What is it?
Developed by the engineers at Wildrose Music, the Amplituner is a new and innovative method for tuning the piano. It utilizes the properties of sympathetic resonance which can provide a quicker, quieter, and more accurate tuning experience.
Mode of Operation
An electromagnetic actuator induces the target frequency in the string. The tuning pin is turned to adjust the string tension to make the string’s natural frequency match the induced frequency. As the natural frequency approaches the induced frequency, the amplitude of the vibration increases. When the natural frequency matches the induced frequency, the vibration reaches its maximum amplitude.
If one listens very closely, at the point of frequency matching, the note sounds the loudest. However, this peak loudness may not be detected, as the difference is very slight when the frequencies are close. To make it easier to detect when the string is in tune, the actuator signal is pulsed. When the signal is on, the meter shows the string vibrating at the target frequency. Then when the signal is turned off, the meter will indicate the pitch moving away from center, either sharp or flat. The tuning pin can then be further manipulated to adjust the string tension. This process is repeated until the meter shows no change in pitch when the actuator is pulsed.
Extreme Frequency Exceptions
The strings in the extreme treble register of the piano do not have sufficient mass to remain sounding long enough during the pulse off to see the effects with the meter. In this case, the actuator is not pulsed, but remains on. The sound level meter is then used, in conjunction with the ear, to tune the string to the maximum amplitude.
The actuator is not powerful enough to cause the heavy strings in the extreme bass register of the piano to vibrate effectively. These strings can be tuned in the traditional manner using an electronic meter, or aurally with the previously tuned strings above.
Benefits
Because the strings are not being struck with the hammers, there is less fatigue for the operator, both physically and aurally. Those innocent bystanders who have to listen are also subjected to less annoyance.
Each string is tuned independently, avoiding false tuning due to the phenomenon of coupling. Coupling occurs when unison (or almost unison) strings vibrate together as a dynamic system. The each string will try to vibrate at the same frequency as its neighbor, which may cause them to be tuned incorrectly.