Peterson StroboStomp HD

this is my second StroboStomp HD. first was an early one, second one is slightly revised hardware, most notably they now include a velcro pad.

I can say that this is one of the best pedal tuners on market. when you need enough accuracy to set up your instruments, I just need a hardware strobe. Polytune, Pitchblack or anything digital is not enough accurate for this. currently two pedal tuners on the market provide a real strobe: Peterson StroboStomp HD and the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner. I chose the former, as I prefer the display.

so, what do we get:
1. a real strobe with no needle mode. it's extremely accurate and can confuse new users for a while. but you'll get used to it
2. a color display with user-changable color, visible in direct light as monochrome
3. 'sweetened tunings'. I sometimes use the GTR, but that's it (I prefer equal temperament on well set-up instruments)
4. always on mode or true/buffered bypass. I didn't have good luck with the buffer, but the true bypass is nice enough (like better than on Pitchblack Advance). true bypass is totally pop-less on engaging or disengaging
5. power doubler, so you can daisy-chain another pedal. I don't use this, but big chassis allows it. same for battery operation
6. USB connectivity: update firmware and set some custom settings I never yet used
7. want your reference A to be 432Hz? no problem, it will save it upon power off (Korg, I'm looking at you!) want it to be 400 or 490Hz? or 444.4? again no problem
8. want it to display string numbers, not notes? not a problem. want to transpose? again not a problem. want it to display Bb instead of A#? again not a problem

it might have too many features, I'm actually using very few of them, but very happy of everything I use. and let me repeat myself: if you want to set up your intonation, you need only a hardware strobe tuner, accept no substitutes!

stroboscopic tuners can be frustrating for many users - they are almost always in movement, with no reassuring green zero point. i always tune my stringed instruments slightly ahead of that zero point, so for my taste strobos are the most intuitive tools.

i already had the peterson in plugin and clip form, and a sonic research st 200 pedal, that looks and feels much more utilitarian and basic.
the strobostomp has a very elegant and classy look and feel, with lots of options (some of them are purely cosmetic, like screen colour, but there's a whole lot of "sweetened" tuning systems for all kinds of different instruments, the option to keep the stroboscopic meter always on, to mute audio, to bypass the signal and so on), all within a comfortable interface.

the only downside (but it's a very, very relative one) is that it doesn't engage instantly, like most pedals, but after a "booting time" slightly longer than half a second, like a small digital processor. that's probably why someone would prefer to leave the pedal always running.
it doesn't bother me at all, anyway.

As soon as these were released I knew I wanted one...and I am not disappointed after saving up for it. Really easy to read screen, super detailed and accurate tunings - strobe tuners are the best.

The built in buffer has been super handy for the pedalboard too - I've got mine set up for both the front and the middle of the chain depending on what I need. The price is actually good too compared to other similar tuners. Don't waste your money on anything else.

This tunner is great if you are looking for the most accurate tune, it also has a couple of presets to sweeten your tuning.

The screen is real time and its easy to get used to the way it works, there are also a couple of ways to set it up, like if you want to mute the guitar or real time see what the notes are while playing.

The battery life is also great, had one 9V battery in it for around 3 months without having to replace it.

Overall a great and fancy pedal.