These synths use the Scala 2 SynthEdit Microtuner to manage their tunings.
They are CPU-light and multiple instances are easily supported in
a typical VST host. Real-time key and/or tuning change can be triggered on reserved midi
channels to control fully polyphonic tuning changes of multiple instances of
the synths on other channels. Please follow the Scala 2 SynthEdit Microtuner menu
link to learn more about their microtuning features.
These synths are offered as donationware for contributions to the World Wildlife
Fund.
Graphic tools, KnobMan and SkinMan: http://www.g200kg.com.
microHarmonic VST Synth
This is a four oscillator, phase modulation synth. Each
oscillator can be independently pitched at an interval of the
current tuning relative to the current note. Routing the
oscillators in FM-style carrier/modulator arrangements with
ratio-based offsets can produce bell/mallet/tine sounds that are
less harsh than the typical FM synth.
The microHarmonic microtuned VST (click for more screen
shots)
Click here or on the screenprint above
to open an interactive guide to the microHarmonic synth.
The synth's features include:
The pitch of each oscillator can be set independently from
among up to 43 scale degrees of the current tuning. Pitch can
also be shifted in + or - whole scale increments (supports
non-octave tunings). Pitch offsets can be automated in real-time
via VST parameters.
Each oscillator has a selection of eleven waveforms, a
selectable number of partials (1 to 256), and a six stage
envelope with attack and release curves. Each stage of the
envelope has a level slider and duration settings. Additionally,
each oscillator has a graphic waveshaper, a multimode filter with
keytracking, and a filtered/unfiltered mixer. Provided with eight
voice polyphony. Higher polyphony available on request.
Nine, volume-balanced operator routings are provided.
The LFO has delay, mono/polyphonic, and tempo synch options
for multiple waveforms. Tempo synch ranges from 4 bars to 1/32
beat and an variety of beat modifiers.
In addition to oscillator envelopes, two routable six-stage
envelope generators are provided. These envelopes can be
triggered by note, midi beat, midi bar, or unsynched rates from
the LFO.
A 7 x 20 modulation matrix supports multiple sources per
destination. Independent level settings can be applied to each
point of the matrix. Performance parameters including phase
modulation routing, modulation velocity control, and LFO are
exposed to the VST host for parameter automation or midi
control.
The microHarmonic VST is provided in demo and full versions.
The demo version has a session time limit.
Here is a demo clip of the microHarmonic synth.
This is in the 19 tone 9-limit tonality diamond, modulated on
itself.
Additional Credits:
Oscillator by Chris Kerry.
Envelope segment and routing modules by Dave Haupt.
Background: tinted image of stucco plasterwork at Ben
Youssef, Medersa, Marrakesh.
microGuitar VST Synth
The microGuitar Microtuned Waveguide VST
This is a versatile Karplus-Strong simulation of acoustic, electric, and bass guitar.
It uses high quality interpolation, antialiasing, and 14-zone graphic profiles of key
parameters to give detailed control of its sound.
One pair of graphic profiles sets the amount of string damping across the pitch spectrum.
This profile can be redrawn with a mouse swipe to set a profile of how the guitar 'rings out'.
One profile can be set to sustain and the other can be set to damp. A single parameter can be
swept in real time to morph between the profiles and give a realistic 'strum' feel.
Each profile also has a choice of 6 release curves. Strings die out when their
energy is exhausted rather than according to a fixed time setting, so release
time is proportional to velocity. The synth has 12 voice polyphony,
so at high release settings notes have extended, reverberant fades. Separate controls
are provided for attack time and attack curve. The attack curve can be shaped in a
convex-linear-concave continuum to simulate varying string tension.
Additionally, the instrument has an optional signal path for soft clipping/distortion plus feedback.
Controls are provided covering feedback delay and amount, clipping pre-amp, and clipping mix.
Additional features:
adjustable filters for pluck and decay. Extra roll-off in bass mode.
Graphic equalizer (not shown) to balance volume across the playing range
A pick position control adds harmonics with a high quality comb delay. The relative duration
of pick harmonics can be adjusted.
Microtonal pitchbend is supported. Pitchbend depth is set in scale degrees. Bend depth can be
changed in real time.
Free rate and beat-synced adjustable delay/depth vibrato.
The demo version of the instrument plays for a few minutes per session and then sounds
horrible. This VST is offered as registered cheapware, $5 USD.
Here's a demo of the synth's acoustic and electric sounds (1).
Also plays bass (2).
Electro-acoustic guitar (3).
(1) Ben Johnston 25 tone extended just intonation tuning. Convolution effect
applied to lead guitar part.(2) Bass and lyre tuned to 8 tone "Saturn" mode Greek scale. This is an equal
division of length (EDL) scale: 9/8, 10/8, 11/8, 12/8, 13/8, 14/8, 15/8, 16/8). Rhythm guitar tuned to a 16 tone
EDL scale. Lead guitar tuned to a 32 tone EDL scale. Key changes taken from the 16 tone scale. Compression and
convolution effects applied to lead guitar part. (3) Harry Partch 31 tone 11-limit tonality diamond tuning. Unlike
Partch who was technically precluded from on-the-fly retuning, this clip uses key changes drawn from 11-limit
intervals.
microFlute VST Synth
This new version has several improvements to the waveguide that give it improved
range and clarity. Also, pitch is now calibrated to offset acoustic impedance. This is
comparable to embouchure adjustments a flute player makes to shade into correct pitch
across the instrument range. In addition to flute range, this VST plays smooth bass
all the way down to 16 hz. Here are a couple of demo tunes (flute + Kontakt 3.5):
(14 tone superparticular)
(25 tone Ben Johnston extended just intonation).
The microFlute Microtuned Waveguide VST
Tremelo is based on breath pressure, which works the whole model to give a more
convincing effect than typical synth tremelo. Breath and percussive tongue
envelopes add coloration to the tone harmonicly centered on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th
overtones. The model includes a polyphonic legato phrasing option, so an adjustable
brief pause can set whether the following note or chord will have breath and/or
tongue articulation.
The flute has eight voice polyphony and 24 parameters addressable for for VST
automation.
microVibes VST Synth
This synth combines the STK model of a resonant stiff bar with a sampler.
Overtone vibration modes of a bar are modeled with four resonators (biquad filters).
Resonance, gain and relative pitch of the resonators can be set with precision.
Graphic control is provided to set the volume weighting of each mode across 10
velocity bands. The sampler portion supports microtuned, non-looped playback of
a .wav sample. The resonant filters, envelope, vibrato, and sampler are calculated
and cross-faded per sample in a single pass.
The basic idea is that the sampler gives an 'identity' timbre, and the resonators
add velocity sensitive overtones to give additional tone colors.
For concussive decay strikes of idiophone materials such as metal, glass, or wood,
a single sample can reasonably cover about an octave, so multiple instances of
the synth may be needed to cover an instrument's full range.
The synth provides standard Windows file navigation for selection of a sample,
which is validated for compatibility before loading. All voicing parameters
can be controlled by midi or VST host automation. The synth is provided with 12
voice polyphony and CPU consumption is generally low. Here is some additional
usage documentation: microVibes .pdf.
The microVibes Modal Resonance/Sampler VST
The microVibes VST is provided as a full version with an installer .exe that
adds a small directory with a few 'starter' samples. MicroVibes is free, although
its Microtuner is time-limited until registered. Here's a clip of microVibes played
in a 24 divisions of equal length scale*, modulated on itself.
Here's a higher quality .wma version.
Additional Credits:
Included samples under Creative Commons License:
freesound: ChimeBar sample by Acclivity
One Laptop per Child project: Marimba samples by Lou Cohen
