Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation

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cparmerlee
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2016/10/27 21:44:08 (permalink)

Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation

I am preparing some sound files that are used in intonation training.  I need to produce simple sine waves where I can precisely control the frequency (A 440, A 444, etc).
 
I thought I could figure out how to use Rapture Pro, but I couldn't ever peel off enough of the synthesizer effects.  I just need sine waves without any extra processing.
 
I looked at a couple of free tone generator VSTs, but didn't have much success with that.
 
Ultimately I used Audacity to create 30-second WAVs with all the pitches I needed, and then dragged those WAVs into SONAR.  That actually woks fine.  But just out of curiosity, I am wondering if anybody has some simple solutions that can happen all within SONAR.

DAW: SONAR Platinum Audio I/F: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen2
OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Haswell 4790 4.0 GHz, 4 core, 8 thread  Memory: 16 GB      Video: GTX-760Ti
Storage: Sandisk SSD 500GB for active projects. ReadyNAS 20 TB for long-term storage
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    slartabartfast
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/28 04:49:10 (permalink)
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3331131
     
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    cparmerlee
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/28 09:52:16 (permalink)
    slartabartfast
    http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3331131
     

    Thanks.  I had not seen that thread, but had stumbled on some of the products mentioned therein.
     
    It looks like this one might do the job:
    https://www.meldaproducti...tation/MOscillator.pdf
     
    I have been a little confused where to put these VSTs.  Ideally I'd like to treat the sine wave generator like a regular synth, and send MIDI notes to it, while using a fixed setting (or automation) in the synth to set the intonation reference (a440 etc).  It seems that some of these programs are intended to be effects, not synths.

    DAW: SONAR Platinum Audio I/F: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen2
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Haswell 4790 4.0 GHz, 4 core, 8 thread  Memory: 16 GB      Video: GTX-760Ti
    Storage: Sandisk SSD 500GB for active projects. ReadyNAS 20 TB for long-term storage
    sonocrafters.com
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    scook
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/28 09:56:46 (permalink)
    I have never tried to configure MOscillator as a synth. I have put it in an audio FX rack, used the VST drop down in the plug-in standard header to "Enable MIDI Input" and driven the plug-in using a MIDI track.
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    cparmerlee
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/28 10:40:11 (permalink)
    scook
    I have never tried to configure MOscillator as a synth. I have put it in an audio FX rack, used the VST drop down in the plug-in standard header to "Enable MIDI Input" and driven the plug-in using a MIDI track.



    OK.  I'll give that a go.  Thanks.
     
    On edit,
    I tried the above suggestion.  I was able to get the MIDI notes to show up on MOscillator's keyboard graphic, but I was never able to get the oscillator to actually change its pitch in response to the MIDI note.
     
    As it turns out, I actually want to supply exact frequencies, not note names, so I can accomplish what I want to do by adding an automation envelope to control the frequency.
     
    On further edit:
    I found that when I used the FREQ box, this caused the oscillator to ignore the MIDI input, which makes sense.  So I can drive the oscillator using MIDI notes (in case anybody needs to do this.)  But for this particular job, I will set the exact frequency through an automation envelope.  That should work fine.
    post edited by cparmerlee - 2016/10/29 21:13:45

    DAW: SONAR Platinum Audio I/F: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen2
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Haswell 4790 4.0 GHz, 4 core, 8 thread  Memory: 16 GB      Video: GTX-760Ti
    Storage: Sandisk SSD 500GB for active projects. ReadyNAS 20 TB for long-term storage
    sonocrafters.com
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    cparmerlee
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/29 22:21:04 (permalink)
    I spoke too soon.  I absolutely can set an envelope to the frequency and this is effective.  But my problem is that I can't find any way in SONAR to allow me to control the envelopes precisely.  The closest I can come with the mouse is 442.2, and that was just luck.  I tried using the properties for the automation point, but this shows a number that seems to range from 0 to 100 -- not the frequency parameter itself.  When the automation "tooltip" shows 442.2, the level property for that automation point is 44.886.  And in the event list, that same data point appears as "0.45-0.44 Linear 8:274.
     
    Apparently there is a mapping of the frequency to a 100-point scale for the automation points, but I don't see what that mapping is.  100 = 20,000 Hz, but the lower values make no sense to me.
     
    Any ideas how I can get exact values into this automation envelope?

    DAW: SONAR Platinum Audio I/F: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen2
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Haswell 4790 4.0 GHz, 4 core, 8 thread  Memory: 16 GB      Video: GTX-760Ti
    Storage: Sandisk SSD 500GB for active projects. ReadyNAS 20 TB for long-term storage
    sonocrafters.com
    #6
    cparmerlee
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    Re: Looking for simple way to generate sine waves where I can control the exact intonation 2016/10/30 22:32:13 (permalink)
    To complete this story, I had to give up on the Melda oscillator.  It is simply impossible to set the frequency accurately, which seems kinda important for an oscillator effect.  That VST has some other interesting capabilities related to harmonics, but if I can't control the frequency, it isn't any use to me.
     
    I switched to the Waves eMo Generator plug-in.  This isn't as elaborate as the Melda, but you can control the exact frequency.  It also is not free, but not very expensive.  The following two links make it clear why I needed to have precise control over the frequency.
     
    https://soundcloud.com/user-285438829/intonation-example-a440-a445
    https://soundcloud.com/user-285438829/just-intonation-example

    DAW: SONAR Platinum Audio I/F: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 gen2
    OS: Windows 10 64-bit CPU: Haswell 4790 4.0 GHz, 4 core, 8 thread  Memory: 16 GB      Video: GTX-760Ti
    Storage: Sandisk SSD 500GB for active projects. ReadyNAS 20 TB for long-term storage
    sonocrafters.com
    #7
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