Pianotech

IH Actual Measurements vs app, and 12th tuning curves

  • 1.  IH Actual Measurements vs app, and 12th tuning curves

    Posted 02-08-2024 02:49
    I took the time to measure in Matlab, starting with C8 and working down, the precise center of the 3rd harmonic of the 12th below and  comparing the difference with the 1st harmonic (fundamental) of the 12th above. I did this for most of the range of the piano (my Fazioli F308). I used a PianoSens sensor to take the readings of IH using the Pianoscope app. The frequencies lined up across the piano within a fraction of cent across the board. I stopped at C2 and the app predicted the curves would switch to more weight on the 6:2 and 9:3.  I didn't (yet) record the 6:2 and 9:3 in Matlab… an exercise for later!
    Default IH Curves for Fazioli F308
    The dots on the curve are as measured in Pianoscope using a PianoSens sensor and not a mic. I did not save the mic file (I'll go back later and do this), but the sensor dots are very tight by comparison. Every time I used the mic in the past, small movements of the mic would change the dot locations until I got above C3. Moving the mic produced a few outliers above C3 and below C3 the outliers with a changing mic position were noticeably varying and therefore 'hard to trust'. The sensor measurements are quite invariant with small changes of location above the string, in the outcome, since the sensor has no acoustic artifacts and has linear phase among the partials. Subjectively, the piano did sound cleaner from tuning with these sensor-based IH curves. Hard to quantify the subjective statement, but it comes from having a more predictable and invariant point from which to tune. 
    IH Curves for the Fazioli F308
    Best regards,
    Steve



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    Steven Norsworthy
    Cardiff By The Sea CA
    (619) 964-0101
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