SAT Pitch Raise to Lower Pitch

[John M. Formsma]

Terry,

I think that the SAT automatically pitch raises to standard pitch when you
use the offset calculator thingee. Since you are wanting the ending pitch to
be around 50 cents, why don't you try setting the SAT 35-40 cents flat and
do a normal FAC tuning. You will have to tune it a few times anyway, so
"pitch raise" it first at 25-35 cents flat in the bass, less flat in
midrange, and less in treble. It will drop. Then pitch raise it again with
the SAT 45 or so cents flat. Then tune it at 50 cents flat. It should be
getting stable at 50 cents flat then. You would have to calculate the pitch
drop to know how flat to set the SAT, but it probably would not follow any
"standard" rule since it is so grossly flat. If you want it at standard
(which is what I do if possible), you could also bring it up to standard
pitch in one pass (FAC tuning), then do a pitch raise followed by a tuning.
I would probably schedule 3 quickie tunings the first time, then come back
for a follow-up later. (I don't like slugging away at the same piano for too
long. :-) Not to mention that the piano is still unstable at this point.)

I do all my pitch raises aurally because it is faster for me. If I had the
SAT III with auto step, it would be different. Rather than using my SAT II
with foot switch and staring at the display, I like to set a quick pitch
raise temperament, then go at it. For your situation, though, I think I
would pull out the old SAT. :-)

Best regards,

John Formsma
Blue Mountain, MS



<<Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. When I use the pitch raise
feature,
it completely ZAPS any reference to the original targeted 50 cent flat
offset and simply calculates an appropriate pitch raise overpull for pitch
of A440, i.e., if I were to then tune A0 after using the pitch raise
feature, it would indicate that I need to raise A0 about 125 cents (the
original 100 cents it was below A440, plus the 25% overpull for the pitch
raise that the SAT throws in).

Is this a limitation of the SAT :-(?  I find it hard to imagine that I am
the only one that needs to do such an undesirable procedure. Please tell me
I am overlooking something :-) (and then be specific as to what)! If it is a
limitation (I can't believe Dr. Sanderson missed this situation), does
anyone know of a slick way around it?>>