Beautiful guitar playing requires not only talent and skill, but also its correct tuning is important. To choose the right guitar tuning app, it is important that it correctly determines the string frequencies. It is desirable that it provides tuning recommendations. The presence of additional functions, such as a metronome, can be a plus.
All apps in the review were tested for note detection accuracy (how it was) with the help of perfect sound on the site PickupMusic.
Tuner — Pitched!
I liked that the app gives recommendations. For example, if a string sounds too high or low, it will tell you what to do: loosen or tighten the string.
It is possible to select the type of guitar. During the setup, a graph is displayed, which helps to visually assess the correctness of the strings' tuning. Additionally, you can adjust the microphone sensitivity, pitch, instrument transposition and choose whether to display flats or sharps.
Another useful feature is the ability to lock a specific note. If you want to tune the rest of the strings without paying attention to a specific note, you can simply lock it.
And there is a minimal amount of advertising here.
Available for Android.
Perfect Tuner
The free version provides access to only six settings for a six-string guitar. However, the paid version already has 398 settings. In addition to the guitar, there are also settings for the ukulele, balalaika, domra and other instruments. It is worth noting that creating custom settings is only possible in the paid version, which costs 149 rubles per month.
There is a built-in metronome with the ability to choose one of six sounds. There is also a library of chords, but it is limited to only major and minor. However, I really liked the fact that it shows which finger each note corresponds to.
Advanced settings allow you to adjust concert pitch, musical temperament and transposition. There are also presets that can be saved and loaded.
Cons: a lot of ads that show up between section transitions, and the vibration function in the metronome didn't work for me.
Available for Android.
Universal Tuner
The large selection of presets makes this app really attractive. There are 13 presets for the six-string guitar, among which you can find such settings as perfect fourths between strings, lowering the base string by two tones. There are also presets for bass guitar, balalaika, ukulele and other instruments.
It is possible to select the frequency of the note "A" in the first octave or enter the value manually. In addition, the application allows you to transpose the instrument. You can raise or lower the instrument's pitch by a half tone or up to 12 semitones.
Available for Android.
Beginner Guitar Tuner
And here, there is a really large selection of presets. There are as many as 24 presets available for a six-string guitar, and there are also options for a seven-string and eight-string guitar. I especially liked the ability to mark the presets I liked with a star. It is possible to listen to an example of the sound of each note in a perfect performance.
There is a button in the upper right corner that activates the automatic note detection function. Of course, if you prefer to tune your guitar manually, you can easily turn it off.
In the settings, you can select Russian, as well as determine the language of note notation. There are standard, German and Solfeggio (notation of notes using syllables). In addition, the application allows you to adjust the main frequency from 420 to 460 Hz and specify the sensitivity.
Available for Android.
Soundcorset Tuner
The application allows you to customize the display of notes as a graph, as well as select solfeggio, specify the desired frequency and set the transfer. There is a built-in tuning fork and metronome, which allows you to specify the number of beats and set the desired rhythm. If desired, you can activate the flash and vibration.
Cons: Doesn't allow you to choose the type of guitar.
Available for Android.
Guitar Tuner: Easy Tuning
This is an example of minimalism. There are no unnecessary elements, the application concentrates on only one task - to display the played note. There is only one additional function - the ability to choose the guitar tuning. Although the free version has only about 20 tunings, the paid version offers about 30.
Available for Android.
Timbro Guitar
Suitable for those who are just starting to learn to play the guitar. Unlike other apps in the review, which focus on tuning, here it is only part of the app. The main goal is learning.
For example, there is a chord trainer where you can practice positions on the fretboard. There is also a music theory and ear trainer that will help you better understand the basics.
If you are a beginner, try Timbro.
Available for Android.