Tuning Libraries

The Performerâ„¢ has a range of notes on each string that provides the ability for the system to reach over 200,000 tunings. While some 60,000 of these tunings can be named musically, the majority of the tunings are inversions or dissonant tunings. Inversion tunings are tunings where the notes required for the chord are present at least once, and no extra notes are present, while dissonant tunings are tunings that do not meet the criteria to have a chordal name. We understand that it is unlikely that anyone would ever use even a fraction of the total number of tunings available, but the large number of tunings are necessary given the extraordinary number of half-steps available on each string.

The Artist Library

The Artist Library is where custom tunings are stored and edited. There is room for 96 custom tunings that can be copied from either the Artist Library or the Preset Library. Tunings in the Artist Library can be placed in any order and then edited for rate of change, Foot Switch operation, and tempered to reduce or eliminate those annoying beat frequencies that are inherent to chromatic tuning.

The Preset Library

The Preset Library has 336 tunings that have been carefully chosen and organized in 5 groups – Opens, Keys, Chords, Dissonants and Modals. The tunings are further organized by musical key within each of these groups. For composers, this organization is a major tool. Once a compositional key has been chosen, tunings can be easily found that work within the song for that key.

Capo Ready

The Performer™ supports the use of a full capo, partial capo and any combination of full and partial capos! Simply install your capo or capos, anywhere up to the 7th fret, Touch Up, and you are in tune and ready to play. When a capo or combination of capos are installed, the system automatically detects them during the Touch Up strum and adjusts the string tensions. After the Touch Up is completed, the notes at the capoed frets are displayed on the LCD.

On Screen Tuner

Another advanced feature of the Performer™ is its built-in On Screen Tuner (OST). The OST displays the tunings of all six strings on the LCD at the same time and eliminates the need to carry an external tuner with you. Of course, if you wish, you can use an ordinary external tuner in the normal fashion as well. To use the On Screen Tuner, press the OST button and strum. The notes of the respective strings are displayed with their octave and the number of cents sharp or flat.

Tempering

The Performer™ has three tempering modes. Tuning Tempering, String Tempering, and Note Tempering. Tuning Tempering: Using the tuning tempering feature, every tuning in the Performer™ can be tempered the same amount. This mode provides the ability to glide into tune with the rest of the band when their instruments are off of nominal tuning or to get in tune with pre-recorded music that is sharp or flat of the nominal tuning notes. Tuning Tempering affects every tuning in the guitar. String Tempering: Each string can be individually tempered using the String Temper mode. This mode is commonly used to compensate for strings sounding sharp while being played as a result of the artist’s attack on the strings. To compensate for an artist’s heavy strum, the strings are tuned slightly flat while the guitar is being tuned. For example, some artists temper their low E string 5 cents flat, there A string is 4 cents flat, and so on as needed so that the strings sound in tune when played aggressively. String tempering handles this automatically and frees the artist of this problem. Note Tempering: Individual notes within any tuning can be tempered in the Note Temper mode. This mode is provided to allow for sharp or flat adjustment of any note, within any tuning, to make the musical intervals sound purer. Note tempering, often called well-tempering is an art. In general, the amount of tempering needed depends on the audible beat frequency that is heard when a string is slightly sharp or flat relative to another string. By slightly adjusting the offending string the beat frequency can be eliminated and the tempering can be stored for future use.

Tuning Speed Control

The rate of change from one tuning to the next is adjustable with the Performer™. Custom Speeds are created by setting the “Beats per Minute” to the tempo of the song and the “Beats for Change” to the number of quarter notes per the song’s time signature. For example, in a song with 4/4 timing, setting BPM to 120 and BFC to 8, the tuning change will happen over two measures of the song. The system defaults to “full speed” unless a Custom Speed is chosen, and every tuning in the Artist Library can have its own unique speed setting.

Foot Switch Control

The Foot Switch enables hands-free tuning changes. Using the Performer's™ editing mode and Foot Switch, tunings can be accessed by the keypad or Foot Switch in any order. Programming the Foot Switch is simple and provides complete flexibility. The Foot Switch Sequence, modifiable in the Edit mode, is programmed using the LCD readout and controls the order that tunings are selected when you press the Foot Switch. The Foot Switch Sequence can hold up to 15 sequential tuning changes and can be easily reset by depressing the Foot Switch for 2 seconds. The Foot Switch plugs into the rear of the system’s Power Supply and comes standard with all Performer™ system purchases.