How to personalize you Peterson Strobo Flip Tuner

[Sue Haslam]

Hi Jerry,

Not sure how the Strobo Tuner works

The StroboPlus is the first tuner to allow the user to program multiple different pitches of the same note in the same or different octaves within the preset
Sue

[Jerry Jones]

Well then......that's the ticket.

Actually, I've got the older StroboFlip. Glad to see the improvement.

[John Scanlon]

Hi Jerry,

Not sure how the Strobo Tuner works

The StroboPlus is the first tuner to allow the user to program multiple different pitches of the same note in the same or different octaves within the preset
Sue

Sue:

With that in mind, is there any chance you could address reconciling the programmed Newman chart (which contains different cent values for the same notes achieved different in ways) with the issue I raised in my earlier post on this thread - that is, without having to use more than one pre-set, as Dave B. suggested? Or is that simply the only way?

Here's the Newman chart: http://www.jeffran.com/tuning.php

Here's my earlier post:

One problem I see with programming my Peterson and reconciling it with Jeff Newman's recommended tempered tuning chart is that the open F# strings have one cent value, and the bent-to-F# note (with C pedal) on the open E string has a different value. So you can't tune the pedal and the open string to the same note if you use JN's tempered chart or something similar. Same thing is true on the E lever-engaged D# versus the open D# second string -- also the open D (low) versus the second string D note when that half-step lever is engaged.

Just an observation. Any thoughts out there on that? I guess the obvious answer is use it as a starting point and adjust to taste.

Thanks.

PS- and does the StroboStomp II have the new Newman chart in its PSG preset, as well?

[Jack Stoner]

The new Peterson Stroboplus HD was NOT the first tuner to allow different different pitches of the same note. The Sonic Research Turbo tuner has had that for several years with the ST122 and now the ST122a strobe tuners. The ST122a also has the Newman and Emmons pedal steel tunings pre-programmed.

The Stroboplus HD is easier to program your own tunings since it can be done from a PC. The ST122/122a has to be done manually on the tuner (and its a hassle).

[Sue Haslam]

Hi Jack,
I'm sorry for the confusion. Please read again, I said:
"the first tuner to allow the user to program multiple different pitches of the same note in the same or different octaves within the preset"
For example, the StroboPlus enables you to program three different F#3 notes in one preset and tune to those pitches without touching the tuner.
We've made tuners that can do different pitches of the same note in different octaves ourselves since 1997 (Peterson AutoStrobe 490ST), but different pitches of the same note in the same octave is unique to the StroboPlus.
Simply put, the StroboPlus can divide a single octave into up to 24 seperate pitches instead of 12 like every other tuner. You are only bound by the note naming conventions of which the StroboPlus has many more than any other tuner made.

John Scanlon, yes, its possible, we already have such a preset here at the factory and are evaluating it, when two pitches of the same note in the same octave are very close together, it can be tricky to tune to them in one preset.
Thats why we made two presets, one for the open strings and one for the pedals and levers, until people get used to the principal of having a tuner that has this new capability.
And yes, the StroboStomp2 had the SE9 and SC6 presets originally approved by Jeff Newman and so does the current version the StroboStomp Classic.

Sue

[Jack Stoner]

Sue, the ST122/ST122a will do that. I can program, for example F1 at one offset, F2 at a different offset, F3 at yet another different offset and F4 at another offset or the same as one of the others; all in the same program.

I also have one of the new Stoboplus HD's. I have programmed all of the E9th - all the opens and all the pedal/knee lever changes except one in the same program. Same way with the C6th, everything (open and pedal/knee lever changes) except one knee lever change is in one program. I have a third program that has two items in it, one for the E9th and one for the C6th - the only ones I could not get in the basic programs. If you have access to my stored programs you can see what I've done.

[John Scanlon]

Dave Scanlon, yes, its possible, we already have such a preset here at the factory and are evaluating it, when two pitches of the same note in the same octave are very close together, it can be tricky to tune to them in one preset.
Thats why we made two presets, one for the open strings and one for the pedals and levers, until people get used to the principal of having a tuner that has this new capability.
And yes, the StroboStomp2 had the SE9 and SC6 presets originally approved by Jeff Newman and so does the current version the StroboStomp Classic.

Sue

Ok, I'm not sure I follow. I asked if we could reconcile the two without having to use more than one preset, and your answer seems to say, "yes, but you have to use more than one preset." So, is that a no?

Let me be more specific. On the Newman chart, the open D# string is 439, but the lowered-to-pitch D# (achieved on the E string with the D lever) is 440.5.
Also, the open F# is 441.5, but the raised-to-pitch F# (achieved on the E string with the C pedal) 439.5. Same pitch, same note, same octave - different cent value, only one preset.

[Sue Haslam]

Hi Jack,

I would like to see what you have programmed. Unfortunately, right now I'm trying to finish some things up before I leave for Dallas and won't be able to check it out today.
I should have been clearer, the StroboPlus allows you to tune to different pitches of the same note in the same octave within the same preset without touching the tuner/pressing more buttons/going to manual mode etc.
To me a preset is a "set it and forget it" deal, select and tune, no more button presses otherwise its not a preset, its me doing the tuner's work.

The tuner you mention forces you to go to manual mode and select by hand if there is a conflict between two notes of different pitch in the same octave (Quote from manual: "NOTE: When tuning the pedals, there is a conflict in that there are two different C#4 notes: In Auto mode the tuner will select the offset for String 2 (because it is first in the list). To tune String 5 + Pedal 1 or 3, switch the tuner to the manual mode and use the NOTE- key to select the appropriate offset".
This is repeated for all steel tunings in that tuner.

The StroboPlus handles it automatically because it is the first tuner to break the 12 tone per temperament limitation that governs all other tuners.

Hi John,

The Factory Default settings do have the Open tunings and the Pedals in separate Sweeteners, so as not to overly confuse StroboFlip users.
Jack has provided the ideal opportunity to explain whats all possible with the StroboPlus, its quite a leap for tuners in general actually, but we did not want to "unleash" it without explaining the details.
You have the capability of programming them into 1 sweetener via the PetersonConnect site.

[John Scanlon]

Hi John,

The Factory Default settings do have the Open tunings and the Pedals in separate Sweeteners, so as not to overly confuse StroboFlip users.
Jack has provided the ideal opportunity to explain whats all possible with the StroboPlus, its quite a leap for tuners in general actually, but we did not want to "unleash" it without explaining the details.
You have the capability of programming them into 1 sweetener via the PetersonConnect site.

Ah, ok, makes sense. Don't think the two separate settings (one for pedals/levers, one for open) are already in my S.Stomp II (unless they're the "SE9" and regular "E9" settings - that's all I have). No biggie - just have to get to programming, I guess.

[Paul King]

I want to say "Thanks" to Sid Hudson for sharing this with us. I just got finished seting my tuner to his settings. It was very easy to do and I will give it a whirl tomorrow.

[Kjell Ohlsson]

Sid,
can you please explain the following....
4. By using the up/down arrow keys set C# to -16.7
Why -16,7?

[Lane Gray]

The numbers can fluctuate due to both varying amounts of cabinet drop and personal tastes. Most C# values lie between -15 and -20, with -17 seeming the most common. 16.7 seems right in the ballpark (although getting into tenths of a cent/thousandth of a semitone seems a little odd, but if it works...)

[Kjell Ohlsson]

Thanks a lot Lane, I think I understand. I don´t know why and how but maybe I shouldn´t bother to much, only stick to the rules

[Lane Gray]

I'll try to explain it. If you have a keyboard instrument handy, play a major chord; notice it's not perfectly in tune and sounds a little jangly. That's because of the tuning system.
With a steel, you can adjust the tuning so the chords ring Sweet. That means slightly sharping the 5s and flatting the 3rds (and the 4, since it's a 5tg the other direction) That's the first elemwent of making a tuning chart, and should be nearly uniform¹.
Now the part that varies from axe to axe: as you move levers and pedals, they stress the cabinet, causing other strings to detune, but not uniformly. So, for instance, mashing A and B can drop the Es, so you have to adjust the chart accordingly.
That is why there are so many subtly different charts.
That is also why I recommend that people make their own charts, from tuning by ear, then writing down how much each tone deviates from standard.

Clear as mud?

¹Except that some folks don't like the sound of a mathematically correct chord "damn those thirds sound flat!"

[Sid Hudson]

Kjell, I wouldn't spend a lot of time worrying about why something is or why something is not.

Makes for good conversation but I think most of us are more concerned about playing great music.  

I found a need to undertake this tast because quite often with all the Steel shows I'm playing these days there is not much time to tune and the environment is usually quite noisy.  

This little task that I decided to take on was very daunting taking into account I included the tunings for all of the knees and pedals for both the C6 and the E9.  

I have used this tuning on at least seven different guitars and it has proved to be as good on one guitar as it is the other.  

I have not found that the tuning varies from one brand of guitar to the other.  

The good news is if you find a reason to tweak my numbers, with the instructions that I have provided above you now know how to program your Peterson tuner and tweak any number you deem necessary.  

The vast majority of the numbers were derived from harmonically chiming each combination and tuning the waves/beats out.   If I remember correctly, it took about 7.5 hour to figure out.

[Sid Hudson]

Double post[/url]

[Kjell Ohlsson]

Sid,
I´ve always thought that I had the right tunes out of my guitar and I can´t remember any complains heard from anyone. Maybe they were just polite, who knows?
In order to try to learn how to program my Peterson I aimed at you´r way of tuning the guitar.
When I was done, I had a guitar with a totally new sound and I just couldn´t believe I found the tuning I was looking for.
I did small adjustments to your chart and now I have my Emmons just the way I want it to be. Together with that comes a joy and a desire to practice more.
Thanks a lot.

[Sid Hudson]

Yesterday I was contacted by Peterson Tuners.

For those of you that own the Peterson StroboPlus HD tuner, you probably are aware that there are a couple of offset tunings available for download in the Peterson’s Library for the Steel Guitar.

Due to requests from the public, Peterson has asked my permission to make my tunings available in their Library for download to the public. Needless to say, I have agreed.

I have been told by Peterson that they are labeled SH9 (for the E9 tuning) and
SH6 (for the C6th tuning).

My tuning offsets do include all of the offsets for all your pedal and knee raises and lowers for both necks.

For those that may be interested, here is the link
http://www.petersontuners.com/mypeterson/register.cfm

[Dennis Manuel]

Sue, I have the StroboRack and because of the price I thought it would have at least as many features as the HD.

Can I download the Hudson pre-sets into the StroboRack?

[Sue Haslam]

Hi Dennis,

It is possible to manually enter Sid Hudson's offsets into the StroboRack. The StroboRack was designed 3 years ago.
The StroboPlus HD and the Stomp Classic are the only two tuners that were designed with an USB connection.

Please contact me directly when you are ready to enter the settings.

Thank you,
Sue
708-388-3311 x143
8 am - 4 pm CST

[Randy Gilliam]

Thanks Sue for the Help! Randy G.

[Ray Anderson]

That post is what's it all about. That was of great help and importance to me , Thanks Sid.

[David Hartley]

I'm with Sue from Peterson on this one.

They work out the box.

BUT... There's so many factors to make you want to alter a preset, one of which is bar pressure on different string gauges, how hard you pick when you play as opposed to tickling the string for a nice steady strobe, and of course all the mechanical and charactarist stuff that a steel guitar has, and our individual playing styles with all our inaccuracies with our bars..

Peterson presets win every time, tweak a preset if you wish, but it's a tweak to suit 'you' because of the above....

[Bill Ferguson]

I agree David. Been using Peterson tuners for years and they work right out-of-the-box for me

[James Flaherty]

Is there one for universal 12 string tuning?