Portable string tension calculator Android/Iphone

[stuglue]

Hi guys

So many threads on here relate to what tension works best for my guitar
I thought that it would be more practical if we had a mobile phone app that was simple and we could put our scale length measurements, tuning requirements into the app and be presented with the tension and string size we need.
Are there any smart guys who could create such a tool?
It would save a lot of time logging into the forum, searching threads and posting more questions.
It'd be handy for when you're at the music store too
the online calculators are great but it would be even better to have a portable version

[Ishan]

I've been toying with that idea for a while, I might start something for android but I'd like to do something for desktop/laptop first (see my thread about CKS tension calculator)

[AliceLG]

That's an amazing idea!

I'll start something for iPhone, sounds like a good learning project, so expect nothing too fancy ... as a matter of fact, expect nothing, it'll take me a while hehe, but I'm definitely in!

[Konfyouzd]

The equations are pretty straight forward, no? I'm not familiar with Android app development just yet, but it can't be any harder than what I do all day anyway.

I may take a stab at this...

[stuglue]

Hi,
Wow great response, much appreciated.
Please keep me updated via this thread. I think so many people could make use of a string tension calc for Android and iPhone

[ashek]

Seriously, it helps alot if there's such apps for mobile phones.

[Syriel]

I'm definitely supporting this. I'd love to not have to save up the tensions I calculated in my pc to my iPhone's notepad, and instead just be able to calculate on the fly. Definitely want.

[Tsmith678]

I have found my own personal combinations of strings that work perfect for me for specific tunings but I'd really like to see an app like this. It would let me realize how weird I am as a player! haha

[AugmentedFourth]

I am in a basic Obj-C/iPhone app production class right now so I may be able to start a project of making an app like this for iDevice users.

However, I am not very familiar with the math behind string tension calculators, so if anyone has some pointers for how you complete the calculations, that would be nice

[Ishan]

All the math and weight data for D'addario is in there : http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
It's what my STC is based on.
It's like the bible of string tension

[MF_Kitten]

what are the terms and stuff for using D'addario's own tension chart in an app? is it free-for all? a buddy of mine and myself are in talks of developing a proper iOS string tension calculator with a good interface and user friendly features.

More details about it later, we've barely begun talking about it, but if any of you know about how D'addario would want their string tension chart used, that would be great.

If we end up getting this done, i think you'll all be VERY excited about a lot of the features...

[Durero]

I've been wanting something like this for ages.

Hope it comes to pass and uses D'Addario and Circle K string mass data, and any other string company smart enough to publish their string masses.


I'm currently using a spreadsheet in Numbers on my Mac.

An iOS app would be fantastic.

[AugmentedFourth]

Originally Posted by Ishan

All the math and weight data for D'addario is in there : http://www.daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf
It's what my STC is based on.
It's like the bible of string tension

Sorry to have to ask, but on the D'addario spreadsheet PDF they give the equation

T = (UW*(2*L*F)^2)/386.4

And since you can only intake the string gauge and then match it up with the weight given by the manufacturer (In this case D'addario) to be able to fill out the equation, how did you make your calculator able to take any gauge you put in, e.g.: .01289468847433293487567411, .330? Also I noticed you were using info for an 8 string guitar Circle K string set, but on the PDF of Circle K weight info I found it only has bass strings--

Which are useful still, and you can always use them for guitars, but I was curious if you found info on an 8 string guitar set they made or something, sorry, I am unfamiliar with their company.

[Durero]

^ you can also input the tension and string weight and see the resulting gage. If the gage doesn't actually exist then just choose the closest real gage.


Also Circle K makes guitar strings now as well as bass strings

[Ishan]

CK bass and guitar strings are the same, only the ball end is different.
As I understand the code it does in fact average to the closest weight data, I 'm thinking on changing that in the future and reject strings not in a particular brand/string type.
Or bump it up or down to the closest existing string so you don't have to try to find a valid one blind.
I'm adding a lot more D'addario strings right now but it's taking a lot more time than anticipated

[MF_Kitten]

Alright, after communicating with D'addario directly regarding the use of their string tension chart in a mobile app, they told me that we cannot use their chart due to "various legal concerns". They did give me two free sets of strings because i was nice enough to ask though

edit: that means using the information provided in the chart, not just the chart itself, just to be clear.

[AugmentedFourth]

I've been working on putting this app in xcode for iPhone/iPod Touches and so far I got the functionality down to being able to do the calculations, now I just need to add the ability to change string sets, change from lbs > newtons, in > cm, etc.

Photo album of some screenshots



EDIT: totally sucks that you can't use D'Addario's chart, I was just creating a .plist to organize some of the weight data but I guess there's no point in allowing the user to select a string set if I can only get access to one chart (Circle K)

[troyguitar]

For those times when you absolutely need to calculate a string tension and can't get to a computer or a web app? I don't understand the point of making a specific mobile app.

[Ishan]

I don't see myself using this on the go. Here, there's absolutely no shops carrying single strings, that's a sad fact. (at least in the shops I know of...)

[rant]
As for D'Addario chart, why are they providing it in the first place if YOU CAN'T USE IT?!?! It's silly, if it's a free app with no adds I don't see the problem. They should learn what Open Data is...
This won't stop me from working and distributing STC, it's a free as in beer app, it's not even GPL and it'll make them SELL STRINGS!
[/rant]

[MF_Kitten]

Originally Posted by Ishan

I don't see myself using this on the go. Here, there's absolutely no shops carrying single strings, that's a sad fact. (at least in the shops I know of...)

[rant]
As for D'Addario chart, why are they providing it in the first place if YOU CAN'T USE IT?!?! It's silly, if it's a free app with no adds I don't see the problem. They should learn what Open Data is...
This won't stop me from working and distributing STC, it's a free as in beer app, it's not even GPL and it'll make them SELL STRINGS!
[/rant]

i didn't specifically ask them about whether it changes if the app is free or paid, but i can't imagine it would change much. It might be something related to the fact that it's on a mobile market or something, i dunno.