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.

Todo: review , research Check that we have accurately represented the process described in the video (www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVanOyShJSA).

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.

Generalizations

This article or section contains multiple idiosyncratic terms. Such terms are used by only a few people and are not regularly used within the community.

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 (proposed by Budjarn Lambeth, 2025).

The concept of sin(x) tunings might also be generalised by graphing other kinds of syntgesizer waveforms onto the frequency spectrum, such as square waves, triangle waves, sawtooth waves, or more complex waveforms. In general, these could be called waveform(x) tunings (proposed by Budjarn Lambeth, 2025).

Sin(x) tunings could also be generalised by using unequal steps, perhaps based on MOS patterns. Those could be called unequal sin(x) tunings, unequal function(x) tunings and unequal waveform(x) tunings (proposed by Budjarn Lambeth, 2025).

Music

• Synths in Experimental Temperaments: sin(x) Tuning - Ambient Esoterica (2025)