TuneLab Calibration

Robert Scott rscott@wwnet.net
Sat, 25 Nov 2000 22:15:36 -0500


TuneLab users:

If any of you use the sound generation feature of TuneLab there is a
small chance that your computer may not be producing a calibrated pitch
when used in this mode.  This finding does not affect the calibration
when used in normal "listen" mode - only when producing sound in your
computer's speakers.

Background:  The sound system in a computer is generally capable
of both producing sound and listening to sound.  When TuneLab is
calibrated for pitch, the exact sample rate of the "listening" system
is determined for your computer.  This exact sample rate is involved
in all subsequent pitch calculations.  When TuneLab generates sound, it
assumes that the sound output sample rate is equal to the sound input 
sample rate.  In most computers this appears to be true. But I have
found at least one desktop computer with a soundcard that has 
independent sample rates for sound input and output.  On this
particular computer, when I calibrate the input system to a precise 
external reference tone and then switch over from listening to 
producing sound, the generated sound appears off by 12 cents.

You can check the calibration of generated tones with nothing more
than a tuning fork.  In the listen mode, adjust the offset of TuneLab
until the boxes are stopped for the tuning fork.  Then switch over
to generating sound and listen for a beat between the tuning fork
and the tone generated by TuneLab.  There should be no beat.

-Robert Scott
 Real-Time Specialties
 (author of TuneLab)




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