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Topic: VS-II tuner |
Alan Shank
From:
Woodland, CA, USA
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Posted 10 Jun 2005 10:11 am |
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After reading a couple of posts praising the Peterson VS-II "Virtual Strobe" tuner a couple of weeks ago, I ordered one. It was out of stock, which is usually a good sign - lots of people are buying it. I got it a couple of days ago. Wow!
I don't want to get into a discussion of tuning with a tuner vs. tuning by ear, or ET vs. JI, etc. If you do use a tuner and don't tune every note straight up, this thing is right up your street!
I use a modified JI on E9 and Bob Lee's "Mean Tone" tempering for C6. When I tune, I have to refer to a chart that shows the offsets in cents from straight up for each string/pedal/lever and also which tuning nut controls that change. Yes, I could memorize this all, but then I change my tuning method every once in a while. I'd rather devote my mental effort to playing.
With the VS-II, however, you can program your own offsets into the device, so the machine compares your note to the offset for that note, rather than to straight up. The bands stop moving when your played note matches the offset. This way, you don't have to remember them. Now, all I have to remember or use the chart for is which tuning nut goes with that change.
It also has a builtin E9 and C6 set of offsets and several others.
It has a mic, so you can tune acoustic instruments, it can output tones, has a passthru so you can just plug your instrument into it and leave it there and runs on batteries or can be plugged in.
Supposedly, it's accurate to 1/10 cent. If so, it would be great for setting intonation on guitars, etc. There is a "quick-start" and a full manual, hard copy.
It's not cheap, around $200, but it's a great "toy."
Cheers,
Alan Shank |
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Jennings Ward
From:
Edgewater, Florida, R.I.P.
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Posted 10 Jun 2005 10:20 am
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AL, JUST A NOTE FROM MY EXP..... THE MORE YOU PLAY [ USE IT ] WITH IT THE BETTER YOU WILL LIKE IT.....DO LIKE I DID...CUT OUT THE STRING NO.S AND NOTES FRAOM A STRING PACKAGE AND TAPE IT UNDER THE STRINGS AT THE END OF THE FRETBOARD.. MARK YOUR DESIRED SETTINGS ON THAT , AND IT MAKES TUNING EASIER, LESS MEMORY WORK,, AFTER A WHILE IT WILL BECOME SECOND NATURE TO YOU,,,,I.E.= LIKE TUNING BY EAR OR PLAYING WITHOUT MUSIC.....HAVE FUN AND USE IT.......JENNINGS...PK;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
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EMMONS D10 10-10 profex 2 deltafex ne1000 pv1000, pv 31 bd eq, +
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Kevin Raymer
From:
Chalybeate, Kentucky, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2005 8:06 am
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Hi Guys,
I've got one of these, and I seem to have a hard time deciding when I've got the string in tune from the display.
Is there an easier way to use it, or could some of you experienced in its use give me some tips ??
Thanks,
Kevin
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Ron Randall
From:
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Jun 2005 5:14 pm
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fwiw
Pick gently.
Use the flesh of your finger, a soft attack works best.
Have a clean signal with no effects.
Look to stabilize the biggest bars because this is the pitch you are trying to match. The smaller bars are the octave harmonics.
For me, picking the harmonic at the 12th fret works quickest and easiest for me.
hope this helps
Ron
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rpetersen
From:
Iowa
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Posted 13 Jun 2005 6:03 pm
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I just purchased one and I play a Universal 12 - It seems the E9th tuning works fine but not so hot on the B6th side - Would It just be best to put my usual B6th settings in the C6th mode, or what has some of you done.
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Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
Mullen Universal 12 - 1975 Session 400 - Nashville 1000 - Nashville 112
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basilh
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 14 Jun 2005 1:50 am
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Just got one..."Simply the Best"
Baz |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 14 Jun 2005 2:27 am
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Hmmm, I was told to get all the bars as steady as possible to be in the most accurate tuning. I have several friends with VS=II tuners and that is how they do it too.
If I just get the "big bars" steady my guitar is not in tune. |
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Alan Shank
From:
Woodland, CA, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2005 8:50 am
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"Look to stabilize the biggest bars because this is the pitch you are trying to match. The smaller bars are the octave harmonics."
This is not always the case. Read the excellent documentation thoroughly; it addresses which bands to concentrate on for different note ranges.
Cheers,
Alan Shank
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Alan Shank
From:
Woodland, CA, USA
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Posted 14 Jun 2005 8:54 am
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"I just purchased one and I play a Universal 12 - It seems the E9th tuning works fine but not so hot on the B6th side - Would It just be best to put my usual B6th settings in the C6th mode, or what has some of you done."
The instruction book addresses this. There is a recommended way of using the two user-defined temperament settings for a Uni. That way, you don't mess with the pre-programmed C6 setting.
Cheers,
Alan Shank |
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