Korg Pitchblack Question

::::BASSIST:::: · #1 06-13-2008, 11:54 PM

Some dude on the Harmony Central Reviews posted this:

Quote:

However, I personally do not like how long it takes for this tuner to be ready. After you plug in the guitar, it is first flashing a digital "zero" on the display for approx. 2-3 secs, then turns itself off. Then you have to switch it back on and wait for another 1-2 secs for it to be actually in tuning mode.
If you have your guitar plugged in permamently, you only have to wait the 1-2 secs, which still seems too much to me. Any cheapo tuner is instantly ready.

Quote:

When not engaged, the tuner seems to be true bypass and has no effect on the sound of my guitar. The problem that caused me to take it back was the same one that I had with the Peterson Strobstomp (also true bypass). When you hit the footswitch to engage or disengage the tuner, you get a loud pop through your system. Completely unacceptable if you are playing live.

True?

phatbass30 · #2 06-14-2008, 12:13 AM

mine is fine! nothing like that.

funkalicious101 · #3 06-14-2008, 12:33 AM

I dont see how a popping sound is bad for playing live, you will *almost* never tune during a song. I would take the pop over tuning at volume any day.

::::BASSIST:::: · #4 06-14-2008, 12:40 AM

I think he is saying when he turns the tuner off, it pops. No doubt, he is not using the tuner during a solo.

KarateKid25 · #5 06-14-2008, 01:51 AM

I have no experience with the Pitch Black itself, but a pop is just a quirk of true bypass.

BassMonstrum · #6 06-14-2008, 02:10 AM

No issues whatsoever with the PitchBlack.

bongomania · #7 06-14-2008, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarateKid25

I have no experience with the Pitch Black itself, but a pop is just a quirk of true bypass.

+1 a loud pop is a normal thing to expect from TBP (not everyone gets those pops all the time, but they show up randomly).

::::BASSIST:::: · #8 06-14-2008, 09:32 AM

So you guys are saying if I buy this 'high quality' tuner its going to pop when I engage/disengage it, but randomly?

Have actual owners found this to be true?

Sorry to beat this to death, I just want to make sure before I layout the cash.

KarateKid25 · #9 06-14-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

So you guys are saying if I buy this 'high quality' tuner its going to pop when I engage/disengage it, but randomly?

Have actual owners found this to be true?

Sorry to beat this to death, I just want to make sure before I layout the cash.

Its a possibility yes. Its not a fault of the Pitchblack, its True Bypass in general.

Its to do with the volatage shift, DC offset or whatever you may call it that occurs with ANY true bypass pedal. Its the nature of true bypass unfortunately.

KarateKid25 · #10 06-14-2008, 09:44 AM

Just to clarify, resistors can be used to soften this problem, but in most cases, TBP = random pop

Vic Winters · #11 06-14-2008, 09:57 AM

I rarely get a "pop" and even then, the only time I notice it is when there is no other sound in the area. I've used it at several gigs and I never had a "pop" come through my rig or the PA (tuner is first in my chain, DI is 2nd to last).

As for the plugging it in and waiting to tune thing, who is this guy? I mean honestly, how sad is his life that he has to complain about a tuner flashing 0 when you plug into the input? It's a pedal tuner, it's meant to stay plugged in. The only time you should have to see it flash 0 for 2-3 seconds is during your set up. As for the delay, I call BS. The Pitch Black is incredibly fast even on a low B.

::::BASSIST:::: · #12 06-14-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

100% True Bypass output keeps your tone intact.
The pitchblack mutes the input signal for silent tuning, and when you’re not tuning the input is passed directly to the output jack without being affected by any circuitry (True Bypass). So even if you connect the pitchblack between several of your favorite pedals, the signal will pass without going through the internal buffer amp, ensuring that the sounds you've created using your effects will not be colored in any way. The pitchblack is designed to coexist transparently with other effect pedals.

Hopefully the 'internal buffer amp' stops the popping.

cybersnyder · #13 06-14-2008, 10:01 AM

Just get it. For tuner pedal, it's actually a "fun" pedal.

::::BASSIST:::: · #14 06-14-2008, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic Winters

I rarely get a "pop" and even then, the only time I notice it is when there is no other sound in the area. I've used it at several gigs and I never had a "pop" come through my rig or the PA (tuner is first in my chain, DI is 2nd to last).

As for the plugging it in and waiting to tune thing, who is this guy? I mean honestly, how sad is his life that he has to complain about a tuner flashing 0 when you plug into the input? It's a pedal tuner, it's meant to stay plugged in. The only time you should have to see it flash 0 for 2-3 seconds is during your set up. As for the delay, I call BS. The Pitch Black is incredibly fast even on a low B.

Okay, what the hell, I'm going to buy one and hope I dont have to return it if there is a popping issue.

I have to order it thru the mail so I'd really rather avoid paying the return postage.

KarateKid25 · #15 06-14-2008, 10:06 AM

hmm not really unfortunately. Its DC resistance to ground that stops the pop. Your shifting from the circuit, out of the cicuit. Thats the pop.

The buffer amp is part of the circuit your moving away from.

Maybe Bongo can add more to this....

Also, im not saying to not buy a pitchblack as such. Its just that in the review they mention a pop and I just wanted to point out that thats what you (can) get with TBP

KarateKid25 · #16 06-14-2008, 10:07 AM

Yeah, just get one... People buy True Bypass all day everyday.

Just 'IF' it ever pops... You know why

Drucocu · #17 06-14-2008, 10:18 AM

I didnt notice a pop with my pitchblack

::::BASSIST:::: · #18 06-14-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Congratulations! You committed to buy the following item:

!BRAND NEW!Korg Pitchblack TRUE-BYPASS Pedal Tuner!!
Sale price: US $84.98
Quantity: 1
Subtotal: US $84.98
Shipping & Handling: Expedited Flat Rate Shipping Service: US $18.00
Expedited Int'l Flat Rate Shipping: US $18.00
Expedited Int'l Flat Rate Shipping: US $18.00

I bought from the Japanese guy who sells on ebay. He charges $3 more for shipping, but apparently is lightening fast... like 3 days.

I figure if I dont like it, I can sell it on TB pretty quickly.

Edit: I tried to buy one of these locally, but L&M says there is a problem and the supplier wont get them out til the end of July, FYI.

KarateKid25 · #19 06-14-2008, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drucocu

I didnt notice a pop with my pitchblack

Yeah exactly. And many won't, untill one day 'pop'.

Google 'True Bypass pop' and you will find loads of pages talking about it. It a well known issue.

Another issue is just how 'true' the bypass is on a lot of 'true bypass' pedals, but thats a whole other argument.

Just to clarify again, I have never used the Pitchblack let alone checked out the bypass in one. It seems from this thread a lot of people are happy with theirs anyway.

Like I said before though, if it ever does let out a pop, there is nothing wrong with the pedal, it just truely is bypassed and thats what you can get.

KarateKid25 · #20 06-14-2008, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ::::BASSIST::::

I bought from the Japanese guy who sells on ebay. He charges $3 more for shipping, but apparently is lightening fast... like 3 days.

I figure if I dont like it, I can sell it on TB pretty quickly.

Edit: I tried to buy one of these locally, but L&M says there is a problem and the supplier wont get them out til the end of July, FYI.

Congrats

I hope its what you want it to be!!

Im also looking at picking one of these up soon. I wasn't trying to sway your opinion.