Raw Tuner - Support Page
Raw Tuner is a professional-grade instrument tuning application that delivers precision accuracy in a beautifully simple interface. Built by Samuel Haddad-Bacry using cutting-edge web technologies (Pitchy.js, CapacitorJS, W3CSS framework) and powered by OnlineTuner.org, Raw Tuner provides musicians with concert-level tuning capabilities across multiple instruments and tuning configurations.
๐ Getting Started
First Time Setup
- Open Raw Tuner in your web browser or launch the app
- Grant Microphone Permission when prompted (required for audio detection)
- Select Your Instrument from the dropdown menu
- Choose Your Tuning (standard tunings are selected by default)
- Tap "Start Tuner" to begin tuning
Basic Tuning Process
- Play a note on your instrument near your device's microphone
- Watch the visual feedback - the needle/pitch ball shows how close you are to perfect pitch
- Tune your instrument based on the indicators:
- Green/Center = In tune โ
- Red/Left = Tune up (tighten string)
- Red/Right = Tune down (loosen string)
๐ต Supported Instruments & Tunings
Guitar
- Standard Tunings: Standard, Half-step down, One-step down
- Drop Tunings: Drop D, Drop C, Drop B, Drop A, Double Drop D
- Open Tunings: Open G, Open D, Open E, Open A, Open C
- Alternative Tunings: DADGAD, DADEAD, DADGBE, DGDGBD
- Specialized: New Standard, All Fourths, Major Thirds, Modal tunings
Bass Guitar
- 4-String: Standard (EADG), Drop D, BEAD, Half-step down
- 5-String: Standard (BEADG), High C (EADGC), Drop A
- Alternative: D Standard, C Standard, Tenor (ADGC), Fifths (CGDA)
Ukulele
- Standard: High G (GCEA), Low G, Baritone (DGBE)
- Alternative: Bass Ukulele (EADG)
Orchestral Strings
- Violin: Standard (GDAE)
- Viola: Standard (CGDA)
- Cello: Standard (CGDA, one octave lower)
Folk Instruments
- Mandolin: Standard (GDAE)
- 5-String Banjo: Open G, Double C, G Sawmill
- 4-String Banjo: Standard (CGDA), Irish, D tuning, C tuning
Chromatic Mode
- Universal tuning for any instrument or note
๐ง Features Guide
Visual Tuning Modes
Meter Tuner (Default)
- Needle Display: Shows pitch deviation like a traditional analog tuner
- Color Coding: Green center zone indicates perfect pitch
- Adjacent Notes: Shows neighboring semitones for reference
Slider Tuner
- Horizontal Bar: Linear pitch representation
- Pitch Ball: Moves left/right to show tuning accuracy
- Toggle: Use the switch in settings to change modes
Advanced Settings
A4 Reference Frequency
- Default: 440 Hz (concert pitch)
- Range: 370-480 Hz
- Adjustment: Use the slider to set your preferred reference
- Use Cases: Orchestra tuning, historical instruments, alternative tunings
Confidence Threshold
- Purpose: Filters out uncertain pitch detections
- Range: 0.9 to 0.999
- Lower Values: More sensitive, may show unstable readings
- Higher Values: More stable, requires cleaner input signal
Noise Gate
- Purpose: Eliminates background noise interference
- Range: -127 dB to 0 dB
- Usage: Increase in noisy environments
- Effect: Cuts off signals below the threshold
Tune By Ear Feature
Sound Generator
- Click Notes: Tap any note to hear the reference pitch
- Octave Control: Use +/- buttons to change octave range
- Triangle Wave: Clean, musical tone for easy pitch matching
- Auto-Stop: Sounds automatically stop after playing
String-Specific Notes
- Instrument Mode: Shows only the strings for your selected instrument
- String Numbers: Displays string position for easy reference
- Target Notes: Each button shows the exact note name and frequency
๐ Troubleshooting
Microphone Permission Issues
Problem: "Microphone Permission Required" Error
For iOS (iPhone/iPad):
- Go to Settings โ Privacy & Security โ Microphone
- Find "Raw Tuner" in the list
- Toggle the switch to enable microphone access
- Return to the app and try again
For Android:
- Go to Settings โ Apps โ Raw Tuner
- Tap "Permissions"
- Tap "Microphone"
- Select "Allow" or "Allow only while using the app"
- Return to the app and try again
For macOS:
- Go to System Settings โ Privacy & Security โ Microphone
- Find "Raw Tuner" in the list
- Toggle the switch to enable microphone access
- Return to the app and try again
For Windows:
- Go to Settings โ Privacy โ Microphone
- Ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is enabled
- Find "Raw Tuner" in the app list and enable it
- Return to the app and try again
Tuning Accuracy Problems
Problem: Unstable or Jumping Readings
Solutions:
- Increase Confidence Threshold (0.95-0.999)
- Adjust Noise Gate to filter background noise
- Move closer to the microphone
- Reduce background noise in your environment
- Play notes more clearly and sustain them longer
Problem: Notes Not Detected
Solutions:
- Check microphone permissions (see above)
- Lower Confidence Threshold (0.9-0.93)
- Increase volume of your instrument
- Ensure microphone isn't blocked or muted
- Try a different browser if using web version
Problem: Wrong Notes Detected
Solutions:
- Check instrument selection matches your actual instrument
- Verify tuning selection is correct
- Play single notes instead of chords
- Reduce overtones by playing closer to the bridge/soundhole
- Use fresh strings (old strings can have inharmonic overtones)
Performance Issues
Problem: Slow Response or Lag
Solutions:
- Close other browser tabs/apps to free memory
- Restart the app by refreshing the page
- Check internet connection for web version
- Update your browser to the latest version
- Try incognito/private browsing mode
Problem: App Won't Load
Solutions:
- Clear browser cache and cookies
- Disable browser extensions that might interfere
- Check internet connection
- Try a different browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Restart your device
Audio Quality Issues
Problem: Poor Audio Detection in Noisy Environments
Solutions:
- Increase Noise Gate setting (-20 dB to -10 dB)
- Use a quieter room for tuning
- Position instrument closer to microphone
- Use headphones to isolate your tuning
- Turn off fans, AC, or other noise sources
Problem: Microphone Picks Up Unwanted Sounds
Solutions:
- Adjust Noise Gate to filter low-level sounds
- Use directional microphone positioning
- Mute other sound sources (TV, radio, other instruments)
- Close windows to reduce outside noise
- Choose appropriate Confidence Threshold
๐ Language & Accessibility
Supported Languages
Raw Tuner is available in 11 languages:
- ๐บ๐ธ English
- ๐ช๐ธ Espaรฑol (Spanish)
- ๐ซ๐ท Franรงais (French)
- ๐ฉ๐ช Deutsch (German)
- ๐ต๐น Portuguรชs (Portuguese)
- ๐ฎ๐น Italiano (Italian)
- ๐น๐ท Tรผrkรงe (Turkish)
- ๐ฏ๐ต ๆฅๆฌ่ช (Japanese)
- ๐จ๐ณ ไธญๆ (Chinese)
- ๐ฐ๐ท ํ๊ตญ์ด (Korean)
- ๐ท๐บ ะ ัััะบะธะน (Russian)
To Change Language:
- Click the language dropdown (flag icon)
- Select your preferred language
- Settings are automatically saved
Theme Options
- Light Mode: Clean, bright interface
- Dark Mode: Easy on the eyes in low light
- Auto-Detection: Follows your system preference
- Toggle: Click the theme button (๐/โ๏ธ) to switch
โ Frequently Asked Questions
General Usage
Q: Do I need to install Raw Tuner? A: Raw Tuner works directly in your web browser. For mobile users, you can install it as a Progressive Web App (PWA) for offline access and a native app experience.
Q: Does Raw Tuner work offline? A: The core tuning functionality works offline once loaded. However, initial loading requires an internet connection.
Q: Can I use Raw Tuner with electric instruments? A: Yes! Raw Tuner works with both acoustic and electric instruments. For electric instruments, you can either:
- Tune acoustically (unplugged)
- Use an amplifier with the microphone
- Connect through an audio interface
Q: How accurate is Raw Tuner? A: Raw Tuner provides professional-grade accuracy suitable for live performance and studio recording. The precision depends on your device's microphone quality and environmental conditions.
Technical Questions
Q: What's the difference between Confidence Threshold and Noise Gate? A:
- Confidence Threshold determines how certain the algorithm must be before displaying a result
- Noise Gate cuts off all audio signals below a certain volume level
Q: Why should I adjust the A4 frequency? A: Different musical contexts use different reference pitches:
- 440 Hz: Standard concert pitch
- 442 Hz: Often used by orchestras
- 432 Hz: Alternative tuning preferred by some musicians
- Historical: Period instruments may use 415 Hz or other frequencies
Q: Can I save my custom settings? A: Yes! Click "Save" in the Advanced Settings section. Your preferences (including instrument, tuning, and technical settings) are automatically restored when you return.
Troubleshooting FAQ
Q: The tuner shows the wrong note for my instrument A:
- Verify you've selected the correct instrument and tuning
- Check if you're playing a harmonic instead of the fundamental note
- Ensure you're playing single notes, not chords
- Try adjusting the Confidence Threshold
Q: Why does the reading keep jumping around? A: This typically indicates:
- Background noise interference (increase Noise Gate)
- Uncertain pitch detection (increase Confidence Threshold)
- Multiple sound sources (isolate your instrument)
- Poor microphone conditions (move closer, reduce noise)
Q: The app says "Wait" but never starts tuning A: This usually indicates a microphone permission issue:
- Check browser/app permissions for microphone access
- Ensure no other applications are using the microphone
- Try refreshing the page or restarting the app
- Check if your browser supports Web Audio API
๐ Technical Information
Technologies Used
Core Technologies:
- Pitchy.js: Advanced pitch detection algorithms
- CapacitorJS: Cross-platform app framework
- W3CSS: Responsive design framework
- Web Audio API: Real-time audio processing
Audio Processing:
- FFT Size: 4096 samples
- Sample Rate: 44.1kHz (standard)
- Frequency Range: 20Hz - 10kHz
- Latency: <50ms typical response time
Privacy & Data
Data Collection:
- Raw Tuner does NOT record or store audio data
- Audio processing happens locally on your device
- Settings preferences are stored locally in your browser
- No personal information is transmitted to servers
Permissions:
- Microphone: Required for pitch detection only
- Storage: Local settings and preferences only
๐ Support Contact
Getting Additional Help
Developer: Samuel Haddad-Bacry - contact here.
Platform: OnlineTuner.org
Built with: Pitchy.js, CapacitorJS, W3CSS framework
Reporting Issues
When reporting issues, please include:
- Device type and operating system
- Browser version (if using web version)
- Instrument and tuning you were using
- Description of the problem
- Steps to reproduce the issue
- Screenshots if relevant
Feature Requests
We welcome suggestions for new features, instruments, or tunings. Consider including:
- Specific use case for the feature
- Priority level (how important is this to you?)
- Alternative solutions you've tried
- Expected behavior description
๐ Tips for Best Results
Optimal Setup
- Use a quiet environment when possible
- Position your instrument 6-12 inches from the microphone
- Play notes cleanly and sustain them for 2-3 seconds
- Tune one string at a time rather than playing chords
- Use fresh strings for best harmonic clarity
Professional Usage
- Save your settings for consistent results
- Use appropriate A4 reference for your ensemble
- Fine-tune confidence threshold for your playing style
- Consider environmental factors (temperature affects tuning)
- Double-check tuning before performances
Instrument-Specific Tips
Guitar/Bass:
- Use bridge pickup position for cleaner signal
- Avoid playing over the soundhole (acoustic)
- Mute other strings while tuning
Violin Family:
- Bow single notes cleanly
- Use moderate bow pressure
- Position microphone to avoid bow noise
Wind Instruments:
- Play steady, sustained notes
- Use moderate dynamics (not too loud/soft)
- Allow instrument to warm up first
This support guide covers the essential features and troubleshooting for Raw Tuner. For additional assistance, please visit OnlineTuner.org or contact our development team.