List of microtonal software plugins

From Xenharmonic Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search

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.

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 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 Continua Morphing synthesizer Windows, macOS, iOS VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $79
Audio Damage Quanta Granular synthesizer Windows, macOS, iOS VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $129
Audio Damage Phosphor Additive synthesizer Windows, macOS, iOS VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $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 Simple Microtonal Sampler Sampler, .wav format Windows VST Full-keyboard microtuning .mts files (5378 included) Freeware
BIPTUNIA Simple Microtonal Synth (Windows)
Simple Microtonal Synth (macOS)
Virtual analog Windows, macOS VST Full-keyboard microtuning .mts files (5378 included) Freeware
BIPTUNIA 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
BIPTUNIA Microtonal Poly Worms Virtual analog Windows VST (32-bit) Full-keyboard microtuning .mts file import, 5000+ tuning files included, easy to add more 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 12-edo 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 VST, 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 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 € 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 12-edo User input, some presets Freeware
Full Bucket Music Whispair Wavetable synthesizer Windows, macOS VST, AU Full-keyboard microtuning scl, kbm and tun file import 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)
MakeMusic 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 [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 (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
€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 Physical Modeling wind synthesizer MacOS, Windows AU, VST 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 12-edo 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 12-edo 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 (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
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 Physical-modeled piano Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, RTAS, standalone Full-keyboard microtuning scl/kbm file import €249-€399
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
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 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, standalone Partial Scala support (keyboard mappings are missing)
(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
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 Synth Team Surge Subtractive hybrid synth Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, LV2 Full-keyboard microtuning scl/kbm file import 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 VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import €55, 80
TAL Software TAL-J-8 Virtual analog synthesizer Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $80
TAL Software TAL-Mod Virtual modular analog synthesizer Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import €68, 34
TAL Software TAL-Sampler Sampler/Synthesizer Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $60
TAL Software TAL-U-NO-LX Virtual analog synthesizer Windows, macOS, Linux VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import €55, €80
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
Unfiltered audio Lion Hybrid synthesizer Windows, macOS VST3 VST, AU, AAX Full-keyboard microtuning tun file import $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 VST, AU, LV2 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 $189
Zyn-Fusion contributors 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.
  • There are plugins retunable by MTS-ESP (see below) which aren’t in this table. See them on the official MTS-ESP page.

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
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
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 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
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
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 MachinesAutotuna & Microtuner Microtonal autotune Windows, macOS Max for Live device Full-keyboard microtuning Autotuna – scl file import,
Microtuner – graphic function
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 12-edo scl file import or manual user input Free software
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)


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

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.

See also