Mapping & Templates
Creating A Header Sheet for xMem Tunings
This post is on how to create a header sheet for the xMem sections of the SAT IV. There are probably more ways to do this than the one contained in the video, but this one works nicely and is fairly quick. This method uses Excel and Word. I hope this video can be used by those with only limited experience with Excel. Those with a basic knowledge of Excel, will have no problem with this method. (Contains video) Continue reading
Library Files and Piano Manager
Library Files or .LIB files are the type of files used by the Sanderson AccuTuner IV's 'Extended' Memory. This upper memory or 'Extended' memory greatly expands the capacity - the number of tunings - that can be stored in the SAT IV. This video will show how to use and work with Library files and Piano Manager for storing and retrieving tunings in the Extended memory of the SAT IV. (Post contains Video) Continue reading
Mapping
Mapping (and tuning) notes during the mapping process is the equivalent of setting the temperament in aural-only tuning. Continue reading
Templates
Template: A gauge, pattern, or mold (such as a thin plate or board) used as a guide to the form of a piece being made; an overlay; something that establishes or serves as a pattern. Continue reading
The A4 Numbers
These quick and easy measurements tell a lot about the piano. They also give me the locations of two 'Target' notes that will be used for the tuning. Continue reading
The 4th A4 Number
The '4th A4 Number' is the width of the prime's 2:1 after it has been tuned as a pure 4:2. Knowing this 4th A4 number from the very beginning lets me know immediately what I'm going to be dealing with on that particular piano. Continue reading
Working with a High 4th A4 Number Piano
I've measured the 4th A4 Number on one piano to be as high as 4.2 c.. That means when A3 was tuned as a pure 4:2, the A3/A4 2:1 was 4.2 c. wide. A 2:1 octave there, at that width, will be beating too much. Continue reading
Working with a Low 4th A4 Number Piano
I've come across pianos whose '4th A4 Number' is 0.0 c.! I didn't know that was even possible until I measured one. Yes, what that means is that when the A3/A4 octave is tuned as a pure 4:2, the A3/A4 2:1 is also pure. Continue reading
Prime Octave
When we were working on all this, we kept needing to talk about the A3/A4 octave. Over time, it just became easier to use the words 'Prime octave' instead of saying the A3/A4 octave. Continue reading
The Main “A” Targets and the Mini-Targets
Even though the width of the prime octave's may be perfect, the piano's scaling within that octave often results in a pair of 'unbalanced' prime 5ths: (A3/E4 & D4/A4) Continue reading
The Prime 5ths
The prime 5ths are used to determine the best prime octave width for the particular piano being mapped and eventually tuned. When the widths of the prime 5ths are added together, when that total is -3.0, the prime octave width is about right. Continue reading
Working with the Prime 5ths
My approach to midrange tuning is minimal beating. I don't want to stretch any more than necessary to get a pair of good sounding prime 5ths contained within the prime octave. Continue reading
Balancing the Prime 5ths
Balancing the prime 5ths involves tweaking the shape of the prime octave 'curve' by slightly raising or lowering the mid point of the prime octave curve, while leaving A3 and A4 unmoved. Since using D#4 is not practical to be used as a mapping note, D4 and E4 are used instead. D#4 can easily be placed between the settings of D4 and E4. Being able to apply this tweak to the tuning is a unique feature of this system of mapping with templates and then using the LC Spreadsheet to create the tuning. Continue reading
Adjusting the Mid-Point of the Prime (and Sub-Prime) Octaves
Even the smoothest set of software-created numbers for the prime octave's tuning 'curve', will often not be a good fit for the piano in front of us. Being able to adjust the midpoint of this prime octave makes for a better sounding tuning because the tuning is now a better fit for that particular piano. Continue reading
Mapping A3
This system uses the relationships of the prime octave (A3/A4) to the prime 5ths (A3/E4 & D4/A4) to determine the ideal widths for both the prime octave and the prime 5ths. This relationship will be found using the A4 Numbers the 4th A4 Number, and 'Templates'. Continue reading
Mapping A3: Procedures
This procedure is for pianos whose 4th A4 Number is generally less than 2.0 c. When the 4th A4 number is less than 2.0 c., the prime octave's 2:1 can be either expanded or contracted - based on what the prime 5ths dictate - and still remain less than 3.0 c. wide. Most of the time on these pianos, the prime 4:2 octave will be either wide or pure. Continue reading
Mapping A1
Once the location for A2 is known, mapping A1 is very straightforward. A good location for A1 is as a 6:3 octave (from A1), 3.0 cents wide. Continue reading
Mapping A0
Mapping A0 can be done any number of ways. It can be mapped however you like, but just like A1, once you have it where you want it, it's location must be measured using it's 4th partial, since the LC Spreadsheet uses the 4th partials for A0 - A4. Continue reading
Mapping the Treble with Templates
Our system uses the 4th partials from A0 - A4, and the first partials (fundamentals) from A#4 - C8. This partial arrangement makes mapping the treble very straightforward and easy. As in aural tuning, we use previously tuned reference notes from the lower half of the piano. A5 is the first 'treble' note to map. Using information from the A4 Numbers and some quick measuring and tuning of A5 using A3 and A4, a guess can be made at the location for both A5 and A6. A template is then selected as a starting point for mapping the treble. As the locations for both A5 and A6 are refined and notated, templates with the new settings are used to check the tunings for A5 and A6 as well as the Ds and Es in the 5th and 6th octaves. Continue reading
What Customers Have Said
Thank you for your business and special thanks to everyone for leaving such kind words of support. It is very much appreciated! Each and every comment is important to my piano tuning business here in Tucson, AZ. Continue reading 
Bob is a great tuner. He has tuned not only my studio piano but those of my my voice and piano students. He’s more than just a tuner, he’s a fine technician as well. He’s a fine musician too, possessing...
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Bob, my piano sounds much better! I'm impressed with your ear and your knowledge.
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dear bob, just wanting to tell you, piano sounded great. yours is the best tuning I’ve had in years. let’s set up another time for some more magic.
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Hi Bob The piano sounds beautiful. Thank you. I’ll put you on the calendar for next year.
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Bob, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful the tuning job was, I never heard the piano sound better, either I am getting older and cannot hear or you are getting better, I think it is the latter. You...
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. . . the piano sounds great! Reply
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Thank you, Bob, for the fabulous job you did with our piano. It sounds wonderful! Regards, Meryl Wade
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Thank you so much. We feel really grateful to have you keeping our piano in working condition. It’s so nice to have someone we can trust and who always does such a great job. Reply
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Bob, I have owned the 1904 upright you recently tuned for over 50 years. I don’t know what magic you did, but I must compliment you! My sturdy old friend has never sounded better in all the years I have owned...
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Hi Bob. Thank you so much for the exceptional job you did tuning my husband’s old piano back on February 13th. He was thrilled and it sounds just gorgeous now! Best, Janet Mabon
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Thank you so much, Robert, for the wonderful job you did tuning my very old upright grand piano. Stopped playing long enough to write this review. You worked a miracle and what a thrill to hear those rich bass sounds...
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Just a note regarding my Schimmell grand piano. It sounds fantastic and bell like with very pure tone just like when I bought it. I played it quite a bit this weekend and as you noted one hears every note....
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Good morning Bob…….Thank you for sending the excellent report. It is well written, thorough and….well, perfect! You have mucho expertise when it comes to pianos…..we were lucky to have such a person….
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Very professional. . . . .
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My Hamilton console piano had not been tuned for over 6 years and moved from humid South Carolina to dry Tucson. So I called a friend, who plays the contemporary music at our church, and he immediately recommended Bob Conrad....
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Bob did the best job possible tuning my piano which I had neglected for five years I am ashamed to admit. Thanks Bob it sounds awesome....
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Bob, I just wanted to thank you again for all you did for my little Steinway. Even I sound good now, and that is not an easy task !! Thanks again, Jaynie Kane
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Bob, I am so pleased with my (sounds like new) piano. I have been playing it for the past hour and am just delighted. It sounds SO much better. Notes that didn't resonate before that were supposed to...
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I acquired a Yamaha Concert Grand CFIIIS in March of 2011. It had been part of the Artists Reserve unit at the Yamaha facility in CA and had been used for concert work for a period of about 10 years....
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Hey Bob- Again, thank you so much for your professionalism, advice and honesty in handling this for me. I wouldn't have done this without your help. Ray Barber, Riverside CA
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