TC Electronic PolyTune Poly-Chromatic Pedal Tuner

Product Description

Without proper tuning, you and your band-mates might as well stay at home, because no one wants to listen to a cacophony of discordant caterwauling when they came to see a rock show; so, tuning is important. But it's also a time sink, leaving lulls in your performance that can kill the connection you're trying to build with your audience. TC Electronic has addressed this issue with the PolyTune Poly-Chromatic Pedal Tuner, the world's very first polyphonic tuner.

See it in action in this video demo by Laura Clapp for Gearwire:

With a single strum of your guitar strings, the PolyTune instantly identifies which of your strings are out of tune to within +/- 1 cent and displays the results on its easy to read and interpret LED screen. That means that you no longer have to tune each string on its own, just hit them all once and you'll know instantly which of them, if any, need to be adjusted.

However, should you desire or need to tune each string, the PolyTune comes with a chromatic tuning function as well. An extremely sensitive algorithm--dubbed the "MonoPoly" feature--inside the unit identifies both polyphonic and monophonic sound. When a single string is plucked, the PolyTune switches to a standard chromatic tuning system that is accurate to within +/- 0.5 cents. Depending on your personal preference, the chromatic tuning mode can display either an oscillating needle that slows to dead center when your pitch is correct or a pattern of rotating lights that slow and eventually stop once your pitch is true.

But that is just the beginning of the devices features. The PolyTune can be set to tune either bass or guitar with equal accuracy and the reference pitch can be adjusted between 435-445Hz. Additionally, The PolyTune can be set for alternate tunings from E-flat to B, accommodating an enormous variety of playing styles and preferences.

The display screen features around 100 LEDs that automatically adjust their own brightness depending on the lighting in the room to optimize both battery life and visibility.

The total recall system remembers the last setting you used. Whether you've adjusted the reference pitch or tuning mode, the information is stored inside the PolyTune even when it has been turned off. Upon reactivation, the unit displays all its current settings, so you can instantly see whether its in bass or guitar mode or whether the reference pitch or tuning have been altered without having to needless flip through all its various settings.

The true bypass feature means that the PolyTune won't affect the purity or responsiveness of your sound.

Features:

-Polyphonic and chromatic tuning modes
-Needle and stream-mode chromatic tuning displays
-Accuracy in polyphony: +/- 1 cent, in chromatic mode: +/- 0.5 cents
-Reference pitch adjustable between435-445Hz.
-MonoPoly algorithm recognizes polyphonic and monophonic playing.
-Environment sensitive LEDs
-Requires 9v DC power supply
-True Bypass leaves your tone unaffected
-Alternative tunings selectable from E-flat down to B zZounds is an authorized dealer of TC Electronic and TC-Helicon products.

Specifications
Tuning Accuracy: +/- 0.5 cent

Reference Pitch: A4 = 435 to 445Hz (1 Hz steps)

Input Impedance: 500 k Ohm (pedal on)

Power Supply: One 9V type battery or AC adapter (9V DC), - sold separately

Current Draw: 45-50 mA (typical use)

Dimensions (WxDxH): 72 mm x 122 mm x 45 mm

Weight: 300 g/10.6 oz (incl. battery)

Included items: One 9V battery 2 pcs. 3M velcro for pedal board attachment

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 1 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 3 x 2 in

zZounds Expert Review

I've been playing guitar and bass for more than 15 years now, and for most of that time, a pedal tuner has been parked on my pedalboard. For as far back as I can remember, the pedal tuner of choice has been the Boss TU-2, but TC Electronic has released a new device that may just topple the giant. Like the TU-2, TC's PolyTune is a rugged, stage-ready pedal that offers reliable tuning at an affordable price, but it's the "Poly" part that gives this tuner a leg up on the competition.

As you probably know, most music is a DIY affair. Even if your next venue has wings, it's unlikely you'll have guitar and bass techs waiting in the wings to hand off a freshly strobe-tuned axe mid-set. One of the reasons pedal tuners are so popular is because you can tune right where you stand. But how long should it take? Usually, you finish the song (unless you're out of tune in the middle of the song), engage the tuner, then strike each string to check the pitch. By the stopwatch, it's not a lot of time, but when you're standing in silence up on stage in front of an antsy crowd, it can feel like an eternity. One of your bandmates makes a halfhearted attempt at witty banter, a drunken yahoo in the crowd yells "Freebird" like it's the first time ever, and pretty soon your fans have disengaged. Fortunately, you can tune up much faster with the PolyTune, because it displays the status of all your strings simultaneously. Strum, adjust, and you're back to the Rawk.

Feet-On Review

When I first heard about the concept of polyphonic tuning, I have to admit it sounded like some kind of gimmick, but after having used the PolyTune, I'm a believer. I am pretty compulsive about checking my tuning throughout a gig, and this pedal definitely kept me on-pitch with minimal interruption during the set.

Here's how it works: Stomp on the switch to engage the tuner, and you'll see six pairs of green dots, each pair representing one string. Next, strum all open strings on your guitar. If a string is flat, you'll see a pair of red dots light up below the green dots for that string. If a string is sharp, the red dots will appear above the green dots. Adjust your tuning pegs until all the red dots are gone, and you're done.

If at some point down the road you get a hankering for some single-string tuning nostalgia, the PolyTune won't mind. In fact, if you hit a single string instead of strumming, it automatically switches to Monophonic mode for you. The display shows the note name of the closest standard pitch, along with an indicator showing your relative distance from that pitch. You can choose from a "virtual needle" that swings vertical as you home in the pitch, or a strobe-style display with rotating lights that slow, then stop as you reach your objective pitch.

My Two Cents

As cool as the polyphonic mode is, it wouldn't mean a hill of beans if the accuracy weren't up to snuff. Rest assured, it is. If you're interested, tuning is measured in cents, with the distance between two frets (G-sharp to A-natural, for example) being 100 cents. For comparison, the ubiquitous TU-2 pedal mentioned earlier is accurate to +/- 3 cents. TC's PolyTune? It's accurate to +/- 0.5 cents. Imagine 200 ticks evenly spaced between the nut and the first fret on your instrument. If the PolyTune says you're dead-on, the farthest away you would be is one of those ticks.

If A-440 isn't your thing, the PolyTune allows you to change the reference pitch. Press the two function buttons on the back of the pedal and the display clearly shows the current reference pitch. You're then free to adjust from 435 Hz - 445 Hz.

An easy-to-read display is key for any gig-worthy pedal, and the PolyTune gets you the info you need in virtually any situation. The display screen contains a light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness to compensate for the conditions. If you're playing in a dark club, the LEDs are able to shine bright and clear at relatively low intensity. Move outdoors on a sunny day, and the display becomes brighter to compensate for the wash. I didn't try it in direct sunlight, but I did aim some bright spotlights at it and still had no trouble tuning up.

Pedal Powerful

When you're not tuning, that pedal is just sitting around like a lump, taking up valuable pedalboard real estate. Why not put it to work? Like the Boss TU pedals, the PolyTune has a built-in 9V power outlet capable of supplying the juice to up to seven additional 9V stomp pedals. If you're not running on wall power, you can drive the PolyTune with a single 9V battery, though be forewarned, it can be a pain to change. The battery compartment is accessible from the underside of the pedal, meaning you'll probably have to unstrap it from your pedalboard. Also, I felt the screw head is difficult to turn by hand, though it does have a nice, wide groove that will accommodate a coin or a heavy guitar pick, or something like that.

Side by side, I preferred the PolyTune's switching mechanism to the Boss pedal, and definitely appreciated its true bypass operation (the Boss pedal isn't true bypass).

The PolyTune doesn't support polyphonic alternate tuning, but you can detune in monophonic mode. From standard E on the guitar, you can go all the way down (by half steps) to B. Switch to bass mode, and you can use the PolyTune to keep your 4- 5- or 6-string bass on pitch. Sorry, 8-string basses, 7-string guitars, 12-string guitars, etc., are not supported.

You may be thinking "where do I sign", but keep in mind there is one fairly important feature missing from this tuner; namely the secondary output jack. Many guitarists use the secondary bypass as a rudimentary signal splitter or to run effects pedals in parallel, so if you fall into this camp, you may want to stick with your TU. Still, the upside with the PolyTune is good enough you may want to look for another way to skin that cat.

USB?

While the rear of the PolyTune does have an integrated USB port, TC's manual says it's only for maintenance. The internet is littered with hopeful speculation and wild innuendo regarding USB firmware updates, downloadable support for alternate tunings, and no doubt a smattering of conspiracy theories about the new world order keeping tabs on your intonation, but for now, it lies dormant... (or does it?)

The Verdict

Even if this rugged little box were just another mono-tuner, the accuracy, clear display, and true bypass switching would be well worth the sub-$100 price tag. Add in the polyphonic capabilities, and for my money the PolyTune is king of the hill.