Question about Peterson's StroboClip Clip-On tuner

abundrefo

Hello,

I've just purchased a StroboClip Clip-On tuner.
They offer some presets and Sweeteners that cover a large variety of instruments.

I started by choosing the HRN Sweetener mode (HRN = Brass & Woodwind) and clipped it on the bell of my Adams A6 trumpet.

I also have the iStroboSoft Application for the iPad and I tested both side to side.

I was intrigued by the fact that the StroboClip tuner in the HRN Sweetener mode locked in in a perfect A=440Hz just when the iStroboSoft Application for the iPad was showing a low pitch A=435Hz

Which device should I trust?

In order to use the StroboClip Clip-On tuner, I have to open my main tuning slide more than usual (about 7/8 inches) and therefore it is telling me I'm playing a lot high on the pitch. When playing with my teacher, during classes, I usually set my main tuning slide close to 5/8 inches at the most.

Could I be doing something wrong with the way I'm using the StroboClip Clip-On tuner?

I contacted the Peterson company to ask them about this subject and I'm still waiting for their answer. In the meantime, I'd like to know if any of you guys experienced this before and and what's your opinion about what happened to my during this test.

Thank you.

abundrefo · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:25 am Post subject:

UPDATE: I tested StroboClip Clip-On tuner with the EQU mode (Standard tuning temperament suitable for regular or alternate tunings, 100 cent intervals - no “Sweetening”) and it matched the reading I get with the iStroboSoft Application for the iPad.

This tells me that the iStroboSoft Application for the iPad is using EQU as a standard mode.

But why would the HRN Sweetener mode, that's advertised as being suited for the trumpet, is telling me I'm awfully high on the pitch?

abundrefo · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:47 am Post subject:

UPDATE 2: Very interesting... the HRN Sweetener mode only seem to work properly when playing loose notes (no valves pressed down).

Rapier232 · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:36 pm Post subject:

I find the iPad version to match the other four tuners I own exactly.
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RandyTX · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 12:47 pm Post subject:

Don't blame the tuner if your horn doesn't match it.

Get a signal generator (or find a piano tuner) if you want to test the tuner. A trumpet is probably the last thing you want to test a tuner with.

homebilly · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:07 pm Post subject:

my horn was tuned at the factory!
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abundrefo · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 4:21 pm Post subject:

homebilly · Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:08 pm Post subject:

I bought a Snark and can't stand it. built cheap and can't calibrate it for trumpet.
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lipshurt · Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:08 am Post subject:

The website says that the horn setting is "just intonation" with 5th, 4th, and major and minor 3rd settings for each key. There is not a way to which key you want, so it must automatically chose a key. Sounds iffy.

I have found that if you use an equal temperament tuner while recording it sounds good. You don't really keep that thing exactly on the zero anyway, and you ear gets you the rest of the way to where it pops. The tuner just is there to make sure no really weird issues start happening.

I like the person app on the iPhone sitting on the music stand while recording. The display is big in the corner of your eye, and the it works its really easy to combine with your ear when reading parts and adjusting on the fly. And then the playback sounds very in tune, and it all seems pretty natural when you do it. When its clipped to the bell its too close for my eyes:)

If you are recording with a horn section, the iPhone still just picks up your sound even though there are other horns right next to you. Works great
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lipshurt · Posted: Fri Jul 05, 2013 2:39 pm Post subject:

Ok, so I bought the stroboclip clip from Peterson becuase I was intrigued about the "sweetened" setting for horn players. Was hoping it was an octave stretching scheme which would be quite nice.

Nope.

All it is, is "just" intonation, which only works in one key, and you can't change the key center, or even figure out what the preset key center even might be.
It looks like maybe the key of F, but in any event its a worthless feature for horn players. So much for that.

The upside is that in equal temperament mode it works great, and the display is relly stable. But all it is is the iphone app in a a clip on housing and working on vibration. I paid 80 bucks and the retail price was 99 bucks. That is way too much for no usable "sweetener" settings, but I'm going to keep it, and not recommend it with any enthusiasm.

Peterson should be more upfront about the sweeteners settings. I did a LOT of research before buying it. The only way to find anything about the unit was to to try it and compare to the Peterson iPad app. I suppose I could have tried it first for an hour before buying it, but that is kind of..... I don't know, just bought it to give it a shot. Overpriced to say the least, but it does work well in equal temp mode.
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lipshurt · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 9:41 am Post subject:

Ok a few weeks into the person tuner and I can give a pretty thought review.

The things works just like any tuner, but costs FIVE TIMES more. And the battery only last about two hours. I've gone through like 5 batteries already, and only really used it 5 times. HUH?

Don't buy it. I might even complain to the Peterson company. Its just not good enough. The main selling point of course is the sweetened tuning settings, which are worthless for horn players. That setting is a nightmare, and nowhere in the documentation does it say that is only works in one key. Its a joke, and Peterson is being less than honest selling this thing the way they are. Its just a clip on tuner, that costs a hundred bucks that you have to change the battery every session.

Sucks
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Crazy Finn · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:29 am Post subject:

Good to know.
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TrentAustin · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 11:38 am Post subject:

lipshurt · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

The app is awesome and when you are recording a loud horn section the iPhone running the app isolates just your trumpet sound every time if its sitting on you music stand. I was doing a session and with the clip on tuner clipped to my bell, every time the Bari player next to me played a low note the tuner registered his note instead of mine. That's with a clip on! The iPhone running the app even beats it for isolation in a section.

A guy from Peterson got back to me to say the battery should last more than two hours.
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Brad361 · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:32 am Post subject:

I also have the iPhone app, and as Trent said, I use it all the time; every weekend. VERY handy.

Brad361
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Mnc · Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2013 6:19 am Post subject:

I have a Snark which I use only for my guitars and banjo, I don't
believe they are intended for wind instruments. For my horn I use a
Korg which seems to be about the best tuner I have used.

ayryq · Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2019 11:46 am Post subject:

(I know, ancient post, but it was one of only a couple google results about this "HRN" mode)

Today I got the StroboPlus HD and also wondered how to use the sweetener for "any key" so I emailed Peterson support. After about an hour they wrote back:

BraeGrimes · Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2019 9:47 pm Post subject:

mm55 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 Jul 2013 Posts: 1412