LMMS - same note 2 octaves below other programs on my PC.

[lmmsuser]

Hello guys,

To be fair, I also asked this question on IRC and although there were no operators, if the questions are resolved, I'll try to note it here also.

First, let me say I'm still new with LMMS. Many things I don't know. But I love it!

First question:
I've been trying to make a simple Guitar/Ukulele tuner. Instead of sampling my own sounds, I wanted to use synth sounds (supposedly to get better - more perfect tune). I've asked guys over at ZynAddSubFX if I'd be legally allowed to record sounds (for the string tones) using it, and they said yes. Now I've switched to Vibe (seems to get a simple, but decent string tone), so I have the same question, may I record sounds with LMMS, using Vibe (for each guitar string, for each tone for standard and alternate tunings) and then use it in my guitar tuner app?

Second question:
I've noticed that in LMMS, with any instrument I choose (ZynAdd, Vibe, etc), I get a tone about 2 octaves lower than using other synth software I have computer.

For example, to get E1 (lowest guitar string tone), I have to put a note on "E3" in LMMS. If I put a note on "E1" it will be extremely low, too low, lower than playing E1 on my guitar. Lower than playing E1 in other software like Avid Ignite, for example (which seems to match the tone of my guitar, and other guitar tuners available on the internet, correctly).
I didn't change any default settings, and I'm using LMMS on Windows.
So the second question would be, why does the octave seem different, and is there anything I can do about it? Is this an isolated case on my computer? If so, I could try installing on other computers / different OS.

Well, thanks a bunch in advance! I know I wrote a lot, just trying to be as clear as possible with my questions, and I'll be patient for a reply.

Have a great day.

[lmmsuser]

The question was answered on irc by softrabbit, thanks a bunch.

By putting the green square just above the piano keyboard two octaves down (which makes the sound be two octaves higher) I was able to match the frequencies with ignite, at least, they seem to sound the same now to me.

[slipstick]

You can use sounds created with any of the instruments in LMMS in any way you want.

I don't know about your other programs but why worry about the octave numbering ? Just find the notes you need whatever they are called. LMMS uses one of the most common numbering systems but there really is no standard. But generally E1 will be the lowest E on a grand piano and that's way lower than anything a 6-string guitar can play. If you call the 6th string E1 you've run out of names for all those lower e.g. on a bass guitar or keyboard.

Steve

[lmmsuser]

Dear Steve,

Thanks a bunch for your reply.

It's just that some lists mentioned the tuning to be at E1 (being the lowest string) and others at E2 (being the lowest string). On top of that, some programs produce E1 at different octaves than others.

In the end, the goal is simply to get the same note, that's absolutely right, but marking is there usually to help out with that (on most lists, it will simply say "E" for both the lowest and the highest string, without even telling you it's E2 and E4, or E1 and E3, depending on the list). Marking the tones with frequencies would probably be most accurate (as in, to ensure it's the same frequency) but I can imagine how confusing, messy, and unclear something like that would look.

Right now I'm trying to configure the synth to produce a string-like sound (hyper-realism is completely unimportant, as it's only a tone to be used as a reference for tuning), and the "vibed" instrument seems to be doing a great job with these settings for now:


It gets me a long sustain on the tone, which is usually suitable for the purpose (as you want to hear the tone for as long as possible). Although I'm still tweaking things. I'll check the tested note with frequency analysis in Audacity, but I think that it peaks at "E2" (currently E1 on my piano roll as I've set it) (82 Hz) which should be just right. Tones that are unlike strings might be more suitable for a well-focused frequency with minimum oscillation, but string-like tones are more natural and pleasant to hear for myself, and possibly other people that use this method to tune their instruments.

[slipstick]

I must admit that these days I use an inline tuner for my electric guitars/basses and clip-ons for acoustics. Then there's no worry about hearing the tone, they just show me exactly what note I'm playing and that's it. They also have the advantage of working equally well for non-standard tunings.

But I did spend many years with tuning pipes and other things so good luck with your tuner.

Steve

[lmmsuser]

Thanks, in fact those chromatic tuners have a lot of advantages, but there's nothing wrong with old-fashioned tuners that work well.
I might be able to create one of those in the future, but obviously it implies a bit of DSP knowledge and a lot more CPU usage (not that the second one would be an issue on any current device), so, to be honest, I'm trying to limit myself to something simpler for my first tuner app.

The one advantage they might have is to help beginners to practice how well they hear and recognize tones, which is always helpful for music, and providing both a few alternate and standard tunings, they would be able to hear the difference which might possibly be helpful.