Audio Files Tuning “Listens”
Contained below is a random collection of some of the tuning ‘listens’ recorded with my iPhone. In the collection are grand pianos of different sizes and manufacturers, some studios and consoles.
Tuning Business Insurance
I have two SATIV “980”s. I use them both, one one week and the other the next. I don’t want to work without one. And, since a Microsoft Surface Pro is part of my tuning process, I have two of those as well. I’m backed up with both hardware and software. It’s great to know…
Video: The Partial Change Correction Feature (PCC)
All ‘computer generated’ tunings have partial changes and those partial changes may contain an error. Correcting these partial change errors can greatly improve the sound of the tuning. The number of partial changes contained in the ‘computer generated’ tunings will vary depending on the ETD. This procedure will show how to use the Partial Change…
AccuTuner Blog
Thanks for your interest in the Sanderson AccuTuner! I hope you find something here of interest.. Please let me know if you have a question or an idea for another post! Probably because of my fascination with both the aural and technical aspects of tuning, Inventronics selected me as one of their first distributors of…
Video: 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)
Video: File Types 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)
Littau-Conrad Spreadsheet Demo 2
This video shows how a tuning is created using actual mapping notes and how the targets are arranged on the notepad. There is also some discussion in this video on how the “A4 numbers”, combined with the “4th” A4 Number, help to begin the mapping process. Using the mapping notes combined with the A4 numbers,…
Littau-Conrad Spreadsheet Preview
The video below is a preview of the Littau-Conrad Spreadsheet presenting how our LC Spreadsheet looks and works with Piano Manager and the SAT IV. Creating the tuning begins on the Templates Tab. Once the targets have been entered into the ‘Targets’ boxes on the Templates tab, clicking on the ‘Copy to Adjust Tab’ begins…
Adjusting the Mid-Point of the Prime Octave
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.
Partials, Partial Changes, Partial Change Errors, & Partial Locations
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.
Combining Partial Changes with Scaling Issues
Inaccurate partial changes in tuning software can create problems in the tuning. When using any ETD’s computerized tuning system software, errors at it’s partial changes are common, can be large, and can easily cause audible ‘hiccups’ in the tuning.
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.
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.
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’.
Adding Stretch to the Bass Using PCC
In addition to correcting errors at partial changes, the Partial Change Corrector (PCC) may also be used to add stretch to the bass. The main difference between using PCC in stead of DOB, is that with PCC the adjustments stay with the tuning after the SAT is turned off, whereas the DOB settings are not.
The A4 Numbers
The “A4 numbers” are the locations of the 2nd, 4th, and 8th partials of A4 when A4 is tuned to A440 (1st Partial).
Using PCC to Tune to Non-Standard Pitch
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.
Using a Sequence
Using a sequence is a great way to quickly tune and make aural checks before committing to the complete tuning. (Contains button pressing video).
Suggested FAC Tweaking Routine
This post suggests a general approach to applying these FAC Tweaks.
Partial Change Correction (PCC) Feature
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…
Check/Correct All Partial Changes Using PCC
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).
How to Lower the Tenor Partial Change
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).
Why Lower the FAC Tenor Partial Change?
When using the A2-A4 range for tuning a 2-Octave Temperament, all the notes within that 2 octave range need to use their 4th partials. This eliminates any possibility of a partial change error in that A2-A4 range. (Contains button pressing video).
Try a Different “F” Number
This post is part of a series on working with an FAC tuning. There are a number of tweaks that can be done to further fit an FAC tuning to the piano, before changing the F number.
Custom Over Pull for Pitch Corrections
Programming a custom over pull is so easy it’s not worth making a video of it. The custom over pull is ‘activated’ just like the regular pitch raise feature, but instead of rolling off onto the BlueShift, after MSR stops the lights, roll off onto the Green Shift. Rolling off on to the GREEN shift activates he Custom Over Pull and uses the amounts stored on Page 123.