was accu-tuner now tuning question

[Doug Hershberger]

List and accu-tuner experts,
   I have a question about  octave stretch when using the accu-tuner.In the
area of the piano we generally use 4:2 octaves such as the mid range, I
sometimes  will tune the octaves aurally and then check to see what the
accu-tuner says about it using a FAC tuning on a page of memory. I am
talking about a well scaled piano and a FAC that fits pretty well. What
seems to be the case with me is that no matter how conservatively I try to
make the octave stretch the accu-tuner still says the octave is sharp(I'm
tuning the upper note to the lower) using the third tenth test listening to
fourths and fifths as well. When I set the octave to the machine and then do
the tests the octave sounds kind of flat or at the very most pure. I'm
wondering if others have observed this or I have just been pushing the
envelope of stretch so long that I'm used to this more aggressive style. It
is most noticeable on low inharmonicity pianos. It seems like with a
Steinway there is more room to customize the octaves and the accu-tuner
seems to agree with that.
   I would think the different octave choices on the Cyber-Tuner would be a
great advantage to electronic tuning. Even though I have been tuning for
years, the above question is kind of a beginner question and I believe in my
own case that using an electronic device for tuning has hurt my aural skills
alot. Does anyone have thoughts on these items?
Doug Hershberger, RPT
----- Original Message -----
From: <A440A@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 8:39 PM
Subject: Re: Accutuner


>
> >I'm thinking about upgrading from a SAT II to a SAT III but I'm a little
> >leary about the automatic note stepper feature.  A friend of mine said
> >it
> >can cause
> >confusion.  Can it be de-activated if I desired?  Is it really a problem?
>
> Greetings,
>      I have, several times, found myself tuning to the wrong note. This
> happens when I go back and check something and the machine automatically
> hears a target partial and changes to it.  Minor thirds below will often
> occur.  This is not a problem once you get the discipline down.  You can
omit
> the function and use a switch if you desire.
>     One big thing about the III for me is the temperament selection.  It
> makes it easy to load 14 temperamenti, which are easily applied to any FAC
at
> the touch of a button.  Also, You can place a + 8 cent correction in each
> note of a temperament page, and instantly have a442 that you can use the
> pitch raise function with.
>      The octave stretch change is also very useful in tailoring tunings to
> specific venues, ( compressed for studio recording work, and expanded for
> jazz club etc.)
> Regards,
> Ed Foote