Transpose from Am to A

Discuss music production with Ableton Live.
stringtapper
Posts: 6321
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:21 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by stringtapper » Fri Jun 15, 2012 8:13 pm

Ok just a couple of things.

When you introduce the 4th harmonic let us know that it is two octaves above the fundamental. As it is you only compare it to the 3rd harmonic, which is fine, but I feel each of the overtones should at least be described by comparison to the fundamental. You say it later, but say it when you first introduce it.

This part:
The problem with natural overtones (the Just Scale) is that the tuning is different for different scales, and the intervals between notes are not constant. It's actually still used in orchestras and choirs, and this is why orchestras have to retune in between pieces. For modern instruments however, we have adapted the equal temperament tuning. However it's useful to understand the overtones series as this is how music is derived, with a slight tweak to create a continuous and even tuning.
It's a little problematic to say that choirs and especially orchestras use just intonation. It's true that vocal ensmbles singing a capella are going to naturally gravitate toward just intervals when it comes to harmonies. We know from sources as early as the 14th century (Walter of Odington) that singers probably sang just 3rds (5/4, 6/5) even though the prevailing tunings would prescribe the very sharp Pythagorean 3rds. That's just people using their ears and gravitating towards the purest thirds they can hear.

The same thing could be possible for violin family strings and the trombone; string orchestras and trombone choirs might very well have a tendency to play just intervals. But when these instruments are grouped with other fixed pitch instruments then to say that the ensemble tunes to a just scale is probably getting it wrong. Of course with winds and orchestral strings the actual frequencies that come out of each instrument will never be precisely in tune with any scale, but keyboard and fretted instruments are absolutely beholden to a predetermined tuning. So if an orchestra is playing a piano concerto you can bet that they're not tuned to a just scale.

And orchestras do consist of "modern instrument!" btw! :)

As a side note to all that, from looking at 15th and 16th century sources on the matter it's a safe bet that fretted instruments always utilized some form of equal temperament, even before such a thing had been "discovered" and named. It's just the nature of such an instrument; you're never going to get the whole range of it perfectly in tune with itself.

Third thing is why not talk about what kind of overtones would create "unpleasant" sounds (I personally wouldn't use the subjective terms like you have but it's not a big deal). What I mean is since you've talked how integer ratio related overtones create complex sounds with harmonic spectra, why not give a little space to sounds with inharmonic spectra?

I have one other comment but I'm trying to formulate it in a way that's not too inflammatory. I do think it's important and might help all of your tutorials.
Unsound Designer

stringtapper
Posts: 6321
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:21 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by stringtapper » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:24 pm

levimoniz wrote:
stringtapper wrote:I've got some free time today so yeah.
With the amount of time you already spend on here I'm baffled that there's more free time you could possibly have.
You being baffled doesn't come as a surprise.

It's summer and I'm an academic. I work in a library during the summer and today is my day off.

What's your excuse?
Unsound Designer

stringtapper
Posts: 6321
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:21 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by stringtapper » Fri Jun 15, 2012 9:41 pm

levimoniz wrote:
stringtapper wrote:I work in a library
ROFL
Yep. An audio preservation studio to be exact. Get to sit by myself in a studio listening to rare recordings all day, playing with all kinds of audio technology, make music while a digital transfer is rolling… pays well too. Yeah it's totally laugh worthy. :)

Don't you have some ice to smoke or is Dog the Bounty Hunter on your trail?
Unsound Designer

pencilrocket
Posts: 1718
Joined: Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:46 am

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by pencilrocket » Sat Jun 16, 2012 3:49 am

funken wrote:How often does this phenomenon of the missing fundamental happen?
mmm when you high pass? Also, it isn't completely missing but this is common that the peak frequency isn't fundamental or some of the harmonics are missing/weak in the natural sound.

Any way, you could get some idea behind the pitch thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pitch_detection_algorithm
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/6283 ... fft-values
http://www.musingpaw.com/2012/04/musica ... uency.html

H20nly
Posts: 16113
Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 9:15 pm
Location: The Wild West

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by H20nly » Sat Jun 16, 2012 6:29 am

funken wrote:How often does this phenomenon of the missing fundamental happen?
every time Levi posts.

trevox
Posts: 659
Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:58 am

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by trevox » Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:23 am

levimoniz wrote:
H20nly wrote:
funken wrote:How often does this phenomenon of the missing fundamental happen?
every time Levi posts.
The phenomenon of the missing teeth happens every time I swing.

Like see?
So let me get this straight, you go to swinger parties and some people come out with missing teeth? Strange phenomenon indeed, but each one to their own I guess.

beatmunga
Posts: 728
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 5:20 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by beatmunga » Sat Jun 16, 2012 10:34 am

trevox wrote:
levimoniz wrote:
H20nly wrote:every time Levi posts.
The phenomenon of the missing teeth happens every time I swing.

Like see?
So let me get this straight, you go to swinger parties and some people come out with missing teeth? Strange phenomenon indeed, but each one to their own I guess.
In fairness, there aren't many real teeth left at the Twilight Rest Home for the Terminally Short of Taste, before or after one of their legendary 'parties'.
mendeldrive wrote:NOBODY designs their own sounds... There is ZERO point in reinventing the wheel.

stringtapper
Posts: 6321
Joined: Sat Aug 28, 2004 6:21 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by stringtapper » Sun Jun 17, 2012 6:12 pm

*thumbs up*
Unsound Designer

gjm
Posts: 3679
Joined: Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:53 am

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by gjm » Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:17 am

funken wrote:gjm, are you still around?
Yup. PM'd you. :)
iMac - 10.10.3 - Live 9 Suite - APC40 - Axiom 61 - TX81z - Firestudio Mobile - Focal Alpha 80's - Godin Session - Home made foot controller

RAGTAGSWAG
Posts: 8
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:11 pm

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by RAGTAGSWAG » Fri Jul 27, 2012 4:17 pm

just throw some major scale pitch correction on it.......LOLz :lol:

re:dream
Posts: 4598
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:42 am
Location: Hoerikwaggo's sunset side...
Contact:

Re: Transpose from Am to A

Post by re:dream » Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:36 am

great thread 8) 8)

Post Reply