The Hmt Function - Waldorf Q Keyboard User Manual

Other Functions – The HMT function

The HMT function

The tuning of the Q is not static, but rather dynamic. It adjusts itself depending on the content of the
music. This is done for the following reason:
As an alternative to „tempered" or normal tuning, fifth and third intervals can also be tuned to certain
ideal frequency ratios: the fifth to a ratio of 3:2, the major third to 5:4. Major triads will then sound
very strong and convincing. Achieving this requires sound frequencies (pitches) to be altered. This
effect is known as "scaled tuning."
The horizontal line shows the levels of the tempered tuning. With clean (i.e. scaled) tuning HMT
changes the frequencies to values that are partly higher or partly lower. The values are shown in cents
and show how much higher or lower the position is (a tempered semitone has 100 cents).
In good orchestras the musicians adjust their intonation to achieve the best clean sounding chords.
The HMT Mode in the Q works nearly the same way. The Q doesn't use its "ears", however. It uses
an intelligent program that's part of its operating system: the HMT function.
The clarity and presence derived from scaled tuning isn't everything. Compatibility with normal
tempered tuning is equally important – the key being that the changes need to be nearly inaudible. As
all tuning requirements cannot be satisfied simultaneously with one HMT setting, different HMT
Modes can be selected. Furthermore, degrees of effect between 0% and 100% can be selected.
Practical experience has proven that when playing with other tempered instruments, a degree of 70%
sounds quite pleasing. The following diagram shows the frequency positions with different HMT
Mode settings.
Different degrees of effect are shown with the c major chord. The setting of 0% is equivalent to
The Q offers a global HMT function in its Global Menu (on page 138) The HMT Function can
be activated or deactivated for each sound in the corresponding Oscillator Edit menu (on
page 78).
Waldorf Q User's Manual
tempered tuning.
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