscape | Piano rompler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €349 |
| Spectrasonics Omnisphere 2 | Rompler/synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $499, €399 |
| Steinberg Halion 6 | Sampler / Synth | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Midi module with manual entry, presets and SCL file import. Also Lua script. | $349 |
| Surge | Subtractive hybrid synth | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, LV2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| SynthFontVSTi | Soundfont player (sf2, sfz, sfark, gig, dls, etc.) | Windows | VST | Limited to 12 note scales | Manual entry or choose from a list | Freeware |
| TAL BassLine-101 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €55, 80 |
| TAL J-8 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $80 |
| TAL Mod | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €68, 34 |
| TAL Sampler | Sampler/Synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $60 |
| TAL U-NO-LX | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €55, €80 |
| Tuning Workbench Synth | Realtime tuning synthesizer & scl/kbm exporter | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, Standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Manual input, scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| u-he ACE | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €69 |
| u-he Bazille | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $129 |
| u-he Diva | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $179 |
| u-he Hive 2 | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €149 |
| u-he Repro | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €149 |
| u-he Zebra 2 | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $199 |
| UVI Falcon 2 | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import | €349 |
| VAZ Modular | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | discontinued |
| VAZ Plus | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | discontinued |
| Virtual CZ | Virtual emulation of classic digital synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €70 |
| Vital | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import | Freeware (registration) $25, $80 for additional features |
| Xen-Arts Ivor2 | Subtractive Synthesis | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Freeware (discontinued) |
| Xen-Arts Xen-FMTS 2 | FM synthesis | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Freeware (discontinued) |
| Xfer Serum | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $189 |
| Zyn-Fusion | Various synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, LV2, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input of values, or import scl/kbm file |
Free software Free if installed via AUR or KxStudio repo or compiling from source $55 for pre-compiled binary |
- Notes
- "Full-keyboard microtuning" means that the plugin is capable of any arbitrary pitch, note or frequency on any given MIDI note. This is possible via .tun format, MIDI Tuning Standard, and .scl/.kbm pairs (but not .scl support on its own).
- All synths in the list are assumed to be 64-bit by default or offer an option of 32- or 64-bit. Synths that are 32-bit only are marked with "(32-bit)"
- For distinction of free software and freeware, see Wikipedia: Free software and Wikipedia: Freeware.
To be added: all Homegrown Sounds synths, xen-arts