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 bright acoustic and bass guitars.
It uses high quality interpolation and antialiasing for clarity, along with graphic
profiles of key parameters to give detailed control of its sound.
Brief, sampled waveforms are used as impulses for the tuned waveguide. Several tone
controls are provided for impulse shaping, bass boost, and loop decay. An additional
waveguide simulates pick position, with controls for pick strength and
cutoff. It has a bank of five graphically adjustable resonators
in the 50 - 800 hz range to simulate body resonance.
Digital waveguides have an inherent issue with quantized pitch, so extra measures have been
taken to ensure pitch accuracy within one hz across the intrument's range. A GUI panel exposes
fine-tuning adjustments by semi-tone to compensate for complex phase response of the waveguide.
Additional controls cover the amplitude envelope of the guitar. Separate 'bright' and
'damp' profiles can be set for attack, initial damping by pitch, and release. Pitch-based damping
can be drawn graphically with a mouse swipe for each of the profiles. A single parameter can be
swept in real time to morph between the profiles and give a realistic 'strum' feel. Additional
controls are provided to set the attack curve, and two stages of exponential decay. The synth has
15 voice polyphony to allow for extended, reverberant fades.
The instrument has an optional signal path for soft distortion plus feedback.
Controls are provided covering feedback delay, lowpass filter, mix, and feedback strength. Distortion
is created by a triple oversampled cubic waveshaper that provides electro-acoustic sustain and ambiance.
Additional features include
a graphic equalizer
vibrato section with free rate and beat-synced adjustable delay and depth
microtonal pitchbend. Pitchbend depth is set in scale degrees. Bend depth can be
changed in real time.
As with all synths offered here, the microGuitar has a popup screen to load Scala files
and set microtuning parameters. Several microGuitars can be loaded independently on
individual midi tracks. Midi notes played on a control track can then drive simultaneous
ensemble key change or scale selection in microtonal scales across all tracks.
Ensemble on-the-fly tuning change is rarely provided for in microtonal music, but is a
potentially expansive addition to the art.
The demo version of the instrument plays for a few minutes per session and then plays
in monotone. This VST is offered as registered charityware for a $5 USD
donation to the World Wildlife Fund.
Here's a demo clip (1).
(1) Modulated Ben Johnston 25 tone extended just intonation tuning. Three guitar instances (rhythm, lead, bass)
with convolution reverb plus Kontakt vibes sequenced in Reaper on a multicore PC. One midi track controls key changes for both guitar and vibes.
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
