• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Strings tension calculator for iOS

K

Kenarius1

Mar 16, 2015
20
2
33
#1
Hello everybody. I developed an iOS app, that can help you to choose strings with appropriate tension for almost any tuning and I want to share it with you. My app is 100% free and doesn't contains any ads or in-app purchases. Link is below.

At this moment the app is fully functional, but it still contains some shortcomings, that I want to correct. So I want to ask you a favor - if there is something in the app, that you doesn't like or seems weird for you, please, let me know about it. Also I open for any ideas, that could help to improve my app.

I'm already working on a new version and there will be a lot fixes and UI improvements (especially for iPhone 6+). Guitar strings support will be added a bit later.

P.S. Please, don't rate the app before the next update. This version is more like beta, so I would prefer some reviews here, but not in the App Store.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
Last edited:
#3
Maybe you're right. But I don't think that someone will search app like that through App Store. However, if I'll think up something better, I'll change the name. I had been choosing between "Tension", "Tension Calculator" and "Strings" and chose the last one.
 
#4
Hm, I typed in the exact app name after stumbling onto this thread and it didn't show up in the search results. I had the link pulled up on my laptop so I typed in the dev name and found it. Haven't opened it yet but I think it's a great idea
 
#7
Kenarius1 said:
Hello everybody. I developed an iOS app, that can help you to choose strings with appropriate tension for almost any tuning and I want to share it with you. My app is 100% free and doesn't contains any ads or in-app purchases. Link is below.

At this moment the app is fully functional, but it still contains some shortcomings, that I want to correct. So I want to ask you a favor - if there is something in the app, that you doesn't like or seems weird for you, please, let me know about it. Also I open for any ideas, that could help to improve my app.

I'm already working on a new version and there will be a lot fixes and UI improvements (especially for iPhone 6+). Guitar strings support will be added a bit later.

P.S. Please, don't rate the app before the next update. This version is more like beta, so I would prefer some reviews here, but not in the App Store.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Nice app! I too am an iOS Dev.
I really like the interface and the choice of colors. Will you be adding other string manufacturers like Dunlop. Hit me up whenever you want a review. My app is called HushBox.
 
#8
Checked it out. Clean UI, nice layout, good colors, and feels responsive.

My suggestions:

1) Needs more brands and models.

2) Search would be awesome, e.g. I want a flatwound B string with ~50 lbs of tension, who makes one?
 
#9
callofcthulhu said:
Checked it out. Clean UI, nice layout, good colors, and feels responsive.

My suggestions:

1) Needs more brands and models.

2) Search would be awesome, e.g. I want a flatwound B string with ~50 lbs of tension, who makes one?
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately, at this moment I can't add more brands, because there is no tension charts from other manufacturers in the internet. However, I plan to contact them and ask for it.

Search is a really nice idea. I need to think how to fit it in the app, but I definitely will add it in the later versions.
 
#12
Good news everyone! I finally released an updated version of the app. To be honest, it took more time than I expected. I slightly changed interface, fixed some bugs and made basic presets a bit more accurate (and almost completely rewrited logic). It's still not perfect at my opinion, but at least it's better than it was before :)

Now I'm planning to contact with other strings manufacturers. Maybe some of them will share their specs. I will keep you in touch.

If you like the app, please, make a review in App Store. If you don't, tell me what exactly you don't like and I'll try to fix it :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: OOD and chinjazz
#14
Kenarius1 said:
Good news everyone! I finally released an updated version of the app. To be honest, it took more time than I expected. I slightly changed interface, fixed some bugs and made basic presets a bit more accurate (and almost completely rewrited logic). It's still not perfect at my opinion, but at least it's better than it was before :)

Now I'm planning to contact with other strings manufacturers. Maybe some of them will share their specs. I will keep you in touch.

If you like the app, please, make a review in App Store. If you don't, tell me what exactly you don't like and I'll try to fix it :)
Click to expand...


I still like your app, but what would make it a lot better is if it prompted us to select our scale length before showing us tension results instead of automatically selecting one for us. I was looking up 5 strings and it took me a while to realize the scale length was on 35 instead of 34. I think a good place for this screen would be right after we choose 4, 5, or 6 strings. I also think it would be good to have 7, 8, and 9 string options too. That might seem extreme, but the more strings someone has, the more they will find a need for your app.

I don't like the different color buttons for different brands. It's really just distracting. The old way was much cleaner and easier on the eyes.

It would also be better if you did not have to scroll to see all the string results on 5 and 6 string basses. An easy fix would be to make the buttons below the string tension slightly smaller. A button to toggle the visibility of everything below the string tensions could be another way to go about it.

More brands will always be better, but I know adding more brands is out of your hands in a lot of ways because of the limited string tension information that companies give out.

It would be cool to have it on android too. I use my iPad now, but I would love to have it on my android phone. I won't be heartbroken if it just stays on IOS though.

None of the above are deal breakers though and I honestly will still love your app just fine if you leave it the way it is. I just figured you would appreciate honest and detailed feedback. Keep up with the good work. I tried to get into building apps before and it was one of the most stressful things I ever tried to do.
 
#15
OOD said:
I still like your app, but what would make it a lot better is if it prompted us to select our scale length before showing us tension results instead of automatically selecting one for us. I was looking up 5 strings and it took me a while to realize the scale length was on 35 instead of 34. I think a good place for this screen would be right after we choose 4, 5, or 6 strings. I also think it would be good to have 7, 8, and 9 string options too. That might seem extreme, but the more strings someone has, the more they will find a need for your app.
Click to expand...
I wanted to implement a number pad instead of scrollable picker at first. But then I decided, that it would be a lot more complex task. However, maybe I should rethink it, because scale length doesn't change so there is no reason to hold it on the screen. I'll think about possible solutions and will post it here.
OOD said:
I don't like the different color buttons for different brands. It's really just distracting. The old way was much cleaner and easier on the eyes.
Click to expand...
My idea was to make each manufacturer has it's own color according to their logo or website colors. Now I think that it was not very good idea. I had one color for bass and one color for guitar at first (I'm still planning to add it sometime), maybe I should stick with it.
OOD said:
It would also be better if you did not have to scroll to see all the string results on 5 and 6 string basses. An easy fix would be to make the buttons below the string tension slightly smaller. A button to toggle the visibility of everything below the string tensions could be another way to go about it.
Click to expand...
This problems occurs only on iPhone 4S (which I use). But on larger screens there are enough space to fit info for 6-string bass.
OOD said:
More brands will always be better, but I know adding more brands is out of your hands in a lot of ways because of the limited string tension information that companies give out.
Click to expand...
As I said before, I'll ask other manufacturers to share their charts. But I'm not sure that they will.
OOD said:
It would be cool to have it on android too. I use my iPad now, but I would love to have it on my android phone. I won't be heartbroken if it just stays on IOS though.
Click to expand...
I would like to create Android version of this app, but unfortunately at this moment I don't see opportunity for it. I have never worked with Android and at this moment I don't have too much time to try it out. In a small company where I work only my boss works with Android, but he is very good developer and his time costs too much. I'll think about possibilities, but half-year later.
OOD said:
None of the above are deal breakers though and I honestly will still love your app just fine if you leave it the way it is. I just figured you would appreciate honest and detailed feedback. Keep up with the good work. I tried to get into building apps before and it was one of the most stressful things I ever tried to do.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your review, I really appreciate it. I'll try to do my best.
 
#17
Kenarius1 said:
This problems occurs only on iPhone 4S (which I use). But on larger screens there are enough space to fit info for 6-string bass.
Click to expand...

I have to scroll on my iPad, but I tested it out on my wife's iPhone 6 and did not have to scroll. I do have an old iPad and I choose to not update the software because Apple's updates always slow my devices down. It's not a big deal either way though. It's best to leave it the way it is since it works so well on the newer devices. The UI feels really good on the iPhone 6. :thumbsup:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back