Sin(x) tuning
A sin(x) tuning[idiosyncratic term] is a tuning where scale degrees are taken by graphing a sine wave. The sine wave has scale degrees on the x axis and frequency (not pitch) on the y axis. The sine wave has a maxima of 1 equave and a minima of -1 equave. The scale degrees are evenly spaced along the x axis and there can be any number of them.
History
Sin(x) tunings were invented by Ambient Esoterica in 2025. The first one described was the 36-tone octave-equivalent sin(x) tuning which was used in Ambient Esoterica’s March 2025 composition, Synths in Experimental Temperaments: sin(x) Tuning.
Examples
= 36-tone octave-equivalent sin(x) tuning
Discovered by Ambient Esoterica in 2025. Scale Workshop link: SinWave_36steps_Note43is196Hz.
Generalisations
The concept of sin(x) tunings could perhaps be generalised by graphing other kinds of functions onto the frequency spectrum, such as other trigonometric functions, parabolic functions, hyperbolic functions, or anything else. In general, these could be called function(x) tunings[idiosyncratic term] (proposed by Budjarn Lambeth, 2025).
It could also be generalised by using unequal steps, perhaps based on MOS patterns. Those could be called unequal function(x) tunings[idiosyncratic term] (proposed by Budjarn Lambeth, 2025).
Music
- Synths in Experimental Temperaments: sin(x) Tuning - Ambient Esoterica (2025)