Pianoscope Version 4 – Pitch Raising Without Mutes

Frank Illenberger

Ever since I released pianoscope more than four years ago, there has been one feature users have requested more than any other: the ability to perform a pitch raise without using mutes. I’ve experimented extensively with this in the past, but I was never truly satisfied with the results. That’s why I’m especially proud to give you a preview of pianoscope Version 4.

It introduces a new spectrum display that shows the frequency spectrum around a single partial within the tuning scale. This allows you to visually identify multiple frequencies contributing to that partial, making it possible to analyze false beats or perform coarse pitch raises without muting unisons.

Have fun with the video and let me know what you think.

KrisKlein

Amazing! I am really looking forward to using this, daily!

Rick

When can we use 4.0?

Frank Illenberger

Rick I plan on starting a public beta within the next couple of weeks.

MilanDka

Hi Frank,
It looks interesting. I once tried this feature on a competing solution (TuneLab), but I never really developed a feel for it. What personally bothers me about this approach is having to listen to too many very out-of-tune tones.
At that time, for a rough pitch raise, I learned to use felt strips inserted between the choirs, quickly “throw” the entire section by tuning the middle string up to pitch, and then tune downward while gradually removing the felt and fine-tuning the right and left strings.
How is the following case handled: if one string of a unison is at the correct pitch and the other two are completely off, how can I determine from the graph alone which string is OK? By trial and error?
I’m always open to any innovation, and if this feature is in demand, then that’s great.
Kind regards,
Milan

Frank Illenberger

MilanDka If one string is correct and two are off, there is no acoustical way of knowing which one is correct. So in this case you have to try, either by turning a pin or by putting in a mute. But most often you will find all strings flat or sharp and so it has the potential to save you some time.
But I agree: the sound of completey out of tune unisons is not nice…

MilanDka

Frank Illenberger Thank you for your reply. Frank, would it be possible for the application to automatically adjust the other settings when switching to coarse tuning — where the three peaks for the three strings are displayed? For example, to change the display to linear mode, possibly extend the scale to ±100 cents, and adjust anything else I may have overlooked?

When switching back to fine tuning, everything would return to its original state. As it stands now, you have to keep in mind several additional settings that need to be manually readjusted.

MarkF

Hi Frank,
Is it possible to make the pitch raising and fine-tuning modes visually distinct in the new version?
It is not always convenient to search for the small diamond with eyes when working in a dark theme, especially if it is located near the zero mark.
I have been asking for this for some time, and you promised to come up with something.
I would be very grateful.

Frank Illenberger

MarkF Oh, you're right. I totally forgot about it. I still don't have a idea for a good indication, but it should somehow be possible.

Frank Illenberger

MarkF Mark, I gave it some thought and found that a good place for a pitch raise mode warning could be the concert pitch header field.
Which of these two variants would you prefer?

I also tried a third variant, which I did not like very much:

OldMike

Amazing. I can’t wait to try it out.

Frank Illenberger

MilanDka I've already implemented that the scale aumatically switches to linear mode. For all other settings combinations I suggest you save your favorite pitch-raise settings under a name and then you can quickly switch to them.

MilanDka

Is it possible in this mode to use Pitch Raise mode at the same time?
For example: for A4 – current frequency 434 Hz, desired final frequency 442 Hz, so I would (theoretically) have to tune to 446 Hz – and apply this across the entire range according to the measured values from Pitch Raise?

Frank Illenberger

MilanDka Yes, for sure. Pitch raising works exactly the same in spectrum mode: Either you have overpull markers and you pull the strings to it. Or you can switch to have the overpull target in the middle at zero. The only difference is that instead of a red indicator you see the spectrum.

MilanDka

For me, the second screenshot looks good.

MarkF

Hi Frank,
I work in dark mode to save battery power.
The second option is better than nothing.
Could you add a more prominent indicator to this: for example, slightly change the background color or highlight an interface element with a frame, etc.?
Thank you very much for your attention to my request!

Frank Illenberger

MarkF I made a lot of improvements on battery consumption with the upcoming v4. I am looking forward to your in-the-field expierence with it.

Frank Illenberger

MarkF I am reluctant to change background colors as I still want to use this measure in a future version to implement a nearness-blushing effect. But I tried something different. I changed the symbol for the pitch-raise toolbar item to have more color area. And then I can make it a bright orange when pitch-raising is active. For me this is now hard to miss.

Rick

I find dark mode oppressive and don’t like it but then I have a stand with 5v.

MilanDka

Hi Frank. This is essentially the same significant adjustment I once asked you for in the daily mode as well. Great solution.

Frank Illenberger

MilanDka Hi Milan, help me out, I can't remember. Which adjustment was it?