Tuning below A0 using ETDs on Bosendorffers

James W. Coleman Sr. jimsr@pianotapes.com
Fri, 15 Aug 2003 19:32:57 -0000 (GMT)


Please note my new email address: jimsr@pianotapes.com

I recently wrote to an individual about how to use TunelabPro in tuning
below A0. Then I thought, this might be interesting to others who use
ETDs.

If one uses 6-3 type octaves, after tuning the lowest note A0, one can
switch to note F#1 (whose 6th partial is C#4, which is also the 10th
partial of A0). Then play A1 and stop the moving blocks using the cents
keys (read manual for this) or in the case of the PPC version, use
tappings in the RR tracks to stop the blocks. Then tune A0 again, now as a
10-5 type octave (its 10th partial is also at C#4 [the 5th partial of
A1]).

To make this work it will be necessary to turn off the auto note stepping
feature so that the ETD does not think you want to tune F#1

Proceed down the scale by half steps, changing the note setting by half
steps also. Each time play the upper note of the octave to be tuned,
stopping the blocks with the cents keys (or taps PPC) and then tuning the
lower note of the octave to stop the blocks.

This was first discovered in using the Sanderson AccuTuner. The procedure
is the same. After tuning A0, change note to F#1 (whose 6th partial is
C#4). Press the TUNE button. Play A1 (whose 5th partial is also C#4 where
the SAT is listening).
Stop the LEDs using the up/dn cents buttons. Then retune the A0 as a 10-5
type octave. This will be a little flatter than the stretched 6-3 tuning
which was first done, but on a large piano such as the big Bosendorffer
this will be a fairly smooth transition since the SAT uses an already
slightly stretch 6-3. Continue on down the scale, half step at a time,
remembering to change the note of the SAT by half steps also.

A similar approach can be used with the Verituner. Besure and cancel all
the automatic note selections capability (otherwise the VT will think you
want to tune the F#1 again. One cannot use the regular tuning mode because
it listens to the normal partials of the note selected. Maybe I can do it
in the Measure mode. Oops, I guess I'll have to get back to you VT users
on this one.

For RCT users, one could use a similar method or two.
If using a 6-3 type octave matching, after tuning the A0, change note to
F#1. Play previously tuned A1 and stop the spinner using the offset up/dn
buttons or the < > keys. This tunes the RCT to the 5th partial of A1. Now
retune the A0 to stop the spinner (RCT is really listening to C#4 (its
10th partial). This will make the octave a little wider.

If RCT users want a little smoother transition, they could be using 8-4
type octaves in the lower Bass and then when they get to A0 they could
change RCT to C#1 (whose 8th partial is at C#4) and play A1 stopping the
spinner using the </> keys. They they could retune A0 to this setting. As
one does this, this will give a perfect 10-5 type octave. Continuing
downward, this works only as low as to F1 (which is just fine for the 7'4
Bos).

At this point for the Bos Imperial which goes down to C0 one would need to
recalculate a tuning using 6-3 type octaves and change the note to D1
whose 6th partial is A3 which is the 10th partial of F0. After playing the
F1 and stopping the spinner, the note F0 should show a stopped spinner
also. Continue on down half step at a time using RCT note C#1, stopping
the spinner while playing E1 and tuning E0 to stop spinner. using RCT note
C1, stopping the spinner while playing D#1 and tuning D#0. Continue on
down to C0 by half steps.

Jim Coleman, Sr.    jimsr@pianotapes.com

PS I'll try to figure out a way to do all this with the VT unless someone
else has done so already.

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