List of microtonal software plugins
This is a list of software plugins that can be used in a DAW for creating microtonal music.
What are plugins?
Computer musicians typically use a DAW to create music. Plugins provide extra functionality within your DAW. For example, if your DAW doesn't allow microtuning then you can get that functionality via plugins.
Plugins featured on this page are typically either:
- Software instruments that have built-in tuning functionality (e.g. synthesizers, samplers)
- Tuning tools that alter the tuning of other instruments, plugins and/or audio clips but otherwise do not generate sounds themselves
Before purchasing a plugin, you should check your DAW's user manual to see which types of plugins it supports. In many cases you can try a free demo to make sure it works as expected. Plugin types include:
- VST (Steinberg), widely supported.
- AU (AudioUnit), widely supported on macOS only.
- AAX, used by ProTools and RTAS which was used in ProTools until version 10.
- LV2 and DSSI, open source plugin formats commonly supported on open source DAWs (typically for Linux).
Instrument plugins with microtonal support
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 ARIA Player | Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | Freeware (registration) |
| Homegrown Sounds synths | todo | |||||
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Odin 2 | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, LV2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| Plogue chipsounds | Emulation of classic arcade/console sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $95 |
| Plogue chipsynth | Emulation of classic sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $49.95 |
| Plogue Sforzando | Sampler, .sfz soundfont format | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | 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 |
| 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 |
| Rob Papen BIT | Analogue modelled synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Freeware |
| Rob Papen Blue 2 | FM, subtractive, phase modulation, and wave-shaping synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $149 |
| Simple Microtonal Sampler | Sampler, .wav format | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| Simple Microtonal Synth (Windows) Simple Microtonal Synth (macOS) |
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 |
| Stone Voices PolyGAS | Granular synthesis | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/tun file import | Freeware |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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.
- 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.
Discontinued instrument plugins with microtonal support
Plugins which are discontinued or no longer available are shown in the below table for reference.
| Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License / Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Humanoid Sound Systems Enzyme | Scanned synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Xen-Arts Ivor2 | Subtractive synthesis | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Freeware (discontinued) |
| Xen-Arts OneSF2 | Soundfont (sf2) player | 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) |
| Xen-Arts XenFont | Subtractive synthesis with soundfont (sf2) oscillators | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Freeware (discontinued) |
Tuner plugins
These plugins only tune other instruments and typically do not generate any sound themselves.
| Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License / Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Celemony Melodyne | Polyphonic pitch editing and autotune | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | todo | scl file import | €99-€699 |
| Entonal Studio | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths | TBA | TBA | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input, scl file import, MTS-ESP master | TBA |
| Infinitone DMT | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP, MPE, MTS SysEx or MIDI pitch bend | Windows, macOS | ?, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input, scl file import, MTS-ESP master | $99 (introductory price) |
| Key Tuner JSFX Script | MIDI note retuning | Windows, macOS, Linux | ReaJS Reaper | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | Free software |
| Oddsound MTS-ESP Mini | Retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP | Windows, macOS Intel, macOS ARM | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/tun import, MTS-ESP master | Freeware |
| Oddsound MTS-ESP Suite | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP, MPE, MTS SysEx or MIDI pitch bend | Windows, macOS Intel, macOS ARM | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input, scl/tun import, MTS-ESP master | £79.99 |
| 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 |
MPE-compatible software instrument plugins
A recent development in music technology is MIDI polyphonic expression (MPE). Instruments that support MPE are able to apply pitch-bend on a per-note basis. In theory, this allows a musician to create polyphonic microtonal music using any MPE-compatible synth. In practice, it is a laborious process to create microtonal music by specifying a pitch-bend on every single MIDI note. However some plugins shown in the above "Tuner plugins" table can intercept MIDI note data from the sequencer and systematically apply the correct per-note pitch-bend before that data is received by the instrument. Because of this, creating microtonal music with MPE-compatible instruments is now a viable approach.