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:
- VST3 by Steinberg, widely supported. VST2 is also by Steinberg, who discontinued it in 2018. But most Windows versions of non-Steinberg DAWs still support VST2 as of 2023.
- AU by Apple, widely supported on macOS only.
- AAX by Avid, used in ProTools, and RTAS, obsolete format which was used in ProTools until version 10.
- LV2, CLAP (site) and DSSI (obsolete, replaced by LV2), open-source cross-platform plugin formats.
- NKS by Native Instruments, used with their hardware.
Instrument plugins with microtonal support
Further information about the list of microtonal software plugins is below the list.
| Publisher | Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| accSone | crusher-X | Granular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | SCL or TUN file import | Proprietary | €289 |
| amsynth contributors | amsynth | Subtractive / virtual analog synthesizer | Linux, macOS | VST, AU, LV2, DSSI | Full (Linux only) | SCL/KBM file import | Free software | Free |
| Applied Acoustics | Chromaphone 3 | Physically modeled percussion | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | Lounge Lizard EP-5 | Physically modeled electric piano | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | String Studio VS-2 | Physically modeled strings | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | Ultra Analog VA-3 | Virtual analog | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | $199 |
| Archie3d (Arthur Benilov) | Aeolus | Pipe organ synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, VST, AU, CLAP, LV2, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Free software | Free |
| Arturia | Augmented series (BRASS, GRAND PIANO, STRINGS, VOICES) | Wavetable, granular, virtual analog, sampling | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €99/$99 each |
| Arturia | Buchla Easel V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Buchla Music Easel | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Clavinet V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Hohner Clavinet | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | CMI V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Fairlight CMI | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | CS-80 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Yamaha CS-80 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | CZ V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Casio CZ-1 and CZ-101 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | DX-7 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Yamaha DX-7 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Emulator II V | Physically modeled reproduction of the E-mu Emulator II | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Jun-6 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Roland Juno-6 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Jup-8 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Roland Jupiter-8 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | KORG MS-20 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Korg MS-20 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | OP-Xa V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Oberheim OB-Xa | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Piano V | Physically modeled piano | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €249/$249 |
| Arturia | Pigments | Wavetable, granular, virtual analog, sampling | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | SCL or TUN file import, MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Prophet-5 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Sequential Prophet-5 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Prophet-VS V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Sequential Prophet-VS | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Stage-73 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Rhodes piano | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | SQ80 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Ensoniq SQ-80 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Synthi V | Physically modeled reproduction of the EMS Synthi AKS | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Vocoder V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Moog Vocoder | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial | MPE, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| ash taylor?! | SFLT | Soundfont player | Windows, macOS | VST3, CLAP, AU, native FL Studio plugin | Full | SCL/KBM file import, MPE | Proprietary | Free |
| Audio Damage | Continua | Morphing synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $79 |
| Audio Damage | Quanta | Granular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $129 |
| Audio Damage | Phosphor | Additive synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $59 |
| BigTick Audio Software | Angelina | Vocal formant synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Free |
| BigTick Audio Software | Rhino | Hybrid FM | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $49.00 |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | MICROTONE 5000 | Analog-style synthesizer (Replaces Simple Microtonal Synth, Microtonal Polyphonic Shiny Dirt, and Microtonal Poly Worms, which were deprecated by maker in favor of this) |
Windows 64-bit | VST3, VST2 | Full | MID files (5378 included) | Proprietary | Free |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | Simple Microtonal Sampler | Sampler, WAV format | Windows 64-bit | VST3, VST2 | Full | MID files (5378 included) | Proprietary | Free |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | FreakBone 9000 | Analog-style synthesizer, circuit bent. | Windows 64-bit | VST2 | Full | Must be installed with either MICROTONE 5000 or FreakBone 9000, uses the MID files from either of them. | Proprietary | Free |
| brummer10 | Loopino | Sampler | Linux, Windows | Standalone, VST2, CLAP | Partial | SCL file import | Free software | Free |
| 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 12edo | Via Logic Pro settings | Proprietary | Part of Apple Logic Pro X |
| David Hillowitz | Decent Sampler 1.8 [and above] | Sampler | Windows, macOS, Linux 64-bit | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import | Proprietary | Free |
| Dexed contributors | Dexed | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, LV2 | Full | SCL/KBM file import, MTS-ESP client | Free software | Free |
| Different Instruments | PartialString | Finite-difference time-domain physical modelling string synthesiser | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU | Full | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| Dillon Bastan | Swarmalators T | Various synthesizer, drone, FM | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full | SCL/KBM file import (drag and drop scala file into Scale) | Proprietary | Free |
| Dillon Bastan | Fractal Filters | Various synthesizer, drone, effect, filter | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full | SCL/KBM file import (drag and drop scala file into Scale) | Proprietary | Free |
| FabFilter | Twin 3 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €129 |
| Full Bucket Music | FB-3300 / FB-3200 / FB-3100 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±100 cents from 12edo | Manual input, some presets, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| Full Bucket Music | Whispair | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | SCL/KBM and TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| Fxpansion | Cypher2 | Various synthesizer, MPE-optimised | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €179 (demo 30 min) |
| Fxpansion | Strobe2 | Various synthesizer, MPE-optimised | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €165 (demo 30 min) |
| Fors | Junior | 4-bit synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, CLAP | Full | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €39 |
| Fors | Pivot | 3OP FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, CLAP | Full | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €39 |
| Fors | Pop | Various synthesizer | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full[dubious – discuss] | User input for n-edo | Proprietary | €15 (Kit bundle) |
| Fuzzpilz | Oatmeal (download) | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±200.00 cents from 12edo | Manual input | Proprietary | Free |
| J. Lang | Hyper Field | Modular additive/spectral synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3i, CLAP | Full | SCL or TUN file import | Proprietary | $200 (early pricing, no demo) |
| MakeMusic | Garritan ARIA Player | Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AAX, standalone | Partial (buggy with non-octave scales) |
SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch | Proprietary | Free (registration) |
| Image-Line | Harmor | Additive synthesizer | Windows | FL studio plugin | Partial, each note ±6000 cents from 12edo | SCL file import, manual input, or from fnv preset files | Proprietary | €89 |
| Image-Line | Sytrus | Subtractive FM/RM synthesizer | Windows | FL studio plugin | Partial, each note ±4800 cents from 12edo | Manual input, or from fnv preset files | Proprietary | €169 |
| Imoxplus | Respiro | Physically modeled wind synthesizer | Windows, MacOS | VST3, AU, standalone | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €165 + VAT |
| Klevgrand | Tomofon | Real Audio synth | Windows, macOS, iPad | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $129 |
| KORG | KORG Legacy Collection M1 | Retro wavetable / sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | Manual input, some presets | Proprietary | $99.99 ($199.99 for 6-instrument Legacy Collection bundle) |
| KORG | KORG Legacy Collection Mono/Poly | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | Manual input, some presets | Proprietary | $99.99 ($199.99 for 6 instrument Legacy Collection bundle) |
| KV331 Audio | Synthmaster and Synthmaster One | Flexible semi-modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | $99, $79 |
| Madrona Labs | Aalto | Semi-modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Madrona Labs | Kaivo | Semi modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | $129 |
| Madrona Labs | Virta | Sound-controlled synthesizer and effects | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | $89 |
| Mark Henning | AnaMark | Virtual analog/modulation synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Free |
| MeldaProduction | MPowerSynth | Versatile synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €199 |
| MeldaProduction | MSoundFactory | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €299 |
| Mike Moreno DSP | EP-MK1 | Virtual Rhodes electric piano | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU | Limited to equal divisions | In tuning section, set number for "# of Divisions" and "Interval to Divide." Can actually work on non-integer decimal edos (!) |
Free software | Free |
| Modartt | Pianoteq 9 | Physically modeled piano | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, RTAS, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €249–€399 |
| Native Instruments | FM8 | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±50 cents from 12edo | Manual input | Proprietary | $149 |
| Native Instruments | Kontakt 6 | Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full | Kontakt script | Proprietary | $399 |
| Native Instruments | Reaktor 6 | Modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full | Macros, TXT file import | Proprietary | €199 |
| Oli Larkin | Virtual CZ | Virtual emulation of classic digital synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €70 |
| Plogue | chipsounds | Emulation of classic arcade/console sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial (buggy with non-octave scales) |
SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch | Proprietary | $95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth C64 | SID synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth MD | Four-operator FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth OPS7 | Six-operator FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth PortaFM | Two-operator FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $29.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth SFC | Timbre-layering synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $39.95 |
| Plogue | Sforzando | Sampler, .sfz soundfont format | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial (buggy with non-octave scales) |
SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch | Proprietary | Free |
| Renoise | Redux | Sampler, advanced and using variety of formats | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3 | Partial | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $56 |
| Reveal Sound | Spire | Subtractive synthesizer with flexible oscillators | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | SCL file import with adjustable reference pitch | Proprietary | $189 + VAT |
| Rhizomatic Software Synthesis | Plasmonic | Physical modeling + subtractive synthesis + few unique twists | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU | Full | SCL file import | Proprietary | €149/$149 |
| rncbc | padthv1 | Polyphonic synthesizer | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import | Free software | Free |
| rncbc | samplv1 | Sampler, .wav format | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import | Free software | Free |
| rncbc | synthv1 | Subtractive polyphonic | Linux | LV2, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import | Free software | Free |
| Rob Papen | Albino-3 Legend | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | SCL file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Rob Papen | BIT | Analogue modeled synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Blade 2 | Additive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Blue 3 | Crossfusion synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $149 |
| Rob Papen | Go2 | Additive/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $49 |
| Rob Papen | Predator 3 | Analog-style synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $149 |
| Rob Papen | Quad | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Vecto | Vector synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $99 |
| Rob Papen | RoCoder | Vocoder | Windows, macOS | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €49 |
| rs-met | Straightliner | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €89 |
| ryukau | Uhhyou | Various experimental synthesizers | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3 | Limited to edos | In tuning section, set number for "ET" | Free software | Free |
| Sonic Cat | Purity | Rompler/synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | SCL file import, manual input, presets, | Proprietary | €49.99 |
| Spectrasonics | Keyscape | Piano rompler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | €349 |
| Spectrasonics | Omnisphere 3 | Rompler/synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $499, €399 |
| Spectrasonics | Trilian | Bass rompler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | $299, €249 |
| Steinberg | HALion 7 | Sampler / synth | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, standalone | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | MIDI module with manual input, presets and SCL file import, limited to 5-, 7- or 12-note scales. Also Lua script | Proprietary | $349 |
| Stone Voices | PolyGAS | Granular synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full | SCL or TUN file import | Proprietary | Free |
| Surge Synth Team | Surge XT | Subtractive hybrid synthesizer | Windows, MacOS, Linux | VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import, MTS-ESP Client, manual input | Free software | Free |
| Surge Synth Team | Tuning Workbench Synth | Realtime tuning synthesizer & scl/kbm exporter | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM file import, manual input | Free software | Free |
| SynthFont | SynthFontVSTi | Soundfont player (sf2, sfz, sfark, gig, dls, etc.) | Windows | VST | Limited to 12-note scales | Manual input or choose from a list | Proprietary | Free |
| TAL Software | TAL-BassLine-101 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €55, 80 |
| TAL Software | TAL-J-8 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $80 |
| TAL Software | TAL-J-8X | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $80 |
| TAL Software | TAL-Mod | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €68, 34 |
| TAL Software | TAL-Pha | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €79 |
| TAL Software | TAL-Sampler | Sampler/Synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $60 |
| TAL Software | TAL-U-NO-LX | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €55, €80 |
| tiagolr | RipplerX | Physically modeled synth | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, LV2, AU | Partial | MTS-ESP client | Free software | Free |
| u-he | ACE | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €69 |
| u-he | Bazille | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $129 |
| u-he | Diva | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $179 |
| u-he | Hive 2 | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149 |
| u-he | Repro | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €149 |
| u-he | TyrellN6 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full | MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| u-he | Zebra 2 | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €99 |
| u-he | Zebra 3 | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | €249 |
| UVI | Falcon 2 | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM or TUN file import | Proprietary | €349 |
| Unfiltered audio | Lion | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | $199 |
| Vienna Symphonic Library | Vienna Synchron Player | Sample libraries | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM and MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| Vienna Symphonic Library | Vienna Synchron Pianos | Sample libraries | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM and MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| Vital Audio | Vital | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, standalone | Full | SCL/KBM and TUN file import | Proprietary (later versions) Free software (old version, manual compilation)[1] |
Free (registration) $25, $80 for additional features |
| The Wave Warden | Odin 2 | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP | Full | SCL/KBM file import | Free software | Free |
| Xfer Records | Serum 2 | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import, MTS-ESP client | Proprietary | Free |
| ZynAddSubFX contributors | ZynAddSubFX | Various synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, LV2, standalone | Full | Direct input of values, or import scl/kbm file |
Free software | Free via AUR or KxStudio repo or compiling from source $55 for pre-compiled binary |
- Notes
- Full 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 (MTS), and SCL/KBM pairs (but not SCL alone).
- All plugins in the list are assumed to be 64-bit by default or offer an option of 32- or 64-bit. Plugins that are 32-bit only are marked with "32-bit".
- In some synths, portamento/glide does not 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.
- There are plugins retunable by MTS-ESP (see below) which are not in this table. See them on the official MTS-ESP page.
- The list there seems incomplete as of January 26, 2023: Full Bucket Audio states that their plugins MPS, Tricent mk III, Stigma, FBVC, Mono/Fury, The blooo,The scrooo, The qyooo now have MTS-ESP support, but these are not in the list yet.
Discontinued instrument plugins with microtonal support
Plugins which are discontinued or no longer available are shown in the below table for reference.
| Publisher | 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[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Cakewalk | Rapture Pro | Multisample synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Cakewalk | Z3TA+2 | Waveshaping synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full[dubious – discuss] | SCL file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Camel Audio | Alchemy 1.x | Additive synthesizer / spectral sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Humanoid Sound Systems | Enzyme | Scanned synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Alpha | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug CRX4 | Sample manipulation synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug MorphoX | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Octopus | Modulation synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Organ 3 | Organ emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug SaxLab | Saxophone emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Spectral | Additive/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Native Instruments | Absynth | Virtual modular subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full | GLY file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Rob Papen | Albino 3 | Hybrid/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| VAZ | VAZ Modular | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| VAZ | VAZ Plus | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full | TUN file import | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Xen-Arts | Ivor2 | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Xen-Arts | OneSF2 | Soundfont (sf2) player | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Xen-Arts | Xen-FMTS 2 | FM synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Proprietary | Discontinued |
| Xen-Arts | XenFont | Subtractive synthesizer with soundfont (SF2) oscillators | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Proprietary | Discontinued |
Tuner plugins
These plugins only tune other instruments and typically do not generate any sound themselves.
| Publisher | 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 | Partial | SCL file import | Proprietary | €99-€699 |
| Codenote | Microtone Toolkit MPE edition | Polyphonic MIDI retuning (pitch-bend based & MPE-based) | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full | Variety, including inputs for n-edo, just intonation ratios, detuning in cents, SCL file import | Proprietary | $40 |
| Cycling '74 | Max 7 Pitch and Time Machines – Autotuna & Microtuner | Microtonal autotune | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full | Autotuna – SCL file import, Microtuner – graphic function |
Proprietary | |
| Dmitri Volkov | Pivotuner | automatic real-time pure intonation and microtonal modulation | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU | Limited to 12 interval sizes, but can microtonally modulate. More intervals possible with Chord Tuning. | Manual input | Proprietary | $5 (monthly license), $47 (lifetime license) |
| Oddsound | MTS-ESP Mini | Retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP | Windows, macOS Intel, macOS ARM | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Full | SCL or TUN file import, MTS-ESP master | Proprietary | Free |
| 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 | SCL or TUN file import, manual input, MTS-ESP master | Proprietary | £79.99 |
| PitchGrid | PitchGrid | Parametrizes MOS Scales with parameters exposed to host DAW (i.e. supports automation for changing tuning), supports scale-aware pitch bend | Windows, MacOS, Linux | VST3, AU, standalone | Full | Direct MIDI/MPE to MIDI/MPE, MTS-ESP master | Proprietary | £42 |
| Surge Synth Team | Surge XT | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP | Windows, MacOS, Linux | VST3, AU, CLAP | Full | SCL/KBM file import, manul input, MTS-ESP master | Free software | Free |
| Pitch Innovations | Fluid Pitch | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MPE or MIDI pitch bend | Windows, macOS | VST, VST3, AU, AAX, iOS | ? | ? | Proprietary | $75 |
| Ursine | Retune for Live | Polyphonic MIDI retuning (pitch-bend based) | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full | SCL file import, CSV file import | Proprietary | Free |
| VisualPlugin | Custom Intonation | Preset for FL Studio Patcher | Windows, macOS | N/A | Limited to 12-note scales, each note ±100 cents from 12edo | Manual input, SCL file import | Free software | Free |
| Marcus Hobbs | Wilsonic MTS-ESP | Dynamic microtuning. Retune the MPE software synthesizers in your DAW | Windows, macOS, iOS | AU, VST3 | Full | SCL file import, manual input, MTS-ESP master | Free software | Free |
MIDI remapper plugins
These plugins are neither instruments nor tuners but are useful when working with those, remapping notes input to the plugin, presumed to be in one tuning or a mode of a tuning, to the notes the plugin outputs, presumed to be in another tuning. For example, making you use just a MOS subscale of an output equal-division tuning.
| Publisher | Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vincenzo Sicurella | SuperVirtualKeyboard | MIDI remapper, keyboard layout and scale explorer and visualizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | ? | ? | Free software | Free |
| Joseph Sheasby (Userminusone) | Userminusone's Microtonal Launchpad Tools | MIDI remapper, Novation Launchpad MINI layout visualizer (utilizes text files for layout configuration and optional subset/remapping specifications, and relies on multiple plugins to work properly. This is explained in the video the GitHub repository links to.) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Reaper JSFX (JesuSonic FX) | N/A | N/A | Free software | Free |
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.
| Publisher | Name | Description | OS | Plugin type | Tuning ability | Tuning method | License | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ableton | Ableton Microtuner | MIDI remapper, works only in Ableton DAW, can import .scl files, retunes any Ableton instrument or other MPE-compatible plugins. | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full | SCL file import or manually setting pitches | Proprietary | Included with Live 12 Suite |