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Strobo Tuner Question

#21
Jim C said:
You'll love this.
I sent an email to Sonic Research at 10:31 PM east coast time asking what the cases were made of. Received and email back from Ralf 2 minutes later (7:33 PM their time) telling me ST 122 is polycarbonate and ST 200 is cast aluminum.
To get customer service any better, they'd have to call you before you thought of the question.
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+1 The amp top unit (122) is plastic, and has a more detailed, smaller readout (note, tuning mode, etc.) in a separate display (along with the same master strobe circle display of the 200). It does not show the actual note within the 'strobe circle' like the 200 does (I assume they did it this way because the 'plastic unit' is designed to sit on top of you amp using the tuner out of the amp, so they went for a smaller display with more detail). Since the amp top unit is plastic (high quality, but plastic none-the-less), they include a very nice, high quality case to keep it from being beat up in your gig bag... nice! The 122 also has a mic for tuning acoustic instruments, or quick tuning at home when you are noodling with your practice amp or whatever.

The 200 has a large note display right in the middle of the 'strobe circle' that can easily be seen from a distance, and it seems to be built like a tank. The only downside I can see is that you have to remove the four screws and the bottom of the unit to change the battery (versus the easy access battery compartment on the 122), but I assume this was done to increase 'road worthiness'. And, with true bypass, the battery should last for years.

Nice design with both of these IMO. The tracking is really an entire level above any other tuner I've used, especially on the open B.
 
#23
NorCal Dog said:
the ST-200 pretty much makes all other tuners obsolete


DSCF0006-7.jpg
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Nice Combo! I have the VHT, and just ordered the St-200. Grew up tuning my trombone to a big ol' strobe tuner in band, and like watching the lights stop goin' round.

this has GOT to make intonating new strings so much easier...
 
#24
That tuner seems interesting... not that I tried any strobe tuners yet. The mechanical ones are a little too pricey for my budget and the "virtual" strobe tuners... considering the technology behind those I'm inclined to think they are a hoax. Is the turbo tuner worth the higher price compared to, say, a Korg tuner?

Too bad the stompbox version doesn't have a mic.
 
#25
I'm not sure if you were clear on this, but the Turbo is not "virtual", it is a real strobe. The Korg is great. Lots of people like it. For me, for some reason cheaper tuners just annoy me with how long they take to latch on to the low B, or how sometimes you even have to tune using the harmonic on the B instead of taking actual readings for intonation purposes. The Turbo is fast at every position on the neck.
 
#26


This is a cool video of a Peterson vs. Turbo tuner. Towards the end, the player starts playing a scale faster and faster and the TT doesn't even flinch!

I have a pitchblack. It's close enough for rock and roll, and I don't notice any difference in tone. That turbo tuner is a real GAS inducer...
 
#27
l0calh05t said:
That tuner seems interesting... not that I tried any strobe tuners yet. The mechanical ones are a little too pricey for my budget and the "virtual" strobe tuners... considering the technology behind those I'm inclined to think they are a hoax. Is the turbo tuner worth the higher price compared to, say, a Korg tuner?

Too bad the stompbox version doesn't have a mic.
Click to expand...

:confused: Why a hoax. They are true strobe (not like the Korg), and these designs just replace the large, bulky, expensive mechanically rotating wheels with 'virtual wheels'. If anything, they are probably more accurate due to fewer moving parts.

So, yes, IMO the Turbo is worth the higher price due to it being a true strobe based tuner, which means exact accuracy... enough to truly intonate an instrument.

However, if I already owned a Pitch Black, and used it strictly for stage use, I would agree, it's surely 'good enough'. However, I would think that the purchase of the pitch black for most would be a mistake now that you can get true strobe accuracy for a reasonable price in a small, road worth form factor. IMO there!
 
#28
bongomania said:
I'm not sure if you were clear on this, but the Turbo is not "virtual", it is a real strobe. The Korg is great. Lots of people like it. For me, for some reason cheaper tuners just annoy me with how long they take to latch on to the low B, or how sometimes you even have to tune using the harmonic on the B instead of taking actual readings for intonation purposes. The Turbo is fast at every position on the neck.
Click to expand...

+1 They are 'virtual rotating wheels', but true strobe performance.
 
#32
l0calh05t said:
So, a strobe tuner is more precise? How about usability etc.
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Yes, usability is the same. When the 'circle' stops moving with the Turbo Tuner (or the bars stop moving up and down with the Peterson Strobostomp), you bass is exactly in tune (at least the note you are tuning... of course, a fretted instrument is never exactly in tune).
 
#34
So, a strobe tuner is more precise? How about usability etc.
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Peterson advertises .1 cent accuracy
Turbo Tuner is .02 cent accuracy
Most other tuners are 1 cent accuracy
Pretty bid statistical difference and one that I think you could hear.

Problem I have with most of the needle tuners is how long it takes for them to stop searching and lock in on even an open E with both pups on with a J bass.
Have also noticed a big discrepency between a Sabine (which is pretty close to the Strobo) and some of the other cheap tuners friends have; you'd think they would be reasonably accurate from unit to unit; guy I play with has a Boss pedal that is WAY out from A440
 
#35
I had the Boss TU-2 for a couple of years, which has been one of the most recommended tuners, but it also lagged at times, especially on the low B. I did order the Turbo Tuner ST-200, because it looks like it will show up nicely in dark settings, the case looks strong, and the tuning appears to be instantaneous.

The video from above () is quite convincing in displaying the speed in detecting notes, and, I think the price is very fair, given the options for setting up different tunings, accuracy, etc.
 
#36
I got a Peterson Stroboflip for a ridiculously good price, I think like $50 from a musicians friend holiday blow out sale? That was two years ago and I have no complaints at all about this tuner. If it broke and I had to replace it at full price, I'm not sure I would. It's a great tuner, but $200 is pretty steep. However, I definitely recommend it, though it does seem some others in this thread have some different options that as good or better.
 
#37
jdombrow said:
How well do any of these tuners work in bright sunlight on an outdoor stage? My guitar player insists on an analog needle-type tuner for just that reason - he can see it clearly in any kind of light.
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That's the big limitation of most pedal tuners. I do think the large LCD display of the Strobostomp might be easier to read in bright light than the smaller LED display of the Turbo. But I haven't had any trouble reading the Turbo in "normal" daylight, though I haven't used it in a bright sunny glare.
 
#38
Smallequestrian said:
The only thing that is lacking on the Turbo Tuner is the 9v out. I really like/need that feature, so when I was looking to replace my Peterson, I ended up going with the Korg Pitch Black. It has a fake strobe mode, which is good enough for quick stage tuning. I would rather set intonation with a real strobe tuner, but the Pitch Black is better for stage.
Click to expand...
you might have shot yourself in the foot with that one, when all you would have needed was a $10 daisychain dc cable.
 
#39
WOW, after being frustrated with my TU-2 for a few years & accepting the fact that it's just not that accurate and/or I'm just too picky according to most, I now know why.

I finally had enough tonight with taking what seemed like forever to get my bass truly in tune & decided I was going to research the Peterson Strobo Stomp. After reading a bunch of reviews & Talk Bass opinions, I totally pulled the trigger & bought the Turbo Tuner Model ST-200. I can't WAIT to get it!

Thanks guys for all your reviews, opinions & input. This placee is REALLY valuable!
-John
 
#40
bongomania said:
That's the big limitation of most pedal tuners. I do think the large LCD display of the Strobostomp might be easier to read in bright light than the smaller LED display of the Turbo. But I haven't had any trouble reading the Turbo in "normal" daylight, though I haven't used it in a bright sunny glare.
Click to expand...

I think I am the only person dumb enough to purchase Peterson Stroborack. It takes up a space in the rack case, big and has no purpose other than being a tuner (at least put a metronome there!). Oh yeah, you can put a custom message to the LCD!

One other reason I went with Peterson that it has Buzz Feiten intervals as presets and the tempered tuning experimentation. Three of my instruments features that supposedly better system.
 

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