Default Master Tuning; Octaves And Fifths; Commas And Jnds - H-Pi Instruments Tonal Plexus TPX 2s User Manual

INSTRUMENTS www.h-pi.com · T O N A L P L E X U S T P X 2s/4s/6 · User Manual
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Figure 1
Default Master Tuning 205ET
The master tuning of the Tonal Plexus was determined by way of thorough research in music theory,
music notation, and pitch perception. The result is a system which allows the free exploration of all
possible pitch combinations in a coherent way, according to reasonable limits of human perception.
A few main concepts behind the master tuning are given below. Further information about the master
tuning will be made available in a separate document.

Octaves and fifths

Octaves and fifths define the basis of Western music theory and notation. Hence, these intervals
form the basis of the master tuning. Octaves are tuned purely, and fifths are tuned virtually purely,
with a deviation of less than half of one cent. These two intervals provide a reference for pitch
ordering and naming relative to which all other intervals are defined.

Commas and JNDs

The master tuning is designed around the comma as a basic interval. The comma used is just under
30 cents in size, forming the basis of a key layout in which one octave contains 41 commas. To