List of microtonal software plugins
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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-keyboard microtuning | scl or tun file import | €289 |
| amsynth contributors | 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 3 | Physically modeled percussion | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | Lounge Lizard EP-4 | Physically modeled electric piano | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | String Studio VS-2 | Physically modeled strings | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import | $199 |
| Applied Acoustics | Ultra Analog VA-3 | Virtual analog | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import | $199 |
| Arturia | Augmented series (BRASS, GRAND PIANO, STRINGS, VOICES) | Wavetable, granular, virtual analog, sampling | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €99/$99 each |
| Arturia | Buchla Easel V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Buchla Music Easel | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Clavinet V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Hohner Clavinet | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | CMI V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Fairlight CMI | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | CS-80 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Yamaha CS-80 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | CZ V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Casio CZ-1 and CZ-101 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | DX-7 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Yamaha DX-7 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Emulator II V | Physically modeled reproduction of the E-mu Emulator II | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Jun-6 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Roland Juno-6 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Jup-8 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Roland Jupiter-8 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | KORG MS-20 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Korg MS-20 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | OP-Xa V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Oberheim OB-Xa | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Piano V | Physically modeled piano | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €249/$249 |
| Arturia | Pigments | Wavetable, granular, virtual analog, sampling | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | scl or tun file import, MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Prophet-5 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Sequential Prophet-5 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Prophet-VS V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Sequential Prophet-VS | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Stage-73 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Rhodes Stage Piano | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | SQ80 V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Ensoniq SQ-80 | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €199/$199 |
| Arturia | Synthi V | Physically modeled reproduction of the EMS Synthi AKS | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Arturia | Vocoder V | Physically modeled reproduction of the Moog Vocoder | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, NKS, standalone | Partial microtuning support (no keyboard mappings) | MPE, MTS-ESP client | €149/$149 |
| Audio Damage | Continua | Morphing synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $79 |
| Audio Damage | Quanta | Granular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $129 |
| Audio Damage | Phosphor | Additive synthesizer | Windows, macOS, iOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $59 |
| BigTick Audio Software | Angelina | Vocal formant synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Freeware |
| BigTick Audio Software | Rhino | Hybrid FM | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $49.00 |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | MICROTONE 5000 (Demo video) |
Analog-style synth Replaces Simple Microtonal Synth, Microtonal Polyphonic Shiny Dirt, and Microtonal Poly Worms, which were deprecated by maker in favor of MICROTONE 5000, released April 2023. |
Windows 64-bit | VST3, VST2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | Simple Microtonal Sampler (Demo video) |
Sampler, .wav format Updated with fixes and more features March 2023. (Now stable, + rough and fine pitch control and ASDR) |
Windows 64-bit | VST3, VST2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| BIPTUNIA SYNTHS | FreakBone 9000 | Analog-style synth, circuit bent. Released May 2023. |
Windows 64-bit | VST2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | .mts files (5378 included) | Freeware |
| 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 | Part of Apple Logic Pro X |
| David Hillowitz | Decent Sampler 1.8 [and above] | Sampler, .dspreset/.dslibrary soundfont format; imports .sfz and .exs | Windows, macOS, Linux 64-bit | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import with adjustable reference pitch (has a switch for frequency-aware sample mapping) |
Freeware |
| Dexed contributors | Dexed | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, LV2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import, MTS-ESP client | Free software |
| Dillon Bastan | Swarmalators T | Various synthesizer, drone, FM | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import (drag and drop scala file into Scale) | Freeware |
| Dillon Bastan | Fractal Filters | Various synthesizer, drone, effect, filter | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import (drag and drop scala file into Scale) | Freeware |
| FabFilter | Twin 3 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, Midi Tuning Standard, MTS-ESP client | € 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 | User input, some presets, , MTS-ESP client | Freeware |
| Full Bucket Music | Whispair | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import, MTS-ESP client | 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) |
| Fors | Pop | Various synthesizer | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | User input for n-EDO | €15 (Kit bundle) |
| Fuzzpilz | Oatmeal (download) | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±200.00 cents from 12edo | Manual entry | Freeware |
| MakeMusic | Garritan ARIA Player | Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | Freeware (registration) |
| Homegrown Sounds | [1] | todo | VST (32 bit), Kontakt | scl file import | |||
| Image-Line | Harmor | Additive synthesizer | Windows | VST (no longer sold), FL studio plugin | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) Each note is ± 6000 cents from 12edo |
scl file import (doesn't adjust reference frequency properly) or user input, or from fnv preset files |
€89 |
| Image-Line | Sytrus | Subtractive FM/RM synthesizer | Windows | VST (no longer sold), FL studio plugin | Each note is ± 4800 cents from 12edo | User input, or from fnv preset files | €169 |
| Imoxplus | Respiro | Physically modeled wind synthesizer | Windows, MacOS | VST3, AU, standalone | built-in one-octave editor, also loads full-keyboard tuning maps | .tun file import | €165 + VAT |
| KORG | KORG Legacy Collection M1 | Retro Wavetable / Sampler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | User input, some presets | $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 | User input, some presets | $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 Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | 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 |
| MeldaProduction | MSoundFactory | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €299 |
| Mike Moreno DSP | 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 |
| Modartt | Pianoteq | Physically modeled piano | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, AU, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import, MTS-ESP client | €249-€399 |
| Native Instruments | FM8 | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±50 cents from 12edo | 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 |
| Oli Larkin | Virtual CZ | Virtual emulation of classic digital synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €70 |
| Plogue | chipsounds | Emulation of classic arcade/console sound chips | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth C64 | SID synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth MD | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth OPS7 | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $49.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth PortaFM | FM synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $29.95 |
| Plogue | chipsynth SFC | Timbre layering synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $39.95 |
| Plogue | Sforzando | Sampler, .sfz soundfont format | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Partial Scala support (no keyboard mappings) (buggy with nonoctave scales) |
scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | Freeware |
| Reveal Sound | Spire | Subtractive synthesizer with flexible oscillators | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import with adjustable reference pitch | $189 + VAT |
| Rhizomatic Software Synthesis | Plasmonic | Physical modeling + subtractive synthesis + few unique twists | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl file import | 149€/149$ |
| 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 modeled synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Blade 2 | Additive synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Blue 3 | Crossfusion (FM, subtractive, phase distortion, wave shaping) synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $149 |
| Rob Papen | Go2 | Additive/subtractive synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $49 |
| Rob Papen | Predator 3 | Analog style synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $149 |
| Rob Papen | Quad | Subtractive synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $99 |
| Rob Papen | Vecto | Vector synthesis | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $99 |
| Rob Papen | RoCoder | Vocoder | Windows, macOS | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €49 |
| rs-met | Straightliner | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | €89 |
| Sonic Cat | Purity | Rompler/synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±99 cents from 12edo | Manual entry, presets, scl file import | €49.99 |
| 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 |
| Spectrasonics | Trilian | Bass rompler | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | $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 entry, presets and SCL file import, limited to 5, 7 or 12 note scales. Also Lua script. | $349 |
| Stone Voices | PolyGAS | Granular synthesis | Windows | VST | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/tun file import | Freeware |
| Surge Synth Team | Surge XT | Subtractive hybrid synthesizer | Windows, MacOS, Linux | VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import, MTS-ESP Client, user input | Free software |
| Surge Synth Team | 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 |
| SynthFont | 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 Software | TAL-BassLine-101 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €55, 80 |
| TAL Software | TAL-J-8 | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $80 |
| TAL Software | TAL-Mod | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €68, 34 |
| TAL Software | TAL-Sampler | Sampler/Synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $60 |
| TAL Software | TAL-U-NO-LX | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €55, €80 |
| u-he | ACE | Virtual modular analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €69 |
| u-he | Bazille | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $129 |
| u-he | Diva | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $179 |
| u-he | Hive 2 | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €149 |
| u-he | Repro | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | €149 |
| u-he | Zebra 2 | Semi Modular | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $199 |
| UVI | Falcon 2 | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import | €349 |
| Unfiltered audio | Lion | Hybrid synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST3, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $199 |
| Vital Audio | Vital | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import | Free software (registration) $25, $80 for additional features |
| Vitalium contributors | Vitalium | Wavetable synthesizer | Linux | LV2 | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl, kbm and tun file import | Free software |
| The Wave Warden | Odin 2 | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST3, AU, LV2, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import | Free software |
| Xfer Records | Serum | Wavetable synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import, MTS-ESP client | $189 |
| ZynAddSubFX contributors | ZynAddSubFX | 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.
- There are plugins retunable by MTS-ESP (see below) which aren’t 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 aren’t 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-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 synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Alpha | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug CRX4 | Sample manipulation synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug MorphoX | Subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Octopus | Modulation synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Organ 3 | Organ emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug SaxLab | Saxophone emulation | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS (RTAS is macOS only) | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| LinPlug | LinPlug Spectral | Additive/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| Native Instruments | Absynth | Virtual modular subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, AAX, RTAS, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | gly file import | Discontinued |
| Rob Papen | Albino 3 | Hybrid/subtractive synthesizer | Windows, macOS | VST, AU, RTAS | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| SoundModeler | [2] | 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 (discontinued) |
| VAZ | VAZ Modular | Virtual modular synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| VAZ | VAZ Plus | Virtual analog synthesizer | Windows | VST, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | tun file import | Discontinued |
| Xen-Arts | Ivor2 | Subtractive synthesizer | 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 synthesizer | Windows | VST (32-bit) | Full-keyboard microtuning | MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) | Freeware (discontinued) |
| Xen-Arts | XenFont | Subtractive synthesizer 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.
| 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 | todo | scl file import | €99-€699 |
| Codenote | Microtone Toolkit MPE edition | Polyphonic MIDI retuning (pitch-bend based & MPE-based) | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | variety, including inputs for n-TET, just intonation ratios, detuning in cents, scl file import | $40 |
| Cycling '74 | Max 7 Pitch and Time Machines – Autotuna & Microtuner | Microtonal autotune | Windows, macOS | Max for Live device | Full-keyboard microtuning | Autotuna – scl file import, Microtuner – graphic function |
|
| 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 user input | $5 (monthly license), $47 (lifetime license) |
| Entonal Studio | Entonal Studio | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths | Windows, macOS, Linux | VST2, VST3, AU, standalone | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input, scl file import, MTS-ESP master | Intro :£49 Later: £79 |
| Infinitone | 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) |
| Octarone | Key Tuner (Broken link as of May 2023) | 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 |
| Surge Synth Team | Surge XT | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MTS-ESP | Windows, MacOS, Linux | VST3, AU, CLAP | Full-keyboard microtuning | scl/kbm file import, tuning editor with equal-divisions of arbitrary intervals, or direct input of ratios or cents, MTS-ESP master | Free software |
| Pitch Innovations | Fluid Pitch | Creates tunings and retunes softsynths via MPE or MIDI pitch bend | Windows, macOS | VST, VST3, AU, AAX, iOS | todo | todo | $75 |
| Ursine | 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 |
| VisualPlugin | Custom Intonation | Fruity Patcher preset; works on many of FL Studio's stock plugins | Windows, macOS | N/A | Limited to 12 note scales, each note ±100 cents from 12edo | scl file import or manual user input | Free software |
| Marcus Hobbs | Wilsonic MTS-ESP | Dynamic microtuning. Retune the MPE software synthesizers in your DAW | Windows, macOS, iOS | AU, VST3 | Full-keyboard microtuning | Direct input, scl file import, MTS-ESP master | Free software |
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, Linux (on demand) | VST, AU | todo | todo | Free software |
| 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 |
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.