Robert Conrad, Registered Piano Tuner/Technician, Tucson, AZ
Partial Changes and Correction in Computerized Piano Tuning Part 1. Introduction This section explains the challenges created by partial changes in computerized piano tuning systems. It focuses on where these errors occur, why they matter, how they can accumulate across a tuning, and how the Sanderson AccuTuner IV’s Partial Change Correction (PCC) feature helps technicians…
Best-Practice Overview When refining FAC tunings, start by setting the A Multiplier Default to 0.8. This usually places A4 very close to the A440 standard. Next, lower the tenor partial change from the FAC default of B2/C3 to G#2/A2. Check the A2/A4 Double-Octave Width After the tenor partial change is lowered to G#2/A2, both A2…
A Multiplier Default In SAT IV, the default “A” Multiplier for FAC tuning is 1.0. You can change this value through the SAT IV MENU feature. Recommended Setting for A440 To place A4 closer to the A440 standard, set the A Multiplier Default to 0.8. Without this adjustment, FAC tunings often place A4 slightly sharp.…
Al Sanderson’s Piano Scaling Formulas The Tension and iH sheet is for plotting the T and iH values for each note. The two ‘Specifications’ pages can be used for notating the scale removed from the piano. (Click on the links below) Dr. Al Sanderson’s Piano Tech Topic 5, Piano Scaling Formulas Tension and iH for…
Understanding SAT IV Light Behavior The SAT IV is highly sensitive and detects everything, including false beats and other types of “noise” that are produced by vibrating strings. This sensitivity can sometimes result in the SAT IV’s rotating lights appearing fuzzy, unstable, and difficult to use when tuning certain strings. The presence of false beats…
Overview of Partial Changes in ETD Tunings Partial changes are an inherent aspect of using any Electronic Tuning Device (ETD) for tuning a piano. These changes occur because different partials are utilized for tuning various sections of the piano: the bass, midrange, and treble. Selection of Partials in ETD Systems Each ETD tuning system employs…
What Is a Partial in Piano Tuning? A partial, in the context of piano tuning, refers to one of the individual frequency components that make up the sound produced by a single piano string. When a key is pressed, the string vibrates in several ways at once, not just at its fundamental frequency. These multiple…
The Double Octave Beat (DOB) feature has undergone significant changes since its initial introduction. Originally, the DOB range was limited to +/- 2.0, which placed constraints on treble tuning flexibility for technicians. Early Limitations of DOB When DOB was first implemented, its range was set at +/- 2.0. With this configuration, the maximum DOB setting…