Guitar tuner input microphone

wiredmonkey · 1st November 2009, 04:18 AM

Hey all,

Just wondering if the type of input microphone makes any difference in tuning an instrument?

As far as I understand, the only thing that will change between different microphones is the sensitivity at different frequencies. I can't see why a different microphone would make any difference in tuning only.

Please let me know if I'm completely off the mark and why

Nigel Goodwin · 1st November 2009, 03:31 PM

It wouldn't, acoustic tuners will almost certainly just use a cheap electret mike insert.

wiredmonkey · 1st November 2009, 09:48 PM

Thanks thats what I thought.

The reason I asked is I recently bought a guitar tuner app (strobosoft) on my iphone and I'm pretty confident it would work just as well as the standalone store bought digital tuner (using an ADC of same resolution) which costs significantly more. If both devices are displaying frequencies based on an ADC the mic shouldnt make a diff in this context.

Frankly, either way, I'm extremely happy with the software but I just needed to clarify this prior to getting back on my high horse :P

Enzo · 3rd November 2009, 05:46 AM

An iphone app is cheaper than a basic digital tuner? Times they are a-changin'

What makes a cheap mic cheap is usually a poor response curve - it responds to some freqs more than others. But it doesn;t usually CHANGE the freqs it picks up, it just picks up some louder than others. The freq measuring circuit doesn;t care about that.

The old Conn strobe tuners all came with a desperately cheap crystal mic. Honestly it worked better than a "good" mic as it had a hotter output.

wiredmonkey · 3rd November 2009, 08:57 PM

Thanks Enzo, thats what I thought too. It;s just that after constant debates with muso's about such issues you (almost) begin to doubt yourself

I guess its a perceived quality thing. the standalone unit is around $500AUD and the app is $12AUD. Both use the same algorithm and display interface (I assume). The only bit i could see making a diff is the ADC to feed into whatever is driving the display.

1st November 2009, 04:18 AM	#1
wiredmonkey diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Guitar tuner input microphone Hey all, Just wondering if the type of input microphone makes any difference in tuning an instrument? As far as I understand, the only thing that will change between different microphones is the sensitivity at different frequencies. I can't see why a different microphone would make any difference in tuning only. Please let me know if I'm completely off the mark and why

1st November 2009, 03:31 PM	#2
Nigel Goodwin diyAudio Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: North Derbyshire	It wouldn't, acoustic tuners will almost certainly just use a cheap electret mike insert. __________________ Nigel Goodwin

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1st November 2009, 09:48 PM	#3
wiredmonkey diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Thanks thats what I thought. The reason I asked is I recently bought a guitar tuner app (strobosoft) on my iphone and I'm pretty confident it would work just as well as the standalone store bought digital tuner (using an ADC of same resolution) which costs significantly more. If both devices are displaying frequencies based on an ADC the mic shouldnt make a diff in this context. Frankly, either way, I'm extremely happy with the software but I just needed to clarify this prior to getting back on my high horse :P

3rd November 2009, 05:46 AM	#4
Enzo diyAudio Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lansing, Michigan	An iphone app is cheaper than a basic digital tuner? Times they are a-changin' What makes a cheap mic cheap is usually a poor response curve - it responds to some freqs more than others. But it doesn;t usually CHANGE the freqs it picks up, it just picks up some louder than others. The freq measuring circuit doesn;t care about that. The old Conn strobe tuners all came with a desperately cheap crystal mic. Honestly it worked better than a "good" mic as it had a hotter output.

3rd November 2009, 08:57 PM	#5
wiredmonkey diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2006	Thanks Enzo, thats what I thought too. It;s just that after constant debates with muso's about such issues you (almost) begin to doubt yourself I guess its a perceived quality thing. the standalone unit is around $500AUD and the app is $12AUD. Both use the same algorithm and display interface (I assume). The only bit i could see making a diff is the ADC to feed into whatever is driving the display.

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