Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move my Audi-Graph license to a new computer?

Question: I would like to use Audi-Graph on a different computer than the one I originally installed it on.How can I move my license from the current computer so that I can activate it on another machine?

Answer: Audi-Graph understands that users computers crash, and users upgrade machines. Please contact Audi-Graph Technical Support detailing the situation and requesting a license transfer.

Will there be a version for Mac OS X?

Question: I use a Mac. Are you planning to release a version compatible with Mac OS X?

Answer: Yes, a Mac version is currently in the planning stage and will eventually be available. While we cannot say at this time when this will be, an announcement will be made on the homepage when more information is available. We are currently testing Audi-Graph on a Mac OS X running Windows via Parallels/Fusion.

Will there be a version available for smartphones?

Question: I enjoy using Audi-Graph at my home computer or laptop, but are you planning to make a version I can install on my smartphone?

Answer: Eventually, but not soon. A significant limit we have found is there are no high quality external microphones currently available for any smartphone.

Do I need to buy an external microphone?

Question: My computer has a built in microphone, or I have a little stand microphone that came with my computer. Do I need to buy an external microphone?

Answer: Yes, built-in computer microphones are not sensitive enough to detect the subtleties in instrument acoustics. This is often the case of many audio-mini plug microphones as well. We recommend a USB microphone because it is the best balance of sensitivity and affordability. We do not recommend the use of XLR microphones because they do not provide enough sensitivity benefits to justify the additional cost.

An easy way to test the response of your microphone is to plug it in and start Audi-Graph. You should see an empty screen with the occasional flicker on the bottom right of the graph window. You should only see graph response while you are playing. If you see significant spikes and jumps across the entire window while you are not playing, the microphone is not of good enough quality.

If you are playing, and the tuner does not detect the note being played (even if the microphone is close), then you are probably using an XLR microphone with various built in noise-cancellation technology. You can attempt to adjust the gain levels on your computer microphone settings.

Do you have any suggestions on microphone placement?

Question: I am having some difficulty placing my microphone to get the best display. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: Microphone placement can be tricky. Audi-Graph is designed so that the microphone should be generally be placed 4 feet from the instrument when you play at mezzo forte. It does depend on the room and the instrument. A suggestion is that you play and have a friend slowly move the microphone around.

If you have to play louder than mezzo-forte for the tuner to activate, move the microphone closer. If you have to play softer than mezzo-forte because your graph exceeds the chart, move the microphone further away.

Does Audi-Graph have a trial version available?

Question: Is there any way I can try Audi-Graph for a few weeks to decide if I need it?

Answer: Yes, on a case-by-case basis, Audi-Graph can provide a short-term trial license. However, it must be noted that to reliably test Audi-Graph, you will need a quality external microphone. Please contact Audi-Graph Technical Support and explain what you need.

Does my purchase allow installation on both a laptop and desktop?

Question: How can I install my single Audi-Graph license on both my desktop computer and my laptop computer?

Answer: The Audi-Graph license is for installation on one computer only. If you have both a laptop and desktop, we recommend installation on your laptop computer, as it is more portable and can be carried to practice rooms or practice sessions.

Does Audi-Graph support piano, strings, voice, guitar, or percussion instruments?

Question: It seems you only have wind instruments available. Can Audi-Graph work with other instruments?

Answer: Yes, but it depends on what you are trying to do. Audi-Graph contains recorded samples of professional wind instrument musicians for student musicians to practice against. We are currently recording string musicians for a future release.

You can use Audi-Graph in non-instrument specific mode to display your timbre, but there are no professional musician recordings to compare to. However, Audi-Graph has the ability for you to create your own recordings - so if you are an instructor, you can use a standard Audi-Graph license to record yourself and share with your students.

Guitar, percussion, and piano are special case instruments because they are designed to be struck, resulting in a diminishing sound. Audi-Graph can display this sound, but does not contain any examples.

I have an external USB microphone but it seems to be giving crazy results?

Question: I have my USB microphone plugged in and started Audi-Graph, but it is showing a lot of noise when I’m not even doing anything.

Answer: You must plug the USB microphone into the computer before starting the Audi-Graph program, otherwise the software and computer get confused. Simply close Audi-Graph and restart it, making sure the USB microphone is plugged in the entire time. If this does not solve the problem, please contact Audi-Graph Technical Support with more details.

Can Audi-Graph be used to assign my students homework? Question: Is there a way I can use Audi-Graph to assign my students homework?

Answer: Yes you can! Audi-Graph is intended to be used during the long-tone portion of a students practice session, as this is the time when a student should be focused on improving their timbre. Similar to how Audi-Graph has recorded professional musicians playing their chromatic scale, you can have your students record their own chromatic scale.

Basically, each student will need to play and hold each note for about 5 seconds, all during the same recording session. The student can then email you the resultant Audi-Graph file for you to review.

How accurate is Audi-Graph?

Question: How technically precise is Audi-Graph? Surely what I see is not the only thing that constitutes a professional musician.

Answer: Audi-Graph is very precise, but is only as precise as the microphone and the acoustics in the room allow. Audi-Graph is designed to be affordable for music educators and students. It is intentionally designed remain accurate and informative in school practice rooms that echo, reverberate, or have fellow students practicing next door. Some precision is lost, but the objective is to help students learn to achieve a professional timbre faster through visualization.

Audi-Graph also focuses more on the centroid of the sound rather than the attack and decay, and does not address finger technique, style, vibrato, or the responsiveness of the instrument. These elements of musical expression are the role of the private instructor or educator.

Yes, it can be used in recording studio environments with professional grade sampling equipment and microphones. If you are interested in conducting this level of recording precision, please contact Audi-Graph Technical Support and we can work together to create you a custom version that fits your needs.