FR13 - Import Scala scales for microtonality and Non-Western pitch systems

S2400 Feature Requests
1

Feature Request #13 - Import Scala Scales for Microtonality[1]

Topics: tuning, microtonality, microtuning, alternate scales

Pretext, Context (optional reading)

One great feature of the S2400 is the ability to set tuning to “free”, which makes it an almost fretless instrument via the sliders. That unlocks so many musical options — I’m absolutely happy with it. Sometimes it would be good to have some grid or reference, though, and I don’t think of the too much of a compromise Western 12-EDO scale. The suggestion is to allow the S2400 to import Scala tuning files which can be relative tunings with different number of steps and intervals in an octave or completely free (like building spirals of intervals without rounding errors). It would be nice to set the range of the slider way and then be able to quickly build melodies, harmonies, chords in multi mode and Non-Western tuning systems with ease and breeze (like Persian scales or Balkan scales).

Function

  • Import Scala scales directly and use them for tuning via sliders

Suggestions for Implementation

  • Allow importing .scl files from a designated folder on the SD card into a list of tuning templates.
  • (Optional/Additional) Support for MIDI Tuning Standard (MTS) messages received over MIDI — assign received scales to tuning templates.

Integration in UI

  • Under track settings → tuning:
    • Select from imported Scala scales (not just subsets of 12-EDO).
    • Option to choose root note or reference frequency for each track/sample.
    • Options for lower and upper limit (frequency + roughly note number) or span in number of octaves or other interval
      • setting of lower and upper limits via designated sliders by ear and with optical feedback as number would be nice, too
    • Option to constrain to in-octave tunings vs. free tunings (e.g., endless stepwise intervals like in some Gamelan music).

What Could Be Gained?

  • Deep access to microtonal traditions and contemporary sound exploration.
  • Simple, efficient composition in custom tunings (both historical and experimental).
  • Easy application of non-Western pitch systems to modern sampling workflows.
  • Increased compatibility with existing Scala users, DAWs, hardware synths, and musicological tools.

Sources

  1. numbering only for personal reference, no suggestion of priority or the like ↩︎

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