# Precision Strobe Tuner > Chromatic musical instrument tuner with advanced spectrum and strobe displays. (iPhone/iPad app by Jim Campbell.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/precision-strobe-tuner/id431781459 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Jim Campbell](https://appshunter.io/developer/431781462) - Category: Music, Education - Price: $9.99 - Rating: 4.60/5 from 56 App Store ratings · 39 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 2 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2011-04-20 - Data updated: 2026-08-09 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/precision-strobe-tuner/id431781459/reviews.md ## What is Precision Strobe Tuner? Precision Strobe Tuner 2.0 A General Purpose Chromatic Musical Instrument Tuner App with special Temperament and Piano Tuning Functions. The PST combines a radial Spectrum Display with a classic Strobe Tuner and Note Dial for an ultimate visualization of pitch and tone. The Strobe Display is highly sensitive with response speed that is practically instantaneous and has long been the preferred tool for piano tuners and instrument technicians. The central Spectrum Display shows the input spectrum wrapped around the Display, with each Octave drawn in a separate color. The Note Dial is marked like a clock with the twelve notes of the Scale. All overtones of the input are shown as peaks in the Spectrum Display pointing towards their corresponding Notes. The Fundamental Indicator Tic on the Spectrum Display shows the Note of the Fundamental along the Note Dial, with the color designating the Octave. Use the Spectrum Display for coarse adjustment by tuning the Fundamental to the center of the desired Note Indicator. As the input approaches the desired Note, a Two Group pinwheel pattern becomes visible rotating in the Strobe Display. Fine tuning is accomplished by adjusting to stop rotation. The Strobe Display responds instantaneously to changes in pitch and is extremely sensitive. The outside Strobe Display works just like a classic rotating disk strobe tuner. The Two-Group pattern rotates CCW when the input is flat, and CW when sharp. When the rotation is stopped, the note is in tune. The previews show a general strobe display demonstration, an example of using the calibration function to measure the accuracy of a tuning fork and an example of guitar string tuning. The first screenshot shows the display tuning a Guitar Low E string. The Fundamental appears as an Orange peak in the Spectrum Display. This string rings bright, so the overtones are also dominant in the Display. The second screenshot shows the display for an E 440 Tuning Fork with the Calibration Dial enabled and adjusted. This Fork is 2.9 cent Flat. The PST also includes a Programmable Temperament Function with 5 user definable banks. The third screenshot shows an example of a Temperament Bank set up to a typical Piano Stretch Curve. This can also be used for tuning alternate temperaments, pedal steel guitar setups, or special guitar intonation systems. In addition, there are several Special Measurement Banks used for String Inharmonicity characterization and Piano Stretch Curve Estimation. Individual strings can be characterized by measuring the Fundamental and 2nd Harmonic separately. By careful selection of a few representative measurement points, a reasonable smooth fit Piano Stretch Curve can be generated. Any number of measurements can be used. The final screenshot shows the Input Signal Scope/Spectrum Display Page. The Detailed Operation Manual can be viewed here: www.precisionstrobe.com ## Key features - Chromatic tuning - Radial spectrum display - Classic strobe tuner - Programmable temperament function - Piano tuning functions - String inharmonicity characterization ## Recent user reviews (10 of 39) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/precision-strobe-tuner/id431781459/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Recommended *2024-12-01, version 1.92* Won’t pretend that this is the first tuner I reach for, given that I invariably have a clip-on or pedal tuner to hand, or foot, but if you’re thinking of a strobe tuner this does the job brilliantly, and represents fantastic value compared to buying a dedicated unit. If you’re a guitarist at the stage of needing to do or even just tweak your setups, for example, then you can certainly use the extra accuracy and information you get. There’s something of a learning curve, but that’s going to be true for any strobe tuner. It’s also worth noting that the developer is responsive and helpful. When I upgraded my phone recently the new screen size broke the app’s display, but once I reported that, it was sorted almost immediately. Unreservedly recommended. ### 1/5 — Scam *2024-11-10, version 1.92* Big scam, taking money monthly, always crashes, won’t let me unsubscribe. ### 3/5 — Worked well … not anymore *2024-11-07* Then: Worked well. Tuned Guitars, Basses, Drums. Now: Can’t open it anymore. App closes within a second. ### 1/5 — Only crashes on iPhone *2024-10-30, version 1.92* RIP-OFF for iPhone: Was hired to tune a piano, had to turn down the job because it no longer runs on my iPhone, bur you charged me $13.00 anyway. ### 2/5 — Unusable in 2024 *2024-07-17, version 1.91* Honestly, I don’t understand all the positive reviews. This tuner is borderline unusable, maybe it’s due to the updates stopping ages ago, maybe it’s due to the microphone being so much different on iPhone 15, but this tuner cannot be dialed in, no matter what noise filters are on. God forbid you have central air going in the next room, it won’t be able to differentiate its note vs that of the guitar sitting 6 inches away. Only time I’ve ever felt legitimately ripped off on the App Store. Update the app or retire it ### 5/5 — Love it! *2023-09-04, version 1.91* Finally able to own an actual strobe tuner, that does exactly what it's supposed to do. No complaints here. ### 5/5 — Excellent tuner *2022-12-15, version 1.9* Best thing a musician can have on his or her iPhone - thanks for a great app Jim! ### 5/5 — Handy little app *2022-10-04, version 1.82* Great little app to check the tonality of notes ### 5/5 — Great tuner *2022-06-27, version 1.82* The tuner is very easy to use and it provides quite a bit of sophisticated, additional information related to color and temperament. ### 5/5 — Love this app *2021-05-22, version 1.72* I have the Peterson professional version tuner. This app competes with it. ## Frequently asked questions about Precision Strobe Tuner ### What does the Precision Strobe Tuner app do? This app functions as a general-purpose chromatic musical instrument tuner. It offers advanced visualization tools like a radial spectrum display and a classic strobe tuner to help users achieve precise pitch and tone for their instruments. ### What are the key features of this tuning app? Key features include a highly sensitive strobe display for fine-tuning, a spectrum display showing overtones, a programmable temperament function with user-definable banks, and special measurement banks for string inharmonicity and piano stretch curve estimation. ### Is this app free to download and use? Based on the provided information, this application is a paid app. It does not have in-app purchases or advertisements, indicating a one-time purchase model. ### What instruments can I tune with this app? The app is designed as a general-purpose chromatic tuner, making it suitable for a wide range of musical instruments. Examples shown include guitars and pianos, and its features like programmable temperaments are useful for specialized instruments as well. ### How does the strobe tuner work for fine-tuning? As the input signal approaches the desired note, a two-group pinwheel pattern appears in the strobe display. Fine-tuning is achieved by adjusting until this pattern stops rotating. The display is highly sensitive, with counter-clockwise rotation indicating a flat pitch and clockwise rotation indicating a sharp pitch. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.0 — 2025-11-12 Updates for new device screens. ### 1.94 — 2025-11-02 Updates ### 1.93 — 2024-12-16 Updates for new devices and IOS 18. ### 1.92 — 2024-08-17 Updates for new devices. ### 1.91 — 2023-01-19 Updates for iPad and iPadOS ## Apps similar to Precision Strobe Tuner | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Metronome+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metronome-plus/id434136233) | 4.5 (1,200) | Free | Music | | [Metronome Tuner \| Practice+](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/metronome-tuner-practice-plus/id858142974) | 4.4 (2,809) | Free | Music | | [Guitar Tuner - Ukulele & Bass](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/guitar-tuner-ukulele-and-bass/id662890455) | 4.4 (7,463) | Free | Music | | [Tuner Lite by Piascore](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tuner-lite-by-piascore/id635828559) | 4.5 (9,937) | Free | Music | | [Smart Metronome & Tuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smart-metronome-and-tuner/id889571826) | 4.7 (58,470) | Free | Music | | [Tunable – Tuner & Metronome](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tunable-tuner-and-metronome/id608540795) | 4.8 (6,799) | $7.99 | Music | ## Related topics [precision strobe tuner](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/precision-strobe-tuner) · [strobe tuner guitar](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/strobe-tuner-guitar) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-09.*