tuner

[mark38655]

- hears well down to the bottom of the piano keyboard range
- does not get "confused"

[beforeforever12]

Tascam PT-7

Great tuner/metronome.

Has memory for 20 minutes of recording and allows you to play back at 50%-160% of original tempo.
Metronome goes up to 300bpm
Allows external mic.

Cost me about $70.

http://tascam.com/product/pt-7/overview/" target="_blank

[ghmerrill]

I gave up on trying to find something like this (though I would certainly be interested in trying the Tascam or anything else that someone recommends). I just couldn't find anything "economical" (i.e., ~ $100 or less) that could adequately handle the low range, and so for my own purposes at that point resorted to Klaus's drone tones.

The other requirement I'd add is "easily readable". I have an ancient Korg DT-1 that is easy to read because it actually uses LIGHTS to indicate the tuning. The LCD ones are virtually impossible for anyone to see in anything except the most optimal light conditions. But the DT-1 does not seem to be reliable in the contra bass range.

[beforeforever12]

In my experience it operates very well in the very low range (pedal C and below), and it has never been "confused" in the 3 months I have had it.

[GC]

By confused, do you mean something like "picks up higher-pitched instruments and ignores tuba"? That's why I ended up buying a contact mike for mine.

[MartyNeilan]

How bout trying to find a used one of those mini Peterson's in that price range?

Also like the Korg OT-12, especially the analog needle (great for setting bass guitar intonation) and the sound-back feature.

(and the CA-30 which has been debloked)

[sloan]

Have you tried iStroboSoft for the iPhone (by Peterson)?

[sloan]

I haven't tried the iPhone.

the display is identical to a "real" Peterson.

Standalone, it uses the iPhone's (crappy) mic - but it has a mic-input (I think - I haven't tried it).

I use it for casual tuning (it's close enough for Community Band work). It might not meet your specs.

Software appears to run on iPhone/iPod/iPad

[ralphbsz]

We have a Korg WR-01. A few weeks ago, my son's band played at Disney, and being the low brass guy, I was in charge of helping the students tune (in a parking area right outside the park). Because of the clip, the tuner does NOT get confused: it picks up the sound of the instrument that has the clip. Each student was able to tune their instrument, even with 50 other kids tooting and warming up madly. Even the quiet instruments (like the bass clarinet) were able to tune with trumpets blaring right next to them.

For my piano (where I very rarely tune a few strings myself), the clip is not needed; just use the built-in microphone.

- $100 or less

It is a bit more than $100.

- small / battery operation

It's not tiny, but it is battery operated. The clip is tiny.

- very fast response

If you want it to follow on a note-by-note basis: it can't do that with eight notes in the left hand of the piano in Allegro. It gets completely discombabulated. I can have my son test how fast it responds to scales in the lowest register of a tuba.

- hears well down to the bottom of the piano keyboard range

Check. I've used it to verify how much the piano technician "stretches" the range of the piano.

- does not get "confused"

See above. The clip is a life-saver there; it only reacts to the instrument the clip is attached to.

- (optional) external microphone input

NO, does not have that. With the clip, it's probably less necessary.

- some extra features (??) considered a plus

The screen can be illuminated; but that probably eats batteries like there's no tomorrow.

One thing that pisses me off: They could easily have added a metronome function to it, but they didn't.

[Roger Lewis]

I've played around with the Peterson Flip tuner and found that it is vey accurate, fast, allows for various tempered tuning scales with a set fundamental feature. Very good - quite a bit more than $100.

http://www.conceptmusic.com.au/products ... Tuner.html" target="_blank

Roger

[muttenstrudel]

Also like the Korg OT-12, especially the analog needle (great for setting bass guitar intonation) and the sound-back feature.

+1
The best tuner I've ever had.

[Mark Horne]

For me, the Peterson StroboClip wins this contest.

Because I'm asked to set the tuning Bb for the band, I need to be able to quickly recognize intonation and adjust to any drifting of the pitch. To me, the strobe is much easier to recognize and adjust to than any needle (especially "virtual" LCD needles) or lighted arrows. I just clip it onto my leadpipe and the sound of all the other instruments is ignored. I will also use it to verify pitches during a performance where there are sustained notes that otherwise might be difficult to tune by ear (I use my ear as much as possible, but when there is a conflict, I like to have the tuner to back me up). A strobe is much easier to read than a needle when you don't have the opportunity to focus your eyes on the tuner.

I also own the much larger Peterson VS tuner/metronome, but don't like the tangle of the external clip mic and the extra real estate needed to place on the music stand. I've tried the Peterson iPhone app and have the same complaints (though the iPhone/iPod touch is a much smaller device). I can verify that all three are equally accurate - or at least they will give identical results.

The StroboClip lacks the external mic input, but will not need one if it's clipped to any part of your instrument. It is also outstanding for guitars and basses and has additional tuning modes that are optimized for fretted strings. Probably the best $70 I've spent on music accessories ever.

[Yutakatuba]

Has anyone used this?

http://www.turbo-tuner.com/" target="_blank

[Z-Tuba Dude]

I was disappointed when I purchased the Peterson VS tuner, and promptly returned it. it is a "virtual" strobe, which amounts to it being a strobe in appearance only. It doesn't function like a strobe.

It appears that their other (cheaper) products use the same effect.

[eupher61]

I downloaded one to my Android, 'g strings' The free version works just fine for me, although I've never used it to tune in the midst of an elephant room. Or a bloke room.

It picks up all ranges of the tuba just fine, has sound or tune options. Calibration is easy, A can be set almost anywhere, it has options for MANY different temperaments, and has a setting to boost mic sensitivity in various ranges for different instrument voices. It's pretty amazing, and this version is FREE!

[Dylan King]

Have you tried iStroboSoft for the iPhone (by Peterson)?

I have it on mine. At only $10 the thing is amazing.

[arpthark]

Have you tried iStroboSoft for the iPhone (by Peterson)?

I have it on mine. At only $10 the thing is amazing.

How good is it at picking up lows? I have Cleartune for my iPhone and it gets confused from low C two lines below the staff on down.

[Michael Bush]

Have you tried iStroboSoft for the iPhone (by Peterson)?

I have it on mine. At only $10 the thing is amazing.

How good is it at picking up lows? I have Cleartune for my iPhone and it gets confused from low C two lines below the staff on down.

I think the iPhone microphone is the problem there. I've got the Peterson app on mine. Not satisfactory, for exactly the reason you mention.

[PMeuph]

Wow...If I could afford an iPhone, I could just pay $10 for that app...cool !

http://www.mint.com/blog/saving/expense ... an-iphone/

bloke "What did you guys do with that $2000/yr. before cell phones and iPhones were invented and marketed to you...smoke cigarettes?"

Actually, you could get the iPod touch, which can be purchased for about 169$ + taxes, and then buy the Peterson app. That's what I use, and was going to suggest it earlier, but since it does exceed your budget by about 85$, I felt it might not be the best recommendation for you.

[sousaphone68]

Actually, you could get the iPod touch, which can be purchased for about 169$ + taxes, and then buy the Peterson app. That's what I use, and was going to suggest it earlier, but since it does exceed your budget by about 85$, I felt it might not be the best recommendation for you.

I downloaded the app last night after reading this thread my itouch is third generation so I use an after market microphone seems to work well knocks your confidence at first though