Korg Pitchblack vs. Garageband tuner: one's gotta be wrong

fenderx55 · #1 11-25-2009, 07:19 AM

Hey guys,

Last night I was practicing with headphones and I had an issue pitch-matching ANY recording (according to my ear). My Pitchblack said that I was either slightly flat or right on, but Garageband said that I was sharp. Neither has proven me wrong before but all of a sudden something's not right here.

Signal chain was: MIA '04 Jbass-->Pitchblack-->EHX BBM (set to "dry")-->vintage Bassballs-->boss CE-5-->PreSonus FP10 firewire into MBP and Garageband

I couldn't find my tuning fork for a control.

Also, a few weeks ago, one of the tuners on my jbass fell apart (missing screw that went unnoticed) and since I was on my way to rehearsal I just threw the neck from my '08 MIA PBass on there. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while just because the only thing keeping me with that bass was how comfy the neck was. A quick check of the intonation at practice told me that everything was cool, but the other night I put a new-used set of strings on there and now it's funky. Intonation is still on or acceptably close.

IIRC, reference tracks were also not matching up. Does one of the two tuners need to be recalibrated somehow?

Thanks,
chris

PS: Mods, I wasn't sure if this was effects or setup or what. Since it involves garageband I put it here, but by all means, move as you see fit.

fokof · #2 11-25-2009, 07:59 AM

I've never used garage band's tuner , but had good success with that free widget;

http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashb...tunapitch.html

jaywa · #3 11-25-2009, 10:44 AM

Well, let's see... well respected company that's been making pro-grade musical equipment since the 70s (at least)... or Garageband.

Think I'm gonna go with Korg on that one.

debassr · #4 11-25-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

Well, let's see... well respected company that's been making pro-grade musical equipment since the 70s (at least)... or Garageband.

Think I'm gonna go with Korg on that one.

+1

BTW, if you have any effects between your bass and tuner(s) maybe that's the issue?

fenderx55 · #5 11-25-2009, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debassr

+1

BTW, if you have any effects between your bass and tuner(s) maybe that's the issue?

Well, obviously. But it's assuming that everything is off. To the point: I know that the korg is bulletproofedly-almost-obnoxiously-accurate, but is there a way that something in my gigbag hit one of the buttons on the front and set it to 441 or something?

(sorry for the cranky first sentence, I'm stuck on a packed commuter train with inconsiderate ****** visiting thir parents.)

**bassybill** · #6 11-25-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

A quick check of the intonation at practice told me that everything was cool, but the other night I put a new-used set of strings on there and now it's funky. Intonation is still on or acceptably close.

So, is the intonation right, or not? Please try to be clear.

groov'ster · #7 11-25-2009, 07:44 PM

I have the same issue. For quiet practice I use Amplitube with a stealth plug and its tuner. My normal tuner is a small handheld Korg. The software tuner will always tune sharper than the korg. Dont really understand why since I use no effects in either instance. The intonation is spot on and set by using a Peterson tuner.

I just thought maybe I was the only one.

Bottom Lover · #8 11-25-2009, 08:55 PM

Search Google for online tuners and use your ears. You need to test the Korg and Garageband so you know for sure. I would not trust either one until I know.
__________________
Electric Bass Guitars

fenderx55 · #9 11-30-2009, 08:07 AM

Figured it out:

It was a calibration issue. The pitchblack has 10 calibration modes of varying hz, I guess a cable hit the button or something because it was set to 443.

Bassybill: sorry for the lack of clarity. The intonation thing was really the issue the tuner was supposed to be solving and I was frustrated. But that's for setup. And away I go!