Xen-Arts has released Xen-FMTS 2 – a free microtonal synthesizer for Windows.
Xen-FMTS 2 is a 4 Operator FM Synthesis VSTi with a specialized set of features for computer musicians interested in exploring the possibilities of making music with alternative intonation systems
It is a freeware 32-bit plugin instrument for Windows that includes 115 patches, 55 microtunings and 56 partials files.
Microtuning Features:
- Internally loads and externally receives both MTS (MIDI Tuning Standard) Bulk Dump and Single Note Microtuning Files
- Operator ratios can easily be set to values that are coincident with the microtuning being used, thereby producing intonation related sidebands in the timbre of the instrument
- Microtonal pitch-bend ranges may be configured in cents, harmonics and superparticular ratios
- Arbitrary microtonal pitch shifting makes it possible to easily pitch transpose the oscillators in both octave and non-octave increments
Here’s a preview of Xen-FMTS 2 in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7_ecXP6z2w
See the Xen-Arts site to download.
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Be forewarned: most alternate tunings just sound out of tune unless you use them properly. The Werkmeister organ tuning has its pluses, but woe to you if you apply it elsewhere. *Skronk!* Peter Namlook made good use of such sounds a few times. If you really want to get the full monty, listen to Wendy Carlos’s “Beauty In The Beast.” Her discography is in distributor limbo, so its hard to find, but she’s working on it. That album will show you exactly what alternate tunings are good for, as with the brass overtone series. Its hard to wrap your head around, but its riveting when it works. You have to broaden your ears to even listen to them, much less play them. If you’ve never heard much of this arena, download this and step through the various tunings. Having only a small FM engine is a bit limiting, but still useful and good for learning what’s what.
microtonality is great for experimental music and techno too.
p.s. you can achieve a lot from a 4 operator fm synth. look at what can be achieved with abletons Operator.
Also, several of Terry Riley’s works use alternate tunings. Shri Camel is one of my favorite albums in this regard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_Camel
FM is almost an intro to additive. FM is like a rose; additive is like a dozen. I’m idly considering an additive synth. I’ve tried some demos and I like being able to grab harmonics in groups. FM sometimes gets a bit clangorous when played polyphonically. Additive is more rewarding there, to my ear. Either one would be a good candidate for a Scala tuning bank if you really want to explore. I’ve seen several synths that will accept that packet. Uh oh, look out, microtonal Ramones cover tunes dead ahead.