Yahoo Tuning Groups Ultimate Backup crazy_music Testing practicality: FTS and Scala

Folks,

I posted this to the original 'tuning' list earlier today (and then,
mistakenly, the metatuning), but everyone is busy yadda-yadda-ing
about 72tET and blackjack and whatnot. Let's see if anyone here has
some answers. Message goes like this:

I'm going to get things arranged here at home to start working on a
music project(s). It will be microtonal, and I want to start
assessing my situation. Could some kind soul(s) put up links to where
I can find:

- Fractal Tune Smithy
- Scala

For the moment I will work begrudgingly with my 2 TX81Zs and a DX11,
at least to do the composing; I will want to find better sound
sources and replace sounds that way, either through a software
solution (Csound or other) or find people that maybe would make .wav
files if I send a midi file, and then assemble them in the digital
audio realm.

If anyone has other ideas, let me know. The other gear is in moderate
supply (Korg Wavestation, Roland JV-1080, Sequential Circuits Prophet
5), but outside of the limited re-tuning of the Prophet it is my
understanding that you can't remap large new tunings to the other
boxes.

TIA,
Jon

🔗George Zelenz <ploo@...>

Szanto,

get a proteus 2000, or whatever the latest gizmo is. It's awesome.

JSZANTO@... wrote:

> Folks,
>
> I posted this to the original 'tuning' list earlier today (and then,
> mistakenly, the metatuning), but everyone is busy yadda-yadda-ing
> about 72tET and blackjack and whatnot. Let's see if anyone here has
> some answers. Message goes like this:
>
> I'm going to get things arranged here at home to start working on a
> music project(s). It will be microtonal, and I want to start
> assessing my situation. Could some kind soul(s) put up links to where
> I can find:
>
> - Fractal Tune Smithy
> - Scala
>
> For the moment I will work begrudgingly with my 2 TX81Zs and a DX11,
> at least to do the composing; I will want to find better sound
> sources and replace sounds that way, either through a software
> solution (Csound or other) or find people that maybe would make .wav
> files if I send a midi file, and then assemble them in the digital
> audio realm.
>
> If anyone has other ideas, let me know. The other gear is in moderate
> supply (Korg Wavestation, Roland JV-1080, Sequential Circuits Prophet
> 5), but outside of the limited re-tuning of the Prophet it is my
> understanding that you can't remap large new tunings to the other
> boxes.
>
> TIA,
> Jon
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> crazy_music-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

🔗JSZANTO@...

🔗nanom3@...

Hi Jon

I like these kind of questions. What computer are you using? Have
you thought about software synths. They are very reasonable in price
and work great. Native Instruments is coming out shortly with the
FX7 which models the yamaha FM syntesizers.

Korg Wavestation is nice. Their Triton really rocks.

I also would be willing to do some midi to wav. using Kurzweills
which are great for microtuning. You can pick up K2000's very cheap
if you are looking for new hardware synths.

Mary

PS I had wanted to get the now infamous mashed potato equation which
I didn't write down, and all of XJ's tuning. Energetically I think
it much better to bury the dead :-) I also wouldn't be in favor of
resurrection without Lithium and Haldol on board.

🔗JSZANTO@...

Hey there, Mary!

--- In crazy_music@y..., nanom3@h... wrote:
> I like these kind of questions. What computer are you using?

Fairly hot PC setup, with both a Soundblaster card (for the basic
computer needs) and an Echo Gina digital board with 2 in and 8 out,
SP/DIF i/o as well. Lots of room on the new 40g hard drive.

Of course, I have a sneaky suspicion you're on a Mac... :)

> Have you thought about software synths. They are very reasonable in
> price and work great. Native Instruments is coming out shortly
> with the FX7 which models the yamaha FM syntesizers.

I have, but I doubt I'd go for something that mimics FM! The
electronica guys have it all over the die-hard 'classical' electronic
people, because they are the ones heavily into the software synths,
which really seems the way to go. I want to check out soft samplers
as well, maybe the GigaSampler I've heard about.

But I was serious in being able to rough out the form of the piece
with the Yamahas I have (just those dated, yucky, thin sounds) and
then...

> I also would be willing to do some midi to wav. using Kurzweills
> which are great for microtuning. You can pick up K2000's very
> cheap if you are looking for new hardware synths.

...ah, how did you know that it was *your* work that made me think
about this? When you mentioned not only your setup but then Acid
(didn't you? and then, Jon, doesn't this mean she uses a PC?) that it
made me think "hey, send the basic data in midi for and have someone
burn .wav files!"

Seriously, it would take a fair amount of thought, as I wouldn't want
to waste anyone's time. But I was so taken with the raw beauty of the
sound fields you were playing in that it was one of the things that
kicked me into thinking about composing and recording again.

And, yes, I love my Wavestation. What I might do is use it for pads
or background sound beds, where I could tweak a patch and let it play.

You've given me some nice things to think about. I still haven't
heard back on Scala and FTS, but I think I might search the archives
of the tuning list and see what comes up. Or Google it to death...

Very best,
Jon

> PS I had wanted to get the now infamous mashed potato equation
which
> I didn't write down, and all of XJ's tuning. Energetically I think
> it much better to bury the dead :-) I also wouldn't be in favor of
> resurrection without Lithium and Haldol on board.

Mary, with all candor I have NO idea what your PS is referring to!!

🔗nanom3@...

--- In crazy_music@y..., JSZANTO@A... wrote:
> Hey there, Mary!
>
> --- In crazy_music@y..., nanom3@h... wrote:
> > I like these kind of questions. What computer are you using?
>
> Fairly hot PC setup, with both a Soundblaster card (for the basic
> computer needs) and an Echo Gina digital board with 2 in and 8 out,
> SP/DIF i/o as well. Lots of room on the new 40g hard drive.
>
> Of course, I have a sneaky suspicion you're on a Mac... :)

I use both. Actually am about to upgrade the PC to a Pentium 3 or 4
so I can run Reaktor, Acid and GigaStudio without a hiccup. Think
I'm going go with Aardvark setup cause it has preamps I can use and
got a great review in Electronic Musician and is realware.
>
> > Have you thought about software synths. They are very reasonable
in
> > price and work great. Native Instruments is coming out shortly
> > with the FX7 which models the yamaha FM syntesizers.

I mentionned that because Jacky and I think XJ use Yamaha and really
like it for sound synthesis.
>

>
> But I was serious in being able to rough out the form of the piece
> with the Yamahas I have (just those dated, yucky, thin sounds) and
> then...
>
> > I also would be willing to do some midi to wav. using Kurzweills
> > which are great for microtuning. You can pick up K2000's very
> > cheap if you are looking for new hardware synths.
>
> ...ah, how did you know that it was *your* work that made me think
> about this? When you mentioned not only your setup but then Acid
> (didn't you? and then, Jon, doesn't this mean she uses a PC?) that
it
> made me think "hey, send the basic data in midi for and have
someone
> burn .wav files!"
>
> Seriously, it would take a fair amount of thought, as I wouldn't
want
> to waste anyone's time. But I was so taken with the raw beauty of
the
> sound fields you were playing in that it was one of the things that
> kicked me into thinking about composing and recording again.

thank you. I would actually enjoy hearing your stuff and playing
with it becasue its another way to learn more about 7 limit and 11
limit. I like orchestrating stuff, although my taste is "weird".
>
> And, yes, I love my Wavestation. What I might do is use it for pads
> or background sound beds, where I could tweak a patch and let it
play.
>
Here is FTS > I have, but I doubt I'd go for something that mimics
FM! The
> electronica guys have it all over the die-hard 'classical'
electronic
> people, because they are the ones heavily into the software synths,
> which really seems the way to go. I want to check out soft samplers
> as well, maybe the GigaSampler I've heard about.

Here is FTS. It is really the Swiss Knife for microtonalists
(IMHO). I think you can find the link to scala from his site.

http://www.tunesmithy.connectfree.co.uk/index.htm
>
> Very best,
> Jon
>
> > >
> Mary, with all candor I have NO idea what your PS is referring to!!

I think approval for membership to this list is really important
given the ability of one person to absolutely wreak havoc with the
gentlespace others are trying to create. Since the list is open I
did not want to be targeted. An old Tibetan proverb : when you meet
a madman with a hand grenade, get out of his way :-))

🔗JSZANTO@...

Mary,

About all the first 85% of the msg, thanks for the thoughts and I've
got the links now and will spend a week or so starting to make things
happen.

--- In crazy_music@y..., nanom3@h... wrote:
> I think approval for membership to this list is really important
> given the ability of one person to absolutely wreak havoc with the
> gentlespace others are trying to create. Since the list is open I
> did not want to be targeted. An old Tibetan proverb : when you
> meet a madman with a hand grenade, get out of his way :-))

Ah, I get the drift. <sigh> I was so sorry to see it happen, as I was
here waaaaaaay back when, during the first nuking of a list. So sad,
so sad...

Jon

🔗jpehrson@...

--- In crazy_music@y..., George Zelenz <ploo@m...> wrote:

/crazy_music/topicId_44.html#45

> Szanto,
>
> get a proteus 2000, or whatever the latest gizmo is. It's awesome.
>
> GZ
>
> JSZANTO@A... wrote:
>

That would be *my* next move as well... in addition to getting
another TX81Z. My own equipment is EXTREMELY limited, which makes me
wonder why some of my electronic stuff has been as successful as it
has... (several public performances)

Personally, I feel there are ALWAYS limitations... and I haven't even
exhausted, yet, what I already have. Some may disagree...

_________ _________ ____
Joseph Pehrson

🔗jpehrson@...

--- In crazy_music@y..., JSZANTO@A... wrote:
> George,
>
> --- In crazy_music@y..., George Zelenz <ploo@m...> wrote:
> > Szanto,
> >
> > get a proteus 2000, or whatever the latest gizmo is. It's awesome.
>
> Oooh, online and answering. But the hope was to start the work with
> what I have, not go out and buy equipment just to make music.
>
> But I'll take a look at the Prot* line of stuff, assuming you can
map
> things like 43-tone 11 limit JI.
>
> Cheers,
> Jon

http://home.att.net/~microtonal/micro_af.html

As you can see from this page, you have the full range of MIDI to
work with in the Proteus 2000. The only limitation is the 1.56 cent
resolution... (like the TX81Z.... except you can have 12 global
tunings, not just TWO)

__________ ________ ____
Joseph Pehrson

🔗JSZANTO@...

Joe,

--- In crazy_music@y..., jpehrson@r... wrote:
> http://home.att.net/~microtonal/micro_af.html
>
> As you can see from this page, you have the full range of MIDI to
> work with in the Proteus 2000. The only limitation is the 1.56
cent
> resolution... (like the TX81Z.... except you can have 12 global
> tunings, not just TWO)

Excellent, thanks. That's one of the pages I've known about but had
no use for until now, and the Prot line is certainly more cost-
effective than the Kurzweil line. I know people with K2600's that I
could run a midi file on and record the output, mixing it later in
the digital realm with what I might have at the home studio.

BTW, as for the "I sent you the links 5 times", try and keep in mind
both time zones and Yahoo posting lag times. The replies didn't come
in until long after I had done searches and gotten responses from
other posters. That said, all positive replies are gratefully
accepted and acknowledged.

Cheers,
Jon

🔗Robert Walker <robertwalker@...>

Hi Jon,

> Hey, I knew I'd hear from you! Are you really recommending dl'ing the
> beta? I pulled down 1.8something last night from your site after a
> search. Please advise...

Yes, nearly everyone uses the latest beta.

It is a good many months since I last did a release, in fact, goodness me,
more than half a year now. A lot has happened since then.

It's really a beta because help is incomplete, and some of the things to
do with layout of the program. Won't hardly notice in normal use.

If you click on the ? icon for some of the windows, may find there
isn't any help specific to that window. Or may find some of the help
doesn't exactly match the current layout of the windows, that
sort of thing.

Sorry to have it so unfinished - keep getting distracted from the job of
finishing it and releasing it. Maybe some time I should just say no to
everything else, and get on with it!

> Will add that to my download list. Thanks, and if I have questions is
> it ok to write you offlist?

Please do. Better off list I think.

Robert