Sonoclast Plastic Pitch MIDI Microtuner

It provides an intuitive hardware interface for experimenting with different tunings. It can simultaneously tune multiple MIDI controllers and multiple MIDI synths.

I entered a prototype of this in the 2021 MIDI Innovation Awards and was awarded second prize. Since then, I streamlined the design and added more features. I released the result for sale in February 2025.

Some features I added since 2021 are:

– three DIN inputs and three DIN outputs so that it’s easy to experiment with simultaneously tuning three different voices, for example, bass, melody, and harmony.

– using Scala to quantize the tuning knobs to a particular scale instead of only 1-cent resolution.

– support for MPE controllers—so that each note can be tuned independently but still pitch bent smoothly with MPE.

– support for splitting a 16-part multitimbral synth to tune while playing four different timbres.

– tuning automation for each tuning knob with a DAW using MIDI CCs.

– a Web MIDI configuration tool (runs in a web browser) that provides extensive user-configurable options.

Being able to change tuning in a hands-on and musically intuitive way and hear the result immediately.