<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1276" = name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0px 0px; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 5px 10px = 10px; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" bgColor=#ffffff background="" scroll=yes X-FVER="3.0" = ORGYPOS="0"> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Don, hello, thanks for your = proposal to give us some better understanding of your system.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>First I wonder if the strings have = to be heated all day long to stay in tune. ( a concern about = warmness/dryness in the instrument)</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>From a metallurgic point, the = strings when heated are less stiff also, can't it change the spectra significally ( I = have tried to heat strings rubbing them with a piece of wood, and the change = in tone is amazing) </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>If not I suppose you uses some = reserve of tension that you can move to the speaking length with the warming (don't = imagine how )</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Third, I guess a "master tuning" = is recorded in the memory of the system, and indeed that should be precise enough in = terms of justness for most uses (-assuming the system can even the pitch = reading or be calibrated at the end of the ringing time where the string is supposed = to be more stable in pitch) </SPAN><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>- but what = I suspect is that a system like this can't produce the most pleasing tone that = only good aural tuners are producing . Not to say that the system may not be very = useful, for instance in Jazz clubs or in parts of the word where it is difficult = to find a tuner, but the tone projection and the color of the unisons is = something we don't really have understood yet I believe.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>As it seem to me that these are = very much related to a regulation of the phase between couples of strings, and = that the tuner try to match well this phase with the acoustics available,  (hammers, soundboard, strings, room)  to = obtain the very best tone he can, I wonder if you have tried to take these phase = questions under analysis and try to obtain an acceptable dealing of = those.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>My take is that it is not possible = to have 3 strings coupled and phasing together, one being in reverse phase from = the others systematically (if I are wrong please tell me) Then the second take is = that these phases are playing a role in the way the strings system loose its = energy (so it plays a role in the way the attack is stabilized)</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>That could be may be a very fine = analysis of the pitch - while I guess the precision needed is not possible with = current equipment - of each string, if one accept the idea that one of the = strings is most probably a tad lower or higher than others, I noticed that if one = tune 3 strings by plucking them, with a very precise ETD (and an ear check) , = the final unison have chances to be harsh or not carrying well.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>So I am curious to know if you = have worked on that part of the analysis, tuning being considered like voicing = (impedance match between strings/board stiffness and hammer/action reaction = ?</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Nowadays we are amazed by your system.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Another thing I can say about = unisons tuning. Before understanding how to tune nice unisons, most tuners = realize that the piano tones sometimes better after having played a bit, most = probably because some state of equilibrium in resonance install itself in the = strings system. After having understood how to tune that part of the tone = from the start, we see that the tone is only subject to degradation when played, = but mostly the better stability from the start lend to a more pleasing sound = that evolves way better in time generally (than the evolving coming from a = less full tone to begin with).</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>As usual so intellectual and = "artistic" ideas !!! (that is why it is easier to instruct someone with nice = comparisons than with acoustic facts) The piano "talks " to you, the tone suddenly = "escapes" of the piano, the piano "sings" the unison have an "immobile move" ... = and so on !</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Congratulations again for your = work and thanks to be there on that list - I also like the way you express = things, some tend to confuse "a bit of salt " and " a bit of pepper" (not me of = course!) . </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>With all due respect and best regards.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003>Isaac </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=559034115-24122003></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <STYLE>  </STYLE> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD> <TABLE height=80 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 = align=right border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=tiny> <TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: = #666666 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #666666 1px solid; BORDER-BOTTOM: = #666666 1px solid" height="100%" cellSpacing=0 width=600> <TBODY> <TR bgColor=#ffffff> <TD class=tiny width="100%" height=1> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=1 width="100%" = border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=logotext style="PADDING-LEFT: = 5px"></TD> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; = FONT-SIZE: 7pt" = align=right>Pianotech</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD> <TD class=tiny></TD></TR> <TR> <TD colSpan=2> <TABLE height="100%" cellSpacing=2 width="100%" = align=right border=0> <TBODY> <TR style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px" height=1> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-LEFT: 4px" vAlign=top><B>Isaac OLEG</B><BR><I>accordeur - = reparateur - concert</I> </TD> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px" = vAlign=top align=right>19 rue Jules Ferry<BR>94400 VITRY = sur SEINE </TD></TR> <TR height=1> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-LEFT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px" vAlign=bottom><A class=psl = href="mailto:oleg-i@noos.fr" target=_blank>oleg-i@noos.fr</A> </TD> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-RIGHT: 4px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px" vAlign=bottom align=right> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 align=right border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD class=noro noWrap align=right>tel: = <BR>fax: <BR>mobile: </TD> <TD class=noro style="PADDING-LEFT: 4px" = noWrap align=right>033 01 47 18 06 98<BR>33 01 47 = 18 06 90<BR>033 06 60 42 58 77 = </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></T= ABLE></TD> <TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR> <TR> <TD class=tiny colSpan=2> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD align=left><A class=brand = href="http://www.plaxo.com/signature" target=_blank><I>Powered by Plaxo</I></A></TD> <TD align=right><A class=brand = href="http://www.plaxo.com/signature" target=_blank><I>Want a signature like this?</I></A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR> <TR> <TD align=middle colSpan=2><A class=brand = href="https://www.plaxo.com/add_me?u=12885059450&v0=310641&= k0=119568798" target=_blank><I>Add me to your address book...</I></A></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px = solid"> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT = face=Tahoma size=2>-----Message d'origine-----<BR><B>De :</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]<B>De la = part de</B> Robin Stevens<BR><B>Envoy� :</B> mercredi 24 d�cembre = 2003 07:16<BR><B>� :</B> Pianotech<BR><B>Objet :</B> "Self = tuning piano"<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <TABLE id=INCREDIMAINTABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 = width="100%" border=0><TBODY> <TR> <TD id=INCREDITEXTREGION style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; CURSOR: auto; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" = width="100%"> <DIV>Hi Don.</DIV> <DIV>Thanks a lot for getting back to me. I have followed your = invention ever since I noticed the article some where or = another.</DIV> <DIV>I am a self employed tuner in South = Australia, and have been been in the trade for 45 years. I have always remained = open to new advances and techniques.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Apart from my tuning and restoration commitments I am the = editor of our Guilds small newsletter (I post out 28 copies). So if you = don't mind, could I print what you sent me? or would you like = something different?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>This coming year I am the convener of the Australasian bi-annual National convention. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Do you do presentations at conventions about your = invention?. It would be great if somehow we could get you over (or should I say = down under!) for our convention.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Most of the tuners like myself are very interested in what = you are trying to accomplish, and feel it is no threat what so = ever.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Some of the questions that come to mind for me are:</DIV> <UL> <LI>Will you be aiming to get your product into one brand = only? <LI>Will the piano be at A440, given the fact that a cooling = or heating process is needed to put the piano in tune? <LI>What tuning configuration will you apply so that the piano = is nicely in tune? </LI></UL> <DIV>I use the cyber-tuner program and are aware that good = sampling of the partials is essential to get it right.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I could ask some more questions, but hopefully I can keep = in touch, and up to date with your progress.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Best regards</DIV> <DIV>Robin Stevens</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>PS the weather her now is 37 degrees C (100.4)  = 4.42 PM. Just going to crack a cold beer!! Best xmas wishes for you and = your family.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV id=IncrediOriginalMessage><I>-------Original Message-------</I></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV id=receivestrings> <DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>From:</B></I> <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Date:</B></I> = Wednesday, 24 December 2003 10:38:12 AM</DIV> <DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>To:</B></I> <A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" <i><B>Subject:</B></I> = Re: Don's "Self tuning piano"</DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Hi Robin:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>After a long wait, the self-tuning piano was = finally patented earlier this year.  Currently the self-tuning = piano is queued behind several other inventions of mine.  There are = three other devices that, though they were invented after the = STP, are smaller and easier to get on the market quickly.  I can't = tell you what they are yet, but you will see them in the coming = months.  Only one of those three is piano related.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I have the prototype self-tuner here in my = lab in Kansas City.  I did extensive preliminary work on it along = with Soneticom, a firm QRS hired to do the production = electronics design, this summer.  Our biggest concerns were = keeping the cost down and minimizing the power consumption.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>The power consumption is directly related to = tuning range: the more range you want, the more juice it takes.  = All we have ever really wanted is a reasonable range to cover normal, = yearly climate changes (about 20 cents or so).  With age and = stretch it will obviously have to be brought back into range from time to = time by a tech, but this should be much less time consuming and = tedious than an actual complete tuning.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>The point of the system is to allow the = pianist to have an in-tune instrument on a daily basis.  Rather than = have a piano that is noticeably out of tune after a few weeks, a = musician can now touch it up and play a perfectly tuned instrument at any = time of the year.  That's a basic luxury that all other musicians in = the orchestra have always enjoyed.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I would happy to explain its operation in = more detail to anyone interested as well as answer any = technical questions that you have.  Thanks for your interest.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Don A. Gilmore<BR>Mechanical = Engineer<BR>Kansas City</FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: = #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; rem_MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- = </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=mmrr6596@bigpond.net.au href="mailto:mmrr6596@bigpond.net.au">Robin Stevens</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, December = 23, 2003 12:32 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Don's "Self = tuning piano"</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <TABLE id=mod_EDIMAINTABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 = width="100%" border=0> <TBODY> <TR> <TD id=mod_EDITEXTREGION style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; CURSOR: auto; FONT-FAMILY: Arial" width="100%"> <DIV>Don...Would you mind filling us in with the latest = news re your "self tuning" piano. It seems to have gone quiet with = your invention progress. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> Robin Stevens</DIV> <DIV>Convener "INTUNE SA 2004"</DIV> <DIV>22-25 July 2004 Mercure Grosvenor Adelaide = SA</DIV> <DIV>08 8633 0533 <A = href="mailto:mmrr6596@bigpond.net.au">mmrr6596@bigpond.net.au</A></DIV>= </TD></TR> <TR> <TD id=mod_EDIFOOTER width="100%"> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width="100%"></TD> <TD id=mod_EDISOUND vAlign=bottom = align=middle></TD> <TD id=mod_EDIANIM vAlign=bottom = align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV>= <DIV> </DIV></TD></TR> <TR> <TD id=INCREDIFOOTER width="100%"> <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"> <TBODY> <TR> <TD width="100%"></TD> <TD id=INCREDISOUND vAlign=bottom align=middle></TD> <TD id=INCREDIANIM vAlign=bottom = align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></BLOC= KQUOTE></BODY></HTML>