Difference between Cents and Frequency

Difference between Cents and Frequency

Can some one tell me what the conceptual difference
actually is between the term 'cents' and 'frequency' ?

I understand that cents is a logarithmic measure of
some kind and that frequency is simply a rate of
vibratory speed over time.

I understand there is a relation between the two and
they can be converted into each other, but they do not
seem to be the exact same thing. How are they
different?

What is the logarithmic cents actually a measure of,
some sort of position?

If frequency is a measure of how fast a sound is, and
cents a measure of its position some how, is there
some sort of measure that describes sequence or
placement of a given note that is different from cents
or frequency - is this what is called key signature?

Thanks or any insights you can provide!

Dan Amateur

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Hi Dan.

Dan Amateur escreveu:
> Difference between Cents and Frequency
> > Can some one tell me what the conceptual difference
> actually is between the term 'cents' and 'frequency' ?
> > I understand that cents is a logarithmic measure of
> some kind and that frequency is simply a rate of
> vibratory speed over time.

frequency = a measure of the pitch of a tone (or of its partials).

cent = interval between two frequencies, equivalent to 1/1200 octave or 1/100 of tempered semitone (in 12-EDO).

The interval in cents, between two frequencies f1 and f2 is computed as:

1200*log2(f1/f2)

> > I understand there is a relation between the two and
> they can be converted into each other,

No. One cannot simply convert cents into frequency, because the first one is a relation of two values (an interval) and the other is a single value. One only will can convert ``cents'' to ``frequencies'' (or vice-versa) BY DEFINING A REFERENCE FREQUENCY (from which the intervals in cents can be computed).

Cheers,

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Hi Dan, just a note. It isn't necessary to cross-post
everything between MMM and Tuning. Concert announcements
and such are usually cross-posted, but stuff that focuses
more on theory (like this) is better on Tuning, while
stuff that focuses more on production (how do I retune
my guitar) is better here.

-Carl

At 05:35 PM 10/1/2006, you wrote:
>Difference between Cents and Frequency
>
>Can some one tell me what the conceptual difference
>actually is between the term 'cents' and 'frequency' ?
>
>I understand that cents is a logarithmic measure of
>some kind and that frequency is simply a rate of
>vibratory speed over time.
>
>I understand there is a relation between the two and
>they can be converted into each other, but they do not
>seem to be the exact same thing. How are they
>different?
>
>What is the logarithmic cents actually a measure of,
>some sort of position?
>
>If frequency is a measure of how fast a sound is, and
>cents a measure of its position some how, is there
>some sort of measure that describes sequence or
>placement of a given note that is different from cents
>or frequency - is this what is called key signature?
>
>Thanks or any insights you can provide!
>
>Dan Amateur

This page explains the difference, and even has a short Javascript to
convert between the two.

http://www.lucytune.com/new_to_lt/pitch_01.html

BTW no yahoo password supplied

Charles Lucy - lucy@... ------------ Promoting global
harmony through LucyTuning ------- for information on LucyTuning go to:
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