Peterson 590 User Manual

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peterson

AutoStrobe™ 590 Strobe Tuner

Instruction Manual

Revised 5-99 for Software Revision 1.11

by Michael Skubic

11601 S. Mayfield Avenue, Alsip IL 60803-2476

Phone: 1-708-388-3311 FAX: 1-708-388-3341

email@petersonemp.com

http://www.petersontuners.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS MANUAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	. Page 1
THE AutoStrobe 590—AT A GLANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 1
1. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 1
2. BEFORE TURNING IT ON: READ THIS SECTION! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 1
THE AutoStrobe 590—IN DEPTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 5
1. SUMMARY OF FEATURES AND FRONT PANEL CONTROLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 5
2. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL NOTE SELECTION ON THE AutoStrobe 590 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 7
3. SETUP MENUS—CHOOSING POWER-UP DEFAULTS / TEMPERAMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 8
a) DESCRIPTION AND INITIAL ACCESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 8
b) VIEWING AND MODIFYING PARAMETER DEFAULTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 9
c) VIEWING AND ALTERING TEMPERAMENT FILES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 11
4. TUNING INSTRUMENTS THAT PLAY IN OTHER THAN THE KEY OF "C" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 23
5. ENHANCED RESOLUTION OF INTONATION MEASUREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 24
6. CHECKING INTONATION WITH THE AutoStrobe 590 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 24
7. USING THE PETERSON AutoStrobe 590 AS A METRONOME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 25
GLOSSARY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 28
APPENDIX A:
WHY USE A "REAL" STROBE TUNER? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 29
APPENDIX B:
WHY BE CONCERNED ABOUT UNEQUAL TEMPERAMENTS? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 30
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .	Page 31

THE ORGANIZATION OF THIS MANUAL

Congratulations on your purchase of the peterson AutoStrobe™ 590 strobe tuner. For your convenience, this manual is organized into three major sections. The first, "The AutoStrobe 590—At A Glance", comprises just three short pages of "must read" information that everyone should read before attempting to turn the Model 590 on and use it.

The next section, "The AutoStrobe 590—In Depth", provides detailed information about all controls and features available in this device, how they are used, accessed, viewed, and manipulated.

The last section includes a glossary of terms used in this manual, two appendices with supporting background about some of the exclusive capabilities of your AutoStrobe 590, and an index of terms for easy access to specific areas of the manual by subject. Terms found in the glossary first appear in the main sections of this manual with a superscripted " " for "glossary".

THE AutoStrobe 590—AT A GLANCE

1. INTRODUCTION

The peterson AutoStrobe™ 590 combines the best from over 40 years of strobe tuner technology with our latest advances in automatic note detection, image stability/clarity, and alternate temperament capabilities. We've integrated the classic eight-octave strobe disc tuning system with precision digital microprocessor and motor control technologies to provide a versatile tuner with unsurpassed accuracy and features. In addition, when not being used as an instrument tuner, the Model 590 functions as a programmable audio/visual metronome. This instrument is designed for simple "user-friendly" operation with little need to "press buttons" once the initial desired settings have been entered. It is the best choice for music educators, musicians, manufacturers, and for any application where an accurate and versatile tuner is required.

2. BEFORE TURNING IT ON: READ THIS SECTION!

OK, OK! We know you're all aflutter with anticipation, but it's really important (you can always tell by all the bold and italics stuff!) to take care of a few details to avoid unintentionally wreaking some havoc. The following short sub-sections will guide you through turning the AutoStrobe 590 on and using the basic features without damage to the unit or to your ears!

IMPORTANT PRECAUTION: The Model 590 is designed to be used with 95-105V, 110-120V, 210-230, or 230-250V, 50/60 Hz AC power sources. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE VOLTAGE SELECTOR CARD LOCATED IN THE

FUSE CASE AT THE BACK OF THE TUNER TO BE SET FOR THE PROPER VOLTAGE BEFORE PLUGGING IN THE LINE CORD........... FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE INSTRUMENT!

Checking the AC Voltage Selection

1)First remove the power-line cord from the unit.

2)Slide the small, clear, plastic safety door of the power entry/fuse module completely to the left so as to expose the fuse chamber.

3)A small fiberglass wafer or Voltage Selection Card is inserted horizontally just below the fuse and fuse-pull lever in this chamber. The currently selected voltage setting (100, 120, 220, or 240) will be plainly visible in large, dark numerals on this card. If the current selection matches the power-line voltage in your area, you do not need to change the selection. Simply slide the plastic window back to the right and plug the tuner line cord into the power entry receptacle at the left. You can even skip ahead over the next section—just remember that if you ever need to accommodate different power line voltages, this next sub-section will guide you through it.

Changing the AC Voltage Selection

If the visible indication on the Voltage Selection Card does NOT match the power-line voltage in your area: 4) Pull the "Fuse Pull" lever out and to the left until the fuse is released on one end.

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5)Completely remove the fuse from the unit.

6)Make sure the "Fuse Pull" lever is in the absolute far left position, completely clear of the Voltage Selection Card.

7)Insert the tip of a needle-nose pliers, scissors, or other suitable item through the small hole at the edge of the selection card. (NOTE: if you believe that you will need to switch this card often, you might consider acquiring a special extraction tool available from Peterson.)

8)Gently but firmly pry the card straight back and out of the fuse chamber by using the upper lip of the power entry/fuse module as a leverage point and pushing on the upper part of the tool you've selected.

9)Flip or rotate the card so the proper voltage indication will be visible when the card is re-inserted (top, left).

10)Re-insert card by pushing firmly with fingers.

11)Reconfirm that the proper voltage selection is now the one that is visible on the card.

12)Push the "Fuse Pull" lever about halfway to the right and reinstall fuse (left end first).

13)Slide safety door back to the right.

14)Plug the tuner line cord into the power entry receptacle at the left.

Basic Operation: A Quick Tutorial

We will first give a summary of how to use the AutoStrobe 590 for basic tuning using the equal-tempered scale and A=440 Hz as the pitch reference. We follow later with detailed instructions on how to use the other features available on the tuner.

The Model 590 has both audio-sensitive input (a built-in microphone which is active whenever the EXTERNAL INPUT jack is empty) and audio output (a 3.5 mm jack for external headphones, a 1/4" EXTERNAL SPEAKER jack, and a built-in speaker which is active whenever the headphone and EXTERNAL SPEAKER jacks are empty). The audio output allows the Model 590 to function as a precision audio tuner or audio metronome. This output consists of an amplified version of the audio input as well as a steady tone which reflects the exact "standard" frequency that the strobe tuner is currently using as the reference pitch (as indicated by the OCTAVE knob at the top left of the front panel as well as the current temperament, key, semi-tone scale note, "Concert A" pitch reference, and current global cents (¢) deviation indicated on the tuner's LCD display screen). The balance and overall volume of these audio outputs are controlled by the dual knobs (bottom ring and top cap, respectively) at the left side of the front panel directly below the "OCTAVE" control knob.

NOTE: When the headphone jack is unused and a microphone—either built-in or external—is active, the balance control (bottom ring knob of the VOL—BAL control) should ALWAYS be in the fully clockwise (internal tone only) position.

Otherwise an undesirable (you know the sound!) audio feedback condition can occur. When using a non-acoustic instrument (an electric guitar or a band instrument fitted with the new "silent mute" technology, for example), turning the BALance control counter-clockwise allows the Model 590 to function as a "practice amp". (High input levels will produce a distortion sound familiar to electric guitarists and can be used to good effect!)

In addition, the volume control allows for very loud output (to be easily heard across a noisy room). It is good practice to ensure the volume (outer cap knob) is turned low (counter-clockwise) before switching the Model 590 on since it will begin producing its internally-generated audio tone soon after power-up.

The manual OCTAVE control mentioned above allows the standard-pitch, audio output tone to sound in any one of five octave ranges. This permits the user to independently adjust the output tone relative to the sound to be tuned for the most pleasing or functionally clear combination. All of the above manual front panel controls—VOLume, BALance, and OCTAVE—also affect the sound of metronome "blips" when the Model 590 is configured to operate as a metronome.

After you have checked the back of the Model 590 as detailed above to verify that the voltage selector switch is set to the correct position of 100, 120, 220, or 240 Volts AC, connect the line cord to an AC outlet receptacle, push the power switch at the right of the strobe disc to the "up" position and follow these easy steps to use the tuner.

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PETERSON

MODEL 590 TUNER

REVISION X.XX SERIAL # T590 XXXXX

The initial screen during the power up phase is depicted here. Line three shows the software revision number and line four the serial number of the particular tuner.

NOTE: We advise that you write down the serial number shown on this initial screen and keep it with your records for future reference in case anything should happen to your unit that would prevent this screen from appearing.

At the conclusion of the power-up tests, the strobe wheel will begin rotating and will flicker slightly due to random noise in the room. The display panel will then change to the normal RUN screen as shown below:


KEY= C
A=440	C	00 ¢
	AUTO
SETUP	MODE	MET

The first line indicates that the tuner is set for instruments referenced to the Key of C. Line two indicates that the standard for A is 440 Hz, the current note setting is "C", and that the global pitch offset is set at 0 cents deviation. Line three shows that the tuner is currently set to automatically detect the nearest standard pitch present in the audio input and use it as the current note reference for tuning. The items on line four always indicate the current function, if any, of the four Function buttons (labeled 1 through 4) directly beneath the LCD display. This is explained in greater detail later in this manual.

The built-in microphone will pick up an instrument from across a relatively quiet room. However, if you are working in a noisy environment it may be helpful to use an external microphone (inserted in the EXTERNAL INPUT jack on the front panel) to be more selective and point the microphone directly at the instrument you wish to tune.

Your AutoStrobe 590 tuner can function in either of two ways: MANual mode or AUTOmatic mode. Unless you choose to change the default, the tuner will power up in the AUTO mode. In this condition, any strong audio tone input to the builtin microphone (or EXTERNAL INPUT jack) will be internally analyzed—usually in well under a second—and the standardpitched semitone nearest in frequency to that of the input sound will appear on the LCD screen. The motor for the strobe disc will automatically adjust in speed so that you can view the tuning of this input sound relative to this nearest standard pitch. (The internally-generated audio tone is automatically adjusted as well.) Although it is rotating very rapidly, one or more circular bands on the disc will appear to be moving very slowly or will appear to be standing still. The lowest band exhibiting this effect indicates which octave the audio input signal occupies. If the rotation appears to be to the left (counterclockwise), your input sound is flat compared to this nearest standard-pitched semitone. If the rotation appears to be to the right (clockwise), the input sound is sharp compared to the standard. If the image appears to be standing still, the input is perfectly in tune with the standard. Furthermore, the slower the disc appears to be rotating, the closer the input sound is to the standard. This makes for a very simple and natural visual feedback when bringing an input sound into tune.

To tune to a different note, simply cease the current audio input and sound a different pitch. If the new input is closer to a different standard-pitched semitone, the tuner will re-analyze the input, indicate this new pitch on the LCD screen, and, once again, automatically adjust the motor so that the disc will properly indicate the relative tuning of this new input to the nearest standard-pitched semitone.

NOTE: It is expected that the automatic note selection may not respond well at either extreme of pitch. The unit’s circuitry is less sensitive at these extremes, and sounds of short duration or with strong, non-harmonic overtones can interfere with the note detection. Automated note selection at pitch extremes is best optimized by using an external microphone (at the EXTERNAL INPUT jack on the front panel) and placing it near the sound source. Alternatively, of course, MANual mode note selection may be chosen to avoid the difficulty entirely.

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NOTE: The automatic note detection feature is based on reference tuning of A=440 Hz and Global Cent Offset (which appears on the second line of the RUN screen) set to 0 cents. Any deviation from these tuning references will limit proper note sensing to less than the usual ±50 cents range. For most applications, deviations in the range of A430 to A450 or, separately, up to about ±40 cents Global Cent Offset will yield reasonable results for automatic note selection. Of course, there are no limitations over the full range of offsets available in the tuner when using MANual note selection.

HINT: When tuning a stringed instrument like a guitar or bass, image clarity and automatic note selection are usually improved by plucking away from the bridge with a fingertip (as opposed to a fingernail or pick) using medium force. This minimizes the harmonic (overtone) content of the tone while maximizing the fundamental frequency that is to be tuned.

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THE AutoStrobe 590—IN DEPTH

1. SUMMARY OF FEATURES AND FRONT PANEL CONTROLS

We will begin with a brief description of the front panel controls, indicators, and basic features of the Model 590. This will provide you with a quick reference guide to the front panel of the tuner. Detailed information about each feature is explained in the succeeding sections of this manual.

FRONT PANEL

9 10

peterson

KEY=C

-1

OCTAVE

KEY

00 4

DISPLAY

POWER

A=440

ENTER

AUTO

MET

SETUP MODE

7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

VOL

BAL

EXTERNAL

INPUT

THRU

AutoStrobe TM

model 590 tuner

1.STABLE, ACCURATE, DIGITALLY-CONTROLLED STROBE — The back-illuminated, eight-octave band strobe disc is spun by a digitally-controlled motor. The rotation speeds are derived from a quartz crystal reference for the

ultimate in accuracy and stability. Hence, no warm-up period is required, and the instrument will maintain its 1/10 of 1 cent accuracy with no need for re-calibration…EVER! The International Standard Pitch of A=440 Hz (cycles per second) is the factory default but can be raised or lowered in 1 Hz increments from A = 350 Hz to A = 550 Hz. The Model 590 can be customized to power-up with an altered Concert A pitch as one of the storable SETUP parameters

available to the user. The unparalleled accuracy of this system also allows the Model 590 to reliably distinguish the nuances of multiple temperaments , both standard and customizable, beyond the conventional equal-tempered scale.

2.POWER SWITCH — The down or OFF position disengages the line voltage; the up or ON position permits the unit to power up.

3.SELF-CONTAINED MICROPHONE & EXTERNAL PATCH THROUGH INPUT — The Model 590 is equipped with a built-in condenser microphone for simple use with acoustic inputs. The intonation of notes sounded into this microphone will be immediately visible on the strobe tuning disc when automatic note detection is enabled (which is the factory-default power-up condition). Immediately to the right of the internal microphone is a 1/4" jack for an external input such as an external microphone, guitar-type pick-up, or any low or line-level audio signal in electrical form. (An appropriate external microphone is available from peterson as part #: 170172.) The internal microphone is automatically disconnected whenever a 1/4" connector is inserted into this "EXTERNAL INPUT" jack. To the right of the "EXTERNAL INPUT" jack is a 1/4" THRU jack. This passively conducts the input signal—internal mic or external input, whichever is currently active—back out to additional audio devices allowing the 590 tuner to be permanently placed within your "audio chain" for your convenience. (NOTE: On the rack-mount version R590, these two jacks are duplicated at the rear of the tuner to allow for rear-only patching that is typical in rack systems.)

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4.EIGHTY-CHARACTER LCD MENU SCREEN — Simplicity and ease of operation are enhanced by the intuitive and user-friendly menu screen displays which address all the functional features of the tuner.

5.FOUR MENU-DRIVEN FUNCTION BUTTONS — The action of each of these four push buttons is defined by whatever specific description is currently displayed immediately above them on the bottom line of the LCD screen. These software-defined buttons permit great flexibility and simple user interaction with the Model 590.

6.TWELVE MANUAL NOTE-SELECTION BUTTONS — These 12 push buttons permit traditional manual selection of the scale note to which the audio input is to be tuned. The Model 590 also permits (by default) an "AUTO" or "hands-off" tuning mode where the standard scale note closest in pitch to the incoming audio signal is automatically selected by the unit.

7.ENTER — This push button is used to select specific values of scale note cent deviations when editing customized temperament files used in specialized tuning applications. It is also used to make some of the user selections under the temperament programming menus of the tuner. Under the normal RUN screen, ENTER is used in conjunction with the UP ARROW/DOWN ARROW buttons to access enhanced resolution of the global cent offset parameter displayed on that screen.

8.KEY — This push button is used to allow the Model 590 to reference scale notes in the same key base as the instrument to be tuned. Note names are internally transposed from "Concert Standard" notes allowing the user to see and access notes in the transposition with which he is most comfortable. For example, if a clarinetist enters a KEY of B=and plays the "C" position of a B= clarinet, the strobe disc will indicate the "in tune" standing pattern when the LCD display indicates note "C" even though the pitch being played is Concert B=. Each press of the KEY button will advance the current key of the tuner one step within the sequence: C, B=, F, E=, and back to C. (Please note that all buttons which affect motor speed are disabled while the motor is accelerating to a new speed.)

9.UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW — These two push buttons increment or decrement various parameters on the LCD screen depending upon which screen is currently active. While the RUN screen is active, they control the global cent offset parameter displayed on the second line of the LCD. (Individual note cent offsets are separately programmable

under Temperament File menus.) While controlling either global cent offset in the RUN screen or individual note offsets under the File menus, pressing both the UP and DOWN arrow buttons simultaneously will provide an immediate “reset value to 0” operation. When either button is depressed and held to continuously increment or decrement these cent values, advancement will proceed, after one initial step, at 5 times the currently set resolution. These new features help to speed manipulation of the cents parameter.

Each time the ENTER button is pressed simultaneously with either arrow button, the resolution of the global cent offset parameter is advanced one step within the sequence: 1, 0.5, 0.1, and back to 1 cent resolution. Under some Temperament File menus, the arrow buttons advance a cursor to select characters when naming files.

10.DISPLAY +2 / -1 — This push button alters the strobe motor speeds so as to cause audio input in a given octave to be read on higher or lower bands on the strobe disc. While this effectively expands the range of tuning to an unprecedented 11 octaves, it is most often used to push the standing strobe pattern for very high or low-pitched instruments toward the more easily-read middle strobe disc bands. However, with our latest innovations in automatic strobe clarity, this will often be unnecessary. Each press of this button will advance the current display mode one step within the sequence: normal, +2, -1, and back to normal. For a given input pitch, the "+2" mode shifts the lowest strobe disc band exhibiting a standing pattern two positions higher than would appear in the "normal" display. This would be most useful with very low-pitched notes. For a given input, the "-1" mode shifts the lowest strobe disc band exhibiting a standing pattern one position lower than would appear in the "normal" display. This would be most useful with very high-pitched notes. (Please note that all buttons which affect motor speed are disabled while the motor is accelerating to a new speed.)

11.METRONOME ON/OFF — This push button controls functioning of the built-in metronome when operation as a tuner is not required. When the RUN screen is active, this button mimics the operation of the "4" function button by switching to the METRONOME screen on the LCD and preparing for metronome operation. Once the METRONOME screen is activated by either of these methods, the METRONOME ON/OFF button toggles actual metronome cycling on and off.

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This button is connected in parallel with the 1/4-inch jack at the rear of the tuner labeled "METRONOME SWITCH". Any momentary-close contact device such as a footswitch may be used in place of or in addition to the METRONOME ON/OFF button at any time. (The front-panel button will continue to operate with a device plugged into this rear jack unless the device is held in the closed position—make sure that the device operates in a momentary-close fashion. A proper footswitch is available from peterson as part #: 140070.)

12.VOLume - BALance DUAL CONTROL — The AutoStrobe 590 contains a Metronome/Tone audio output section. The output sound emanates from the 3" internal speaker unless a) the 1/4" EXTERNAL SPEAKER jack at the rear of the unit is connected—normally to an 8 or 16 ohm speaker—or b) the 3.5 mm front panel jack is connected—normally to headphones or an audio line-level input. When used as a tuner, a tone rich in harmonics is generated which reflects exactly the frequency selected by the user as determined by the current temperament, key, scale note, global cent offset, and Concert A frequency. When used as a metronome, the Model 590 produces audible "blips" to indicate timing of musical beats. In either case, the top cap knob of this dual control affects the sound volume or amplitude of the audio signal being produced. The ring knob beneath it controls the balance of internally generated sound (tone or metronome) to amplified input sound (from the built-in mic or external input, whichever is currently active). Turned fully counterclockwise: only amplified input is present in the output audio; turned fully clockwise: only internally generated sound is audible.

13.OCTAVE CONTROL — This manual switch places the internally generated audio tone or metronome blip (whichever is currently active) at one of five octave ranges to optimize clarity.

14.HEADPHONE JACK — This is a standard 3.5 mm-sized headphone jack for private listening of internally-generated tone and external sound as controlled by the VOLume, BALance, and OCTAVE front panel controls. Insertion into this jack cuts off both the internal speaker and any signal to the EXTERNAL SPEAKER jack at the rear of the unit.

2. AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL NOTE SELECTION ON THE AutoStrobe 590

The AutoStrobe 590 can also be placed in MANual mode by pressing the "2" button while the label above it in the LCD screen indicates "MODE" (that is, when the normal RUN screen is active). Directly above this MODE label on the LCD, an indication of the currently active note-select mode—AUTO or MAN—appears. Pressing the "2" button will toggle this note select mode and the LCD indication will be updated.

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