Cool Tuner as an App for Android pads and smart phones
Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn
- John Prather
- Posts: 39
- Joined: 4 Sep 2013 11:57 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
Cool Tuner as an App for Android pads and smart phones
Has anyone tried this? I got this app for my Android. Put it on both my phone and my pad. It's called Pitch Lab Pro. It's only a few bucks and for another 99 cents (not requred) you get a huge instrument list (banjo, guitar;many open tunings; lap steel, violin, bazouki, etc,etc) and pedal steel including E9,C6, A7th and Diatonic. It's sensitive enough that I can tune up with no amp and no wired connection.
It also includes a custom setup that can handle up to 12 strings with octave registration. Programmed it for my U12. Even for tuning pedals it will still register the note and offset even if the note isn't on the string list.
It displays tuning in cents and has a resolution of 1/2 cent. I can easily tune to 2 or 3 cents sharp and check cabinet drop. It has very high marks from previous users (4.5 out of 5.
So for those like me who can't or won't go out and drop a bill on a Peterson tuner, there is an alternative. It's very slick and it seems very accurate.
It also includes a custom setup that can handle up to 12 strings with octave registration. Programmed it for my U12. Even for tuning pedals it will still register the note and offset even if the note isn't on the string list.
It displays tuning in cents and has a resolution of 1/2 cent. I can easily tune to 2 or 3 cents sharp and check cabinet drop. It has very high marks from previous users (4.5 out of 5.
So for those like me who can't or won't go out and drop a bill on a Peterson tuner, there is an alternative. It's very slick and it seems very accurate.
- Dan Robinson
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- Location: Colorado, USA
- Dale Rottacker
- Posts: 3513
- Joined: 3 Aug 2010 6:49 pm
- Location: Walla Walla Washington, USA
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I’ve had the free one for quite awhile John and thought it worked great...
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
http://rittenberrysteelguitars.com
https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
- Michael Haselman
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- Location: St. Paul
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- John Prather
- Posts: 39
- Joined: 4 Sep 2013 11:57 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
tempered tunings
You can't program your own tempered tunings. Yes, that would be cool to be able to program a positive offset in cents, but the only people who would need it is PSG Players and the occasional musician who purposely mistunes for artistic flair. (John Lennon did that) Don't know any other instrument that suffers cabinet drop.
Unfortunately you would still have to keep an offset list.
Unfortunately you would still have to keep an offset list.
- John Prather
- Posts: 39
- Joined: 4 Sep 2013 11:57 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
Wired Input
Don't think connecting to the Headset Jack will help since it's an output. I found that I don't need an input. My smart phone is sensitive enough that it easily picks up the sound even when the volume is OFF. My Android Pad holder is connected to the leg of the guitar. No issue tuning on stage.
Still searching for a Smart Phone holder that will physically latch to the leg of the PSG.
Still searching for a Smart Phone holder that will physically latch to the leg of the PSG.
- Stu Schulman
- Posts: 6526
- Joined: 15 Oct 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
John,Thanks I will try to find it!
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
The headphone jack has an input, but you need either a special adapter or make your own. Peterson sells one for Apple, but it works on all platforms.
Instead of TRS, it uses TRRS (although the second ring takes up so much sleeve it's almost TRRR), with input being the second ring.
Pitchlab is good, but I like the interface of Cleartune.
Instead of TRS, it uses TRRS (although the second ring takes up so much sleeve it's almost TRRR), with input being the second ring.
Pitchlab is good, but I like the interface of Cleartune.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
- Michael Haselman
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- Location: Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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I'm using PitchLab Pro on my android phone, and you CAN add custom temperaments. It's great!
+1 for the Peterson adapter plug for apple products, but it does not work on my android.
Regarding a phone mount on your steel... Look at magnetic phone holders with suction cup mounts.
+1 for the Peterson adapter plug for apple products, but it does not work on my android.
Regarding a phone mount on your steel... Look at magnetic phone holders with suction cup mounts.
Last edited by Randy Brown on 13 Sep 2015 11:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Stu Schulman
- Posts: 6526
- Joined: 15 Oct 1998 12:01 am
- Location: Ulster Park New Yawk (deceased)
I downloaded it to my Kindle HD...another99¢ for the E9th pedal steel part,I'll check it out later looks like a really good deal...Thanks!
Steeltronics Z-pickup,Desert Rose S-10 4+5,Desert Rose Keyless S-10 3+5... Mullen G2 S-10 3+5,Telonics 206 pickups,Telonics volume pedal.,Blanton SD -10,Emmons GS_10...Zirctone bar,Bill Groner Bar...any amp that isn't broken.Steel Seat.Com seats...Licking paint chips off of Chinese Toys since 1952.
- Dan Beller-McKenna
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- Location: Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Newer versions of the Android OS broke the bits that made custom temperaments work.
Personally, I prefer the old way of knowing the offsets and leaving it set to ET. Having your tuner lie to you (really. Telling you 17 cents flat is C#) sounds like asking for trouble if it loses it.
Personally, I prefer the old way of knowing the offsets and leaving it set to ET. Having your tuner lie to you (really. Telling you 17 cents flat is C#) sounds like asking for trouble if it loses it.
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
- Michael Haselman
- Posts: 1285
- Joined: 23 Aug 2002 12:01 am
- Location: St. Paul
- Contact:
I did pop $2.99 for the Pitch Lab, and it is very cool. You can program tempered tuning, but it takes a little playing with, e.g. you need to set the reference pitch to one that will remain standard in your tuning. E for me in the Newman offsets. Even without that, I'm very pleased with it.
Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.
- Geoff Noble
- Posts: 257
- Joined: 7 Feb 2012 12:30 pm
- Location: Scotland
I've been using it for the last year or so, it's worth paying the few extra $ for the Pro version, better choices and no adverts!
I have a custom temperament set up for my Carter U12, works well.
I made up a lead, 1/4" mono jack to a 4 pole 3.5mm jack. If I remember correctly it's the 3rd connector on the 4 pole jack the 4th connector being ground.
I'll be making some of these leads for sale, (cheap!) at some point, so I'll offer them up once I get started.
I have a custom temperament set up for my Carter U12, works well.
I made up a lead, 1/4" mono jack to a 4 pole 3.5mm jack. If I remember correctly it's the 3rd connector on the 4 pole jack the 4th connector being ground.
I'll be making some of these leads for sale, (cheap!) at some point, so I'll offer them up once I get started.
"If it sounds good, it is good"
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFqsA-A ... HGg/videos
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YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFqsA-A ... HGg/videos
Soundcloud - http://soundcloud.com/just-jef/tracks
- John Gilman
- Posts: 79
- Joined: 22 Jun 2011 9:47 pm
- Location: Jericho, VT USA
Slightly old thread here, but the user tempered tunings did not go away on Cleartune, they're just a bit harder to find. On newer Android systems the "menu" button has gone away. Very often it can be found in a long press of another key. There are apparently apps that can simulate the menu button as well. Push the menu button, however you can, and the "add" comes up on Cleartune just like it always did.Michael Haselman wrote:I liked Cleartune until the user tempered tuning went away....
Additionally, in case anyone is interested, I ran Cleartune side by side with my Stroboflip on my E9 temperament and they were nuts on the same. Good to know.
74 Sho-Bud ProII
73 Sho-Bud/Surratt/Marrs D-10
72 Emmons PP D-10
69 ZB Custom D-10
73 Sho-Bud/Surratt/Marrs D-10
72 Emmons PP D-10
69 ZB Custom D-10
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+1John Gilman wrote:Slightly old thread here, but the user tempered tunings did not go away on Cleartune, they're just a bit harder to find. On newer Android systems the "menu" button has gone away. Very often it can be found in a long press of another key. There are apparently apps that can simulate the menu button as well. Push the menu button, however you can, and the "add" comes up on Cleartune just like it always did.Michael Haselman wrote:I liked Cleartune until the user tempered tuning went away....
Additionally, in case anyone is interested, I ran Cleartune side by side with my Stroboflip on my E9 temperament and they were nuts on the same. Good to know.
I was really frustrated when I spent the money on cleartune again after loving it on my old iphone, and not being able to find the custom offsets on my new Android. Thanks to your post I held down the 'recents' button (square) on my phone and the "add +" button popped up.
Thanks for saving me from spending another $10 on strobotune!
- Richard Sinkler
- Posts: 17067
- Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
- Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
I have Pitch Lab Pro on my Android phone, but only have it as a backup if my Strobflip ever gives me trouble. I just looked in the Google Play Store and can't find an app called Cleartune. I did a search, and a bazillion other tuners came up, but none said cleartune.
I don't have an adapter for my android phone, so I probably need to get one if I want Pith Lab Pro to work in a club setting where there would be too much background noise. I have tested it on my electric-acoustic guitar (which has a built-in tuner), and compared it to my Stroboflip. Not perfectly matched, but really close.
I don't have an adapter for my android phone, so I probably need to get one if I want Pith Lab Pro to work in a club setting where there would be too much background noise. I have tested it on my electric-acoustic guitar (which has a built-in tuner), and compared it to my Stroboflip. Not perfectly matched, but really close.
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
Richard, here it is
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .cleartune
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .cleartune
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
- James Holland
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 2 Feb 2012 7:49 pm
- Location: Alabama, USA
Yep. I was using Pitch Lab and about the time I was keying in a psg tempered tuning, I decided it was better to memorize the offsets, since I need to tune other instruments, might have to use someone elses tuner, etc.Lane Gray wrote:Newer versions of the Android OS broke the bits that made custom temperaments work.
Personally, I prefer the old way of knowing the offsets and leaving it set to ET. Having your tuner lie to you (really. Telling you 17 cents flat is C#) sounds like asking for trouble if it loses it.