Robert Conrad, Registered Piano Tuner/Technician, Tucson, AZ
Lowering the tenor partial change to G#2/A2 results in a full 2-octave (A2-A4) range with all notes within that range using their 4th partials for the tuning. Not having any partial changes within the A2-A4 range, makes the tuning more accurate by eliminating even the possibility of a partial change error between A2-A4. In the treble, using the 1st partial instead of the 2nd @ A5 makes determining and tweaking the treble stretch easier.
Correcting Partial Changes in FAC Computer-Generated Tunings Using the Sanderson Accu-Tuner IV Overview of Partial Changes in FAC (Computer-Generated) Tunings All ‘computer generated’ tunings include partial changes, and these partial changes may sometimes contain errors. By correcting these errors, the overall sound quality of the tuning can be significantly improved. The number of partial changes…
Start by setting the SAT’s ‘Up or Down Memory Storage’ to DOWN. The STO/MEM + Note UP or DOWN command sets the direction the SAT will automatically go, after a note is stored. Press BluShift and then STO/MEM to store the settings for B2, A#2, and A2. (Contains button pressing video).
Because we can’t use the same partials to tune A0 and C8, there must be at least one partial change in every tuning software system. All tuning software systems contain partial ‘changes’. Whenever the software switches from one partial to another during the course of the tuning, an error at that partial change is very likely. Since every partial change is a potential tuning issue, the fewer partial changes the better. The higher partials are less reliable then the lower partials.
Inaccurate partial changes combined with scaling issues, can create problems in tunings.
There are a number of ways, when using an AccuTuner, to tune to non standard pitch. PCC is one of the easiest and most versatile. When PCC is used for tuning to non standard pitch, make note of the PCC adjustment so it can be reversed when the tuning is finished.
All computerized tunings have partial changes and those partial changes may contain an error. Correcting these errors can improve the sound of the tuning. This procedure will show how to correct the three FAC partial changes when using an AccuTuner SAT IV. But before correcting the partial changes, consider lowering the tenor partial change from…
This Partial Change Correction (PCC) feature is relatively new to the SAT IV’s programming. So if your SAT doesn’t seem to be responding to the STO + MSR command it’s program may need to be updated. Being able to correct partial changes is unique to the AccuTuner. An FAC tuning has fewer partial changes (3) than any other tuning system, and yet it is the only device capable of correcting them. (Contains button pressing video).