WinSIMS 2.5.3: A pitch-class set similarity relation calculator for Windows

Distribution Notice and Disclaimer

This program may be freely used and copied but may not be sold except for a nominal copying charge not to exceed US $5. This software is not warranted in any way, shape, or form.

Basic Features

• From a list of pitch-classes, determines prime form, Forte number, interval-class vector, and transformation from prime form
• From a Forte number, determines prime form and interval-class vector
• Compares two pcsets using some 30 functions, including similarity relations by Forte, Alphonse, Teitelbaum, Lord, Morris, Rahn, Lewin, Castren, and Isaacson, as well as other measures
• Displays percentiles of similarity values so relative similarity judgment among the various functions can be judged
• Can use Tn/I or Tn equivalence

Updates

WinSIMS is no longer being actively developed.

System Requirements

WinSIMS was developed on a 486-DX2/66 using an SVGA monitor running 1024x728 resolution. I believe the program will fit on a standard VGA screen (640x480). In other words, it should run on just about any computer running just about any version of Windows.

About the Author and the Software

Eric J. Isaacson, Assoc. Prof. of Music Theory
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
1201 East Third Street
Bloomington, IN 47405

email: isaacso@indiana.edu

I use WinSIMS (and a number of related programs) in my current research. The DOS version, DosSIMS was an important tool in the completion of my dissertation, "Similarity of Interval-Class Content Between Pitch-Class Sets: The IcVSIM Relation and Its Application," (Indiana University, 1992) and the article, "Similarity of Interval-Class Content Between Pitch-Class Sets: The IcVSIM Relation" (Journal of Music Theory 34 [1990], 1-28).  WinSIMS includes more functions than DosSIMS and has more options (most notably the ability to work with sets with equivalence based on either Tn/TnI or Tn), but DosSIMS will run on your old 8088.

Download and Installation

I provide just minimal installation instructions here. If you need more detailed help, feel free to contact me via email, phone, or regular mail.

1. Create a folder (e.g., My Documents/Winsims)
2. Download the compressed archive to that folder
3. Double-click the icon to extract the files
4. Delete the archive file, if desired

Note: Since the software is not "installed," no icon is added to the Start menu. You can do that manually.

System Setup

I assume that you know how to run an application from Program Manager or can add an application to a group in Program Manager. Be sure the installation directory is listed as the Working Directory. WinSIMS will not work if the data files TNIEMB.DAT, TNENB.DAT, RR-TN.DAT, and RR-TNI.DAT are not in the program director, and it will likewise protest if Calculate Percentiles is selected and any .TNI or .TN files are missing from the PCTS subdirectory.

Using WinSIMS

Pitch-class sets can be entered in either of two ways: by specifying either the pitch classes of the set or the Forte number. These input "fields" have input boxes in the Set 1 and Set 2 boxes. The location of the cursor indicates the currently active input field. You will find it useful to use the numeric keypad. If NumLock is not engaged, press the NumLock key before beginning.

Individual pitch classes and the two parts of the Forte number can be separated by any non-numeric character. You must enter 10 and 11 for Bb and B; the program will not recognize "A" or "B" as substitutes (sorry if that's your preference!). I find it easiest to use the period (.) on the numeric keypad as a separator. For example, you might enter "4.6.7.8.13.14" in the Pitch Class field. Pitch classes can be any non-negative number and are interpreted mod 12. When you leave that field (by pressing or clicking another input field, the program will parse the field you just modified and redisplay the data in that field ("{1,2,4,6,7,8}" in case above). The program knows which sets are Z sets, so if you enter "6.12" in the Forte number field, the program will redisplay it as "6Z12". If an illegal Forte number is entered, a message box pops up to tell you and you will need to edit the field.

When Tn-equivalence is selected (see below), set classes with distinct inversion forms are indicated with an "a" or "b" suffix (e.g., 5-2a, 5-4b). If a letter is not indicated when entering a Forte number, the "a" form is assumed.

The program should work more or less like a typical application. Here is a summary of the menu options:

File|Exit -- Quits the program

Options|Calculate Percentiles -- When this item is selected (as it is by default), for each function which produces a numeric result, a percentile will be displayed along with the function value. The percentile indicates the percentage of all values comparing sets sized 2-10 which produce a value indicating LESS similarity. Maximally similar set classes thus have a percentile of 100.

 

Options|Use Tn Equivalence -- By default WinSIMS uses Tn/I equivalence. Selecting this option uses Tn-equivalent set classess

Calculate -- Calculate the similarity for the two sets entered. (<ALT>-C is a useful shortcut key combination.)

 

Map(X->Y) -- Maps the pcs from Set 1 to the Set 2 box under the selected tranformation. Tn, TnI, TnM, TnMI transformations are available, as is the Complementary set.

Summary of Functions

 

Jacobs School of Music | 1201 E. Third Street, Merrill Hall 003, Bloomington, IN 47405-2200 | (812) 855-1583 | Comments | Copyright 2009 , The Trustees of Indiana University | Copyright Complaints | Last updated: 02 August 2007