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…
Refining FAC Tunings: Procedures and Best Practices This document provides a detailed guide for refining FAC tunings using the AccuTuner IV, emphasizing recommended settings and step-by-step procedures to achieve accurate results. It introduces the “A Multiplier Default” parameter, advises setting it to 0.8 for optimal double octave contraction, and explains how midrange stretch adjustments can…
The “A4 numbers” are the locations of the 2nd, 4th, and 8th partials of A4 when A4 is tuned to A440 (1st Partial).
Mapping (and tuning) notes during the mapping process is the equivalent of setting the temperament in aural-only tuning.
It all begins with A4. A4 is tuned to A440 which on a well calibrated SAT will be (A4 @ 0.0). So pick a string of A4, and tune it to stop the lights.
Measuring the “4th” A4 Number After determining the A4 numbers, the next step is to locate the “4th” A4 number. To measure the “4th” A4 number, technicians focus on the 2nd partial of A4. This “4th A4” value represents the width of the A3/A4 2:1 interval after A3 has been tuned as a pure 4:2…
Steinway & Sons … Unfortunately, no matter how expertly a piano is tuned, atmospheric variations, particularly humidity, and the nature of the piano’s construction constantly conspire to bring it off pitch. Your Steinway piano has been designed and built so that in normal use and under normal conditions it should need only periodic tuning. We…
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.
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.
Many of the AccuTuner Blog articles are associated with a video. This link will take you to my YouTube channel which contains all my videos. Click here to go to my YouTube Channel
The best insurance in Piano Tuning Introduction Maintaining uninterrupted operations is essential in any business, especially when specialized equipment and software are involved. The following section outlines how utilizing redundant hardware and software setups provides peace of mind and ensures seamless workflow, even in the event of technical difficulties. Redundant SATIV “980” Units and Microsoft…
This post explains the process of correcting partial changes in ‘computer generated’ piano tunings, specifically using the Partial Change Correction (PCC) feature on the Sanderson Accu-Tuner IV. It details the typical partial changes found in FAC tunings and provides step-by-step instructions for using the PCC feature to improve tuning accuracy and adjust the overall pitch…
The field of Piano technology is an unregulated trade. Therefore the Piano Technicians Guild has set its own standards of quality for piano technicians.
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).
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).
The need for this tweak has been around for some years now, but it should be used whenever using an FAC tuning. (Contains button pressing video).
We need to know exactly where the 4th P of A4 is so we can be sure the FAC tuning is tuning A4 to @ A440.
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)