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From: rfg@hound.UUCP (R.GRANTGES)
Newsgroups: net.audio
Subject: Re: tuning equipment..
Message-ID: <1277@hound.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 28-Jul-85 15:35:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: hound.1277
Posted: Sun Jul 28 15:35:35 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 29-Jul-85 07:54:39 EDT
References: <2437@mit-hermes.ARPA>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 36

[]
There are two different types of equipment that you could use.
There is a type which makes the measurement just as you describe it
and indicate the result on a meter which is calibrated to show
sharp (+) or flat (-) in "cents" or hundredths of a whole tone.

The second type generates a tone which you listen to while also
listening to the instrument. You will hear "beats" between the two
tones when they are close to the same pitch. The beats will slow down
and stop altogether when the two are exactly together.

Some instruments will work either way. A good music store should have
examples.

Reading an ad in "Ovation" magazine (March 1984), there is one made by
Seiko Musical Products and "distributed exclusively by Kaman Music
Distributors, Box 507 Bloomfield CT, 06002-0507"

This one looks about hand size and contains both types of measurement
devices as there is a large meter and also a small loudspeaker seems 
evident. It is a full page ad (shown next to a violin or viola) and
the "exclusive" says "be prepared for a sizeable price."

I believe they generally are rather expensive for two reasons. First
an accurate internal standard is necessary for either type to be of
any value. Second, they are usually only purchased by professional
tuners  Of course "real professional tuners" use an old tuning fork
and set the scale by experienced ear, then set octaves by beats.
You can also set the scale by beats in a complex way I am not 
familiar with (being neither professional nor a tuner).
Good luck.


-- 

"It's the thought, if any, that counts!"  Dick Grantges  hound!rfg