Hello Steve,
Yes, as of today only Kontakt is ready to go with the system, but any other sound source, such as Halion, or synthesizers may be made compatible in the future, as long as they support tuning change on event basis, ie individual notes must be allowed to receive intonation. This tuning system is totally different from “Hermode Tuning” and I actually had to defend my patent against the Mohrlok patent which Hermode Tuning is based on, so I know it well.
The VST3 is loaded on a dedicated track in the DAW. The system comes with templates for Cubase, Reaper, and Studio One. Here is an excerpt form the manual that describes more in detail how it works:
Art Vista™ Orchestra Intonation System - Introduction
The Art Vista Orchestra Intonation System is a 16-channel MIDI intonation system for Kontakt. It consists of the “Art Vista INTONATOR™” VST3 plugin, the “Art Vista RECEIVER™” plugin in Kontakt script format, and 16-track project templates for Cubase, Reaper, and Studio One. The system utilizes patented ARPI™ technology (Automatic Real-Time Performance Intonation,) emulating the intonation by live musicians playing variable-intonation instruments. It adds a realistic and emotional dimension to otherwise equal-tempered orchestral performances created with sample libraries. The system works in the background analyzing the music as you play, automatically intonating the music in real-time. An optional stretch function is also provided to mimic intonation stretch resulting from inharmonicity in stringed instruments.
The ARPI technology is protected by US Patent: US 7,807,908 B1.
The Art Vista INTONATOR™ VST3 Plugin
The INTONATOR Orchestra VST3 plugin works in two modes: the “melodic” mode and the “harmonic” mode. The melodic mode enhances directionality in melodies and in harmonic progressions while providing consonance to perfect intervals. In the harmonic mode chord consonance is always prioritized over melodic intonation. When the “Auto” function is selected, the plugin will automatically switch between melodic and harmonic modes in real-time. An optional stretch function in five selectable steps is also available.
The Art Vista RECEIVER™
The Art Vista RECEIVER is loaded on each of the Kontakt instances. When it is turned on, it receives the intonation data from the INTONATOR and performs the intonation in relation to instruments on other tracks.
How it works
The Art Vista INTONATOR VST3 is loaded on a separate track in the DAW, and receives MIDI note information from one or multiple MIDI tracks - or from one or multiple MIDI controllers. All incoming MIDI data is analyzed, and intonation data is sent on 16 MIDI channels to each RECEIVER loaded in Kontakt instances on the sixteen or more instrument tracks.
The process is comparable to that of a real orchestra where individual instrumentalists listen to each other and intonate their instruments to resonate in consonance and to add an emotional quality by applying melodic intonation to lead-in notes. Below a schematic drawing of an eight channel setup:
Specifications
Description: Multi-channel intonation system.
Type of processing: MIDI.
Formats: VST3, Native Instruments KSP.
Number of channels: 16.
Continuous Controller: Available through host automation.
Requirements
PC with 64-bit Windows 7 or higher.
Native Instruments Kontakt 5 or later
Access to a free script slot in each Kontakt instrument.
Supported DAWs: Cubase, Reaper, Studio One.
One MIDI note reserved for INTONATOR use in all channels.
