Pitchjack/Tuner Out v Built-in Tuner

drpepper · #1 05-03-2012, 09:25 AM

I don't know the full range of solutions people use for tuning, but I'd guess this would probably be of interest to people who have heads with tuner out and are using the lower tech/cost tuners. I've seen people using the handheld units and lately those clip-ons, which seem far less than ideal to me for gigs, with lighting and other logistical issues with using them.

I returned to playing a bit over 2 years ago after being away and completely out of the loop on gear for a long time. Aside from very briefly using a Hartke HA3500, the near entirety of my relevant experience has been with the TCE RH450 and then recently the RH750. The built in tuner is just a beautiful and beautifully implemented convenience feature, and as I've been looking for a backup head and to trying to branch out my experience with different amps, I truly miss that.

I got the Korg Pitchjack and, aside from feeling like something that only costs $13 just shouldn't be able to cover my needs adequately, it seems clearly sufficient as a tuner out based solution. I used it last night, and can't find a single complaint. It seems to track well. The operation is simple (power switch), and it's got a built-in flashlight as a nice touch. Both bands I'm playing with tune down a half step, and it easily accommodates that and clearly indicates the mode it's in (press the "Flat" button twice for a half-step).

Just as good as the RH tuner? No, but I felt very comfortable with its operation and feedback. Nice.

georgestrings · #2 05-03-2012, 09:29 AM

Yeah, I posted this pic a couple of years ago - I still use the top rack setup at rehearsals, and it still works great...

- georgestrings

drpepper · #3 05-03-2012, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgestrings

Yeah, I posted this pic a couple of years ago - I still use the top rack setup at rehearsals, and it still works great...

- georgestrings

Cool. So it can hold up over time. They estimate 35 hours on the battery. Have you found that is dies more quickly. I'm thinking if I was to use it on a gig, I'd probably just leave it on.

Probably a good idea to leave the flashlight alone too.

georgestrings · #4 05-03-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

Cool. So it can hold up over time. They estimate 35 hours on the battery. Have you found that is dies more quickly. I'm thinking if I was to use it on a gig, I'd probably just leave it on.

Probably a good idea to leave the flashlight alone too.

IIRC, I've only replaced the battery once since I've owned it - and I *think* it'll run dim for awhile before dying completely, so you'll have a heads-up before that happens... Leaving it plugged in doesn't affect the battery life any - and if you forget to turn it off(I have), it'll turn itself off after not seeing a signal for a little while... I don't know about the 35 hr thing, but I've used mine for atleast 30 rehearsals, so I'm sure it'll do atleast 35 hours on a battery - probably more...

They're a neat little tuner - they track pretty well, and are pretty accurate... I've compared mine to the other tuners I have - Strobostomp, DTR-2000, and Pitchblack - and the Pitchjack did pretty well... definitely worth the $20 I spent on it... Oh, and yeah - using the flashlite will probably drain the battery faster than tuning...

- georgestrings

Slowgypsy · #5 05-03-2012, 07:45 PM

I've been using the Pitchjacks for years. Excellent product. Bought a bunch of them and every instrument has one in its case, as well as every amp in its case.

Jarrett · #6 05-03-2012, 07:49 PM

Hehe, good info, DP

drpepper · #7 05-03-2012, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

Bought a bunch of them and every instrument has one in its case, as well as every amp in its case.

At the price they're going for, that's a damn good idea.

drpepper · #8 05-03-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarrett

Hehe, good info, DP

Well, obviously not a secret, but I'm glad if the post helps anyone. I'm really digging it.

B String · #9 05-03-2012, 11:22 PM

I use a Pitchjack with my Genz 9.0 and Sansamp Paradriver when I have backline. Makes it very easy to use the Sansamp though the effect return so I can bypass the amp and have "my" sound. Then I use the Pitchjack in the parallel out.
Works like a champ.

Jarrett · #10 05-04-2012, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drpepper

Well, obviously not a secret, but I'm glad if the post helps anyone. I'm really digging it.

Yeah its good info to share I think. I think it was georgestrings that turned me on it and I made a post very similar post in the MB800 thread a couple of weeks ago:

I wanted to mention is before I had this amp I had a TC Electronics RH750 and one of the main features I liked about it was the built in tuner. I got really used to having that function in the amp and it was something I missed when going to the MB800. But someone told me about the Korg Pitchjack and I got one and it works perfectly with the MB800 in the tuner out jack. It's so small I just leave it in there.

I turn it off, fold it up and turn it parallel with the back of the amp when I am not using it. At that point you can't even see it is back there. I leave it like that when I am moving the amp around of course being careful not to place it some where that it could get bumped when its in. When I want to use it, I turn it on and rotate it so it is sticking up like it is in this (bad phone) picture:

It's not as good of a tuner as the one on the TC meaning I couldn't setup a bass with it, but it works well for between set tunings and that's really what I need it for mostly. You can use it while the amp is in operating mode or it still works when you flip the mute switch on for silent tuning.

One thing I like about this setup over the RH750 is that tuning face is adjustable. With the RH750, the tuner is under the edge of the top of the amp, so if its sitting on a 2x10 cab for example, I would have to bend down to see the tuner on stage. That is not the case with the Pitchjack, you can angle the face of the tuner as far back as you need to in order to see it clearly even if you are standing right over the amp. And they are only $20 or less online which puts me at about $650 total investment in the amp/tuner versus the $1000 I spent on my RH750 with the built in tuner. I thought I would mention it just in case anyone else might find it useful.

jnewmark · #11 05-04-2012, 06:38 AM

Easy to read on a dark stage ? I'm using the Pitchblack right now on dark stages; that big red digital display is easy to see in the dark

Jarrett · #12 05-04-2012, 06:39 AM

I wouldn't say easy, but doable.

DWBass · #13 02-20-2013, 08:13 PM

Just got one of these. MF special $5.99. Love it. Way better than those headstock tuners. Must have been blown out as it looks to no longer be available.

JimmyM · #14 02-20-2013, 08:19 PM

I have a Pitchjack I recently got and it's great, but sometimes I do gigs where unplugging my bass is going to make a big thump in the PA, so I'll use a Snark clip-on in those cases. It also works great.

ErnieD · #15 02-21-2013, 07:50 AM

got one around holidays last Dec from online store also about 5 bucks. Worked great at home but seems at my gigs trying to tune next to keysplayer/or guitard, their outside noise while I was trying to tune seemed to interfere with this tuners' accuracy. Little lights were moving up n down and would not give me a reading.

Had my STM-900 on mute with tuner plugged into 'tuner out' on back of that head; bass plugged into input.

Anyone else? Or did I get bad one maybe? Or should amp not be on mute? Now I really dig the built in tuner on my recently bought BG250 combo; no issues with that one if noise is nearby. Just wondering.

Jarrett · #16 02-21-2013, 07:55 AM

No issues with surrounding noise when plugged into my tuner out on my amps.