Tonescape Knowledge Base

Click here to download Tonescape^® -- Den Haag (alpha) version.

The Tonescape^® knowledge base is a collection of information that's used for extending your skills and experience with Tonescape^® and that will also prove useful when troubleshooting problems. All entries are grouped according to a logical category. Many entries are applicable to all versions of Tonescape^® and all releases. In the cases where entries have a narrow application, either the applicable edition or release of Tonescape^® will be mentioned. You will also find the information contained herein useful for understanding the more advanced concepts built into Tonescape^®.

System Requirements

Tonescape^® is based on Microsoft's .Net technology to provide a high quality, stabile infrastructure and with DirectX to bring the visual experience of microtonal music to life. You system needs to be running with up-to-date video and multimedia drivers in order to run Tonescape^®. Software and hardware system requirements are described below:

Processor: Minimum 750 MHz Pentium III; Recommended 1.1 GHz Pentium III
System RAM: Minimum 256 MB; Recommended 512 MB
Operating System: Windows Vista; Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3
120 MB of free disk space for installation
Video card that supports Vertex Shaders v2.0 or above; less capable video cards will require software emulation, which will reduce overall performance
Windows supported multimedia sound card with a minimum of 48 synthesizer voices
DirectX 9.0c or above; will be installed by the Tonescape^® installer if necessary
Managed DirectX API v9.2 or above; will be installed by Tonescape^® installer if necessary
Microsoft .Net 1.1 Service Pack 1; .Net will be installed by the Tonescape^® installer if necessary; Service Pack 1 is provided by Microsoft Corporation
Internet connection for downloading software updates

Lattices

Lattices use state-of-the-art gaming technology to provide you with a feature-rich, 3-dimensional interactive view of the mathematics of musical tunings. This technology is forward looking and not backward compatible with all video cards and all gaming platforms. Here are some things you can check to see why Tonescape^® can't display a lattice.

Ensure that your adapter supports 32-bit color quality (also known as color depth). If this display mode is NOT available, your video card is not supported by Tonescape^®.
Ensure that your Windows display settings are configured for a Color Quality of "32-bit". If not properly set, Tonescape^® cannot create a lattice. You can check this setting by opening the Windows Control Panel and then opening the "Display" settings icon. When this dialog is open, select the "Settings" tab. This tab is where you view and control your "Color Quality".
We strongly reccomend you update your video-card driver to the manufactuer's most current version. Many older video card drivers don't work properly with the latest version of DirectX. Check your video-card manufacturer's home-page for download and installation instructions.
Ensure that hardware acceleration is turned on for your video card. You can tweak this setting by opening the "Display" icon on your Windows Control Panel. Select the "Settings" tab and click the "Advanced" button. You can view the hardware-acceleration settings by opening the "Troubleshoot" tab.
The Tonescape^® installer ensures that your version of DirectX (gaming technology) is upgraded to version 9.0c. If something has gone wrong during the installation process and you're not certain whether you're up to date, use the Windows Update feature to ensure that you DirectX is up to date. Note, there are some major differences between the latest releases of DirectX (9.0, 9.0a, 9.0b, 9.0c) and they are not fully compatible with each other. That's why it's important to have an updated version of DirectX.

Avoidable Errors

Error	Resolution
Application error is raised after Tonescape^® is closed.	This is an an unknown application error that's caused when Windows or .Net 1.1 don't have the latest service packs installed. If .Net Service Pack 1 is NOT installed, that's the cause. Run Windows Update to ensure your system is current.
Windows error dialog is displayed. Error message refers to the toolbar.	This is another unknown application error that only shows itself when .Net 1.1 has NOT been updated to Service Pack 1. Use Windows update to solve this problem.