Re:The “432 Hz vs. 440 Hz” conspiracy theory
by fuzzfactor on Tuesday October 25, 2016 @09:55AM
(#12787980)
AC line frequency has been recognized as a preferred reference for pitch. This is what made Hammond electric clocks the first reliable AC powered timekeepers.
Later, Hammond famously produced electro-mechanical organs referenced to line frequency.
Well, what do you expect from somebody simply following in the creative footsteps of Leonardo DaVinci & Thos. Edison?
Re:The “432 Hz vs. 440 Hz” conspiracy theory
by gugagore on Saturday October 29, 2016 @12:00AM
(#12822581)
Interesting.
I don't think it's a particularly stable reference in the short term. It's true that the power companies adjust it to hit exactly the nominal frequency over a period of many hours, but not at any one instant.
In fact: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utility_frequency#Time_error_c...
However, when you are trying to build a device that oscillates at x Hz, there are engineering-ly sigificant values. For example (as already mentioned) a 1kHz oscillator might be easier to come by. As an additional example, the AC power in the UK is at 50 Hz, a factor of 440 Hz. So there is a free 50 Hz reference available everywhere, that can be multiplied (with a PLL, which is more robust to, say, temperature differences, than say, building a 50 Hz or 440 Hz reference yourself).
(50 Hz is just an example. AC line frequency probably is not stable enough in the short term to be a useful pitch reference)