Does piano tuning software actually work?

Question

I would like to tune a piano that is in a remote place. Usually I would call a tuner but since there are none around it will just be too expensive.

I found out recently that there is software that helps to do this.

I know there is a lot to piano tuning that goes way beyond setting each key to its theoretical frequency. Namely the "untuned" extremes of the keyboard or particular aspects of each brand. I also found software where you actually mention the brand and what type of tuning you wish.

I also know tuners do more than just tuning. They often also enhance the sound of the piano by working the hammer head. But this is a different story.

How reliable is this software? Can you actually use a PC/Android/iPhone to tune a piano? Is the standard microphone enough or do you need a particular type to be more sensitive?

Do these have in consideration the age or brand of the piano among other particularities of tuning a piano?

Answer 1

Answering the original question: yes, the most widely used professional tuning software works very well for both high level and routine tuning as well as for learning and instructional tool use.

Some of the best examples of reputable and powerful professional tuning software are Tunelab, Verituner, and Cybertuner. However just because the software is high quality doesn't mean anyone can operate them effectively. Perhaps everyone can operate a web browser, but not everyone can be effective in Emacs (extreme analogy). It is not a matter of simply following the instructions, they all assume a level of knowledge of piano tuning.

To the sub-questions: the reliability of the software is directly related to the knowledge and skill with which it is used; yes, download the software from your favorite app store (though not all packages are available on all platforms); the standard microphones of modern mobile devices are sufficient; the age, brand, and peculiarities of the piano all factor into the knowledge needed to effectively use the software

Disclaimer: you can severely damage a piano with just a tuning lever and insufficient sensitivity. I run into these regularly.

That said, if you are reasonably mechanically inclined, have good fine/coarse motor skills and curiosity, I encourage you to give it a shot! That's how I got started. If you have someone who can mentor you on the basics with some of the software, that would give you a great leg up, check out your local PTG chapter.

(I am a professional piano tech who tunes both aurally and using said software.)

Answer 2

I am a professionnal piano technician who started out as an aural tuner and then switched to EDT devices and softwares. The simple answer to the original question is yes: professionnal piano tuning softwares do work and can achieve a professionnal concert quality tuning.

But first, you have to understand the acoustic properties of a piano wire that makes it very different to any other souding bodies. One of the main characteristics of a vibrating piano wire is called INHARMONICITY that makes all the partials to be shifted on the sharp side compared to the theoratical values. The first result of this is that all the octaves will have to be somewhat stretched in order sound in tune. This is why a regular chromatic tuning device will be of no use for tuning pianos.

A good professional piano tuning software however will be able to measure the harmonicity ratio (that differ from one piano to another) throughout the entire keyboard and then calculate a tuning that will FIT this particular piano. The one I currently use and favor is the Reyburn Cybertuner.

Answer 3

Short answer: Yes. Software can work, but only the right software. Your generic guitar tuner app won't do it properly because it simply tunes to the theoretical frequencies of flat equal temperament with no "stretch", which is really important for a piano to actually sound in tune (particularly in the treble and bass). As a piano tuner I also don't trust apps that claim to "sweeten" a tuning by putting in some stretch.

There are 6 software packages out there that do a good job and that professional piano tuners use. They are: Cybertuner, Verituner, TuneLab, OnlyPure, PianoMeter and Pianoscope. They all have pros and cons, but I won't do a review of the various packages because I am affiliated with one of them, but I will say this: Piano tuning software is expensive because it is very specialized software developed for a small group of people (piano tuners). While each of these apps cost in the hundreds of dollars, two of them (PianoMeter and TuneLab) have limited options that are more affordable for someone like the OP who just needs to tune one piano. In PianoMeter that comes in the form of a "plus" version that costs about $25 and has the basic functionality to tune a piano but doesn't have the bells and whistles that a professional might use. TuneLab has more of a "shareware" approach with full functionality that pauses note switching every 12 note changes with a prompt to purchase a license. There is also a free app out there called "Entropy" but in my experience it's a pain to use and isn't well-maintained (last updated in 2017).

Also, just a note, getting the right software solves half the problem. The other half is developing the right tuning lever technique that will allow you to tune quickly, accurately, and have the tuning be stable. It will take more time at first, but you'll get better with practice. My first piano took me 4-5 hours (that was without software back in the day). Now I can be done in 1-1.5 hours, depending on the piano.

Answer 4

I asked my piano tuner that very question last time he worked on my piano. There are professional tuners who rely quite a bit on such tuning tools though I don't know if there are the kinds you can just download for your phone (yet). Them using the tools doesn't mean that they don't also use their skills to know the limitations of their tools, such as adjusting the amount of stretching based on how it sounds on the specific piano and what the customer likes.

I have also tuned an entire crappy old piano with a PC software a while back and it sounded ok, certainly much better than where it started from or what I could have done on my own.

I think the bottom line is:

• they do work (apart from the lowest keys, detecting the fundamental isn't that hard and that's what you need for tuning to a first order)

• they may not be as good as what your own ears expect

Consider trying it out a few weeks before your tuner is expected to come: you will see for yourself and won't have much to lose (as long as you are gentle!).

Answer 5

Many professionals use tuning software (though I think the BEST professionals still do it by ear). But the skill goes beyond knowing what pitch to aim for. You need the mechanical technique of turning the pin so that the note STAYS in tune, and you don't cause damage. And damage is easy to do. A tuning pin can have its ability to stay in tune destroyed.

Answer 6

If the question was that if you can effectively tune a piano with a cheap software, the answer is no. The inharmonicity of the piano strings makes it so that a tuning software has to calculate the right amount of stretch for the octaves if you want them to sound in tune. The other thing is that you will also have to learn the know how and use the pitch raise mode, if there is any, because if the piano is too flat (which is the case most of the time), the pitch will drop back by an amount of 15-35% if you tune on target pitch.