Common tuning methods for software plugins - Revision history

ArcusRays at 22:49, 23 February 2026

2026-02-23T22:49:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 23 February 2026
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			{{Wip}}

	This page aims to explain a basis of the different common tuning methods you may encounter when using software plugins in a DAW, so you can be more informed of the differences between them.		This page aims to explain a basis of the different common tuning methods you may encounter when using software plugins in a DAW, so you can be more informed of the differences between them.
	This page is currently a work in progress.		This page is currently a work in progress.

Inthar: /* MPE */

2025-12-23T16:43:07Z

MPE

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:43, 23 December 2025
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	~~[[Category:~~Praxis]]		{{Cat\|Praxis}}

ArcusRays at 05:30, 11 December 2025

2025-12-11T05:30:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 11 December 2025
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	== File import ==		== File import ==
	Probably the most common method, typically for this method you would need to download a file such as from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop] (a great resource for creating these tuning files), and there would be a setting in your chosen plugin where you would be able to import the file.		Probably the most common method, typically for this method you would need to download a file such as from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop] (a great resource for creating these tuning files), and there would be a setting in your chosen plugin where you would be able to import the file. This will usually have to be done individually for each plugin instance.
	This will usually have to be done individually for each plugin instance.

	=== .scl/.kbm file ===		=== .scl/.kbm file ===
	The Scala file format (.scl) is currently the most popular and supported microtonal file format. In addition, it is the format used by the [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/downloads.html#scales Scala scale archive] and the software of the same name.		The Scala file format (.scl) is currently the most popular and supported microtonal file format. In addition, it is the format used by the [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/downloads.html#scales Scala scale archive] and the software of the same name.

	Details of the Scala file format can be found here: https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html		Details of the Scala file format can be found here: https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html

	Sometimes, you may also want a .kbm file to map an accompany .scl file to start on a specific note or frequency; so you may want to choose a plugin that supports both formats.		Sometimes, you may also want a .kbm file to map an accompany .scl file to start on a specific MIDI note or frequency, so you may want to choose a plugin that supports both formats.

	=== .tun file ===		=== .tun file ===
	.tun files are known as the Anamark tuning format.		.tun files are known as the Anamark tuning format.
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	== MTS-ESP ==		== MTS-ESP ==
	MTS-ESP is also a common way of microtuning plugins. Typically you will have to open and retune a MTS-ESP source/master, ~~which~~ will automatically retune other plugins that are open and support MTS-ESP.		MTS-ESP is also a common way of microtuning plugins. Typically you will have to open and retune a MTS-ESP source/master (how you do so is dependent on the specific one), and it will automatically retune other plugins that are open and support MTS-ESP.

			A list of MTS-ESP sources and clients can be found here: https://surge-synthesizer.github.io/tuning-guide/#mts-esp

	== Other ==		== Other ==
			For more description on DAW-specific tuning methods, see [[Software#DAWs]].

	=== MPE ===		=== MPE ===

ArcusRays: kontakt

2025-12-11T05:02:31Z

kontakt

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:02, 11 December 2025
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	This page aims to explain the different common tuning methods you may encounter when using software plugins in a DAW, so you can be more informed of the differences between them.		This page aims to explain a basis of the different common tuning methods you may encounter when using software plugins in a DAW, so you can be more informed of the differences between them.
	This page is currently a work in progress.		This page is currently a work in progress.

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	=== .scl/.kbm file ===		=== .scl/.kbm file ===
	The Scala file format (.scl) is currently the most popular and supported microtonal file format. In addition, it is the format used by the Scala scale archive.		The Scala file format (.scl) is currently the most popular and supported microtonal file format. In addition, it is the format used by the [https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/downloads.html#scales Scala scale archive] and the software of the same name.

	~~too lazy 2 do this rn so~~ https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html		Details of the Scala file format can be found here: https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html

	Sometimes, you may also want a .kbm file to map an accompany .scl file to start on a specific note or frequency; so you may want to choose a plugin that supports both formats.		Sometimes, you may also want a .kbm file to map an accompany .scl file to start on a specific note or frequency; so you may want to choose a plugin that supports both formats.

	~~The .kbm file format~~

	~~[insert stuff here]~~

	=== .tun file ===		=== .tun file ===
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	=== Kontakt Script ===		=== Kontakt Script ===
	Kontakt has its own separate method for microtuning, and that is through its script editor. To use it for microtuning, you either have to import a Kontakt script, or use one of the preset Kontakt microtuning scripts and choose the settings of your liking.		Kontakt (and NOT Kontakt Player) has its own separate method for microtuning, and that is through its script editor accessible through Edit Mode. To use it for microtuning, you either have to import a Kontakt script, or use one of the preset Kontakt microtuning scripts and choose the settings of your liking. Beware however, the effectiveness of Kontakt's microtuning varies by the library, and not all libraries allow you to access Edit Mode.

			To access Edit Mode, load in an instrument in Kontakt, and check the top left corner for a wrench icon.

			[[File:Kontaktwrench.png\|300px]]

			If instead, you find a cogs icon, that means the library you are using does not allow you to use Edit Mode and thus this method cannot be used. Rarely some of these libraries have built-in tuning capabilities, but they are usually very limited. (eg. Kontakt Factory Library 2)

			[[File:Kontaktcogs.png\|300px]]

	~~While Kontakt Scripts typically come~~ in the ~~.nkp format, downloading a Kontakt~~ Script ~~from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop] will give you plain text, which you can copy~~ and ~~paste into~~ the ~~script editor~~.		Once you are in Edit Mode, click the Script Editor button and then click the first tab that says <empty>.

	~~Beware,~~ the ~~effectiveness of~~ Kontakt~~'s microtuning varies by the library~~, and ~~not all libraries allow you to access~~ the script editor.		[[File:Kontaktselect.png\|500px]]

			You can choose whether you want to use one of the default presets (via Preset -> Factory -> Tuning) or import your own. Clicking Edit will open up a large text box. If you downloaded a Kontakt Script from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop], you will have plaintext that you can copy and then paste into the script editor by clicking Apply from... -> ... Clipboard and then clicking Apply.

			[[File:Kontaktscript.png\|500px]]

			From there on you should test your instrument to see whether it works with microtuning, as some libraries break or do not tune correctly.

	=== Other tuning file formats ===		=== Other tuning file formats ===
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	== MTS-ESP ==		== MTS-ESP ==
	MTS-ESP is also a common way of microtuning plugins. Typically you will have to open and retune a MTS-ESP source, which will automatically retune other plugins that are open and support MTS-ESP.		MTS-ESP is also a common way of microtuning plugins. Typically you will have to open and retune a MTS-ESP source/master, which will automatically retune other plugins that are open and support MTS-ESP.

	== Other ==		== Other ==

	=== MPE ===		=== MPE ===


	[[Category:Praxis]]		[[Category:Praxis]]

ArcusRays at 03:12, 10 December 2025

2025-12-10T03:12:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:12, 10 December 2025
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	=== .scl/.kbm file ===		=== .scl/.kbm file ===
	.scl is the ~~Scala~~ file format, ~~and~~ it ~~supports full-keyboard microtuning, meaning you will be able to store and use every kind of~~ scale.		The Scala file format (.scl) is currently the most popular and supported microtonal file format. In addition, it is the format used by the Scala scale archive.

			too lazy 2 do this rn so https://www.huygens-fokker.org/scala/scl_format.html

			Sometimes, you may also want a .kbm file to map an accompany .scl file to start on a specific note or frequency; so you may want to choose a plugin that supports both formats.

			The .kbm file format

			[insert stuff here]

	=== .tun file ===		=== .tun file ===
	.tun files are known as the Anamark tuning format~~. This file format also supports full-keyboard microtuning~~.		.tun files are known as the Anamark tuning format.

	=== Kontakt Script ===		=== Kontakt Script ===
	Kontakt has its own separate method for microtuning, and that is through its script editor. To use it for microtuning, you either have to import a Kontakt script, or use one of the preset Kontakt scripts and choose the settings of your liking.		Kontakt has its own separate method for microtuning, and that is through its script editor. To use it for microtuning, you either have to import a Kontakt script, or use one of the preset Kontakt microtuning scripts and choose the settings of your liking.

			While Kontakt Scripts typically come in the .nkp format, downloading a Kontakt Script from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop] will give you plain text, which you can copy and paste into the script editor.

			Beware, the effectiveness of Kontakt's microtuning varies by the library, and not all libraries allow you to access the script editor.

			=== Other tuning file formats ===

	~~Beware, the effectiveness~~ of ~~Kontakt's microtuning varies by the library,~~ and ~~not all libraries allow you to access the script editor.~~		todo: table of plugin / etc specific tuning files and etc

	== MTS-ESP ==		== MTS-ESP ==

ArcusRays: i'm taking a break for now and posting what i have for this

2025-10-20T20:06:22Z

i'm taking a break for now and posting what i have for this

New page

This page aims to explain the different common tuning methods you may encounter when using software plugins in a DAW, so you can be more informed of the differences between them.
This page is currently a work in progress.

== File import ==
Probably the most common method, typically for this method you would need to download a file such as from [https://scaleworkshop.plainsound.org/ Scale Workshop] (a great resource for creating these tuning files), and there would be a setting in your chosen plugin where you would be able to import the file.
This will usually have to be done individually for each plugin instance.

=== .scl/.kbm file ===
.scl is the Scala file format, and it supports full-keyboard microtuning, meaning you will be able to store and use every kind of scale.

=== .tun file ===
.tun files are known as the Anamark tuning format. This file format also supports full-keyboard microtuning.

=== Kontakt Script ===
Kontakt has its own separate method for microtuning, and that is through its script editor. To use it for microtuning, you either have to import a Kontakt script, or use one of the preset Kontakt scripts and choose the settings of your liking.

Beware, the effectiveness of Kontakt's microtuning varies by the library, and not all libraries allow you to access the script editor.

== MTS-ESP ==
MTS-ESP is also a common way of microtuning plugins. Typically you will have to open and retune a MTS-ESP source, which will automatically retune other plugins that are open and support MTS-ESP.

== Other ==

=== MPE ===

[[Category:Praxis]]