Quarter-comma Meantone with split sharps
Why Hacker News recommends it
Used as a concrete example of split-key instruments and an audible demonstration of the D-sharp versus E-flat difference.
What it is
A short recording of a 1565 organ in Mantua tuned in quarter-comma meantone, showing split sharps in use. The extra keys provide separate D-sharp and A-flat for more tonalities.
Recommended by 0 HN commenters across 0 different months, 2019 to 2022.
What Hacker News said
Cites mastazi · 2019-10 · on “Scala: A software tool for microtonic, macrotonic and other alternative tunings”
The list of export formats is really impressive. It's interesting to note that Hauptwerk (a pipe organ software emulator) is among the supported targets; some early organs used historical temperaments which sound different compared to equal temperament and some of those had split keys [1][2]. [1] This is an example of meantone organ with split sharps [this video] [2] This is an explanation of Meantone and split keys [LINK]
Cites rdlw · 2022-02 · on “Music theory for nerds (2016)”
Except for voice [0], any fretless stringed instrument [1], any fretted string instrument with separate frets for sharps and flats [2], keyboard instruments that allow expression [3], keyboard instruments with split flat/sharp keys [4], and electronic instruments that allow unorthodox tunings without huge hassle [5]... I'm sure I'm missing some, but other than that you're totally right ;) [0] [LINK] , [LINK] [1] [LINK] [2] [LINK] [3] [LINK] [4] [this video] [5] [LINK]
Cites PeterisP · 2022-08 · on “Why are D-sharp and E-flat considered to be two different notes?”
No, and yes. The difference is obvious even those who don't distinguish pitches much (can you hear the difference in the video linked in the article - [this video] ) because the 'wrong' one played in a scale or a chord sounds really, really horrible; that's why we have all the work done on 'tempered' tuning to reduce the gap so that everything is just slightly off.