56edo: Difference between revisions
→Music: Bryan Deister's ''Parade - Susumu Hirasawa (microtonal cover in 56edo)'' (2026): Add full version |
→Music: identify the original works of Bryan Deister's arrangements |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
== Theory == | == Theory == | ||
56edo shares its near perfect quality of the [[5/4|classical major third]] with [[28edo]], which it doubles, while also adding a superpythagorean 5th in the "shrub region" between those of [[17edo]] and [[22edo]]. It has decent approximations | 56edo shares its near perfect quality of the [[5/4|classical major third]] with [[28edo]], which it doubles, while also adding a superpythagorean 5th in the "shrub region" between those of [[17edo]] and [[22edo]]. It has decent approximations of [[prime harmonic]]s up to [[19/1|19]], but due to the sharpness of its harmonic [[3/1|3]], several intervals of [[9/1|9]] are [[consistency|inconsistent]]. Therefore, 56edo is not very popular compared to edos like [[53edo]] or [[58edo]]. | ||
=== Prime harmonics === | === Prime harmonics === | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
=== As a tuning of other temperaments === | === As a tuning of other temperaments === | ||
In the 5-limit, 56et most notably tempers out the [[diaschisma]], as well as the [[shibboleth comma]]. Using the [[patent val]], it tempers out [[686/675]], [[875/864]], and [[1029/1024]] in the [[7-limit]], [[100/99]], [[245/242]], and [[385/384]] in the [[11-limit]], and [[91/90]] and [[169/168]] in the 13-limit. It supports the diaschismic extension [[keen]] in the 7- and 11-limit, and its 13- and 17-limit extension [[keenic]]. It also supports [[hemithirds]], [[superkleismic]], and [[sycamore]] in various limits, being an especially optimal tuning for sycamore in the 11- | In the 5-limit, 56et most notably tempers out the [[diaschisma]], as well as the [[shibboleth comma]]. Using the [[patent val]], it tempers out [[686/675]], [[875/864]], and [[1029/1024]] in the [[7-limit]], [[100/99]], [[245/242]], and [[385/384]] in the [[11-limit]], and [[91/90]] and [[169/168]] in the 13-limit. It supports the diaschismic extension [[keen]] in the 7- and 11-limit, and its 13- and 17-limit extension [[keenic]]. It also supports [[hemithirds]], [[superkleismic]], and [[sycamore]] in various limits, being an especially optimal tuning for sycamore in the 11- and 13-limits. It also supports a very sharp tuning of [[slendric]], mapping 7/6 to an [[Ultramajor and inframinor|inframinor]] third of 257.1[[Cent|{{c}}]], and mapping 9/7 inconsistently to an ultramajor third of 450{{c}}. | ||
Another interesting val to consider is 56d ({{Val|56 89 130 '''158'''}}), which maps 7/4 sharply to around 986{{c}}. This mapping tempers out [[50/49]] and [[64/63]] in the 7-limit, providing an alternative to [[22edo]] for [[pajara]]. It improves accuracy of the 3rd harmonic and makes the 5th harmonic basically just, especially improving [[6/5]] and [[10/9]], which are quite out of tune in 22edo. Its approximated 7th harmonic is sharper than 22edo's, and combined with the fact that the 3rd harmonic is sharp, one may | Another interesting val to consider is 56d ({{Val|56 89 130 '''158''' 194}}), which maps 7/4 sharply to around 986{{c}}. This mapping tempers out [[50/49]] and [[64/63]] in the 7-limit, providing an alternative to [[22edo]] for [[pajara]]. It improves accuracy of the 3rd harmonic and makes the 5th harmonic basically just, especially improving [[6/5]] and [[10/9]], which are quite out of tune in 22edo. Its approximated 7th harmonic is sharper than 22edo's, and combined with the fact that the 3rd harmonic is sharp, one may wish to [[Octave stretch|compress the octave]], using tunings such as [[145ed6]] or [[201ed12]]. It is also an excellent tuning for the 11-limit version of pajara, which additionally tempers out [[99/98]], [[100/99]], [[176/175]], and [[896/891]]. Finally, it gives an excellent tuning for the [[2.3.7.11 subgroup|2.3.7.11-subgroup]] [[supra]] temperament tempering out [[64/63]] and [[99/98]]. | ||
=== Miscellaneous properties === | === Miscellaneous properties === | ||
| Line 333: | Line 333: | ||
| [[Sevond]] | | [[Sevond]] | ||
|} | |} | ||
<nowiki/>* [[Normal | <nowiki/>* [[Normal forms #Equave-reduced-generator form|Octave-reduced form]], reduced to the first half-octave, and [[normal forms #Minimal-generator form|minimal form]] in parentheses if distinct | ||
== Scales == | == Scales == | ||
| Line 349: | Line 349: | ||
== Music == | == Music == | ||
=== Modern renderings === | |||
; {{W|The Beatles}} | |||
* [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WsvSVp3xyr8 "I Will" from ''The Beatles''] (1968) – covered by [[Bryan Deister]] (2026) | |||
; {{W|Susumu Hirasawa}} | |||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGcPxb-ESAQ "Parade" from ''Paprika OST''] (2006) – covered by Bryan Deister (2026) | |||
; LSPLASH | |||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkfao6yGKGE "Curious Light" from ''DOORS OST''] (2023) – covered by Bryan Deister (2025) | |||
=== 21st century === | |||
; [[Bryan Deister]] | ; [[Bryan Deister]] | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o0imqFPDh9k ''56edo''] (2023) | * [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o0imqFPDh9k ''56edo''] (2023) | ||
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzMOnS-lgWs ''Waltz in 56edo''] (2025) | * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzMOnS-lgWs ''Waltz in 56edo''] (2025) | ||
; [[Budjarn Lambeth]] | ; [[Budjarn Lambeth]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:15, 9 May 2026
| ← 55edo | 56edo | 57edo → |
56 equal divisions of the octave (abbreviated 56edo or 56ed2), also called 56-tone equal temperament (56tet) or 56 equal temperament (56et) when viewed under a regular temperament perspective, is the tuning system that divides the octave into 56 equal parts of about 21.4 ¢ each. Each step represents a frequency ratio of 21/56, or the 56th root of 2.
Theory
56edo shares its near perfect quality of the classical major third with 28edo, which it doubles, while also adding a superpythagorean 5th in the "shrub region" between those of 17edo and 22edo. It has decent approximations of prime harmonics up to 19, but due to the sharpness of its harmonic 3, several intervals of 9 are inconsistent. Therefore, 56edo is not very popular compared to edos like 53edo or 58edo.
Prime harmonics
| Harmonic | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 13 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 29 | 31 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Error | Absolute (¢) | +0.00 | +5.19 | -0.60 | -4.54 | +5.82 | -4.81 | +2.19 | +2.49 | -6.85 | -1.01 | -9.32 |
| Relative (%) | +0.0 | +24.2 | -2.8 | -21.2 | +27.2 | -22.5 | +10.2 | +11.6 | -31.9 | -4.7 | -43.5 | |
| Steps (reduced) |
56 (0) |
89 (33) |
130 (18) |
157 (45) |
194 (26) |
207 (39) |
229 (5) |
238 (14) |
253 (29) |
272 (48) |
277 (53) | |
As a tuning of other temperaments
In the 5-limit, 56et most notably tempers out the diaschisma, as well as the shibboleth comma. Using the patent val, it tempers out 686/675, 875/864, and 1029/1024 in the 7-limit, 100/99, 245/242, and 385/384 in the 11-limit, and 91/90 and 169/168 in the 13-limit. It supports the diaschismic extension keen in the 7- and 11-limit, and its 13- and 17-limit extension keenic. It also supports hemithirds, superkleismic, and sycamore in various limits, being an especially optimal tuning for sycamore in the 11- and 13-limits. It also supports a very sharp tuning of slendric, mapping 7/6 to an inframinor third of 257.1 ¢, and mapping 9/7 inconsistently to an ultramajor third of 450 ¢.
Another interesting val to consider is 56d (⟨56 89 130 158 194]), which maps 7/4 sharply to around 986 ¢. This mapping tempers out 50/49 and 64/63 in the 7-limit, providing an alternative to 22edo for pajara. It improves accuracy of the 3rd harmonic and makes the 5th harmonic basically just, especially improving 6/5 and 10/9, which are quite out of tune in 22edo. Its approximated 7th harmonic is sharper than 22edo's, and combined with the fact that the 3rd harmonic is sharp, one may wish to compress the octave, using tunings such as 145ed6 or 201ed12. It is also an excellent tuning for the 11-limit version of pajara, which additionally tempers out 99/98, 100/99, 176/175, and 896/891. Finally, it gives an excellent tuning for the 2.3.7.11-subgroup supra temperament tempering out 64/63 and 99/98.
Miscellaneous properties
One step of 56edo is the closest to the syntonic comma, 81/80, of any integer edo's step size by direct approximation, with the number of directly approximated syntonic commas per octave being 55.7976. Barium temperament realizes this proximity through regular temperament theory, and is supported by notable edos like 224edo, 1848edo, and 2520edo, which is a highly composite edo. Because it contains 28edo's major third and has a step size very close to the syntonic comma, 56edo contains very accurate approximations of both the classic major third 5/4 at 18\56, and the Pythagorean major third 81/64 at 19\56. Unfortunately, 56edo does not map the Pythagorean major third 19\56, but instead inconsistently to 20\56, a supermajor third of 428.6 ¢. However, the Pythagorean major third is mapped to 19\56 consistently in 224edo, which is the quadruple of 56edo.
The perfect fifth generates a diatonic scale with a step ratio that is a convergent towards the bronze metallic mean, following 17edo and preceding 185edo.
Subsets and supersets
Since 56 factors into 23 × 7, 56edo has subset edos 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, and 28.
Intervals
| # | Cents | Approximate ratios* | Ups and downs notation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0.0 | 1/1 | D |
| 1 | 21.4 | 49/48, 55/54, 56/55, 64/63 | ^D, vvE♭ |
| 2 | 42.9 | 28/27, 40/39, 45/44, 50/49, 81/80 | ^^D, vE♭ |
| 3 | 64.3 | 25/24, 36/35, 33/32 | ^3D, E♭ |
| 4 | 85.7 | 19/18, 20/19, 21/20, 22/21 | v3D♯, ^E♭ |
| 5 | 107.1 | 16/15, 17/16, 18/17 | vvD♯, ^^E♭ |
| 6 | 128.6 | 15/14, 13/12, 14/13 | vD♯, ^3E♭ |
| 7 | 150.0 | 12/11 | D♯, v3E |
| 8 | 171.4 | 10/9, 11/10, 21/19 | ^D♯, vvE |
| 9 | 192.9 | 19/17, 28/25 | ^^D♯, vE |
| 10 | 214.3 | 9/8, 17/15 | E |
| 11 | 235.7 | 8/7 | ^E, vvF |
| 12 | 257.1 | 7/6 | ^^E, vF |
| 13 | 278.6 | 13/11, 20/17 | F |
| 14 | 300.0 | 19/16, 25/21 | ^F, vvG♭ |
| 15 | 321.4 | 6/5 | ^^F, vG♭ |
| 16 | 342.9 | 11/9, 17/14 | ^3F, G♭ |
| 17 | 364.3 | 16/13, 21/17, 26/21 | v3F♯, ^G♭ |
| 18 | 385.7 | 5/4 | vvF♯, ^^G♭ |
| 19 | 407.1 | 14/11, 19/12, 24/19 | vF♯, ^3G♭ |
| 20 | 428.6 | 32/25, 33/26 | F♯, v3G |
| 21 | 450.0 | 9/7, 13/10 | ^F♯, vvG |
| 22 | 471.4 | 17/13, 21/16 | ^^F♯, vG |
| 23 | 492.9 | 4/3 | G |
| 24 | 514.3 | 35/26 | ^G, vvA♭ |
| 25 | 535.7 | 15/11, 19/14, 26/19, 27/20 | ^^G, vA♭ |
| 26 | 557.1 | 11/8 | ^3G, A♭ |
| 27 | 578.6 | 7/5 | v3G♯, ^A♭ |
| 28 | 600.0 | 17/12, 24/17 | vvG♯, ^^A♭ |
| … | … | … | … |
* The following table assumes the 19-limit patent val; other approaches are possible. Inconsistent intervals are marked in italics.
Notation
Ups and downs notation
56edo can be notated using ups and downs. Trup is equivalent to quudsharp, trudsharp is equivalent to quup, etc.
Alternatively, sharps and flats with arrows borrowed from Helmholtz–Ellis notation can be used:
| Step offset | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp symbol | |
|||||||||||||||||
| Flat symbol |
Sagittal notation
This notation uses the same sagittal sequence as 63-EDO.
Evo flavor

Revo flavor

Approximation to JI
The following tables show how 15-odd-limit intervals are represented in 56edo. Prime harmonics are in bold; inconsistent intervals are in italics.
| Interval and complement | Error (abs, ¢) | Error (rel, %) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1, 2/1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 13/7, 14/13 | 0.273 | 1.3 |
| 5/4, 8/5 | 0.599 | 2.8 |
| 11/6, 12/11 | 0.637 | 3.0 |
| 15/11, 22/15 | 1.236 | 5.8 |
| 7/5, 10/7 | 3.941 | 18.4 |
| 13/10, 20/13 | 4.214 | 19.7 |
| 7/4, 8/7 | 4.540 | 21.2 |
| 11/9, 18/11 | 4.551 | 21.2 |
| 15/8, 16/15 | 4.588 | 21.4 |
| 13/8, 16/13 | 4.813 | 22.5 |
| 3/2, 4/3 | 5.188 | 24.2 |
| 5/3, 6/5 | 5.787 | 27.0 |
| 11/8, 16/11 | 5.825 | 27.2 |
| 13/9, 18/13 | 6.239 | 29.1 |
| 11/10, 20/11 | 6.424 | 30.0 |
| 9/7, 14/9 | 6.513 | 30.4 |
| 15/14, 28/15 | 9.129 | 42.6 |
| 15/13, 26/15 | 9.402 | 43.9 |
| 7/6, 12/7 | 9.728 | 45.4 |
| 13/12, 24/13 | 10.001 | 46.7 |
| 11/7, 14/11 | 10.365 | 48.4 |
| 9/8, 16/9 | 10.376 | 48.4 |
| 9/5, 10/9 | 10.453 | 48.8 |
| 13/11, 22/13 | 10.638 | 49.6 |
| Interval and complement | Error (abs, ¢) | Error (rel, %) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1, 2/1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 13/7, 14/13 | 0.273 | 1.3 |
| 5/4, 8/5 | 0.599 | 2.8 |
| 11/6, 12/11 | 0.637 | 3.0 |
| 15/11, 22/15 | 1.236 | 5.8 |
| 7/5, 10/7 | 3.941 | 18.4 |
| 13/10, 20/13 | 4.214 | 19.7 |
| 7/4, 8/7 | 4.540 | 21.2 |
| 11/9, 18/11 | 4.551 | 21.2 |
| 15/8, 16/15 | 4.588 | 21.4 |
| 13/8, 16/13 | 4.813 | 22.5 |
| 3/2, 4/3 | 5.188 | 24.2 |
| 5/3, 6/5 | 5.787 | 27.0 |
| 11/8, 16/11 | 5.825 | 27.2 |
| 11/10, 20/11 | 6.424 | 30.0 |
| 15/14, 28/15 | 9.129 | 42.6 |
| 15/13, 26/15 | 9.402 | 43.9 |
| 7/6, 12/7 | 9.728 | 45.4 |
| 13/12, 24/13 | 10.001 | 46.7 |
| 11/7, 14/11 | 10.365 | 48.4 |
| 9/8, 16/9 | 10.376 | 48.4 |
| 13/11, 22/13 | 10.638 | 49.6 |
| 9/5, 10/9 | 10.975 | 51.2 |
| 9/7, 14/9 | 14.916 | 69.6 |
| 13/9, 18/13 | 15.189 | 70.9 |
Regular temperament properties
| Subgroup | Comma list | Mapping | Optimal 8ve stretch (¢) |
Tuning error | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute (¢) | Relative (%) | ||||
| 2.3 | [89 -56⟩ | [⟨56 89]] | −1.64 | 1.63 | 7.64 |
| 2.3.5 | 2048/2025, 1953125/1889568 | [⟨56 89 130]] | −1.01 | 1.61 | 7.50 |
| 2.3.5.7 | 686/675, 875/864, 1029/1024 | [⟨56 89 130 157]] | −0.352 | 1.80 | 8.38 |
| 2.3.5.7.11 | 100/99, 245/242, 385/384, 686/675 | [⟨56 89 130 157 194]] | −0.618 | 1.69 | 7.90 |
| 2.3.5.7.11.13 | 91/90, 100/99, 169/168, 245/242, 385/384 | [⟨56 89 130 157 194 207]] | −0.299 | 1.70 | 7.95 |
Rank-2 temperaments
| Periods per 8ve |
Generator* | Cents* | Associated ratio* |
Temperament |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3\56 | 64.29 | 25/24 | Sycamore |
| 1 | 9\56 | 192.86 | 28/25 | Hemithirds |
| 1 | 11\56 | 235.71 | 8/7 | Slendric |
| 1 | 15\56 | 321.43 | 6/5 | Superkleismic |
| 1 | 25\56 | 535.71 | 15/11 | Maquila (56d) / maquiloid (56) |
| 2 | 11\56 | 235.71 | 8/7 | Echidnic |
| 2 | 23\56 (5\56) |
492.86 (107.14) |
4/3 (17/16) |
Keen / keenic |
| 4 | 23\56 (5\56) |
492.86 (107.14) |
4/3 (17/16) |
Bidia (7-limit) |
| 7 | 23\56 (1\56) |
492.86 (21.43) |
4/3 (250/243) |
Sevond |
* Octave-reduced form, reduced to the first half-octave, and minimal form in parentheses if distinct
Scales
- Supra7
- Supra12
- Subsets of echidnic[16] (6u8d):
- Frankincense[idiosyncratic term] (this is the original/default tuning): 364.3 - 492.9 - 707.1 - 835.7 - 1200.0
- Quasi-equipentatonic: 257.1 - 492.9 - 707.1 - 964.3 - 1200.0
- Sakura-like scale containing phi: 107.1 - 492.9 - 707.1 - 835.7 - 1200.0
- Subsets of sevond[14]
- Evened minor pentatonic (approximated from 72edo): 321.4 - 492.9 - 685.7 - 1028.6 - 1200.0
Instruments
Lumatone mappings for 56edo are available.
Music
Modern renderings
- "I Will" from The Beatles (1968) – covered by Bryan Deister (2026)
- "Parade" from Paprika OST (2006) – covered by Bryan Deister (2026)
- LSPLASH
- "Curious Light" from DOORS OST (2023) – covered by Bryan Deister (2025)
21st century
- 56edo (2023)
- Waltz in 56edo (2025)
- Prelude & Fugue in Pajara (2020) – in pajara, 56edo tuning
- Mirror Canon in F (2020)
- Canon 3-in-1 on a Ground (2020)

































