Retuning MIDI files

Hello all,

Attached is a midi file of a chorale-style variation on Rhythm changes. I'd like my synthesizer to play this file in as beats-free a tuning as possible so I can play along with my instrument and hopefully get better at playing in tune. (This midi file can be found on the Bruce Arnold website, www.muse-eek.com.)

I downloaded Scala and applied the Werkmeister III tuning, but as you'd predict, some chords sound pretty and beat-free and others are afflicted with the wah-wahs. I understand the reasons for this. Still, I wonder if there is some software out there that will do what I want. I suppose it would have to analyze each chord and microtune accordingly.

Is there any hope?

Thanks,

Susan Tucker

Hi Susan!

> Attached is a midi file of a chorale-style variation on Rhythm
> changes.

I got two files, crhythm.mid and crhythm1.mid. They both sound
very similar. Is Rhythm changes the name of the tune? Sounds
like "The Way You Look Tonight".

> I'd like my synthesizer to play this file in as beats-free a
> tuning as possible so I can play along with my instrument and
> hopefully get better at playing in tune. (This midi file can
> be found on the Bruce Arnold website, www.muse-eek.com.)
>
> I downloaded Scala and applied the Werkmeister III tuning, but
> as you'd predict, some chords sound pretty and beat-free and
> others are afflicted with the wah-wahs. I understand the
> reasons for this. Still, I wonder if there is some software
> out there that will do what I want. I suppose it would have
> to analyze each chord and microtune accordingly.
>
> Is there any hope?

The piece isn't that long. You could use Scala to transform
it to a Scala sequence, edit it by hand, and then transform
back to a MIDI file.

Alternatively, there *is* a piece of software that will do
what you want automatically. It was written by list-member
(though he hasn't been active of late) John deLaubenfels.
Check out his web page...

http://personalpages.bellsouth.net/j/d/jdelaub/jstudio.htm

...John has been known to allow others to use his software.
There is an e-mail address on file for him in the members
area (I don't know if it's current).

-Carl

Carl Lumma wrote:
> >> I'd like my synthesizer to play this file in as beats-free a
>>tuning as possible so I can play along with my instrument and
>>hopefully get better at playing in tune. (This midi file can
>>be found on the Bruce Arnold website, www.muse-eek.com.)
>>
>>I downloaded Scala and applied the Werkmeister III tuning, but
>>as you'd predict, some chords sound pretty and beat-free and
>>others are afflicted with the wah-wahs. I understand the
>>reasons for this. Still, I wonder if there is some software
>>out there that will do what I want. I suppose it would have
>>to analyze each chord and microtune accordingly.
>>
>>Is there any hope?

Hello, new member here, feeling VERY out of my depth with most of the maths you guys discuss, but...

Funnily enough, my main reason for joining this group was to be able to tune music to as beats-free a state as possible, so I'm very interested in this question too.

It seems that Hermode Tuning at http://www.hermode.com/ (found in the links section for this group - thanks guys!) "tunes electronic instruments dynamically in real time". It "takes away the tuning errors of traditional equal temperament, tuning fifth and thirds to a high degree of purity."

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, non?

Still gotta find out more about it, as well as this:

> Alternatively, there *is* a piece of software that will do
> what you want automatically. It was written by list-member
> (though he hasn't been active of late) John deLaubenfels.
> Check out his web page...
>
> http://personalpages.bellsouth.net/j/d/jdelaub/jstudio.htm
>
> ...John has been known to allow others to use his software.
> There is an e-mail address on file for him in the members
> area (I don't know if it's current).

HTH. Extremely likely I'll be back with lotsa questions - stay tuned! :-)

Regarding "Hermode Tuning": This technology actually is not
available as an external programme, controlling electronic
musical instruments by the MIDI interface. It is only
available as an *internal* feature of some electronic
instruments. See the informations at "practice/products"
at our websites.
If you like synthesizer sounds, we suggest the "z3ta+"
of RGCaudio:
www.rgcaudio.com

The next sample player, equipped with Hermode Tuning will
be the "Kontakt" of Native Instruments. It is "intented" to
present the new "Kontakt" in September 2004.
Other applications with Hermode Tuning will be presented at
the next NAMM.
We also intend to publish a programme of Hermode Tuning to
control MIDI instruments by outside, maybe in cooperation
with another tuning programme.

Kind regards
Werner Mohrlok

> -----Urspr�ngliche Nachricht-----
> Von: Bill Canty [mailto:bill@billcanty.com]
> Gesendet: Freitag, 18. Juni 2004 23:03
> An: tuning@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: Re: [tuning] Re: Retuning MIDI files
>

> Carl Lumma wrote:
>>
>> I'd like my synthesizer to play this file in as beats-free a
>>tuning as possible so I can play along with my instrument and
>>hopefully get better at playing in tune. (This midi file can
>>be found on the Bruce Arnold website, www.muse-eek.com.)
>>
>>I downloaded Scala and applied the Werkmeister III tuning, but
>>as you'd predict, some chords sound pretty and beat-free and
>>others are afflicted with the wah-wahs. I understand the
>>reasons for this. Still, I wonder if there is some software
>>out there that will do what I want. I suppose it would have
>>to analyze each chord and microtune accordingly.
>>
>>Is there any hope?

> Hello, new member here, feeling VERY out of my depth with most of the
> maths you guys discuss, but...
>
> Funnily enough, my main reason for joining this group was to be able to
> tune music to as beats-free a state as possible, so I'm very interested
> in this question too.
>
> It seems that Hermode Tuning at http://www.hermode.com/ (found in the
> links section for this group - thanks guys!) "tunes electronic
> instruments dynamically in real time". It "takes away the tuning errors
> of traditional equal temperament, tuning fifth and thirds to a high
> degree of purity."
>
> Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, non?
>
> Still gotta find out more about it, as well as this:
>
>> Alternatively, there *is* a piece of software that will do
>> what you want automatically. It was written by list-member
>> (though he hasn't been active of late) John deLaubenfels.
>> Check out his web page...
>>
>> http://personalpages.bellsouth.net/j/d/jdelaub/jstudio.htm
>>
>> ...John has been known to allow others to use his software.
>> There is an e-mail address on file for him in the members
>> area (I don't know if it's current).
>
> HTH. Extremely likely I'll be back with lotsa questions - stay tuned!
:-)

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, Susan the Scrutable <novice@n...>
wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> Attached is a midi file of a chorale-style variation on Rhythm
changes.
> I'd like my synthesizer to play this file in as beats-free a
tuning as
> possible so I can play along with my instrument and hopefully get
better
> at playing in tune. (This midi file can be found on the Bruce
Arnold
> website, www.muse-eek.com.)
>
> I downloaded Scala and applied the Werkmeister III tuning, but as
you'd
> predict, some chords sound pretty and beat-free and others are
afflicted
> with the wah-wahs. I understand the reasons for this. Still, I
wonder
> if there is some software out there that will do what I want. I
suppose
> it would have to analyze each chord and microtune accordingly.
>
> Is there any hope?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Susan Tucker

Hi Susan.

Have you tried an extended meantone?

In my experience, the best solution would be to have John
deLaubenfels stick your MIDI file into his software and produce some
adaptively-tuned versions of it. When I get back to the states, I´ll
make my own attempt to contact him, if you don´t get around to it
first.

Cheers,
Paul

Werner Mohrlok wrote:
>
> Regarding "Hermode Tuning": This technology actually is not
> available as an external programme, controlling electronic
> musical instruments by the MIDI interface.

:-(

> It is only
> available as an *internal* feature of some electronic
> instruments.

Oh well...

> Other applications with Hermode Tuning will be presented at
> the next NAMM.

Are you allowed to say whether your fellow countrymen at Emagic are going to implement Hermode tuning?

> We also intend to publish a programme of Hermode Tuning to
> control MIDI instruments by outside, maybe in cooperation
> with another tuning programme.

Aha! Please keep us informed.

> -----Urspr�ngliche Nachricht----- > Von: Bill Canty
[mailto:bill@billcanty.com]
> Gesendet: Freitag, 2. Juli 2004 00:31
> An: tuning@yahoogroups.com
> Betreff: Re: AW: [tuning] Re: Retuning MIDI files
>
>>Werner Mohrlok wrote:
>>
>> Regarding "Hermode Tuning": This technology actually is not
>> available as an external programme, controlling electronic
>> musical instruments by the MIDI interface.
>
> :-(
>
>> It is only
>> available as an *internal* feature of some electronic
>> instruments.
>
> Oh well...
>
> Other applications with Hermode Tuning will be presented at
> the next NAMM.
>
> Are you allowed to say whether your fellow countrymen at Emagic are
> going to implement Hermode tuning?

Sorry, they didn't allow me to confirm this.

>> We also intend to publish a programme of Hermode Tuning to
>> control MIDI instruments by outside, maybe in cooperation
>> with another tuning programme.
>
> Aha! Please keep us informed.

I will do so.

WM