PolyTune Accuracy

[h4ck.b0x7]

I was browsing around TC Electronic's site and notice the PolyTune 3 has a strobe accuracy or ±0.1 cents. What surprised me was that the PolyTune clip offers 5 times better accuracy at ±0.02 cents.

Does anybody have any insight as to how the clip-on would offer better accuracy?

 

[crossroader]

Using more accurate processing algorithms would be one way.

I'm guessing those algorithms - and that accuracy - will show up in the next generation of pedal tuners.

 

[String Tree]

I was browsing around TC Electronic's site and notice the PolyTune 3 has a strobe accuracy or ±0.1 cents. What surprised me was that the PolyTune clip offers 5 times better accuracy at ±0.02 cents.

Does anybody have any insight as to how the clip-on would offer better accuracy?

.02 is more accurate than .1.

 

[BigDaddyLH]

.02 is more accurate than .1.

What, like 5 times more accurate?

 

[TheGoodTexan]

.02 is more accurate than .1.

I think that's what he said.

Maybe.

 

[boris bubbanov]

Most likely, the two products have different products up against them in competition. There's really nothing useful about these claims of accuracy - this is about having numbers that are equal to or better than the other guy you're being compared to.

To me, of all the "Guitar Stuff" out there, the importance of e-tuners is the thing that's the most overstated. People don't listen to your performance by means of an e-receiver - they enjoy using their human ears, and in some ways use the ears of the others in the audience "Did you find Steve's part was ugly sharp?" "Why yes I did; his monitor must be out".

The only reason we use them is, sometimes it is just so loud you could never hear. Yeah, you gotta learn how to use it before you actually need it. Otherwise, PUT THE E-TUNER AWAY!!

 

[notmyusualuserid]

If you can hear the difference between 0.1% and 0.02%, you're a dog.

 

[beninma]

These super accurate claims are only in the strobe modes... and they're not that easy to use, or neither of my guitars have tuners that have fine enough adjustment.

I have a Polytune 3 and I used the strobe mode once to try it out and went right back to the needle mode. The needle mode is plenty accurate as far as I can tell and it's rock solid and gets you in tune really fast with no "jumping" of the needle.

IMO you need a better screen like the Peterson devices for strobe mode to be enjoyable to use.. the display setup on the Polytune isn't that great for it I guess. I have the Peterson strobe app on my iPhone for use in a pinch, it's better than almost any other iPhone app I've tried, but I still never actually manage to get the display to "stop" perfectly in tune, just like the Polytune 3's strobe mode. Maybe I just have never tried a guitar with "god mode" tuners that would allow you to take advantage of these super accuracy claims.

 

[TheGoodTexan]

Most likely, the two products have different products up against them in competition. There's really nothing useful about these claims of accuracy - this is about having numbers that are equal to or better than the other guy you're being compared to.

I remember one time years ago, someone put out a car stereo power amp with an advertised S/N ratio of 140db. Being into car audio at the time, I really, really, really wanted that amp.

But my dad explained... Once you can't hear something (S/N ratio 100db?) it no longer matters how much quieter they make it... you can't hear something less than not being able to hear it. So... it just becomes an advertising game.

But I still wanted that amp (never got it).

 

[Tele1966]

I was browsing around TC Electronic's site and notice the PolyTune 3 has a strobe accuracy or ±0.1 cents. What surprised me was that the PolyTune clip offers 5 times better accuracy at ±0.02 cents.

Does anybody have any insight as to how the clip-on would offer better accuracy?

TC Electronic states, "Through a massive engineering feat we managed to condense our proprietary PolyTune algorithm, shrink key components and increase battery life all while creating a tuner more powerful than any PolyTune released before it. The new tuning standard has just been defined and its name is PolyTune Clip!"

I own two of them and I love the product. It is so great to strum open strings all at once and tune very quickly.

 

[Dunnigan]

140dB S/N ratio doesn’t help much when you have 70-80 dB of engine and road noise.

 

[Obsessed]

I like my Polytune2, but I don't worry too much about accuracy unless I'm adjusting intonation and then I use a handheld Korg tuner. I end up always tuning my B string a little flat. "Little" is a technical term, doncha know?

 

[Hexabuzz]

Also, unless it's a Peterson or a Turbo Tuner, even if they call it a "strobe" and change the display, it's not a true strobe tuner.

I'm not in any way saying that it's inaccurate, or not doing it's job, but the "strobe" claim is pure marketing.

 

[h4ck.b0x7]

Also, unless it's a Peterson or a Turbo Tuner, even if they call it a "strobe" and change the display, it's not a true strobe tuner.

I'm not in any way saying that it's inaccurate, or not doing it's job, but the "strobe" claim is pure marketing.

The ST-300 is my main tuner. I have the full-size and mini.