|
Post by dunkelfalke on Feb 25, 2006 6:23:18 GMT -5
hello forum yesturday i have read a lot about strobe tuners and found them interesting. already downloaded a demo version of a strobe tuning software, nevertheless, while searching on internet how such a virtual strobe tuner works (nothing found yet) i have found this: www.strobotron.com/and liked the concept. has anyone used such a strobo pick and can tell me whether it is easy to use or not?
|
|
|
Post by CheshireCat on Feb 25, 2006 7:03:05 GMT -5
hello forum yesturday i have read a lot about strobe tuners and found them interesting. already downloaded a demo version of a strobe tuning software, nevertheless, while searching on internet how such a virtual strobe tuner works (nothing found yet) i have found this: www.strobotron.com/and liked the concept. has anyone used such a strobo pick and can tell me whether it is easy to use or not? Tres cool! I might need to get one. Incidentally, you have a downloaded strobe tuner? Do tell.
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Feb 25, 2006 7:10:10 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by JohnH on Feb 25, 2006 15:35:05 GMT -5
I know Gtune, which Runewalker pointed me at. I use it every day for quick and accurate tuning, plus checking intonation. It also has a built in osciloscope and spectrum analyzer, all in one free download. All you need is a simple way to plug your guitar signal into the pc, which I do via an old tape deck as a preamp. A great little program.
John
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Feb 25, 2006 15:49:25 GMT -5
the simpliest way is to directly plug it into the soundcard line in ;-)
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 6, 2006 5:39:03 GMT -5
okay, i got a strobopick about three weeks ago, not that one (they are sold out) but the one made by planet waves and i thought i write a small review now. got it at ebay, here: cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=22672&item=7421337210paid 12 euros with shipping, the shipping to europe was very fast. the tuner has a plectrum shape but very thick (about 1 cm, you wouldn't want to play with it). on the bottom of it there are two leds and on top is a wheel. the usage is simple, you chose the string you want to tune on the wheel. there are 6 positions on the wheel for strings and two positions to switch the tuner off, each one after three strings. after you chose the two leds blink out of phase an when you hold the light in the nearby of the 12 fret of the string you can see best if the string is in tune or not. when the string is in tune you don't see movement of the lights on the string, the more the string is out of tune the more the lights are moving. you can see the tuning accuracy very well, much better than with some chromatic tuner. also you can tune in the dark and don't need to listen to the string. i suppose it is very handy when you play live. at least so said a buddy of mine who already played live for years. he wanted to have this strobo pick too, right after he saw it in action. the tuner switches off after a short while so if you weren't fast enough to tune the string to the pitch in that time you have to turn the wheel forth to switch it on again and back to go back to the right string. it is a bit annoying in the beginning but i have learned to tune faster now anyway, the only downside of this great little tuner is the design: the battery cover is on the back, right where you put your index finger when you hold a pick. the battery cover has the planet waves logo stanced in it so the finger won't slip. anyway, it happens to me that when i put my middle finger on that cover, using the index finger to turn the wheel the battery cover opens after a while and the battery falls out. it can be very annoying, but it is not something i can't live with. all in all i absolutely recommend it to any guitarist.
|
|
|
Post by UnklMickey on Jul 6, 2006 9:08:45 GMT -5
hey Falke,
if you play an open harmonic, and put the tuner 1/2 way between the bridge and the 12th fret, does it still function?
unk
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 6, 2006 16:47:51 GMT -5
what is an open harmonic and how can i play it?
sorry, i am a beginner yet ;-)
|
|
|
Post by UnklMickey on Jul 6, 2006 17:26:15 GMT -5
...sorry, i am a beginner yet ;-) yeah, right, i believe you.... anyway, have a finger just barely touching the string, at the 12th fret. pluck the string with your other hand, and immediately remove your finger from the string. the 2nd harmonic (2x the fundamental frequency) will be strong and virtually none of the fundamental will be present. the reason i ask, is if the tuner works well at 2x the intended frequency, it will also be good for doing intonation adjustments. unk
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 7, 2006 2:35:12 GMT -5
ah, i think i know what you mean. they are also called flagolette or so, right? i'll try it out tonight, but i get them right only every third time or so.
but if it helps, i have also tuned a 12string with it and it worked quite well although it was harder to see the correct tuning.
and yeah, i am a beginner. basic chords, a bit minor pentatonics and bending, that's all i can do actually. good enough for floyd's mother (if your expectations are not too high) but not good enough for comfortably numb.
|
|
|
Post by UnklMickey on Jul 7, 2006 10:17:19 GMT -5
flagolette, had to look that one up.
yup, flagolette, flageolette, and flageolet, all mean what i described.
i think it's French.
interestingly, they also mean fipple-flute, tin-whistle or penny-whistle.
(i wonder if the French also have a name for Ent-whistle. XD )
if it works on the octave strings of a 12-string, it should be just fine for setting intonation.
sounds like a great deal for the money, considering the accuracy they claim.
now, if they only had a chromatic version............
unk
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 7, 2006 15:11:10 GMT -5
okay i have tested it now. sorry, won't work that way. i suppose you still would need that g-tune software for that.
still, the little tuner is very handy, and it is really very accurate, i have measured it with g-tune.
|
|
|
Post by UnklMickey on Jul 7, 2006 18:11:23 GMT -5
that's a small disappointment, but i think it's still one heck of a good value anyway.
given the spec. of 0.1 cent accuracy, and $15 price tag, 'nuff said.
FWIW, i played with the math a bit.
the high e string to f has a difference of 20Hz, so 1 cent there would be 0.2Hz.
so that means that an error of 1 cent would take 5 seconds to "beat"
for the low E, 20 seconds.
for the e at the 12th fret, 2.5 seconds.
even for the 12th fret e, 1 cent error would just make it have a little "character", not sound bad.
so IMHO anything better than 1 cent accuracy would be icing on the cake.
but then again, maybe i'm looking at this wrong?
unk
|
|
|
Post by dunkelfalke on Jul 9, 2006 15:02:46 GMT -5
btw just found out, you can also tune a bass guitar with it, not as exactly though. and there seem to be four lights instead of two, very psychedelic ;D
about accuracy. i am more or less tone deaf (well, not exactly, just not trained) and even i can hear the difference, especially when playing open chords.
|
|
servant
Meter Reader 1st Class
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
|
Post by servant on Jul 10, 2006 13:52:47 GMT -5
given the spec. of 0.1 cent accuracy... the high e string to f has a difference of 20Hz, so 1 cent there would be 0.2Hz. so that means that an error of 1 cent would take 5 seconds to "beat" for the low E, 20 seconds. for the e at the 12th fret, 2.5 seconds. even for the 12th fret e, 1 cent error would just make it have a little "character", not sound bad. Hey unk, Maybe I'm missing something, but you may be out by an order of magnitude. You say the accuracy is 0.1 cent, then give examples at 1 cent. Wouldn't your first example be 0. 02Hz?
|
|
|
Post by UnklMickey on Jul 10, 2006 16:52:15 GMT -5
hi Dean,
i guess i'm guilty of not using my turn signal.
i chose 1 cent as a point to do the math.
from the results, i concluded that 1 cent accuracy was more than adequate.
so if the quoted accuracy is 0.1 cent, that would be phenomenal.
unk
|
|
|
Post by ux4484 on Nov 22, 2006 15:53:21 GMT -5
GC and MF is handing the Planet Waves tuner out with 5 sets of (D'Addario) strings for 20 bucks, I got one the week before last. Not bad, O.K. for a quick tune....but nearly useless in full daylight. The room where I play has a large triangle window and a skylight, it's often very bright when I practice. I can use it, but it's pretty obvious it would be useless for an outside daylight gig.
|
|