The Best of Both Phone, and Tablet
CNET Editors' review
AP Tuner takes a classic musician's instrument tuner and puts it on the computer, while adding a few extra, useful features. It offers a "note preset" function that allows musicians to tune to the standard notes used by their instruments, as well as customizable temperaments. It has a harmonic graph feature that shows the nearby harmonics of the note being played, aiding in more precise tuning adjustments. The interface is smart and straightforward, with menus and settings logically organized and easy to find. Our main objection was that it works only in standalone mode, without an option to be used as a DirectX or VST plug-in inside one of the most popular audio-editing programs. This drawback alone may keep it out of professional recording studios, but we would otherwise happily recommend it to computer-friendly musicians.
Publisher's Description
From Audio Phonics:
AP Tuner is a full feature chromatic tuner for your PC. The tuner is responsive and accurate (~0.1 cents). The detection algorithm has been improved to better find low and inharmonic notes. The tuning system is fully customizable with a custom temperaments and stretch tables, as well as adjusting Middle A. Finally, a new "harmonic graph" window has been added to assist in visualizing harmonic content over time.
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 57 votes
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Current version:
4.3 starsout of 57 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"MY GUITAR SOUNDS AMAZING!!!"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
Works with windows 7
very accurate
very useful if you don't want to buy a tunerCons
unpractical for touring use
make sure there's no background noise (not too bad though)Summary
This is THE best guitar tuner for windows!! I HIGHLY recommend it if you need an awesome guitar tuner for your computer!!!
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"Very accurate! GUI a li'l temperamental w/Windows 7 x64"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
Very accurate (1/10 cent). Thank you!!!
Cons
The center of the interface display appears transparent upon initial opening of program. Works perfectly after minimizing and then returning to normal size.
Summary
Very accurate (1/10 cent) Tuner!
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"crashes, not completely free"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
there were no pros that i could find
Cons
couldn't use, kept crashing
tried to trick me into installing some toolbar, i HATE that!
then begs me to register although i can try it free for ever.Summary
dont install
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"Thoroughly Confusing and Ineffective"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
I guess if you are a computer nerd with a PHD then all the dials and settings may mean something to you. If you want to just tune your guitar this is NOT the product for you.
Cons
Broke my string using this. I just want a light that goes green if I get it right. Tis just shows the note you play and gives no guidance on how to correct it. I tried for a LONG time to get an E2 but it just kept reporting other notes with no help.
Summary
Overly techy underly helpful.
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"THIS IS NOT FREE"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
None. This app is mislabeled and crashes under anything above Windows 95.
Cons
There is no trail. THIS APP COSTS $35. Also, it will not run under Windows 7 or Vista.
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"Crashes on load. XP netbook."
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
Can't load so can't tell
Cons
Doesn't load at all.
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"Great accurate tuner with BUZZ FEITEN tempered tuning"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
Very easy to use, works well with laptop mic input as well as with external sound card inputs... Is the ONLY computer based tuner I've found that has the BUZZ FEITEN tuning system offsets and its a free to use product.
Cons
the virtual needle can be difficult to read at certain angles of a laptop screen,, its a fairly basic looking program.
Summary
easy to use, easy to install and is highly accurate. This is a must if you have the buzz feiten tuning system installed on your guitar, the only other tuners which feature the offsets are quite expensive if you can find them at all - the korg DT-7 (out of production), peterson strobostomp and a planet waves model that has been plauged with reliability issues. The programs looks a little like a highschool programing project, but the interface is quite easy to use - much more important to me than cosmetics.
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"Fantastic now that I got it to work on one of my PCs"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
Accurate; simple or detailed with graphs; Can add string presets (I did for a ukulele); accurate (yes I said it again)
Cons
None, however program doesn't start on my XP PC (works on my Vista laptop) I'll have to try reinstalling
Summary
This program is just a tuner and has every option I can imagine in a tuner: instrument presets; intonation presets; sound wave graphs and simpler note meter and volume level; ........The algorithm for detecting the octave of the note and not the harmonics must be very good (it only jumped an octave occasionally on the high string of my uke, and not at all on my guitar)
I still couldn't get v3.06 to work on my XP box. Downloaded v3.08 from the author's website and that works. It works well even though that computer has a ton of noise in the built-in sound card.
Updated on Jul 30, 2010 -
"Crashes instantly on my XP computer"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
None that I'm aware of
Cons
Crashes right away :(
Summary
Like a car without a steering wheel. Crash!
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"Good little tuning utility"
Version: AP Tuner 3.06
Pros
I have used this little app on two different laptops to tune various guitars and it does wonders and gets very finite on tuning. Works really well for the small system footprint it leaves. Plus come on its free, can't go wrong with free right?
Cons
Might not be totally user friendly to someone who doesn't know tuning specifics at least the basics anyway. Had to adjust my mic settings but given i used the built in on my laptop and still got decent tuning I was happy. Outside mic would be wise.
Summary
Over all the tuner does what you need without alot of fuss or un-needed add-on items. I am one of those people who is of the mentality that on some things (such as a simple guitar tuner) less is more. This is definately executed well in this program. It doesn't really have a learning curve cause if you are tuning your own gear and know enough to do it then it is basically a given you will know your notation for tuning and be able to use this relatively easily. The fact that it can be used on various instruments and gives such adjustability is really a nice thing too. Like I say for what it is and what little system footprint it requires you can't go wrong with it. There may be flashier tuners out there but this app gets the job done well for any body needing a tuner in a hurry for free.
