Strobe tuner for iPhone
Needle tuners are great for getting in tune. A strobe tuner is for getting it exactly right: it shows movement for errors as small as a tenth of a cent, which is what you need to set intonation, check a new set of strings or tune for recording.
How it works
- Play a stringFRET detects which string you’re playing and shows the target note.
- Watch the bandsBands drift left when you’re flat and right when you’re sharp. The faster they move, the further off you are.
- Stop the motionTurn the peg until the bands freeze. Now you’re within a fraction of a cent.
Why a strobe tuner is more precise
A needle tuner rounds its reading to a whole cent and needs a moment to settle. A strobe display shows the difference between your note and the target as continuous motion: a band pattern that scrolls when the pitch is off and stands still when it matches. Your eye picks up very slow movement easily, so you can see errors far smaller than a needle can show — roughly a tenth of a cent.
That precision isn’t needed for everyday tuning — the free guitar tuner is plenty for that. It matters when tiny errors add up: across six strings and twenty frets.
What it’s for
Setting intonation
If your guitar is in tune on open strings but chords sound off higher up the neck, the intonation needs adjusting. With FRET’s strobe tuner:
- Tune the open string until the bands freeze.
- Play the same string at the 12th fret.
- If the bands drift right (sharp), move that string’s saddle back, away from the neck. If they drift left (flat), move it forward.
- Retune the open string and check again. Repeat for each string.
This is the job a strobe tuner was invented for — the full process is explained in the guitar tuning guide.
New strings and recording
New strings drift for hours as they stretch. A strobe shows that drift long before a needle does, so you can tell when a set has really settled — useful before a gig or a recording session. See when to change strings.
Bass, ukulele and alternate tunings
The strobe works with every instrument and tuning in FRET: guitar, 4- and 5-string bass, ukulele (standard, low G, baritone) and 18 tunings including drop D, DADGAD and open G. You can also change the A4 reference (for example to 442 Hz) when you play with other instruments.
Tip: pluck softly and let the note ring. Strobes react to the very start of the note, which is always a little sharp; the reading that counts is the one after the attack.
Needle or strobe?
| Needle tuner (free) | Strobe tuner (Pro) | |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday tuning | Ideal | Works, but more detail than you need |
| Precision | About ±1 cent | About ±0.1 cent |
| Intonation set-up | Approximate | Precise |
| Response | Settles in a moment | Shows motion instantly |
Both are in FRET; switch between them with one tap.
Questions
How accurate is FRET’s strobe tuner?
It shows pitch differences of about a tenth of a cent as moving bands, far finer than a needle display.
Can I set intonation with my iPhone?
Yes. Tune the open string, compare it with the 12th-fret note on the strobe and adjust the saddle until both freeze.
Does it work for bass and ukulele?
Yes, with all of FRET’s instruments and tunings, including 5-string bass and low-G ukulele.
Is the strobe tuner free?
It’s part of FRET Pro, which you can try free for 7 days. The needle tuner is free.