Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Let's settle the tuner placement question!
- Thread starter Stringmaster
- Start date
Yep, I do this too.
I like to use the tuner as a "tap" when I'm running really high gain fuzzes that feedback, to get that tremelo-like effect.
Last is just easier on stage.
Means if I have a problem playing live, I can find the problem by going through my boards' signal chain without having the whole venue hear it, or having to touch my DI or amp.
And some fuzzii just sound better without a buffer in front.
Tuners work best as a mute last in the chain, and it's best to have them there especially if you're using one with a buffered bypass (eg: Boss) which can cause undesired interactions with some other pedals.
I have mine last in line on the pedal board as I run 2 signals from my bass, so I run the mixed signal into the tuner so I can silent tune.
As to whether it's best front end or back end on a 'regular' signal path, the tuner itself can play a part in your decision. If it's true bypass it won't make a lot of difference, but a buffered bypass may benefit from going after effects to send a strong signal down a long cable to your amp. (I think I've got that right?)
As to whether it's best front end or back end on a 'regular' signal path, the tuner itself can play a part in your decision. If it's true bypass it won't make a lot of difference, but a buffered bypass may benefit from going after effects to send a strong signal down a long cable to your amp. (I think I've got that right?)
First pedal in my "chain" is my preamp (the only 'pedal' I use live, for the moment), which has a mute switch and a tuner out and effects loop for when my effects migrate off my home board to the gig board.
So another 'neither' in your pole.
Whatever works I suppose.
Granted, some people have tuner "special needs" such as Smo using it as a tap for high gain fuzzes or rack users or preferences for still having your sound on stage but not going to the house system for problem shooting the pedal board or a buzzy pedal that's causing your amp to hum even when it's "off". Otherwise it makes no sense to me to put it at the end as a mute switch.
The point is mute, uh, moot.
Have a buffered tuner? Fine, put it last so it doesn't mess with the input of your XYZed pedal. However, if you've got true bypass and no "special needs", then it really doesn't matter where you put it in the chain when used as a mute switch. Wherever you put it in the chain, once you stomp on it, it cuts the signal to the amp. If everything you have is true bypass, I suppose it really doesn't matter.
If I didn't have tuner-out, I'd put the tuner at the beginning to get a pure signal from the bass ('cause there's so much true bypass out there that isn't truly true bypass, so I've read on TB). Yeah, at the front if I didn't have tuner out. Mentally intuitive to me, 'cause if you kill the signal coming from your bass, then you've effectively nipped the problem (unwanted sound) in the bud (barring a pedal later in the chain humming, special needs etc.).
Another pointless rambling post, brought to you by...
Insomnia!
Yes, new and improved Insomnia kills those pesky Zzzs effectively, shuns shut-eye and completely removes REM. So, wake up and smell the coffee, get an earlier start to your day. Finish that boring assignment and then play on the Internet get on your favourite forum and post away.
Try new and improved Insomnia today!
Batteries not included, some restrictions may apply, 0% Phat Kontent, offer void in Rhode Island and wherever prohibited by law, some continents may have drifted or settled during shipping and handling, not actual size, objects in shaving mirror may not be closer than they appear, not affiliated with PEZ candy in any way, limited time offer, offer available only at 4am -- 4:30 in Newfoundland.
So another 'neither' in your pole.
Whatever works I suppose.
Granted, some people have tuner "special needs" such as Smo using it as a tap for high gain fuzzes or rack users or preferences for still having your sound on stage but not going to the house system for problem shooting the pedal board or a buzzy pedal that's causing your amp to hum even when it's "off". Otherwise it makes no sense to me to put it at the end as a mute switch.
The point is mute, uh, moot.
Have a buffered tuner? Fine, put it last so it doesn't mess with the input of your XYZed pedal. However, if you've got true bypass and no "special needs", then it really doesn't matter where you put it in the chain when used as a mute switch. Wherever you put it in the chain, once you stomp on it, it cuts the signal to the amp. If everything you have is true bypass, I suppose it really doesn't matter.
If I didn't have tuner-out, I'd put the tuner at the beginning to get a pure signal from the bass ('cause there's so much true bypass out there that isn't truly true bypass, so I've read on TB). Yeah, at the front if I didn't have tuner out. Mentally intuitive to me, 'cause if you kill the signal coming from your bass, then you've effectively nipped the problem (unwanted sound) in the bud (barring a pedal later in the chain humming, special needs etc.).
Another pointless rambling post, brought to you by...
Insomnia!
Yes, new and improved Insomnia kills those pesky Zzzs effectively, shuns shut-eye and completely removes REM. So, wake up and smell the coffee, get an earlier start to your day. Finish that boring assignment and then play on the Internet get on your favourite forum and post away.
Try new and improved Insomnia today!
Batteries not included, some restrictions may apply, 0% Phat Kontent, offer void in Rhode Island and wherever prohibited by law, some continents may have drifted or settled during shipping and handling, not actual size, objects in shaving mirror may not be closer than they appear, not affiliated with PEZ candy in any way, limited time offer, offer available only at 4am -- 4:30 in Newfoundland.
I voted at the end because there wasn't an "at least after distortion or dirt." I used to have it at the beginning and was dissatisfied with how my distortion sounded, then I read about the buffering thing. I moved the tuner to the end, and viola it sounds like butter.
Plus, I like being able to mute quickly if something craps out.
Why not just make sure your effects are off when you tune?
Plus, I like being able to mute quickly if something craps out.
Why not just make sure your effects are off when you tune?
I generally prefer to put it at the end. It's handy to be able to mute the whole kit dead when live.
Wallet of Fuzz, or OCD Fuzz Monkey might be better titles, but I appreciate it
On a side-chain off off the "Dry Out" output on my E-H Micro POG - the tuner a nice "full" signal (my POG is also near the beginning of my Signal Chain) from an output that would otherwise be unused.
preferred method: tuner out, I like to hear my instrument while I tune. Helps train the ears during practice, and helps calibrate your ears before performing.
otherwise: tuner last to mute. Silences all hiss from your effects chain and any other unexpected noises (like bumping your instrument) between songs. Also useful when unplugging/plugging in another bass. And use it for muting a signal dead when rearrange pedals during the search for best effects order. Gotta protect them speakers!
otherwise: tuner last to mute. Silences all hiss from your effects chain and any other unexpected noises (like bumping your instrument) between songs. Also useful when unplugging/plugging in another bass. And use it for muting a signal dead when rearrange pedals during the search for best effects order. Gotta protect them speakers!
