Entonal Studio (iPad) out now! (microtonal playground)

waka_x

Entonal Studio allows you to break free of the constraints of 12 Tone Equal Temperament.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/entonal-studio/id1540587912?__s=qjhf2n98ry65k8zpq0ah

Explore the world of alternative tuning.
Tune into your unique sound.
Entonal Studio transforms your favourite synthesizers into microtonal instruments.

Features:

RADIAL GRAPH
Easily retune scale notes by colour and angular position
Drag notes or have them snap to ratios
View relative intervals between two or more held notes

PLUGIN HOSTING
Make any synth or virtual instrument microtonal
Retune using MIDI or MPE pitchbend messages
Hosts: AUv3 instruments
Runs as: MIDI effect or standalone

PRESET BROWSER
Access a bank of common tunings and useful starting points
From Just Intonation through 53-EDO and far beyond
Export and Import custom scales – either your own or other users

SCALE EDITOR
Enter note values as cents, ratios, EDO degrees or mathematical expressions
Add or remove notes in a snap
Modify octave value in cents or as a ratio

SCALE GENERATOR
Generate new scales
Create custom temperaments
Helpful hints to explain what the values mean

MAPPING
Easily map tunings to your keyboard with a clear visual interface
Create custom mappings to match your unique setup
Choose to map only white keys or sections of the keyboard

LATTICE
Geometric scale visualisation
Each angle is a different harmonic relationship
Click on notes on the lattice to hear them

for desktop version(s):
https://entonal.studio/

aoverflow

Whoa!

auxmux

Cool, how does it work as midi effect?

aoverflow

I feel like this app eliminates the more convoluted workflow of generating tuning files and loading them manually into synths. Which is a lot of steps if you want to quickly experiment and iterate over a bunch of different tunings.

The next missed opportunity for microtonal musicmaking on the iPad is a proper touch playing surface designed with microtonality in mind (mappings for usual piano keys are not ideal). Think Lumatone Isomorphic Keyboard but as an app and without the 4k$ price tag. I’ve tried to build my own with GeoShred Control but it’s too much hassle with a half-baked result. I believe such an app would be huge for microtonality and can probably make the iPad an essential platform for microtonality even before native DAW support arrives

aoverflow

@auxmux said:
Cool, how does it work as midi effect?

MPE part seems to be clear, but without MPE it should only be usable for monophonic patches, right?

aoverflow

@aoverflow said:

@auxmux said:
Cool, how does it work as midi effect?

MPE part seems to be clear, but without MPE it should only be usable for monophonic patches, right?

Confirmed

Here is a manual: https://entonal.studio/pdf/manual

auxmux

Thanks, worth a try.

[Deleted User]

Hmm. Looks good but fails to import scala (*.scl) files here. App gets ‘stuck’ on trying to load them or doesn’t ‘see’ them. Anyone else tried?

elemental

@pruddo said:
Hmm. Looks good but fails to import scala (*.scl) files here. App gets ‘stuck’ on trying to load them or doesn’t ‘see’ them. Anyone else tried?

Developer here. Thanks for the report I will address this issue ASAP.

[Deleted User]

@elemental said:

@pruddo said:
Hmm. Looks good but fails to import scala (*.scl) files here. App gets ‘stuck’ on trying to load them or doesn’t ‘see’ them. Anyone else tried?

Developer here. Thanks for the report I will address this issue ASAP.

Thank you! (and for bringing the app to iOS)

elemental

The only issue I see is the lack of pressure sensitivity on the iPad (or did I miss something?). Otherwise agree.

The next update will add support for mapping on the 2D grid of Novation Launchpads. Isomorphic layouts are also on the roadmap.

@aoverflow said:

The next missed opportunity for microtonal musicmaking on the iPad is a proper touch playing surface designed with microtonality in mind (mappings for usual piano keys are not ideal). Think Lumatone Isomorphic Keyboard but as an app and without the 4k$ price tag. I’ve tried to build my own with GeoShred Control but it’s too much hassle with a half-baked result. I believe such an app would be huge for microtonality and can probably make the iPad an essential platform for microtonality even before native DAW support arrives

cuscolima

Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

Luxthor

Gavinski

These are some (according to Bing Chat!), there are surely many more - off the top of my head, I think maybe all Sinan Bokesoy apps (Fundamental etc) support Scala. Resonatedo and Sinusedo by Alexey Nadhzharov support EDO - some of his apps are on sale right now btw, but not for much longer.

• Geoshred: It allows preset custom tunings and permits custom user tunings in cents offset from ET.
• Droneo: It supports non-ET tunings.
• Sunrizer: It supports Scala.
• Z3ta+: It supports Scala.
• Thumbjam: It supports Scala.
• Gestrument: It supports Scala.
• World scales: It supports microtonal tunings.
• Dhalang: It supports Scala, but does not have MIDI out for tunings.

Edit - Adding also Pianoteq

[Deleted User]

@Gavinski said:
These are some (according to Bing Chat!), there are surely many more - off the top of my head, I think maybe all Sinan Bokesoy apps (Fundamental etc) support Scala. Resonatedo and Sinusedo by Alexey Nadhzharov support EDO - some of his apps are on sale right now btw, but not for much longer.

• Geoshred: It allows preset custom tunings and permits custom user tunings in cents offset from ET.
• Droneo: It supports non-ET tunings.
• Sunrizer: It supports Scala.
• Z3ta+: It supports Scala.
• Thumbjam: It supports Scala.
• Gestrument: It supports Scala.
• World scales: It supports microtonal tunings.
• Dhalang: It supports Scala, but does not have MIDI out for tunings.

don’t forget fabfilter twin 3, tal u no lx, kq dixie and sampei indeed (some support *.tun files instead of scala)
and synth one, digital d1 (with tune up/wilsonic)

Mo13

Just bought, was expecting some minimal midi control like over switching user scales or is that already there but just not exposed yet?

sigma79

@elemental said:
The only issue I see is the lack of pressure sensitivity on the iPad (or did I miss something?). Otherwise agree.

The next update will add support for mapping on the 2D grid of Novation Launchpads. Isomorphic layouts are also on the roadmap.

@aoverflow said:

The next missed opportunity for microtonal musicmaking on the iPad is a proper touch playing surface designed with microtonality in mind (mappings for usual piano keys are not ideal). Think Lumatone Isomorphic Keyboard but as an app and without the 4k$ price tag. I’ve tried to build my own with GeoShred Control but it’s too much hassle with a half-baked result. I believe such an app would be huge for microtonality and can probably make the iPad an essential platform for microtonality even before native DAW support arrives

Hi.

You say isomorphic but theres a custom mode of note mode ( download ) from novation thats different than note mode.

Not sure how much you gain from note mode to the custom mode and if additional note mode functionality will benefit your app.

But the custom mode ( notes ) still give the cursers to scroll pages, like note mode.

With custom note mode. You can have different midi channels for custom modes.

And Id be used to the custom modes and probably wouldnt use note mode.

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

There is a thread that I started about six years ago, but I can no longer edit the list because it is so old:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/22367/apps-that-support-microtonal-tunings

aoverflow

@elemental said:
The only issue I see is the lack of pressure sensitivity on the iPad (or did I miss something?). Otherwise agree.

I’ve seen that some apps allow you to play with an Apple Pencil and react to the pressure, but that’s probably a bit exotic. No pressure sensitivity from touch input, yep.

The next update will add support for mapping on the 2D grid of Novation Launchpads. Isomorphic layouts are also on the roadmap.

Thanks for the info!

aoverflow

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

cuscolima

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

There is a thread that I started about six years ago, but I can no longer edit the list because it is so old:

https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/22367/apps-that-support-microtonal-tunings

Great, thanks, this is a good start

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

Yes but sadly we live in the real world where my expectations are rarely met ;0)

Gavinski

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microntonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Btw, I just tried loading a synth in the standalone. I tried to add Nambu. Followed (my interpretation) of the manual - enabled Nambu, then tried to select it in the same dropdown as ‘simple synth’ - but it is not showing there, can’t select it. Has anyone managed to load an AUv3 synth in this? If so could you describe how you did it please?

aoverflow

@Gavinski said:

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microntonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Makes sense. By the way I think there’s still a case for owning entonal studio even if someone already owns enough micro-tunable instruments - namely, the workflow should be a lot quicker. I haven’t tried it though so I’d be glad if anyone shares their experience of whether that’s the case or not.

cuscolima

@aoverflow said:

@Gavinski said:

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microntonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Makes sense. By the way I think there’s still a case for owning entonal studio even if someone already owns enough micro-tunable instruments - namely, the workflow should be a lot quicker. I haven’t tried it though so I’d be glad if anyone shares their experience of whether that’s the case or not.

This is where I think there is a little confusion. I don’t think that Entonal can make any app microtonal… Only the synth that have the appropriate “engine” can do it. For example, it doesn’t work with iSEM but will work with Bleass Megalit

Gavinski

@cuscolima said:

@aoverflow said:

@Gavinski said:

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microtonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Makes sense. By the way I think there’s still a case for owning entonal studio even if someone already owns enough micro-tunable instruments - namely, the workflow should be a lot quicker. I haven’t tried it though so I’d be glad if anyone shares their experience of whether that’s the case or not.

This is where I think there is a little confusion. I don’t think that Entonal can make any app microtonal… Only the synth that have the appropriate “engine” can do it. For example, it doesn’t work with iSEM but will work with Bleass Megalit

I don’t think so - I just tried with Nambu - that’s not mpe and it is playing microtonal through this no problem. Maybe there was some reason why iSEM didn’t work as you expected, probably the dev can clarify, but there are also some hints about that in the manual.

The problem I mentioned above about loading a synth was human error on my part. There are definitely a few thins about the UI that are maybe not intuitive and not optimal, but this seems like a promising and interesting app!

Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr

@cuscolima said:

@aoverflow said:

@Gavinski said:

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microntonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Makes sense. By the way I think there’s still a case for owning entonal studio even if someone already owns enough micro-tunable instruments - namely, the workflow should be a lot quicker. I haven’t tried it though so I’d be glad if anyone shares their experience of whether that’s the case or not.

This is where I think there is a little confusion. I don’t think that Entonal can make any app microtonal… Only the synth that have the appropriate “engine” can do it. For example, it doesn’t work with iSEM but will work with Bleass Megalit

I assumed that it works by sending midi pitch bend, and thus should work with any app that sufficiently responds to pitch bend. Is this wrong?

mistercharlie

I’m kind of into the idea that I could plug in a midi piano keyboard, put this between the keyboard and an app and play microtonal piano.

Beautiful icon too.

HotStrange

@Gavinski said:
These are some (according to Bing Chat!), there are surely many more - off the top of my head, I think maybe all Sinan Bokesoy apps (Fundamental etc) support Scala. Resonatedo and Sinusedo by Alexey Nadhzharov support EDO - some of his apps are on sale right now btw, but not for much longer.

• Geoshred: It allows preset custom tunings and permits custom user tunings in cents offset from ET.
• Droneo: It supports non-ET tunings.
• Sunrizer: It supports Scala.
• Z3ta+: It supports Scala.
• Thumbjam: It supports Scala.
• Gestrument: It supports Scala.
• World scales: It supports microtonal tunings.
• Dhalang: It supports Scala, but does not have MIDI out for tunings.

Edit - Adding also Pianoteq

Also Alexey’s Keyboaredo which uses EDO and can be mapped to any other synth. It’s great.

HotStrange

Woah this is cool. Had no idea this was coming. I’m definitely gonna be watching this thread closely. Super interested.

cuscolima

@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr said:

@cuscolima said:

@aoverflow said:

@Gavinski said:

@aoverflow said:

@cuscolima said:
Is there a list of IOS synths that support microtonal?

But why make app lists when Entonal Studio makes any app microtonal! The real question now is whether a certain app supports MPE cause that’s needed for polyphonic microtonality

I almost made the same comment as you - but then I figured maybe he was thinking he might already have enough microntonal stuff, perhaps with MPE support too, so he would maybe pass on this app

Makes sense. By the way I think there’s still a case for owning entonal studio even if someone already owns enough micro-tunable instruments - namely, the workflow should be a lot quicker. I haven’t tried it though so I’d be glad if anyone shares their experience of whether that’s the case or not.

This is where I think there is a little confusion. I don’t think that Entonal can make any app microtonal… Only the synth that have the appropriate “engine” can do it. For example, it doesn’t work with iSEM but will work with Bleass Megalit

I assumed that it works by sending midi pitch bend, and thus should work with any app that sufficiently responds to pitch bend. Is this wrong?

Oh yes, it works but I had to switch from mpe to midi

Gavinski

But definitely worth waiting for some more detailed reports back on - can it run in background mode for example? Seems not, I can’t find a setting to enable it. Looks highly likely that this needs some updates to work in a way that many iOS users might expect. I can load Xequence AU Keys inside Entonal, but its UI is completely messed up when I load it in there and it is unplayable.

It does play well using stage manager with Xequence Keys loaded in AUM though, Or just use Entonal as an AUv3 midi effect in AUM. You can then route a decent keyboard app for live performance like Xequence Keys via Entonal to the synth of your choice