Overview#
Fine Tuner is a tuning application for musical instruments. It listens to the sound captured by the device, detects the played note in real time and shows whether it is in tune, too high or too low.
The application offers:
- many instruments and tunings
- a chromatic mode to tune any note
- a precise display of the deviation in cents
- historical temperaments in addition to equal temperament
- a choice of reference frequency
Quick start#
To tune quickly:
- Choose an instrument from the list
- Choose a tuning
- Start listening with the mic icon on the main screen
- Play a string or a note
- Adjust the instrument until the note is shown as in tune
The mic icon starts and stops listening. It does not have to be a microphone: it captures the selected input source (see Audio input source).
Choosing an instrument and a tuning#
The application groups instruments into families: guitars, basses, violins, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, historical instruments, and more.
Each instrument can offer several tunings:
- the standard tuning
- alternative tunings (for example Drop D or Open G for the guitar)
Chromatic mode#
Chromatic mode lets you tune freely, without a specific tuning target. The application detects the nearest note, whatever it is.
This mode is useful for:
- instruments not in the list
- tuning a precise note
- checking a pitch quickly
The tuning screen#
The main screen shows everything you need to tune:
- the detected note
- the target note to tune towards
- the deviation in cents from the correct pitch
- "too high" and "too low" indications
The closer the deviation in cents is to zero, the more in tune the note is.
At the top of the screen is a visualization area that can take several forms: dial, graph or spectrum (see The tuner views).
The tuner views#
The visualization area at the top of the screen offers three views. Swipe horizontally to move from one to another; dots indicate the active view, and the last view used is remembered.
Dial#
A needle centers when the note is in tune. This is the classic tuner view, ideal for a quick adjustment.
Graph#
A graph shows how the pitch evolves over time. It helps you see whether the note is stable or drifting, and to work on accuracy over time.
Spectrum#
The spectrum displays the frequency content of the captured sound (see The spectrum).
In landscape mode, the spectrum opens full screen for more detail.
Wide indicator#
Below the visualization area, a wide horizontal bar shows where you are relative to the target frequency. A marker centers when the note is in tune and moves away depending on whether you are below or above the target.
Its scale is deliberately wide: it stays readable even when you are far from the target, which helps you find your bearings and get closer before fine-tuning on the dial.
Dial and graph graduation#
The graduation (scale) of the dial and the graph is set in the preferences:
- Tuning accuracy (dial) sets the needle scale: a smaller value tightens the graduation and makes the display more precise and more sensitive, a larger value widens the covered range
- Tuning accuracy (graph) adjusts the graph scale in the same way
Choose a fine graduation for precise tuning, or a wider one to follow large deviations without saturating the display.
The spectrum#
The spectrum displays the frequency content of the captured signal: the fundamental frequency and its harmonics, with the note names marked on the frequency axis.
It lets you:
- visualize the harmonic richness of a sound
- locate the fundamental and its harmonics
- analyze a sound in detail
Handling the spectrum#
- Zoom: pinch with two fingers (or use the mouse wheel) to enlarge a frequency area
- Move: drag to move along the spectrum
- Lock: a button freezes the view so you can examine it without it scrolling; while the view is locked, swiping between views is disabled
- Help: a help button recalls the available gestures
On mobile, the spectrum is a premium feature: you can use it for free for about two minutes per 24-hour period, after which a screen offers to upgrade to the full version.
Automatic mode and locked note#
By default, the application is in automatic mode: it follows the played note and sets the target to the nearest note.
You can lock a note to tune towards a fixed target. In that case, the application no longer changes the target note as long as the lock is active.
Locking is useful to:
- tune a precise string without the target jumping
- work on a note that is hard to stabilize
Audio input source#
By default, the application captures the system's default audio input (usually the microphone). You can choose another source in the preferences.
Choosing the source#
In Preferences, the Input source setting lists the available inputs:
- the built-in microphone
- a USB audio interface
- a line-in input (if the system exposes it)
Select the desired source, then return to the tuning screen. A refresh button lets you list the devices again after plugging in hardware.
Plugging in an instrument#
To tune an electric instrument directly, an audio interface with an instrument input is recommended: the signal is clean and detection is more reliable than through the microphone.
A line-in input expects a line level (mixer, preamp, interface output). A guitar or bass with passive pickups plugged directly into a line-in gives too weak a signal: prefer an instrument (Hi-Z) input on an audio interface.
On mobile, with an adapter#
On mobile, a plugged-in interface or adapter is usually handled automatically by the system as the audio input. Capture then works without any particular setting in the application.
On some Android devices, the source list may be empty: the system's default input is used. Plug in your adapter and tuning will work through that input.
Reference frequency#
The reference frequency sets the pitch of A. The standard value is 440 Hz.
You can change it in the preferences, for example:
- 442 Hz, common in some orchestras
- 432 Hz, used by some musicians
All notes are recalculated according to this reference.
Temperaments#
In addition to the equal temperament used by default, the application offers historical temperaments:
- Equal: equal intervals, the modern standard
- Pythagorean: pure fifths
- Meantone: pure thirds
The temperament slightly changes the pitch of notes compared to equal temperament. It is selected in the preferences.
Circle of notes#
The circle of notes displays the twelve notes of the chromatic scale (C, C♯, D, D♯, E, F, F♯, G, G♯, A, A♯, B) arranged in a circle. It is a listening tool: it plays the notes to give you a sound reference and tune by ear.
Listening to a note#
Tap a note on the circle to hear it. It serves as a sound reference for tuning by ear.
This is useful to:
- give a reference note (for example A)
- tune by ear by comparing the instrument to the played note
- practice pitch recognition
Octaves#
The notes are available across several octaves. You can choose the octave to hear the note in the register that matches your instrument.
Instrument sound#
You can choose the instrument used to play the notes, so as to hear a tone close to your instrument rather than a simple beep. The available sounds are:
- Generated sound (pure tone)
- Piano
- Guitar
- Flute
- Violin
- Cello
Play modes#
In addition to the single note, the circle can play a chord built from the tapped note:
- Single note: plays only the tapped note
- Major: major chord, bright and open tone
- Minor: minor chord, darker tone
- Fifth: the note and its fifth, without the third (power chord)
- Major 7: major chord with a major seventh, soft tone
- Minor 7: minor chord with a minor seventh, soft tone
- Diminished: tense and unstable chord
- Sus2: the third is replaced by the second
- Sus4: the third is replaced by the fourth
Tap a note and the corresponding chord is played in full. This is handy to hear a chord or check a progression.
Chord modes require an available instrument sound. With a sound that does not allow it, they are disabled and only the single note is played.
Custom tunings#
You can create your own tunings when the instrument or configuration you want is not in the list. They are accessible from the menu.
Creating a tuning#
- Open custom tunings from the menu
- Create a new tuning
- Give it a name (15 characters maximum, unique)
- Add the notes one by one by entering their frequency
- Save
The name of each note and its octave are deduced automatically from the entered frequency, based on the reference frequency.
Managing the notes#
- Add: a tuning can contain from 1 to 99 notes
- Set the frequency: each note is defined by its frequency, between 20 and 5000 Hz
- Reorder: move a note up or down
- Delete: remove a note (at least one note must remain)
Edit or delete#
Your custom tunings appear in a list. Tap one to edit it, or delete it. A renamed tuning stays selected if it was in use.
Using a custom tuning#
Once saved, the tuning appears among your tunings and is selected like any other instrument to tune.
On mobile, creating and saving custom tunings is part of the full version.
Preferences#
The preferences let you adapt the application to your use. They are accessed from the menu.
Reference frequency#
Sets the pitch of A (440 Hz by default). See the Reference frequency section.
Temperament#
Chooses the temperament applied to the notes (equal by default). See the Temperaments section.
Input source#
Chooses the captured audio source: mic, interface, line-in. See the Audio input source section.
Tuning accuracy (dial) and (graph)#
Set the graduation of the dial and the graph. See the The tuner views section.
Detection sensitivity#
Sets the tolerance, in cents, within which a note is considered in tune. It is the width of the "in tune" zone shown on the dial and the graph: as long as the deviation stays within this zone, the note is validated.
Three values are offered:
- 5 c: demanding, for very precise tuning (experienced musicians, studio)
- 10 c: balanced, default value
- 15 c: tolerant, the note is validated more easily — handy for beginners
The smaller the value, the more precise the tuning must be to be judged in tune; the larger it is, the easier the tuning, but the less fine.
Amplitude gain#
Adjusts the sensitivity to the volume of the captured signal. Increase it if your instrument is quiet or if the note is not detected; reduce it if the signal saturates or if background noise triggers detection.
Note display type#
Chooses the convention used for note names:
- Standard: English notation (A, B, C, D, E, F, G)
- Latin: Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si
- Helmholtz: lowercase notation (c, d, e, f, g, a, b)
- Solmization: old notation (Ut, Re, Mi…)
- German: like English, with H for B
Accidentals#
Chooses the display of accidentals: sharps (♯) or flats (♭). The same note can thus be shown as C♯ or D♭.
Reset#
A button lets you restore all settings to their defaults.
Troubleshooting#
No microphone detected#
If the application reports that no microphone is detected:
- check that an input device is connected and enabled
- check the device's microphone access permissions
- check the default input device in the system audio settings
The note is not detected or the signal is weak#
- play a little louder or closer to the source
- increase the amplitude gain in the preferences
- check that the right input source is selected
Choosing the line-in or an interface#
If your line-in or interface does not appear in the source list:
- plug in the hardware then use the refresh button
- enable the device in the system audio settings if it is disabled
Mobile with an adapter#
- plug in the adapter or interface before starting to listen
- if source selection is not available, the system's default input is used
Tips#
For best results:
- tune in a quiet place to limit background noise
- for an electric instrument, prefer an instrument input over microphone pickup
- adjust the gain according to your instrument's volume
- use chromatic mode to check an isolated note
- lock the note to tune a string without the target changing
Support#
For any question, write to us at support@urionsoft.com.