Today we’ve got a quick review of the InsTuner Chromatic Tuner free version. This tuner app can be used in two ways: as a chromatic tuner or a tone generator (also known as a drone, or when it plays out a pitch). It’s only available on iOS.
The Pros
- Very user friendly. When using the tuner function you’ll see words telling you “Tune Up,” “Tune Down,” or “Got it!” No guesswork there. In addition to the words, you’ll see a solid green light when it’s in tune. When it’s really out of tune you’ll see a red light, then as it gets closer to in tune, the colors will change to orange, then yellow, then finally green.
- InsTuner is able to pick up the C string. (Sometimes tuners have a harder time reading the lower frequencies).
- It’s free!
The Cons
- Not very accurate when judging pitch. Yes, this is kind of a big con when it comes to tuners, but we still think it’s suitable enough for beginners.
- This might not be a con for some, but you may need to use headphones to hear the low frequency pitches from the tone generator. We kept getting a pop-up box saying the speakers couldn’t handle the low sounds, so headphones would be necessary.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a free tuner, this one is pretty good. The interface is clear and easy to use. Due to the inaccuracy with judging pitch, we wouldn’t recommend it for a more advanced student who’s really trying to work on intonation. But for a beginner who’s just starting to get a general idea of intonation, it does the job.