Tuning software for Windows Users?

[fredsch...@gmail.com]

Hi all!

 

I am wondering how many techs are still using tuning software for standard Windows.  I mean, as opposed to the Windows Mobile versions.

 

Not being an Apple kind of guy, and not having any good tuning options for Ubuntu, I am using both Cybertuner and TuneLab Pro on my laptop / tablet convertible.  But I am curious how many others are still using a standard computer for tuning.

 

Don Mannino RPT
via Windows 8

 

[Duaine Hechler]

Well, I don't know how you are standing using Win 8 - I know I won't touch it EVER (Word on the internet, it's so bad that Developers are starting to jump ship).

Anyway, I use Cybertuner on a laptop with Win XP - And the rest of the business on Linux (openSUSE) and, when I need it, running VirtualBox (Linux) to run Win XP.

BTB (Bye the Bye), 13+ years on Linux (IT'S FREE FOREVER) with NO antivirus software and NO viruses.

Duaine

-- 
Duaine Hechler
Piano, Player Piano, Pump Organ - Tuning, Servicing & Rebuilding
(314) 838-5587 / dahe...@att.net / www.hechlerpianoandorgan.com
Home & Business user of Linux - 13 years

[Joseph Garrett]

Hmmm? Why is Don Mannino's post coming up with the name Fred Schwartz? Weird tbs.

Joe

 

[Ron Koval]

Hi Don - I still have some running on a laptop that I rarely use for research...  My day to day choice is a dedicated ipod touch, even though I wouldn't consider myself an Apple kindof guy either!  Way better than the pocket pc version for battery life and just ease of use.  I love the small size, but know of a few techs that spent the money to get an ipad or ipad mini to get the bigger screen size.

'course, if you've "got your life" on the laptop, it's tough to walk away from that!

Ron Koval

Chicagoland

---

From: fredsch...@gmail.com
To: Pian...@googlegroups.com

Subject: [ptech] Tuning software for Windows Users?

Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:50:22 +0000

[John Ross]

I love my iPad with the Verituner program on it. I like the larger display and the way the cover acts as a stand.

I have all my appointments on there, using the iCloud, plus the internet and a camera.

Another plus for Apple is that they also give you the program on your other compatible Apple products. i.e. the iPhone, at no additional cost.

I know that wasn't your question Don, but I like bragging up my Apple.

John Ross

[Adam Calamar]

These are the piano tuning software products that I am aware of (sorted by price):

Reyburn CyberTuner
- Available for Windows desktops/laptops, Apple/Mac OS (desktops and laptops), Windows Mobile v4, v5, and v6, and for Apple/Mac mobile platforms - Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad.  Reyburn is discontinuing development, but not support, for all platforms except for iPhone, iPod, and iPad (what they call iRCT) according to their website.  They also sell a very interesting tuning lever. 
- No free trial is available. 
- The price for the software is $999 USD.

Verituner
- Available for Windows desktops/laptops, Windows Mobile v6.5 or earlier, and for Apple/Mac mobile platforms - Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad.
- No free trial is available. 
- The price of the software is $895 USD, with the introductory price of the iOS platform "only" $599 USD.

TuneLab
- Available for Windows desktops/laptops, Windows Mobile v6.5 or earlier, Google Andoid platforms (phones and tablets) and for Apple/Mac mobile platforms - Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad. 
- Free trial - Tunelab also allows you to use their software for an unlimited time as "sharware" - it will display a message about free-trial mode for two minutes after every 14 notes.  Otherwise the software is fully functional. 
- The price for the software is $300 USD. 

Dirk's Piano Tuner
- Available for Windows desktops/laptops. 
- A free trial version is available, but the features are limited in the "shareware" version. 
- The full version costs $298 USD.

Ultratune
- Available for Windows desktops/laptops. 
- It is a FREE and relatively new product and is still under active development (for example, four revisions have been posted in the last week).
- It has features similar to TuneLab and Vertituner - partial detection, inharmonicity, stretch tuning, but as of yet the software lacks a "pitch raise" feature. 
- If you are someone who calls tech support a lot, then this may not be the best option for you.  Tech support is limited to what the author or community is willing and able to provide.
- It is FREE.

[Encore Pianos]

Hi John and Ron:

 

I am considering upgrading my hardware (and software) for tuning.  I am giving thinking of purchasing the Verituner program and installing it on either an ipad Mini or the ipod touch.  I’ve had both in my hand, and there are pluses to both.  So my questions are directed to both of you.  What kind of battery life do you get real world for the Ipad?  For the touch?  I’m attracted to the Ipad Mini for the larger screen size and the ability to do all the happy ipad stuff too, but I am also concerned about the size of it.  Is it clunky and obtrusive on verticals?  Same questions for grands?  I’m assuming the size issues are not too different for the touch from something like an Ipaq. 

 

Thanks to you both for any comments you want to share.

 

Will Truitt

[John Ross]

I charge my iPad every day after work.

It seems to use 10-15% of the charge per tuning.

It can be charged in your vehicle if you forget to charge it. I imagine I could use the USB slot in my dash, or the cigar lighter USB adapter.

With my iPaq, I would have to change to my spare battery after 3-4 tunings.

This is with the Verituner program.

I have tried the RCT by borrowing from another tuner.

I also tried Tunelab.

I started with the SOT in 1976, then the various models of the SAT up to SATlll, then the box version of the VT.

My favourite is the Verituner on my iPad.

John Ross

[Ron Koval]

I let the ipod touch run out with Verituner running  - 6 hrs.

Got a dexim  p flip battery/stand (1000mA) that probably doubles that - I haven't tested it yet.

My older MiLi battery/case (2000mA) I tested to add about 10 hours, but it's not as cute as the newer stand option.

I carry both in my bag because the MiLi has usb out that I want to use for a usb flashlight that I have yet to purchase.

That's probably longer than I care to be tuning between charging anyway...  ;-)

Ron Koval

chicagoland

---

From: encore...@metrocast.net
To: pian...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [ptech] Tuning software for Windows Users?
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:37:07 -0400

[Encore Pianos]

How about the size?  Is it obtrusive, get in the way at all on grands or verticals?

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pian...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pian...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of John Ross

Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 3:52 PM
To: pian...@googlegroups.com

[Encore Pianos]

Thanks, Ron.

[fredsch...@gmail.com]

I was asking mainly out of curiosity.  I was wondering if anyone tunes with a laptop any more, or if everyone has moved to tablets / phones and other such smaller devices.  I suspect I’m kind of unusual in preferring the bigger screen / fully functional computer.

 

I’m seeing a lot of new tablet / convertible computers coming available that are fully functional Windows computers.  My use is a little different than most tuners, though, because I am traveling so much.  I get tired of carrying so many devices, charging them up at night and all.  So I moved to a convertible laptop that has a rather large screen for a tablet (13.3”), but it seems to work well for me as a tuning machine.  But it still serves the purpose of having a hard drive and all the other software that I need for business when traveling.

 

There are 10” tablets now (Dell has one for $500) that run full windows on an Atom processor, but that seems like it must be kind of slow for general computing use.  It would make a good tuning machine, I think.

 

I don’t mind tuning on a small screen like the iPod touch, but for me it’s not so useful for other things.  I prefer 10” or larger for reading, and my 13” screen is about the smallest I’m comfortable with for general computer use.  Cybertuner and Tunelab look REALLY BIG!

 

If anyone is using Tunelab for Windows still, Bob is about to issue an update that makes it much more touch-screen friendly.  It works very well on Windows 8.

 

Anyhow, it’s good that we have so many options.

[Al Guecia/Allied PianoCraft]

On Mar 14, 2013, at 3:37 PM, Encore Pianos <encore...@metrocast.net> wrote:

> Hi John and Ron:
>
> I am considering upgrading my hardware (and software) for tuning. I am giving thinking of purchasing the Verituner program and installing it on either an ipad Mini or the ipod touch. I’ve had both in my hand, and there are pluses to both. So my questions are directed to both of you. What kind of battery life do you get real world for the Ipad? For the touch? I’m attracted to the Ipad Mini for the larger screen size and the ability to do all the happy ipad stuff too, but I am also concerned about the size of it. Is it clunky and obtrusive on verticals? Same questions for grands? I’m assuming the size issues are not too different for the touch from something like an Ipaq.
>
> Thanks to you both for any comments you want to share.
>
> Will Truitt

I will address two great features about the iPad. 1, I use It only about a hour a day and I charge every 3 week to a month. Hard to believe, but true. 2, I've used it to tune a piano or two (mainly use my iPhone or iPAQ), and was surprised how well it sat on a grand and vertical piano using the apple fold up cover.

Al -
High Point, NC

>
> From: pian...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pian...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of John Ross
> Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 3:25 PM
> To: pian...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [ptech] Tuning software for Windows Users?
>
> I love my iPad with the Verituner program on it. I like the larger display and the way the cover acts as a stand.
> I have all my appointments on there, using the iCloud, plus the internet and a camera.
> Another plus for Apple is that they also give you the program on your other compatible Apple products. i.e. the iPhone, at no additional cost.
> I know that wasn't your question Don, but I like bragging up my Apple.
> John Ross
> On 2013-03-14, at 4:16 PM, Ron Koval <drwoo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Don - I still have some running on a laptop that I rarely use for research... My day to day choice is a dedicated ipod touch, even though I wouldn't consider myself an Apple kindof guy either! Way better than the pocket pc version for battery life and just ease of use. I love the small size, but know of a few techs that spent the money to get an ipad or ipad mini to get the bigger screen size.
>
> 'course, if you've "got your life" on the laptop, it's tough to walk away from that!
>
> Ron Koval
> Chicagoland
>

[Will Truitt]

Thanks for your comments, Al.

Will

[John Ross]

I have had no problem at all with it standing on a grand or upright.

The large display might be part of the reason.

The cover folds up into a triangle, and is attached with magnets. Close the cover and it shuts off.

John Ross

On 2013-03-14, at 5:08 PM, "Encore Pianos" <encore...@metrocast.net> wrote:

How about the size?  Is it obtrusive, get in the way at all on grands or verticals?

 

Will Truitt

 

[Gary McCormick]

I use Tunelab on an iPad; if the battery runs out, well there's my iphone, tunelab is on there too.
gary

On 3/14/2013 3:05 PM, Ron Koval wrote:

I let the ipod touch run out with Verituner running �- 6 hrs.

Got a dexim �p flip battery/stand (1000mA) that probably doubles that - I haven't tested it yet.

My older MiLi battery/case (2000mA) I tested to add about 10 hours, but it's not as cute as the newer stand option.

I carry both in my bag because the MiLi has usb out that I want to use for a usb flashlight that I have yet to purchase.

That's probably longer than I care to be tuning between charging anyway... �;-)

Ron Koval

chicagoland

---

From: encore...@metrocast.net
To: pian...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: [ptech] Tuning software for Windows Users?
Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 15:37:07 -0400

Hi John and Ron:

�

I am considering upgrading my hardware (and software) for tuning.� I am giving thinking of purchasing the Verituner program and installing it on either an ipad Mini or the ipod touch.� I�ve had both in my hand, and there are pluses to both.� So my questions are directed to both of you.� What kind of battery life do you get real world for the Ipad?� For the touch?� I�m attracted to the Ipad Mini for the larger screen size and the ability to do all the happy ipad stuff too, but I am also concerned about the size of it.� Is it clunky and obtrusive on verticals?� Same questions for grands?� I�m assuming the size issues are not too different for the touch from something like an Ipaq.�

�

Thanks to you both for any comments you want to share.

�

Will Truitt

�

[Jack Houweling]

Sent from my iPhone

On 2013-03-14, at 1:08 PM, Encore Pianos <encore...@metrocast.net> wrote:

How about the size?  Is it obtrusive, get in the way at all on grands or verticals?

 

Will Truitt

I have the iPad and the iPad mini which I use the most. The mini will fit in my pocket and is great for traveling. 

Jack Houweling

 

 

[Will Truitt]

Thanks,

 

Will

 

From: pian...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pian...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Jack Houweling
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2013 7:01 PM
To: pian...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [ptech] Tuning software for Windows Users?

 

Sent from my iPhone

[leslie bartlett]

Me

les bartlett

[Don]

Hi Don,

I'm still using Reyburn Cybertuner on a laptop.
 

Regards,
Don Rose

[Keith McGavern]

Thanks for posting Dirk's and Ultratune, Adam.

Here's an Electronic Tuning Products link that I created for an Oklahoma chapter presentation this month on OnlyPure. I'll add the two you mentioned down the road.

On Thursday, March 14, 2013 2:34:21 PM UTC-5, Adam wrote:

These are the piano tuning software products that I am aware of …

Dirk's Piano Tuner
Ultratune …

 

[Mark Schecter]

On Mar 14, 2013, at 10:50 AM, fredsch...@gmail.com wrote:

> But I am curious how many others are still using a standard computer for tuning.

Don,

I still have my old copy of RCT on my laptop, but haven't carried it for several years - good riddance! I've been using pocket RCT and iRCT for the last several years, and I would never willingly go back except in an emergency.

I get that you have to carry the laptop but you also have to carry a cell phone, right? I prefer the easy maneuverability of a phone vs a huge laptop, and the battery lasts a lot longer, especially on the iphone, but you can always get a battery/case to extend it.

Get a stand with tuning tip from Reyburn for whatever phone-size device, and keep it small. Even near-sighted I don't need a larger display.

The only conceivable drawback is that there are a couple functions on the laptop versions that haven't been ported yet, like calculating the difference between two tunings or averaging two tunings, and Pianalyzer, which shows relative amplitudes and inharmonicity of all harmonics in a sampled tone. I'd like those for fun, but don't need them day to day. Anyway, that's all specific to CyberTuner, not really your question, but in case it's of interest ...

~Mark Schecter

[Ben Bradley]

On Thu, Mar 14, 2013 at 3:34 PM, Adam Calamar <adamc...@gmail.com> wrote:

Ultratune

I just installed Ultratune on my three-and-a-half-year-old netbook running Windows XP. It gave an error when I tried to run it, but (being my own tech support) I installed directx from here, and now it runs:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=35
Next I'll have to try it with a piano. I've previously used Tunelab97, an older shareware version of Tunelab Pro.
According to the manual, Ultratune measures inharmonicity and calculates stretch pretty much automatically as you go. Practically the only control it has is a stretch tuning on/off button.

[Duaine Hechler]

I would be an ultimate happy camper, if there was a tuning software package for Linux.

(That way I would not need windows anything ever again - except for Tax software)

Yeah, I could switch to Mac - but cost is still too high.........sigh.......since Linux is FREE.

[richa...@comcast.net]

Is there any way to download to an iPhone ?

Rick Ucci

Uccipiano.com

609-677-0444

[Adam Calamar]

Well, you could install Wine (a free, open source windows emulator for Linux), which should allow you to run most, if not all, of the Windows programs you need without actually having to install Windows itself. 

You could then use any of the major tuning software programs, all of which support Windows.  If you still want it to be free, there is UltraTune too, but it's not open source.

If you want something more portable than a Linux laptop running Wine, you could get an Android phone or tablet that is supported by CyanogenMod, which is a free, open source "pure" Android OS (android was originally a fork of Linux, but is mostly not free anymore, nor open source), and then get TuneLab for Android.

[Jim Moy]

On Fri, Mar 15, 2013 at 8:47 AM, Adam Calamar <adamc...@gmail.com> wrote:
> ...If you still want it to be free, there is UltraTune too, but it's not open source.

Sure looks Open Source to me:

http://sourceforge.net/p/ultratune/code/ci/d6aa045d77200ef1ea7616ca14a71ee4145c3228/tree/

GPLv3.

[Adam Calamar]

Saw on the Pianoworld forum that UltraTune moved to a new website hosted outside of the USA: http://www.ultratune.nl/

This is apparently because Veritune filed a "Digital Millennium Copyright Act" take-down request at the old site.  Too bad for Veritune that the DMCA only applies in the U.S.  (side note: According to Google Inc., DMCA take-down requests targeting a competing business make up 57% of the notices they receive, and about 37% of all DMCA take-down requests don't turn out to be valid copyright claims.)

I guess it says something about Veritune that they believe a free, open source software product that only runs on Windows, only has one software developer, and lacks a lot of advanced tuning features is a credible threat to their business. 

Interesting developments...

[Ron Koval]

Or perhaps it was because the tuning screen was an exact copy of the Verituner screen?

Ron Koval

chicagoland

****************************************************************************

I guess it says something about Veritune that they believe a free, open source software product that only runs on Windows, only has one software developer, and lacks a lot of advanced tuning features is a credible threat to their business. 

Interesting developments...

[Isaac OLEG]

If I where to use one I guess I'll search for an old IBM mini, and ask the customer sto come by with their instrument to be tuned.

That would look very professional 

Joke apart you may wish to check (you need to pay for that) the Dirk's software.

 The computed tuning is a success, in my opinion, and sticks to the piano very well. Unfortunately little professional functions as overpull mode and exams (or spinner speed regulation) 

But the process is well done. (the model probably is good)

[Jim Moy]

On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 3:28 PM, Ron Koval <drwoo...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> ...the tuning screen was an exact copy of the Verituner screen?

I was startled when I saw that too. I thought it was either a "I dare
you to sue me" sort of move, or simply being oblivious. Moving
websites seems to indicate the former.

Jim

[Adam Calamar]

According to the Pianoworld thread, he dropped the Verituner-like interface completely, but Veritune filed the DMCA complaint later anyway.  It will be interesting to see where this goes.

[Dean May]

Up until a month ago I was using TuneLab for Windows on my little netbook. Previously I used TL on an iPaq and RCT on iPaq (I still have a full version of RCT for iPaq that has not been installed. Anybody want it?)

A month ago I checked the TL website and was delighted to learn it had been ported to Android. I purchased it for my Galaxy Note II and I LOVE IT! It is providing outstanding tunings and is incredibly easy to use. The first time I used the pitch raise function I was amazed at how much better it is- you pre-read notes across the scale to calculate the overpull before beginning the tuning. Went so much faster and easier. 

Dean

[Dean May]

I have a box full of old iPaqs and related paraphernalia. Free to a good home, just pay me shipping. Some work, some don't.

Dean