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Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200: A Review

FreaqyFrequency

FreaqyFrequency

Jan 29, 2008
2,725
17
Virginia Beach, VA
#1
Wow.

This is the best tuner I've ever used. I've used a Boss TU-2 before, and yes it was a brick construction-wise, but I could tell that my tone was being sucked a bit, and when it registered "In Tune", it didn't sound like it was completely in tune each time.

Now I get this little beauty in the mail. First of all, it's much smaller than the Boss, and I also like the exterior material better.

I plug in the bass and into the amp. The first thing I noticed on bypass, NO TONE SUCK. I a/b'd between through and direct to amp, absolutely no discernible difference.

And now, when it registers my D in tune, it SOUNDS in tune! This may be because it is 150 times more accurate than the TU-2. It also took less than half a second for each string, including the B.

It's easy enough to figure out how to read it, when it's rotating counterclockwise it's flat, and clockwise it's sharp. Took about five minutes to get the hang of it.

I played the G major scale up and back down the G string, getting faster and faster, and it picked up every note every time until my left hand got tired and sloppy. It was an impressive sight. Its tracking wasn't quite as good playing from the lower strings up, but it was still quite good.

For users of the TU-2, it doesn't have an AC power out, but just grab a 1 SPOT. Everything else about it is better.

I highly recommend this pedal.

:bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#9
When Bongo lays his seal of approval on anything, you KNOW it has to be awesome.

And make no mistake, it is beyond awesome.

-When it registers in tune, it is in tune. Period.
-It's a tank.
-It's small.
-It's true bypass.
-It takes a battery and/or 9 volts.
-It's plain simple to read and calibrate.
-It's the most accurate tuner available for purchase.
-It's way less expensive than Petersons and not much more expensive than the Pitchblack/TU-2/similar pedals.

Please note that I do not work for Sonic Research, nor am I in any way associated with their marketing department, and I paid the full retail price for this extraordinary piece of equipment.

If you don't own one, you should.
 
#10
I do own one, and couldn`t be happier. I`ve retired my Boss TU12H and my Renz mute since I picked up my Turbo Tuner. I only use three pedals these days: Turbo Tuner ST200-Barber Linden EQ-Demeter Compulator. I love em all.
 
#12
Hey guys, thought I'd just bump this old thread rather than clogging up the forum by starting a new one.

A bit of background first: I have never owned a tuner before, nor have I ever desired to own one. I learned to tune entirely by ear, and have a pretty good ear, if I do say so myself.

A while back at a rehearsal, I decided to try the guitarist's tuner, just for kicks (I think it was a Korg). To make a long story short, I was shocked to discover how out of tune the tuner would make you. I couldn't believe how inaccurate the thing was, so I did some internet research. I found out that most electronic tuners consider a plus or minus of a few cents to be "close enough" – well, that may be true for some people, but I could readily hear the difference. Tuning with my guitarist's tuner resulted in noticeably out-of-tune instrument. What good is a tuner if it doesn't give you correct tuning?

While I do trust my ears, I also do all my own setups, and when intonating a bridge, I'd like to be as accurate as possible. I read a number of threads here on TB (the best resource on the net, btw) and eventually I came across threads like this one. I decided to give the Turbo Tuner a try.

I ordered it about a week ago, and two days later it arrived at my doorstep. I have to say that I'm completely satisfied with my purchase.

First off, it's built like a tank. Second, I think it's kinda cool looking. But most importantly, it's really accurate. When you tune with the Turbo Tuner you don't have to fine tune manually after you use the tuner. The pitch is dead on.

Everything else I can say has already been said by other people in this thread, so instead of repeating them, I'll just voice my agreement. I give the Turbo Tuner a very enthusiastic thumbs-up.
 
#13
Seems like the only other super accurate tuner out there is the Petersen and its' only potential benefit is that the display is bigger.
Unless I can find a used Petersen for really cheap, the Turbo Tuner is the only game in town IMO (assuming you want accuracy that is .1 cent or better and smaller than a rack mount / big box unit).
 
#14
I've read many comments and reviews about this tuner here and on The Gear Page. Today I decided to bite. I ordered one online and should have it by mid week or so. I currently have a Peterson StroboStomp affixed to my guitar pedal board and it works wonderfully. I'm able to tune my guitars quickly and without any hassle. Given the troubles other folks have experienced with the input/output jacks on the Peterson I don't think I'd want to use one as a standalone pedal where cables are being inserted and removed each time I set up (I'm only using one other pedal for bass - not enough to justify assembling a board w/power supply). I've been using a Boss tuner connected to the tuner or line out of the amp for bass up until now. The ST-200 looks like a great solution for a stand-alone pedal tuner for my bass rig and for guitar when not using the pedalboard.
 
#15
Other than the jack problems that have been mentioned with the Peterson, what are the other benefits of the ST-200 over the Strobo Stomp? Is the "red" display better than the Peterson in the daylight?...I'm just wondering if it makes sense to move from the Peterson to the ST-200...

Thanks...


Thanks...
 
#16
fishtx said:
Other than the jack problems that have been mentioned with the Peterson, what are the other benefits of the ST-200 over the Strobo Stomp? Is the "red" display better than the Peterson in the daylight?...I'm just wondering if it makes sense to move from the Peterson to the ST-200...

Thanks...


Thanks...
Click to expand...

Accuracy is identical between the two of them. The advantage for me with the ST-200 over the Peterson is:

1) Build quality... these things are solid as a rock

2) Tracking quickness.... NO delay, even on the open B

3) Size... about half

4) The 'true bypass' seems a bit more transparent, but I'm not sure I could hear it on a blind basis. Really good though!

I find the display on the Peterson pretty easy to read, but so is the Sonic.

It's
 
#18
The StroboStomp is likely to be much easier to read in direct sunlight as the contrast on the LCD is displayed independently from the backlight. Sunlight will diminish its visibility though. The ST-200, as with other LED based displays and indicators, will most likely be very difficult to see in direct sunlight. I have had trouble seeing even super bright LEDs of any color in direct sunlight - the sun is stiff competition for any man made light source.
 
#19
fishtx said:
So these are about the size of a standard MXR pedal (like a phase 90)???
Click to expand...

Yes. There are two models. One is a heavy duty metal stomp box, very small with true bypass to be used as a tuner/mute in-between the bass and amp.

The other is a plastic unit with a tilt back stand (that comes with a very nice protective case) and is designed to be used either with acoustic instruments (it has a mic) or to be used plugged into the tuner out of an amp with a mute switch (or to just plug your bass into between sets.

Both are great. The floor unit has a large note indicator in the center of the 'strobe circle'. The 'amp top' unit has more information in a small LED type screen and no note inside the strobe circle.

As far as reading in direct sunlight, I have no idea. Even when I play outside, it's virtually always under a tent or awning, and mostly at night anyway!
 

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