440Hz vs 432Hz

Startup-guy

Hi everyone

What is your view on the 440Hz vs 432Hz debate?

wern101

There's a debate? Lol.

Personally I have never tuned to 432, so I cannot comment. But quick google on the subject opens up a can of worms... even conspiracy theories (of which I am a 'cautious' fan)

I guess what 'sounds' and 'feels' better is probably better? Maybe we should test it out? Play the same song using both frequencies and let the peeps on the forum decide what sounds better?

Who's in?

Foottapiologist

Rule #1 for stress free living: Never get involved in an internet debate where even the guys in white coats can't come to agreement

Most of my guitars are tuned to 415Hz so if they change the standard then I'll have to get out my calculator to re-configure my half-step-down

Lu22

Foottapiologist wrote: Rule #1 for stress free living: Never get involved in an internet debate where even the guys in white coats can't come to agreement

Most of my guitars are tuned to 415Hz so if they change the standard then I'll have to get out my calculator to re-configure my half-step-down

415Hz? This piques my interest. I'm trying it out tonight. How does it affect the guitar's sound?

Startup-guy

Tnx for the reply guys. Interesting to hear the different viewpoints.

Foottapiologist

Lu22 wrote:
Foottapiologist wrote: Rule #1 for stress free living: Never get involved in an internet debate where even the guys in white coats can't come to agreement

Most of my guitars are tuned to 415Hz so if they change the standard then I'll have to get out my calculator to re-configure my half-step-down
415Hz? This piques my interest. I'm trying it out tonight. How does it affect the guitar's sound?

It's allegedly a half step down to E Flat tuning (Eb). Sound really nice to my ears, particularly with my strats. Most of my acoustics too. A side bonus is it also relieves a bit of tension on the old acoustic guitar bodies

wern101

So I just played the acoustic on 432 and must admit it does sound a bit 'warmer'. Probably because of lower string tension?

Very interested in this topic now. Bring on the experimentation. ?

Stoffeltoo

I smell a deeeebate. Hav'nt tried it yet but will try tonight. May just have an education you never know :-\

Hasie

My very first GFSA competition entry was done on 432Hz. But as soon as you play with drumtracks, synths, etb., then you sound out of tune with the rest.

Malkav

It sounds interesting because it's different from the norm we are used to, and if people prefer it for themselves then great, but any further claims about how it's some sort of resonant frequency that improves your quality of life etc are just conjecture.

Hasie

Played arounf with it this morning. Sounds different for 20 seconds, then your ear adjusts.
Too much of a muchness imo.

V8

Two of my mates got into the 432hz tuning, claiming it was the next great thing. I thought they was mostly regurgitating the 'conspiracy' blurb of the internet.

Fast forward two weeks and they were back to a Eb tuning.

I'm not against any alternate tuning - I'm having a LOT of fun tuned down to B standard - but I'd rather my ears decide and not be swayed by opinion (which guitarists have an abundance of... ?).

Another reason I'm thankful for the sanity of playing bass. :?

Lu22

Rather interestingly I find it easier to sing with 432hz tuning. Now this could just be my mood that affected it or a placebo thing, so I'll have to experiment properly. ONly had half an hour to dabble with it, but when I have time I definitely will investigate.

bruciekins

It's a crock, unless (perhaps, but probably not) you use the Pythagorean tuning- which sounds rather nice- as long as you remain in one key, and don't go beyond one octave. Howard Goodall describes the modern tuning (equal temperament) beautifully. In other words, some of the notes are out of tune, and will clash with the so-called resonant frequency, rendering it useless and unfit for purpose. It will sound warmer, as others have noted, due to the lower tension. Tuning has varied over the centuries. By comparing ancient and modern tuning forks, this can be seen. However , this is likely due to technological improvements in manufacturing. Our modern standard is A=440 (if you don't know, that means that A on the first string 5th fret vibrates 440 times each second. Modern orchestras often tune slightly higher (A=442 is common), as that provides a slightly brighter tone more pleasing to the modern ear. If you are a solo guitarist that never plays with other people, try it by all means- but if you play with others (unless they are also idiots sucked into this urban legend ? ), you'll have to change your tuning, and it might take a while to settle.

V8

Lu22 wrote: Rather interestingly I find it easier to sing with 432hz tuning. Now this could just be my mood that affected it or a placebo thing, so I'll have to experiment properly. ONly had half an hour to dabble with it, but when I have time I definitely will investigate.

You are probably more comfortable singing at a lower pitch - most guys I've played with prefer singing at a lower pitch, which meant either transcribing whatever we were playing or de-tuning. Dunno if it's common or not, but -I guess- the vocalist has their range and the rest of us work around it 8)

Lu22

Meron Rigas wrote:
Lu22 wrote: Rather interestingly I find it easier to sing with 432hz tuning. Now this could just be my mood that affected it or a placebo thing, so I'll have to experiment properly. ONly had half an hour to dabble with it, but when I have time I definitely will investigate.
You are probably more comfortable singing at a lower pitch - most guys I've played with prefer singing at a lower pitch, which meant either transcribing whatever we were playing or de-tuning. Dunno if it's common or not, but -I guess- the vocalist has their range and the rest of us work around it 8)

Yeah its a pain. My range is slowly improving at least. I'd rather improve and stay with 440 than cheat b down tuning

nick_D01

hey guys, hi

really, really interesting reading everyones insights and contributions on this topic.

on the claims that using this pitch setting is going to make the universe a much more harmonius place to live, i would also agree that its probably false/unfounded/urban myth.

Meron Rigas wrote:
Lu22 wrote: Rather interestingly I find it easier to sing with 432hz tuning. Now this could just be my mood that affected it or a placebo thing, so I'll have to experiment properly. ONly had half an hour to dabble with it, but when I have time I definitely will investigate.
You are probably more comfortable singing at a lower pitch

you're definitely on point there meron. the semitone down has through the last 30 + years of popular music really helped vocalists, just be more comfortable in their range. and i would'nt say its cheating, if its a solution that works well for some people, then why not ? .

DaFiz

Its only in recent years that the debate has surfaced...
I got my A440 pitchfork in 1974 and I ain't about to part with it now ?