Stroboscopic Tuner

Stroboscopic Tuner Free App

Rated 4.17/5 (744) —  Free Android application by Adam Foster

About Stroboscopic Tuner

A free strobe tuner (or stroboscopic tuner - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strobe_tuner#Strobe_tuner ) is a musical instrument tuner that works differently to other type of electronic tuners.

To use the strobe tuner, select the desired note and observe the pattern created when playing. Rotation indicates that the note is sharp (clockwise) or flat (anticlockwise). The faster the rotation, the more out-of-tune. This rotation is very precise and gives a much more accurate result when compared to ordinary electronic tuners. Each ring on the disc corresponds to a partial above the fundamental (the two inner rings are below the fundamental) and can be used to tune instruments with many partials.

Configuration options
* Note and octave selection
* A4 = 440Hz (adjustable in fractions of a Hz)
* Mask aperture size (to adjust the pattern clarity)
* Noise threshold (to block out background noise)
* Frequency Calibration (adjusts in 0.1c increments to a specific device or instrument)
* Auto-detect note

This strobe tuner is not like some others around that "emulate" a "strobe display". This tuner has an internal model of virtual wheels and flash lamps that actually perform the same process that a real strobe tuner would do.

This free app is ad supported, so internet access is required. An unlock key is available on the market to remove ads, enable colour picking, and enable selecting of temperament (e.g. Equal, Just, Kirnberger, Werckmeister, Young). The free version must also be installed. Get it at http://market.android.com/details?id=net.adamfoster.android.strobe.key

Please contact me at strobe@adamfoster.net if you have any questions or find any bugs.

How to Download / Install

Download and install Stroboscopic Tuner version 1.4 on your Android device!
Downloaded 100,000+ times, content rating: Not rated
Android package: net.adamfoster.android.strobe, download Stroboscopic Tuner.apk

All Application Badges

Free
downl.
Android
2.1+
Bug
buster
n/a
Not
rated
Android app

App History & Updates

What's Changed
1.4
Added temperaments "Bach/Lehman" and "Vallotti" by request
Added "keyboards" for guitar and bass guitar users.
1.3
Bug fix for crashes
1.2
Added temperaments for paid users.
Allowed swipe up/down and left/right gestures for free users.
Compiled with 4.1 ADK
1.11
Fixed bug with error message creation.
Fixed move to SD permissions.
1.1
Added colour picker and swipe up/down to change octave and left/right to change note for paid users.
Allowed auto-detect for free users.
More downloads  Stroboscopic Tuner reached 100 000 - 500 000 downloads
More downloads  Stroboscopic Tuner reached 50 000 - 100 000 downloads
More downloads  Stroboscopic Tuner reached 10 000 - 50 000 downloads
Version update Stroboscopic Tuner was updated to version 1.4

What are users saying about Stroboscopic Tuner

K70%
by K####:

Terrifically useful! Also used it to check turntable speed using a test record with a 1khz tone by resetting A to 1khz. One request.. make the type at the center of the disc a bit larger- very hard to read. Thanks for a great app though!!

E70%
by E####:

Since a real strobe tuner costs quite a bit of money, this is a really cool alternative. No bothersome advertisements either! This tuner is so sensitive and flexible enough that I can even use it to tune harmonica reeds. It's great for my 12-string guitar too. Excellent if you want a very sensitive tuner for acoustic instruments or instruments with 'permanent' tunings. There's lots of different adjustments at your fingertips too--you can even change the background color of the wheel! Awesome app!!!

S70%
by S####:

Used to have a old strobe that I let go years ago. I kick myself in the deriere every time i think about it. I stumbled upon this app and thought no way it could even hold a flame to the old heavy box i used. I was completely wrong. It is way better than any of the, 5 give or take a couple, chromatic tuners i own today. VERY NICE! Hats off gentlemen! I believe you got a winner! Please tell me it works just as well on the S7 edge i just purchased. Running on a S6 presently.

K70%
by K####:

I've used dedicated stroboscopic tuners before and this compares very favorably to them. The 180 Kilobyte-sized program is really quick to get started up and working. I bought the "key" to get rid of ads. I use it to tune my old electronic organ and help me tune my ocarina playing along the "breath curve" - agility/quickness being the key here.

K70%
by K####:

This app only works on low resolution devices. On my Galaxy Note 4 the "C#4" note readout is so small I have to hold the phone an inch from my face to even read it.

W70%
by W####:

Awesome tuner, always heard positive things of strobe tuners, you guys give me the opportunity to try it,I'm nothing short of impressed , most accurate tuner I've ever used, and no adds, I just had to rate it

U70%
by U####:

Wasn't only looking for a tuner but a tool to help set intonation. This app did the trick.

K70%
by K####:

This app is excellent but the size or the note name and frequency needs to be much larger. I also use this when hunting for feedback frequencies on live sound gigs. Screenshots show much larger font than actual app.

U70%
by U####:

Excellent real strobe tuner. Sitting side by side with my Peterson VS-II, with an acoustic guitar it locks on quicker and holds longer. It would be great to have the note it locks on to (or that is selected) light up on the keyboard, as well as Auto Detect light up when it's selected. The only real problem is the type in the middle of the wheel and around the wheel is too small to be legible, other than that this is a great app.

U70%
by U####:

Sure the other tuners are easier to use, but spend 2 minutes learning to use a strobe tuner and you won't go back to them.

N70%
by N####:

Since a real strobe tuner costs quite a bit of money, this is a really cool alternative. No bothersome advertisements either! This tuner is so sensitive and flexible enough that I can even use it to tune harmonica reeds. It's great for my 12-string guitar too. Excellent if you want a very sensitive tuner for acoustic instruments or instruments with 'permanent' tunings. There's lots of different adjustments at your fingertips too--you can even change the background color of the wheel! Awesome app!!!

T70%
by T####:

It flashes on and off too frequently it messes up my eyes it would be better if it stayed on without flashing like the R 450 tuner am a steel pan tuner and I have nearly all of the peterson range of tuners but this laptop tuner don't do me justice can it be modified to stay on without flashing on and off?

U70%
by U####:

Only works 4th octave and up. Useless for my DT bass.

Z70%
by Z####:

This seems to work just as well as my Peterson VSII virtual strobe. Awesome!

U70%
by U####:

Works good as for free....would be nice to have in options all the stretches for different piano types like the real Peterson has spinet console baby grand etc... I would pay extra for such addition because the Peterson cost around 700$ and it is a big tuner... it is more convinient to tune pianos from your phone

U70%
by U####:

Surprisingly accurate, especially for free. One less thing that I have to carry with me, just pull out the phone, 5 min later and 12 string in super-tune.

U70%
by U####:

Surely a demanding target audience, 4 my part it's just a little something extra to have around, and I can tell that it does function and even more so than I as yet fully understand. smart item

U70%
by U####:

This is a great app you just have to see how it works with your phone anyone who says this is no good just doesn't know what they're doing and you have to remember that with sensitive strobe tuners you can't have any background noise

L70%
by L####:

I have tuned pianos proffessionally for over 25 years. My Peterson 490ST strobe tuner conked out on me and I decided to try this one. It worked very well on all but the highest octave. I agree that a tone would be very useful. Also would like to see several stretch presets like peterson has.

U70%
by U####:

When I first downloaded, I set it next to my friends on his phone and there was no similarity between the two. Then he must have calibrated it, when I came back, they were both the same. So it's works! It's just a little finicky

U70%
by U####:

Does what it says. Unfortunately, the font size for the selected pitch is incredibly small. Flat & sharp are unreadable. Strange, since it looks plenty large enough in the screen shots here.

U70%
by U####:

Just stumbled on this looking for a decent tuner app. A strobe tuner? Had know idea it would be this good. I did find with the ap on my phone I had to put it right in front of the amp for the app to get a decent level and keep the display up. Then again, that may just be because it's totally free. Even so, I was so impressed I did the intonation on 3 of my guitars in one go. great results. Thanks

W70%
by W####:

I automatically like it, because the only permission that requires is the microphone. In addition, the stroboscopic is the best, this is the way to go. Plus, this is free, plus, this is chromatic all instruments, and I am surprised this is not up to 50 million downloads yet.

U70%
by U####:

I build guitars in my spare time. I use this quite a bit and it works great for general tuning and setting up intonation. Thanks Adam Foster!

U70%
by U####:

The tuner works well..Make sure you have a sensitive enough mic to detect the sound from the instrument you are tuning...crk

Z70%
by Z####:

This is an awesome strobe tuner for bass or guitar.

R70%
by R####:

I was VERY skeptical about an app on my phone even coming close to being as accurate as the latest, greatest digital tuners for my guitars. I was SHOCKED after tuning with the strobe, then clamping on my spendy digital tuners, and my guitar was tuned PRECISELY, according to both my Sabine and Korg tuners. I could even HEAR the difference. I've been playing for 45yrs and as I said, I was shocked, but also very pleased. Great app man. Great app. I'm still shaking my head in disbelief. Thanks

T70%
by T####:

Dare I say I prefer this tuner to the much more expensive and name brand Peterson Strobe tuner app? Yes.

T70%
by T####:

I have been using this app with my trombone and it works very well. Definitely recommend for brass and wind players

T70%
by T####:

Either gStrings tuner S3 phone or Stroboscopic tuner Tab10.1 is 25cents different for A440, suspect Stroboscopic

T70%
by T####:

Do you see what I did there in the title of this review? Anyway, this is the kind of app that smart phones were intended to run. It works exactly like one would hope/expect, which is awesomely!

G70%
by G####:

Coolest thing in a while.

F70%
by F####:

Great for setting up the intonation on my guitar. Works wonderfully for my 12 string.

T70%
by T####:

I tried this app on a guitar then checked with my actual Peterson Strobe. This app was almost dead on. I have to say impressive! Especially since it's free.

T70%
by T####:

I love this app it works well with band I highly recommend it for all bands

T70%
by T####:

I play the French horn and I'm always playing out of tune and it's not perfect but works pretty darn well for what it is.

K70%
by K####:

Easy to use and studio quality tune.

T70%
by T####:

Great tuner.......need i say anymore

Y70%
by Y####:

I play the cornet and it only seems to work for guitar and piano. Can u add things like trumpets, and other marching/ concert band instruments please. It would help everyone.

R70%
by R####:

Terrifically useful! Also used it to check turntable speed using a test record with a 1khz tone by resetting A to 1khz. One request.. make the type at the center of the disc a bit larger- very hard to read. Thanks for a great app though!!


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Rating Distribution

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4.25
744 users

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