Some simple guidance and where to find the file (.tun or .scala?) or do this same thing in Serum would be greatly appreciated. This has stumped me for a long time. I know TAQS.IM also has microtonal scales built inside, but I have never been able to achieve the same musical effect that can be easily felt from this video, the music I try making in this style ends up sounding wrong.

So many cultures make music that sounds like this, especially for celebratory purposes, but nowhere can I find some information on how to get that sound.
No equal temperament allowed here.

Here is an additional thread for those that are more curious, a bit of an oldie. There are easier ways to do this now such as synths supporting .tun, .scala, or MPE and vst plugins that can help with the same thing (sadly I cannot remember the names at this moment): https://audiosex.pro/threads/microtonal-music-for-everyone.43258/

List of microtonal software plugins:
https://en.xen.wiki/w/List_of_microtonal_software_plugins

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2024

So a good portion of what you're listening is the keyboardist's skill. Not everything comes down to the microtones, there's a lot of peculiar phrasing and ornamental choices at play that makes it sound how it sounds. You should consider that and learn a bit more about these styles of keyboard playing if you're really interested in "achieving" this sort of sound (which is super cool).

 

Last edited: Jun 4, 2024

I have seen this music performed live in various places and while I totally agree with you, I think there is a little something extra to this. With proper playing you can achieve a type of legato effect, but one or two notes are definitely being flattened or sharpened.
An equal temperament semitone with a 100 cent difference between notes has a certain sound and feel, and I am not really hearing that with this music. I could be wrong.

 

The Ottoman influences on Balkan music may be recognized by Eastern rhythms, Eastern musical scales (makams), and the use of quarter tones. When you listen to Balkan music, you will notice the odd meter. Lots of skewed (limping) meters originate from the East. It often features irregular scales, such as the "hidjaz" scale, AKA Phrygian dominant scale, which is also used in Greek, klezmer, and flamenco music. Some guitar tunings that may work well for Balkan music include scordatura and open G tuning:

Scordatura
In this tuning, string 6 is tuned to D, string 5 to G, and string 1 to Eb. This tuning can make a piece sound darker and more melancholic, while also making it easier to play, especially when shifting is required.

Open G tuning
In this tuning, the low E string is tuned down a full step to D, the A string is tuned down a full step to G, the D, G, and B strings stay the same, and the high E string is lowered a full semitone to D.

There are several Balkan Folk MIDI packs and Kontakt libraries available on sister site. I suggest checking those out

 

Have you ever tried playing anything like Dabke or Taqsim music? I have, which is why I'm telling you this. I'm not downplaying the importance of microtones; I'm just highlighting the importance of technique. Without technique and familiarity with these peculiar musical languages, there's really no use in using microtonal scales. It will sound microtonal, sure, but it won't sound anything like a legitimate musical tradition that relies on microtones (if that's your goal).

 

I appreciate the help friends, I gotta get off the keyboard and back to the keys.
I hate to think that the problem was me all along.