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Autotune violin

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Suggested by <link>.

The autotune violin has a series of rapid-acting servos at the bottom end of each string. They are controlled by a computer which monitors the sound being produced by the instrument, and can adjust the tension in each string.

Experienced violinists can use these servos merely to tune their instrument between performances (rather like autotune on some guitars).

Presperienced violinists, however, can set the system to provide dynamic autotuning. In this mode, the pitch of each note is tweaked to the nearest semitone in realtime. This would avoid a lot of aural pain (there is a reason why violin and violence are such similar words).

Advanced effects could also be produced - for example shifting the tuning in mid performance to allow otherwise impossible dynamic ranges.

MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 09 2014

Suggested by: Fretted_20Violin
[MaxwellBuchanan, Aug 09 2014]

Hupfeld orchestrion https://www.youtube...watch?v=4CphT9fhz2g
Not autotune but interesting. [pocmloc, Aug 10 2014]

[link]






       This would make it impossible to play. There would be no feedback on your hand position. Assuming the software did correctly guess an interval, the progressive error would quickly snap the string.   

       Tuning is not the problem for beginners - even absolute novices can usually play recognisable melodies. The problem is in the bowing. Failure to move the bow exactly perpendicular to the strings is what causes the characteristic screech.
mitxela, Aug 09 2014
  

       So, use an electric bow as well.   

       The 1930s Orchestrions which had violins played by rosined wheels as part of their setup used weighted levers to tension the violin strings.
pocmloc, Aug 10 2014
  
      
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