What does the "tuner out" on volume pedals mean?

[Invisible_Kid]

I've already asked this question, but I'm asking it again because nobody gave an answer that I could understand. So what exactly is the function of the tuner out, and how does one make it work?

[KeithAlanK]

You plug your tuner into it.
When you kill the volume to your amp with the pedal, this output still passes signal, so you can tune silently.

[faceinbass]

THREAD OF THE YEAR!

[walterw]

except that doing so loads down the signal, possibly hurting the tone.

best avoided.

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by KeithAlanK

You plug your tuner into it.
When you kill the volume to your amp with the pedal, this output still passes signal, so you can tune silently.

What kind of tuner is used to plug in?

[KeithAlanK]

Any electronic tuner.
Boss, Fender, Korg--there are dozens of them out there.

[Munjibunga]

Originally Posted by walterw

except that doing so loads down the signal, possibly hurting the tone.

best avoided.

Absurd. Even if this were true, the effect would be inaudible in a gig situation.

[KeithAlanK]

Originally Posted by walterw

except that doing so loads down the signal, possibly hurting the tone.

best avoided.

Depends on the volume pedal. A powered pedal will likely work better for this than a passive one.

[Invisible_Kid]

Originally Posted by KeithAlanK

Any electronic tuner.
Boss, Fender, Korg--there are dozens of them out there.

And I just use a regular instrument cable?

[Bassamatic]

The tuner output of an amp is buffered (powered by its own output amp), so it is the same whether anything is plugged in or not (At least any decent amp).

It is around the same output level as your bass, so you just use a standard instrument cable. I have a rack type tuner connected to my MarkBass Tuner out, so I can quickly tune any guitar plugged into the amp.

[McSpunckle]

Originally Posted by Invisible_Kid

And I just use a regular instrument cable?

Yup. Plain ole instrument cable. Doesn't even need to be a good one for this!