EBVT numbers again

Robert Scott rscott@wwnet.net
Thu, 01 Nov 2001 14:36:34 -0500


After looking over the comments by Ron Koval regarding
Bill Bremmer's EBVT and considering Bill's comments on the
difficultly of achieving EBVT using 12 offset numbers from ET,
I decided to recalculate the numbers that I had been proposing.
When I calculated the offsets last year, I was using a model for
inharmonicity that was not as good as the model I now use
in TuneLab Pro.  Using the new model, I come up with slightly
different numbers (which are also now balanced to achieve
an average of zero cents).

C      4.06    (EBVT balanced for zero average)
C#    -1.47
D     -0.11
D#    -0.23
E     -3.25
F      2.14
F#    -3.42
G      4.13
G#     0.59
A     -2.18
A#    -0.03
B     -1.17

This calculation is based on the inharmonicity of a
Steinway D as described in Roberts, "The Calculating
Technician".  The EBVT is a difficult temperament to
get right because the aural goals involve some pure 5ths
and 4ths.  Pure intervals are the most sensitive to
differences in inharmonicity.  By contrast, a
temperament that is defined mostly by how fast the
thirds beat would not be as sensitive.  Also, there
is the issue that the octaves as described by Mr. Bremmer
are not all the same width if you follow his aural
instructions strictly.

What the above numbers ought to achieve is the core
requirement of EBVT, namely:

   pure 5ths:  F-C     F#-C#    A#-F
   equal beating thirds:  F3-A3 = G3-B3 = C4-E4
   equal beating thirds:  A3-C#4 = A#3-D4
   equal beats:  G3-D4 = A3-D4
   equal beats: G#3-D#4 = A#3-D#4

-Robert Scott
  Ypsilanti, Michigan



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