Pedal Tuners

impactwrench · #1 08-16-2011, 03:52 PM

My old standby for 10 years was a Boss TU-2. About 2 years ago I sold one (of my 2) and got a Turbo Tuner pedal for doing setups. I haven't found any that are more accurate. Accuracy is great when doing a setup, but I could use one on my pedal board that is both true bypass and can power other pedals with daisy chain. I'm disappointed in some tuners at not being more accurate, but others for not having a daisy chain out.

Boss TU-2 3 cents
Boss TU-3 1 cent
Turbo Tuner 0.02 cents
Pitchblack 1 cent
Pitchblack + 0.1 cent
TC Polytune 0.5 cent
Planet Waves Tru Strobe 0.1 cent
Strobostomp 0.1 cent

I think I'm stuck on the TC polytune, which is only $67 at amazon right now..unless the Tru Strobe has a daisy chain out, which I haven't determined yet. I still feel the turbo tuner is the best since its the most accurate, but only downsides are 1)no pedal powering, 2) no battery door, 3) price?. Any thoughts? Would be nice to have 2 outputs like the Boss pedals but in reality I'm probably never going to split my signal.

rob_thebassman · #2 08-16-2011, 05:33 PM

the TC polytune is great!

king_biscuit · #3 08-16-2011, 05:45 PM

I was told by someone seriously in the know that the Polytune is not even close to it's stated accuracy specs -- in either mode.

Take a look at the Sonic Research ST200 for a no nonsense (non-gimmicky) super fast/accurate tuner.

testing1two · #4 08-16-2011, 06:09 PM

The only downside I can think of about the Turbo Tuner (Sonic Research ST200) is that it lacks a buffered output mode that allows the tuner to be on while passing signal (the Peterson can be switched between this mode and true bypass). Otherwise it's brilliant. Daisy chaining power off the tuner seems unnecessary IMO when you can get a OneSpot power supply for $29 dollars that will power 8 pedals.

impactwrench · #5 08-16-2011, 06:09 PM

I have a turbo tuner. I'm looking for a true bypass tuner with decent accuracy that can power other pedals and I'm willing to sacrifice some accuracy bc I have the turbo tuner for intonation. I've never heard anything bad about the TC.

impactwrench · #6 08-16-2011, 06:15 PM

I actually have a 1 spot also, but both chains that I have only power 5 pedals. They make a longer one?

testing1two · #7 08-16-2011, 06:19 PM

I'm not sure why you would want to spend over $100 on another tuner to daisy chain power when you could spend $29 on a power supply (you would still have one AC plug and a daisy chain in both scenarios). But given your parameters the Peterson Strobostomp 2 is the only one I know that has accuracy, true bypass, and daisy chain power.

http://www.petersontuners.com/media/...%20English.pdf

testing1two · #8 08-16-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactwrench

I actually have a 1 spot also, but both chains that I have only power 5 pedals. They make a longer one?

Yes indeed. Visual Sound One Spot Combo Pack NW1CP2US

spaz21387 · #9 08-16-2011, 06:38 PM

I love my korg pitchblack. I would recommend it.

king_biscuit · #10 08-16-2011, 06:59 PM

You can also add these:

Amazon.com: Godlyke Power-All Cable-Y Y-Splitter Extension Cable: Musical Instruments

or this:

http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Sound-S...3542812&sr=1-4

king_biscuit · #11 08-16-2011, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactwrench

I have a turbo tuner. I'm looking for a true bypass tuner with decent accuracy that can power other pedals and I'm willing to sacrifice some accuracy bc I have the turbo tuner for intonation. I've never heard anything bad about the TC.

I spoke to an engineer for another company that tested the polytuner and they found that it was no more than 3 cents accurate in the single string mode.

impactwrench · #12 08-16-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by testing1two

I'm not sure why you would want to spend over $100 on another tuner to daisy chain power when you could spend $29 on a power supply (you would still have one AC plug and a daisy chain in both scenarios).

The TC is only $67 at amazon.

Sounds like I need that 8 pedal chain from Visual sound. I already have the one spot adaptor (and several other quality adapters) so I don't really need to buy another for $29. I'll just get the chain.

Sorry to hear that the polytune aint that great. It looks like a great pedal, especially if it is 0.5 cents accurate. There are a lot of specs to compare. The TC says it can power up to 20 other pedals as long as no more than 2 amps. Some of the other pedal tuners (boss?) could only handle 200ma. Oh well. I really do like the turbo tuner, and I guess ill stick with it now.

MuthaFunk · #13 08-16-2011, 07:33 PM

I just ordered this one.

GFS Electronics Digital Tuner single Footpedal Space- SUPER BRIGHT!

It's only $40 and it has true bypass. I don't know how accurate it is but there's a youtube vid comparing this to the Korg Pitchblack and they look very close in practicle use.

What do you need the daisy chain on the pedal for? I just use a 1-2.1 mm Female DC to 8 Male splitter from china for $2 and a one spot.

Or even this:

GFS Electronics Power Supply

ehque · #14 08-16-2011, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuthaFunk

I just ordered this one.

GFS Electronics Digital Tuner single Footpedal Space- SUPER BRIGHT!

It's only $40 and it has true bypass. I don't know how accurate it is

When the ad doesn't publish the accuracy of the tuner, I'm always wary.

impactwrench · #15 08-23-2011, 09:50 PM

I havent made it over to the GC store to get the 8 way daisy chain yet, but looking at the tuners again, the Planet Waves actually has all the features. Its true bypass, has 2 outputs, is 0.1 cent accurate, and powers pedals through a daisy chain. It's not nearly as cool looking as the TC or the boss or the turbo tuner, but has all the goods for about $80 new.

http://www.music123.com/Accessories/...1000000000.sku

impactwrench · #16 08-28-2011, 08:02 AM

Trying not to start another thread...but how many of you guys use your pitchblack or TC for doing setups or checking intonation?

As a side question, how accurate is the human ear at hearing a pitch that is off by 1 cent vs 0.5 cent vs 0.1? I guess I'm wondering if 0.1 or 0.02 cent accuracy really matters that much...

runmikeyrun · #17 08-28-2011, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by impactwrench

Trying not to start another thread...but how many of you guys use your pitchblack or TC for doing setups or checking intonation?

As a side question, how accurate is the human ear at hearing a pitch that is off by 1 cent vs 0.5 cent vs 0.1? I guess I'm wondering if 0.1 or 0.02 cent accuracy really matters that much...

yeah, no kidding... i've always used cheap tuners and never had a problem with being out of tune. I don't see the reasoning to spend $75 on a tuner.

Josh Pelican · #18 08-28-2011, 03:24 PM

Turbo Tuner for me. Love it. I've been able to use it for tunings as low as F# (and lower). I've used tuners that crap out at B.

4-string · #19 08-28-2011, 04:21 PM

Turbo Tuner is in a league of its own IMO. Accuracy is one thing, but I'm in love with the fast tracking.

That said, I still have my old Korg DT-10 on my pedalboard, no complaints except that it struggles a bit on the lower notes.

rhopper · #20 08-28-2011, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_thebassman

the TC polytune is great!

I agree. I really don't use poly mode but it is fantastic with single notes with the strobe setting. I am not "in the know"' but this tuner is very good.