Active Band Man Chats - What Extra Features Would You Want in a Tuner?

So, what are we talking about today?

Chuuuu!

Huh?

Chu!

Chu!? No, no... that’s not what I want!

Tuner!

Ah, I got it. Tuner or tuning machine?

Grrr...

Okay, okay, calm down.

Tuner!

Yes, is something wrong?

There are so many options, right?

Yes, there are plenty of choices.

And features too! What features would you like to see added to a pedal tuner?

Added... So, we’re back to another round of imagination, huh? You mean, aside from just tuning, right? Hmm... there are already quite a few options out there.

Exactly. The most common ones would be these.

BOSS / TU-3 Chromatic Tuner

The classic of classics! It has a power supply function.

Right? It’s so convenient. When I first started playing guitar, I thought each compact effect pedal would need its own battery or adapter, so when I discovered this one (or rather its predecessor, the TU-2), I thought it was revolutionary.

Exactly. But if we’re talking about convenience, the addition of the mute function was a game-changer, don’t you think? I hate to say it like this, but younger people probably don’t know this, but when I started playing music, tuners didn’t have mute functions.

It was like this back then!

At the time, you either tuned while the sound was playing or used a volume pedal or something to mute it. Volume pedals even had a tuner-out for that. I don’t think modern pedals have that feature, though... but I guess nobody really needs it anymore.

Oh, that’s right!

So when it came out, I immediately jumped on it. It was such a useful feature! And now it’s even more convenient.

Yeah, for example, this one with a junction box function.

Providence / STV-1JB BLK

Ah, it looks like it means business!

Right? But I still don’t really understand how to use a junction box. Can you explain?

Well... to put it simply, it’s about consolidating the inputs and outputs of the effect board into one place, right? This way, you can set everything up quickly... or something like that? But yeah, this is great. You can tune at the input and mute at the final stage. I usually connect the tuner last as a precaution in case of problems, but with this, I could do it at the input instead. I’ve been curious about it for a while.

Me too! Next, we’ve got this one that can do clean boosts—this!

Hotone / Tuner

Oh, it can boost, reverse boost, and even mute... By adjusting the volume during tuning, it can serve as a boost function. In a way, this is similar to what I used to do with a volume pedal and tuner. I used to set the minimum volume on the pedal for that.

Ah, that’s right. I usually set the minimum to zero to mute the sound while tuning, but adjusting the volume like this would give you the same effect.

It’s well thought out. This series really packs a lot of functions into such a small body. But, this...

Yeah. I really wanted this one, but it’s been discontinued!

It’s funny how those things happen...

And then... how about a function for tuning all strings at once?

TC Electronic / Polytune 3 Polyphonic Tuner

I see... that could save time during live performances. Maybe you could fit in more songs as a result?

That definitely seems like an advantage!

What else?

A buffer?

Ah, yeah. It’s pretty common nowadays. Different brands have different bypass sounds, too.

Right! I used this one,

BOSS / TU-3W Waza Craft Tuner

Thanks to the buffer, the sound is sharp and crisp, and the true bypass option is great—it’s excellent!

As expected from Waza Craft.

Right?

Also, with newer models, it’s now pretty standard to support down-tuning or offer modes for different instruments like guitar, bass, ukulele, etc.

There’s a lot of variety. But I usually stick to chromatic mode.

Anything else?

Hmm, while surfing the internet, I came across a compact looper with a built-in tuner function as a bonus.

Oh, interesting. There are so many options now. It’s hard to tell if it’s a tuner ‘with’ something or if it’s a device “that includes” a tuner... I’ve seen wireless receivers with tuners built in too.

At this point, what about going back to basics and adding a tuning fork?

How about that?

A tuning fork sound like ‘piii’.

Ah, so it’s an electronic sound.

Would you prefer a real tuning fork to physically pop out?

Yeah, I think that would be more fun! We tend to seek out ‘fun’ in our gear, don’t we?

Maybe so?

Rejected! But, there have always been types that produce the actual pitch. Like this one.

Korg / TM-60-WH Tuner Metronome

Oh, right. And it also has a metronome. Great for practice.

I used to use something like this in my wind ensemble. We’d get the pitch from the tuner and tune with it.

I see. As a quirky option, I’ve always been curious about the Ernie Ball tuner pedal.

Ernie Ball / VPJR Tuner Black

Ah, the one where the LCD panel gets blocked when you step on it. Doesn’t that make it hard to use?

Right? But, imagine if it was a pitch shifter pedal with that design—wouldn’t that be even more interesting?

It would be cool... but aren’t we just looking for ‘fun’ stuff!? Like a wah pedal kind of thing?

Exactly! It would show the key of the pitch-shifted sound!

Would you use that?

...Hmm.

Right?

But, hey! With a wah, you stop at a specific point and play it with the wah sound, right?

Yes, yes. Sometimes you want to go from a specific pitch. Got it, got it.

Got it! Approved!

Well, I’m not sure if it’s approved...

Maybe you could put your right foot on the wah pedal and left foot on the tuner pedal... One-two, one-two!

Is that an exercise? So, are we saying that your plus-one function is a pitch shifter pedal?

Yeah, that’s true. Not sure if I’d actually use it though.

(Probably won’t use it...) Well, for me, it’s not exactly a feature, but tuners are generally designed to be placed on the floor, right? Except for clip-on tuners or portable ones.

Yeah, that’s true.

So, I’d love it if it could be installed in various places, like on a mic stand or above a monitor.

I see. What’s the reasoning behind that?

When playing fretless bass or EUB on stage, depending on the environment, I sometimes lose track of pitch... In those situations, it would be helpful to have a tuner that’s always on and visible. And it would be great if it’s in a place where it’s easy to see.

I see. With floor-mounted tuners, you have to look down every time to check, right?

Exactly. So, I was thinking it would be nice to have one that mutes and tunes, and another one that’s always tuning.

Got it. How about one that’s projected inside your glasses?

How about that?

Still, I’m excited to see how tuners evolve in the future. Because everything is?

For love!