# Creating Tuning Files Working in an alternate tuning on a computer usually begins with creating a tuning file. [Sevish Scale Workshop](https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/?version=3.1.0) is currently the best tool for creating custom tuning files in a wide variety of formats. It can export in formats for use in DAWs, VST instruments, sample libraries, hardware synths, and more. It's free and runs in your web browser. The most common scale file format is Scala (.scl). (Scala used to be the standard software for scale design, but it is hard to get it to run on modern computers.) ## Creating a scale in the Scale Workshop There are lots of tools built-in for creating different types of scales (and an [excellent explanation of each](https://github.com/xenharmonic-devs/scale-workshop/wiki/Scale-design)). But we are going to focus on manually entering the scales you have been designing with the Tonnetz lattice. Under Scale data, you make a sequential list of the steps in your scale. You can enter ratios (with a slash) or cents (with a period). There are also [other ways to specify intervals](https://github.com/xenharmonic-devs/scale-workshop/wiki/Data-entry#interval-types): Michael Harrison's Ragas and Modes tuning as ratios and in cents: | ![[Harrison Raga Tuning in ratios.png]] | ![[Ragas and Modes in C as cents.png]] | | --------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | Note: - you do not include the first note of the scale (1/1) - you must include the octave 2/1 if the scale repeats at the octave - Base Frequency and MIDI Note for Base Frequency aren't needed unless you are exporting .kbm files. ## Testing your scale You can listen to your scale right away. Use your typing keyboard, or plug in a MIDI keyboard. The Synth tab on top lets you change the timbre and shape of your sound. > [!Tip] > To save or share a scale in the Scale Workshop, just copy the URL. For your library, here are [5,356 Scala scales](https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/06b0kw4vgdfr3yusrcajm/scala-scale-library.zip?rlkey=kroxej1ypbxeo0zavf7j3n9ur&dl=0). # Working in a DAW Both Logic and now Ableton Live 12 have custom tuning capabilities built in, but both have some limitations, especially when it comes to working with third-party plugin instruments. Third-party plugins may or may not handle alternate tunings, and may all do it different ways. MTS-ESP is emerging as a standard to unify this terrain. ## Logic Logic has a built-in custom tuning setting under **File > Project Settings > Tuning** ![[Logic custom tuning.png]] In my tests, this tuning only works for native Logic instruments. ## Ableton Live Live 12 includes a new Tuning control. Tuning works with all native Live devices, plus many VST plug-ins that are [MPE compatible](https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/mpe-midi-polyphonic-expression). ![[Ableton Live Tuning.png|w50|center]] [Tuning documentation](https://www.ableton.com/en/live-manual/12/using-tuning-systems/) and very helpful [FAQ](https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/articles/11535414344476-Tuning-Systems-FAQ). Live's Tuning can take tuning files in Scala format (.scl) or its own Ableton Scale format (.ascl). Both can be created in the [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#Creating Tuning Files|Scale Workshop]]. Just drop the files in the Tunings browser and double-click to apply. # Software Instruments that are good at tuning ## [bitKlavier](https://bitklavier.com/get/) ^e9ff5b - created by my teacher Dan Trueman - very powerful tool for creating alternate behaviors for a piano - standalone application or AU/VST plug in to a DAW - it can load Scala files, or you can define a tuning in its own editor - it has **adaptive** tuning modes, which can dynamically shift the root of a tuning system based on what you're playing (no more non-modulatable JI!) - it can be its own sound source, with a small library of piano-ish sounds - it can run as a stand-alone application -- no DAW needed - [Documentation](http://manyarrowsmusic.com/bitKlavier/bitKlavierManual/bitKlavierManual.html#h.g1pbhgbsplxd) This object is the tuning system. Double click it to open: ![[bitKlavier tuning symbol.png]] You'll see this panel, which has menus of modes and pre-set scales. ![[bitKlavier.png]] Press the left arrow to get to the custom page with the Import button (above the left pane) for your Scala file (the right side is for a .kbm file, which can also be exported from Scale Workshop - it represents the Root Frequency and MIDI root note. This is to center a scale on a different root than C.) ![[bitKlavier import page.png]] ## [Surge XT](https://surge-synthesizer.github.io) ^8ab578 - Free, open source synth plugin - includes its own full tuning editor - MTS-ESP both as a source or a client (see below) ![[Surge-mts-esp-mode.png]] `Surge in MTS-ESP mode` ![[surge-polar-mode.png]] `Surge custom tuning editor in Polar edit mode` ## [PianoTeq](https://www.modartt.com/pianoteq_overview?ref=cGFnZT1waWFub3RlcSZleHQ9) ^906a17 - $139/239 + - amazing piano, keyboard, harp, bells, vibes, guitar, handpan, and other 'struck' instruments - uses physical modeling, not samples - smaller, uses less memory, and customizable (want to hear what a Bosendorfer piano would sound like with 50 foot long strings and a hyper-resonant soundboard?) - includes a built-in tuning tool - FYI it does not let you do out-of-order tunings; eg. Michael Harrison's *Revelation* tuning is not possible ![[Pianoteq Tuner.png]] # Synchronizing tuning between instruments ## [MTS-ESP](https://oddsound.com/index.php) - a relatively new protocol attempting to standardize and synchronize alternate tunings between different software synths in the same DAW, and hardware MIDI synths. - This is to avoid the situation where you're trying to make several different instruments play together, but they each require separately loading the same tuning files in different formats - annoying and error-prone - one tuning **Source** plugin broadcasts a tuning, and all devices (that are compatible with MTS-ESP) connect to it as **Clients**, receive the tuning and adopt it automatically - The **Source** handles the tuning and the **Client** makes the sound. - Here's a list of known [MTS-ESP sources and compatible client instruments](https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/tuning-guide/#mts-esp-source-list) - I needed to reboot my computer after installation for it to work ## MTS-ESP SOURCES ### bitKlavier - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^e9ff5b|see above]] - can be either a source or a client ### Surge XT - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^8ab578|see above]] - can be either a source or a client ### [MTS-ESP MINI](https://www.oddsound.com/mtsespmini.php) - a free **Source** from the creators of MTS-ESP. - It can load Scala files (which you can make with [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#Creating Tuning Files|Sevish Scale Workshop]]) - big brother MTS-ESP Suite ($99) has a tuning editor, visualizer, works with more instruments ([MPE](https://www.soundonsound.com/sound-advice/mpe-midi-polyphonic-expression)), and can change the tuning of a chord while it's being played ### [Wilsonic](https://wilsonic.co/downloads/downloads-mts-esp/) - a very ambitious MTS-ESP source - free - has tons of models and interfaces based on different theorists, ragas, etc. - overwhelming, who can understand it all! - beta version - it crashed Live once for me - one special feature is Morph, which lets you choose two tunings and slide gradually between them. Some client instruments can bend the notes even while they're playing (labeled DM on [this list](https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/tuning-guide/#mts-esp-client-list).) ![[Wilsonic-morph.png]] To use Morph, you need to have Favorite Tunings saved. As you explore tunings in the other interfaces, click the **star** icon at the top center to add to your favorites list. When you come back to the Morph page, you must **double click** the favorite in order to load it into the morpher. ### [entonal studio](https://entonal.studio) ## MTS-ESP CLIENTS These are the instruments that receive the Source's tuning and play the sound. There is a [long list](https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/tuning-guide/#mts-esp-source-list) of compatible instruments. I'll highlight a few: ### bitKlavier - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^e9ff5b|see above]] - can be either a source or a client ### Surge XT - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^8ab578|see above]] - can be either a source or a client ### PianoTeq - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^906a17|see above]]### bitKlavier - [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#^e9ff5b|see above]] - can be either a source or a client ### [Serum](https://xferrecords.com/products/serum/) - $189 - this is the synth that made >75% of all electronic dance music in the last 10 years - wavetable synth - I couldn't actually get it to work with MTS-ESP, but other people have - it does accept .tun files (which you can make with the [[Software Tools for Microtonal Music#Creating Tuning Files|Scale Workshop]]) # Samplers - [Decent Sampler](https://www.decentsamples.com/2023/02/25/microtuning-support-for-decent-sampler/) (free, sound packs $0+) - accepts .scl and .kbm files # SuperCollider [[Exploring Just Intonation in SuperCollider]] # Other [Xenharmonic Wiki - List of Microtonal Software Plugins](https://en.xen.wiki/w/List_of_microtonal_software_plugins) [Leimma](https://isartum.net/leimma) is a nice in-browser tool for designing and experimenting with alternate tunings [Apotome](https://isartum.net/apotome) is an elaborate generative music playground with alternate tunings [Musix Pro](https://shiverware.com/musixpro/) - MIDI controller - iOS app like Lumatone