Laptops vs ETD's

[ilex cameron ross]

great topic! but what would you recommend for an aural tuner who just wants
something to a) check their tunings by once in a while, b) run quick
pitchraises, and c) make the task of tuning warped little spinets less
aggravating?

}-----Original Message-----
}From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
}Behalf Of V T
}Sent: Thursday, September 23, 2004 5:26 PM
}To: pianotech@ptg.org
}Cc: pianotech88@yahoo.com
}Subject: Laptops vs ETD's
}
}
}
}Hello Matthew,
}
}This is a charged subject ...  but, I will bravely
}start:
}
}My preference is for a laptop or a pocket pc.  The SAT
}was great for the time when it was designed, but
}computer technology has made great progress since
}then.  I am not addressing the accuracy of the SAT
}here, I am sure it's quite accurate.
}
}Here are some good reasons for using a pc based
}platform:
}
}Software can be easily updated on a pc and new
}features added. The pc is not tied to the dedicated
}buttons and keys for the individual functions.  That
}means that the product can be changed easily as new
}ideas come along.  The display shows a lot of useful
}information.  For example, it's easy to change
}partials with a minimal number of keystrokes.
}Programs like Tunelab are great educational tools too.
} With a SAT, the measured information is not as
}conveniently displayed.  For example, getting
}inharmonicity data for every partial of a string is
}trivial in Tunelab (especially in TL97).
}
}Comparing Tunelab with the Cybertuner:  The Cybertuner
}requires less knowledge of tuning theory.  It figures
}the stretch out for you.  Tunelab requires that you
}make a judgement about how you wish to do the stretch
}and then manipulate the data manually.  (I have to add
}here that Dave Porritt once wrote an add-on program
}for Tunelab 97 that allows you to do something similar
}in Tunelab.)  Both views about ETDs are valid, but
}they use different philosophies.  If you just want to
}get started and be up and running almost instantly, I
}would recommend the Cybertuner.  If you are more
}interested in the whys and hows, I would recommend
}Tunelab.  I am told that the Cybertuner has a great
}pitch raising routine.  You could download the free
}Tunelab 97 and get your feet wet on your PC with a
}microphone and sound card, or try the Tunelab Pro
}trial version.
}
}The problem with a laptop is battery life and the
}size/weight.  For this reason, the pocket PC is more
}convenient.
}
}Vladan
}
}
}
}---------------------- multipart/alternative
}attachment
}Would it be more advantageous to use a laptop as an
}ETD instead of an SAT?  I haven't decided what I want
}to do yet, but I would like input...especially for
}those of you who have used the software programs
}TuneLab and Reburn.
}
}I would think it would be better with a laptop, that
}way you also can carry your client records with you
}and have everything you need, but I have no idea on
}how good or how crappy the tuning programs work.
}
}Can you use those programs with your desktop PC?  I
}was just curious in case I wanted to download the free
}trial version and try it out on my piano at home.
}
}Matthew
}
}
}
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