I'm finally getting back after a fair bit of research, a visit to a computer store and some trouble getting on this site. I have been working on your questions and suggestions, Joe, Alan, John.

1. Yes, I am able to tell the exact frequency I get. Its 338. I do this as follows. In Sheet Music, I have created a tune ("fiddle tuner") which consists of four consecutive whole A notes, followed by four E's, then D's, then G's. These are the four strings of the violin. I play the tune on the computer, tuning the strings while the computer notes sound out. I believe one can tune within a fraction of a hertz by listening to the beats (re-enforcements) produced by the two closely-pitched notes sounding against each other. When the beats are reduced to one every 1 or 2 seconds, the two frequencies are getting close. When the beat is eliminated, the two frequencies are the same.

Next, I determine the frequency of the newly-tuned A string by using a Wittner violin tuner. It reads 338. This type of tuner has a pick-up that clips onto the bridge of the violin. (Its not the type that can be held in front of a speaker to get a reading. I am going to borrow one that can do this, like the Korg I used to have. Then, I will be able to get a direct reading of the pitch coming through the speaker.)

2. I checked out the pitch bending in Sheet Music. Under "Sequencer Preferences/MIDI OUT (or Thru)/Play only the following", there are is a column of boxes that can be checked or not checked. One box is Pitch Bend. In the same window, there are 4 more such boxes, one of which is named Thin Pitch Bend. These settings are either on or off , so I don't think they solve my problem.

3. I repeated the whole process outlined in no. 1 above by using Microsoft Media Player, rather than Sheet Music. The result was identical. The pitch was 338.

4. The computer store did not have a pitch configurating software. While at the store, the salesman checked Windows for this function. Base, treble, volume, etc. can be configured but not pitch.

5. Now, the good news! I checked my Melody Assistant, a great music software produced by the Guillion brothers of France. Lo and behold, under Digital Output Configuration there is a Master Tuning slider. One can tune to a precision of 1/10 th of a hertz. I set the slider to 4400, ran my "fiddle tuner" through Melody Assistant, tuned the A string on the fiddle and checked the string on the Wittner tuner. Dead on 440! As a further check, I moved the slider to 4150 or so, and repeated the operation. The fiddle came out very low.

I got very comfortable with Sheet Music (it's excellent for building, diddling with and printing music scores) but I imagine Melody Assistant can be every bit as good once I get to know it. Melody Ass't produces a beter sound - a much richer sound.

Thanks for your help. You are a great bunch of people. And I have to tell you Aussies how much I enjoyed your country and your people when I visited for a month in 1988. There are only two things that keep me from moving there - the Australian immigration laws and my wife.

One more thing. Joe, are you somehow connected with the operation of this forum? If so, I have a question. I been a music devotee since the early 40's (folk, pop, old time). I enjoy this site and I often see threads that I could contribute to. Should I register, or continue to sign in as "guest"? Does it make much difference? GeneJ, Canada