BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

For fans of synths, pianos or keyboard instruments of any sort.

Moderator: Moderators

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by The Elf »

blinddrew wrote:I really can't think of an occasion where I, or anyone I was playing with, was using an electronic tuner and it was anything other than perfectly in tune.

I'll send you a couple! There's one ancient, battered old Korg that is accurate. The rest are out by as much as a quarter tone. Unfortunately I don't own them or they'd have been in the bin years ago! ;)

As for those that sit on the headstock - you'd be more likely in tune just guessing...
User avatar
The Elf
Jedi Poster
Posts: 19938 Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2001 12:00 am Location: Sheffield, UK
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Ben Asaro »

The Elf wrote:
blinddrew wrote:
As for those that sit on the headstock - you'd be more likely in tune just guessing...


Those always struck me as being a gimmick. But I’ve never used one.
Ben Asaro
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2357 Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:00 am Location: NYC

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Drew Stephenson »

Ben Asaro wrote:
The Elf wrote:
blinddrew wrote:
As for those that sit on the headstock - you'd be more likely in tune just guessing...


Those always struck me as being a gimmick. But I’ve never used one.

I have a Snark one that's brilliant. It's also the only one that will handle the low E on a double bass.
I just find this fascinating as it doesn't tie in with my experience at all.
Weird.
To hand I have my Snark SN2 tuner, a Fender PR388 tuner pedal, a really old Korg tuner that the model number has long since been worn off( :) ) and an Intelli IMT-500 that I fished out a new battery for just to test this. Plus the app on my phone. They're all within a whisker of each other. A whisker being 1 or 2 cents. If that's not close enough I see where we're disagreeing. ;)
In fact, I've just checked with a different guitar that has a built in tuner, so that's six devices, and that's also fine.

I find this really odd.
User avatar
Drew Stephenson
Jedi Poster
Posts: 24450 Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:00 am Location: York
(The forumuser formerly known as Blinddrew)
Ignore the post count, I still have no idea what I'm doing...
https://drewstephenson.bandcamp.com/

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Ben Asaro »

I used a MIJ BOSS TU-2 for decades before it got thrashed in a flood at my rehearsal studio, and it also was very accurate.

So far, the TU-3S agrees with everything I've put through it, including digital synths (since it's in the signal path after the Blackhole, so everything passes through the tuner.

However, it's probably a great idea to make sure that everyone's tuners agree if you're playing in a band or ensemble, or use a single tuning source, as stated above, to weed out the odd chance that something will be off. Good tip, and one I will use henceforth, should I ever find myself playing with actual humans again! :D

Side note: I ran my Mother-32 through the tuner algorithm in the Disting Mk4 to see how it compared to the BOSS and the tuner in Logic, since it's a very coarse tuner imo, and it was within 3-4 cents of the other two, which are in total agreement.
Ben Asaro
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2357 Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:00 am Location: NYC

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by The Elf »

I'm genuinely pleased that your experiences don't match mine! :thumbup:
User avatar
The Elf
Jedi Poster
Posts: 19938 Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2001 12:00 am Location: Sheffield, UK
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Drew Stephenson »

The Elf wrote:I'm genuinely pleased that your experiences don't match mine! :thumbup:

So am I! :D
Jam sessions in the pub would be a nightmare if everyone was anything up to half-a-semitone out... and adamant that they were correct! :D
User avatar
Drew Stephenson
Jedi Poster
Posts: 24450 Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2015 12:00 am Location: York
(The forumuser formerly known as Blinddrew)
Ignore the post count, I still have no idea what I'm doing...
https://drewstephenson.bandcamp.com/

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by The Elf »

...and that's why tuning by ear is a skill everyone should develop.

Absolute tuning is not the be-all and end-all, but relative tuning is critical.
User avatar
The Elf
Jedi Poster
Posts: 19938 Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2001 12:00 am Location: Sheffield, UK
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Ben Asaro »

The Elf wrote:...and that's why tuning by ear is a skill everyone should develop.

Absolute tuning is not the be-all and end-all, but relative tuning is critical.

Mos def.
Ben Asaro
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2357 Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:00 am Location: NYC

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by Ben Asaro »

A rather prescient video from the great Pete Thorn on the subject, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEK-ZikFACc
Ben Asaro
Frequent Poster (Level2)
Posts: 2357 Joined: Thu Feb 26, 2009 12:00 am Location: NYC

Re: BOSS TU-3S: local tuning for my synths

Post by The Elf »

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Yep, tuning to a chord is something I do with guitarists constantly. Good find!
User avatar
The Elf
Jedi Poster
Posts: 19938 Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2001 12:00 am Location: Sheffield, UK
An Eagle for an Emperor, A Kestrel for a Knave.
Post Reply