2009

Stretch Tuning in Acoustic Instruments
The tones of upright pianos—and to a lesser extent grand pianos, due to their longer
strings—have inharmonicities in their harmonic structure. Although this also applies to
other stringed instruments, it particularly affects pianos due to the length, density, and
tension of the strings.
If a piano is perfectly tuned to equal temperament across the keyboard range, the
overtones of the low strings and the fundamentals of the high strings will sound out of
tune with each other. To circumvent this problem, piano tuners use a technique known
as stretch tuning, where the high and low registers of the piano are tuned higher and
lower, respectively. This results in the harmonics of the low strings being in tune with
the fundamental tones of the upper strings. In essence, pianos are intentionally “out of
tune” (from equal temperament), so that the lower and upper registers will sound in
tune.
Because the original D6 is a stringed instrument, this inharmonic relationship also applies
to the EVD6 and the original instruments it emulates. The stretch feature, however, was
primarily included for situations where you want to use the EVD6 in an arrangement
alongside an acoustic piano recording.
Working with EVD6 Filter and Damper Parameters
The original D6 offers four filter switches that affect the bass and treble portions of the
sound. It also features a damping slider, which also alters the basic tone of the instrument.
Filter switches Damper
• Filter switches: The four filter switches emulate the original tone control and filter
switches of the D6. Active switches are indicated by pale aqua lettering.
• Brilliant: Makes the sound nasal—cuts bass.
• Treble: Makes the sound sharper—cuts bass more gently.
• Medium: Makes the sound thinner—slight bass reduction.
• Soft: Makes the sound softer—more muted.
191Chapter 8 EVD6