Scala and starting frequencies

I'm looking at the Scala file format and I see that it doesn't
include a starting frequency (C note). Is there a list somewhere of
standard or typical starting frequencies for the various historical
tunings? Do most computer programs that use Scala files give the user
the option of choosing the starting frequency? Thanks.

danmozell wrote:
>I'm looking at the Scala file format and I see that it doesn't
>include a starting frequency (C note). Is there a list somewhere of
>standard or typical starting frequencies for the various historical
>tunings?

Typically you choose the starting frequency so that A=440.
If you want to specify it in a scale file then you should include it
in the comment, for example like 1/1=256. Then the user of the
file can set this if he wants.
There's a trick by the way, assuming A is the 9th scale degree, after
loading the scale you can do
set freq 440
set freq %-9
Then the frequency of C corresponds to A=440.

>Do most computer programs that use Scala files give the user
>the option of choosing the starting frequency?

Yes.

Manuel

--- In tuning@y..., manuel.op.de.coul@e... wrote:
> danmozell wrote:
> >Is there a list somewhere of
> >standard or typical starting frequencies for the various historical
> >tunings?
>
> Typically you choose the starting frequency so that A=440.

> >Do most computer programs that use Scala files give the user
> >the option of choosing the starting frequency?
>
> Yes.
>
> Manuel

Thanks Manuel. I was thinking that for the purpose of comparing
tunings it would make sense to have all the C notes be the same.