Xen
by Florian Mrugalla · Utility · Microtuning (MTS-ESP) controller
Not rated yet
Xen is a free microtuning tool from Florian Mrugalla that sets and modulates the tuning system globally via MTS-ESP, or converts incoming MIDI to MPE in a chosen tuning.
It is free and open source (GPL 3), as VST3 and AU for macOS and Windows.
Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Ambient & Cinematic.
Keywords: MPE support, free, synths, open source, keys, utility, MIDI-controllable, sound design.
What it does
Xen is a free microtuning controller by Florian Mrugalla. It sets one tuning system for a whole session, and the developer says it lets you "globally set and modulate the tuning system" through MTS-ESP, or turn incoming MIDI into MPE in that tuning.
- Two modes: MTS-ESP, where Xen acts as the master and every MTS-ESP-compatible synth in the project follows its tuning, and MPE, where it rewrites incoming MIDI as per-note pitchbend MPE for synths without MTS-ESP support.
- Xen: sets the number of pitch classes per octave; 12 gives standard 12-tone equal temperament, other values give other equal divisions.
- Xen Snap: a toggle that lets you explore equal temperaments that don't repeat at the octave.
- Anchor pitch and frequency: fix a reference point (by default MIDI note 69) so different tunings stay consistent with each other.
- Steps in 12: maps the tuning's pitches to the closest 12-tone notes, so a normal keyboard layout plays the nearest microtonal steps.
- Pitchbend range: matches Xen's MPE output to the bend range set on the target synth.
- Modulation and MIDI out: the tuning parameters can be automated and modulated, and Xen outputs the modified MIDI for routing to other instruments.
- Test synth: a basic, non-adjustable built-in synth for checking the tuning; the developer suggests muting it in normal use.
In MPE mode you route Xen's MIDI output to the target synth. Version 1.1 is built with JUCE. It is free and open source under GPL 3.
Source: Florian Mrugalla product page
When to use it
Xen is a narrow tool: it does microtuning control, not metering or analysis, so the rated utilities like Insight 2 or SPAN do a different job. Compared with ODDSound's MTS-ESP Suite, which is the paid, full-featured MTS-ESP master, Xen is free and limited to equal divisions with a few reference and mapping controls, but its MPE mode can also retune synths that have no MTS-ESP support. Against ODDSound's free MTS-ESP Mini, Xen generates its tunings from a few parameters rather than loading scale files, and adds that MPE route. It suits quick experiments with equal temperaments more than work with historical or just-intonation scales.
- Best for: trying out equal-division tunings across several MTS-ESP instruments at once, or retuning an MPE synth from a normal keyboard.
- Genres: microtonal, xenharmonic, experimental, ambient and electronic music.
- Look elsewhere if: you need Scala files, just intonation or detailed scale editing; MTS-ESP Suite is the fuller option. Also skip it if your instruments support neither MTS-ESP nor MPE.
- Tip: in MPE mode, set Xen's pitchbend range to exactly the target synth's bend range, or notes will land off pitch.
Where to buy
- Florian Mrugalla: Free
Tutorials and reviews
Similar plugins
- Watcher by Dystopian Waves · Background audio and MIDI recorder · $24.99
- VHS MK2 by HoRNet · Headphone correction and room simulation · $14.75
- InstaScale by W.A. Production · MIDI scale player · $9.90
- HATEFISh RhyGenerator by HoRNet · Euclidean MIDI rhythm sequencer · $17.02
- ADSR by Florian Mrugalla · MIDI-to-envelope modulator · Free
- Prisma by Rob Papen · Layering host for Rob Papen instruments · Free
- UNMIX::DRUMS by Zynaptiq · Drum level de-mixer · $127
- LANDR Samples by LANDR · In-DAW sample browser · Free
- HATEFISh RhyGenerator One by HoRNet · Euclidean MIDI rhythm sequencer · Free
- Blue Cat's PatchWork by Blue Cat Audio · Plugin host and effects rack · $99
More from Florian Mrugalla
- Hammer & Meißel by Florian Mrugalla · Filter · Free
- Absorbiere by Florian Mrugalla · Modulation · Free
- ALLHaas by Florian Mrugalla · Imaging · Free
- KeyDip by Florian Mrugalla · Filter · Free
- Manta by Florian Mrugalla · Filter · Free
- NEL by Florian Mrugalla · Modulation · Free
- Slew Over by Florian Mrugalla · Filter · Free
- ADSR by Florian Mrugalla · Utility · Free