Tuner
Tuner Types
There are three tuner types:
- Fine: Color-changing, needle tuner with fine-tuning bar, the default.
- Coarse: Color-changing needle tuner with no fine-tuning bar.
- Strobe: Colors cycle left and right at a rate related to the frequency of the audio being analyzed. When the lights stops moving, your string matches the desired note.
These types are selectable from Knob 4 (or Knob 3 on HX Stomp or HX Stomp XL) of the Tuner Settings. The Tuner accurately tunes notes down to 21.83 Hz (low F) for 5-string basses.
Using the Tuner
- Activate the Tuner
- On Helix, LT, Helix Control, HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL:
- Hold the TAP footswitch until the Tuner screen appears.
- On Helix Rack:
- hold TAP/TUNER until the Tuner screen appears.
TIP
On HX Stomp and HX Stomp XL, you can also use ACTION + PAGE > to access the Tuner.
- Pluck an individual string on your guitar. When a box left of the center is lit red or yellow, your string is flat. When a box right of center is lit red or yellow, your string is sharp. When one of the center boxes on the lower row is lit green, the top row of smaller bars can be used for more precision. When both arrows are illuminated, your string is perfectly in tune.
- To exit the Tuner, step on any footswitch.
All tuner settings are global.
TIP
If you have a favorite pedal or rack tuner and wish to use it instead of the Helix tuner
Helix and Rack: connect Send 1, 2, 3, or 4 to your tuner's input and turn Knob 2 (Tuner Out) to select that Send. This way, every time you hold the TAP footswitch, Helix will automatically route the signal to your favorite tuner.
Helix LT: connect Send 1 or 2 to your tuner's input and turn Knob 2 (Tuner Out) to select Send 1/2. This way, every time you hold the TAP footswitch, Helix LT will automatically route the signal to your favorite tuner.
HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL: connect the device's Send output to your tuner's input and turn Knob 1 (Output) to select "Send L/R." This way, every time you hold the TAP footswitch, the device will automatically route the signal to your favorite tuner.
Tuner Settings
String Offsets
Some guitarists feel that tuning certain strings slightly sharp or flat in relation to concert tuning can improve intonation. String offsets calibrate the tuner so that these slightly out-of-tune pitches appear as in tune. String 6 is low E, and String 1 is high E.
Tuning offsets (which are found after the settings listed below) won't be applied unless the Offsets option is turned on.
Helix, Rack, LT
| Page | Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tuner In | Determines which input the tuner will listen to. Normally, it's best to choose "Multi," which listens to the Guitar, Aux, and Variax inputs simultaneously. |
| 1 | 2 | Tuner Out | Determines the active output while the Tuner screen is active. If you prefer to hear nothing while tuning, choose "Mute." Normally, it's best to choose "Multi," which routes the input to 1/4", XLR, Digital, and USB 1/2. |
| 1 | 3 | Reference | If you'd like to tune to a reference other than standard 440 Hz, select from 425 to 455 Hz. |
| 1 | 4 | Type | Choose between three Tuner types: Fine (color-changing, needle tuner with fine-tuning bar, the default), Coarse (color-changing needle tuner with no fine-tuning bar), or Strobe. The Tuner accurately tunes notes down to 21.83 Hz (low F) for 5-string basses. |
| 1 | 6 | Offsets | Enables the Tuner string offsets. |
HX Stomp, HX Stomp XL
| Page | Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Output | Determines the active output while the Tuner screen is active. If you prefer to hear nothing while tuning, choose "Mute." Normally, you should choose "Main L/R.". |
| 1 | 2 | Refrnc | If you'd like to tune to a reference other than standard 440 Hz, select from 425 to 455 Hz. |
| 1 | 3 | Type | Choose between three Tuner types: Fine (color-changing, needle tuner with fine-tuning bar, the default), Coarse (color-changing needle tuner with no fine-tuning bar), or Strobe. The Tuner accurately tunes notes down to 21.83 Hz (low F) for 5-string basses. |
| 2 | 1 | Offsets | Enables the Tuner string offsets. |
HX Effects
| Page | Knob | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Tuner Output | Determines the active output while the Tuner screen is active. If you prefer to hear nothing while tuning, choose "Mute." Optionally, choose "L/R" to hear your unprocessed signal from the Main Left/Right outputs, or "Send12" to hear it from the Send 1/2 outputs. |
| 1 | 2 | Reference | If you'd like to tune to a reference other than standard 440 Hz, select from 425 to 455 Hz. |
| 1 | 3 | Display Type | Choose between three Tuner types: Fine (color-changing, needle tuner with fine-tuning bar, the default), Coarse (color-changing needle tuner with no fine-tuning bar), or Strobe. The Tuner accurately tunes notes down to 21.83 Hz (low F) for 5-string basses. |
| 2 | 1 | Offsets | Enables the Tuner string offsets. |