# The Snail — Absolute Tuning

> Precise audio analysis and instrument tuning with spiral grid visualization. (iPhone/iPad app by IrcamLab.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-snail/id1189140204 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [IrcamLab](https://appshunter.io/developer/1195693366)
- Category: Music, Utilities
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.00/5 from 40 App Store ratings · 79 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 9.3 · 26 MB
- Released: 2017-01-15
- Data updated: 2026-08-30
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-snail/id1189140204/reviews.md

## What is The Snail?

Similar to the human cochlea where the different frequencies are split-up and analyzed, The Snail for iOS uses a spiral grid to visualize root notes and overtones of any incoming sound with utmost precision. The Snail is based on recently developed technology making instrument tuning easy and audio analysis music-oriented and fun to watch.

Tune any instrument with utmost precision

Version 2 offers an additional guitar tuning mode that is available in the tuning view. Just tap on a dedicated string name, play a note and adjust the guitar tuning accordingly. Another major improvement is the new split window mode. Whenever you do any adjustments to parameters you now see how the edits affect the visualization in the upper section. This works in both visualization modes. One mode is the snail grid, a complete musical overview of the audio spectrum. The other one, the tuner view, is especially designed to focus on the root note for tuning purposes. In both views there is a sine tuning oscillator available which is controlled simply by touching the desired note on the iPhone display. There are a lot of customizable parameters. No problem if you would like to tune transposing instruments or if you need a tuning reference other than 440 Hz.

Patented technology

The well-known IRCAM institute for acoustic and music research in Paris is responsible for the new technology of detection and visualization. It is a patented invention by Thomas Hélie, CNRS researcher at the Sciences and Technologies for Music and Sound (STMS) Laboratory (IRCAM/CNRS/Sorbonne Université). The Snail is also available for macOS and Windows, as stand-alone app or plug-in (VST3/AU/AAX), distributed by Plugivery.

Key features

•	Precise audio analysis and instrument tuning in two modes.
•	Snail view for a sophisticated visual representation of root note and overtone structures.
•	Tuner view to tune instruments and to control pitches of voices and other sources.
•	Fast access guitar tuning (GT) mode.
•	Split window settings menu.
•	Visual gain and mic gain controllers.
•	Switchable auto detection.
•	Touch sine tuning oscillator.
•	2 color modes: coherency index and magnitude.
•	Adjustable grid range (octaves).
•	Setup for transposing instruments.
•	Many customizable parameters like tuning reference, frequency tracking and audio window size.

## Key features

- Precise audio analysis and instrument tuning
- Spiral grid visualization of root notes and overtones
- Dedicated tuner view for pitch control
- Fast access guitar tuning mode
- Split window for real-time parameter adjustment visualization
- Touch-controlled sine tuning oscillator
- Support for transposing instruments and adjustable tuning reference

## Recent user reviews (10 of 79)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-snail/id1189140204/reviews.md

### 5/5 — The Snail

*2026-01-27*

I use this app as well as the plugin on everything I do. Anyone I’ve shown it to has also immediately downloaded this tool. Fantastic tool, good job.

### 5/5 — 和音も倍音も目で見える！

*2025-10-13*

最高のアプリ。
耳コピにも、チューニングにも、演奏にも、いろんな音が可視化されるのがとても楽しい。そして使い易く便利。
カリンバやウクレレのチューニングや和音の耳コピに使ってます。最高のアプリ。開発してくれてありがとう！

The best app.
It's very fun to visualize various sounds for ear training, tuning, and playing. And it's easy to use and convenient.
I use it for tuning my kalimba and ukulele, and for ear training chords. The best app. Thank you for developing it!

### 4/5 — Excellent, but

*2024-08-28*

The ability to tune multiple instruments at once and pin point the frequencies of sound we would not normally be able to discern as pitches is incredible. What brings this app down, however, is that it does not retain settings after closing and does app does not reorient when the device is turned sideways or upside down.

### 4/5 — Excellent, but

*2024-06-20*

The ability to tune multiple instruments at once and pin point the frequencies of sound we would not normally be able to discern as pitches is incredible. What brings this app down, however, is that it does not retain settings after closing and the tuning reference is not precise enough.

### 3/5 — 設定の保存はできないの？

*2024-05-16*

チューナーとしては普段使いにしたいところなのですが、起動のたびに440から442に変更しなければならないのが残念。
毎回あの小さなスライダーで442に変更するのは非常にストレス。

買い切りとはいえ有料なので、せめて前回閉じた時の設定を記憶してて欲しいのですが。。。

### 4/5 — Pour ceux et celles qui s’intéressent aux aspects subtils d’un accordage.

*2024-02-28*

Une application qui sort des sentiers battus avec une ouverture sur le monde des harmoniques. Dommage que sur iPhone il faille parfois éteindre et rallumer son téléphone pour débloquer l’app. Cela dit le problème ne vient pas forcément de l’app car cela m’arrive aussi avec d’autres outils. 
Hâte de voir arriver la version 3.0 annoncée déjà en mars dernier !!!

### 3/5 — Has difficulty detecting pitches

*2024-02-15*

I like the concept and sisplay modes, but in practice it seems to not “hear” or detect very well especially with guitar or uke when there is a little background sound. In fairness, other iOS tuners seem to struggle with this as well.

### 5/5 — リクエスト

*2024-02-04*

Bluetooth MIDI 入力の対応と、タッチパネルの最大発音数を増やしてほしいです。

### 4/5 — Proposition question ambition

*2023-03-11*

Y aurait il, avec options, possibilités du choix de gamme pythagoricienne ou tempérée, recalculant simplement les octaves sur proposition de l’entrée d’une fréquence fondamentale au choix de l’utilisateur ? ( de zéro hertz à 25 Kilo …)

Dans tous les cas, un grand MERCI

**Developer response:** Bonjour, oui nous travaillons, entre autres, à ce genre de chose (tempéraments divers, avec choix de la note de référence) pour la version 3.0 en cours de développement ! ;-)

### 5/5 — « Boulez Tuner » dans la poche !

*2023-01-09*

Ha mais merci, c’est beau, c’est à des années lumières du reste, c’est extrêmement ludique pour tous ceux qui n’ont pas l’oreille absolue, et c’est gratuit.
Merci l’Ircam, continuez, c’est une parfaite mise en pratique de recherche appliquée pour le grand public et les musiciens.

**Developer response:** Merci beaucoup pour votre élogieux retour, douddd ! Oreille absolue ou non (ce qui renvoie à la fréquence fondamentale d'une note), The Snail apporte une vision musicale et introspective du son dans toute sa richesse spectrale. Bonne utilisation !

## Frequently asked questions about The Snail

### What does The Snail app do?

The Snail app offers precise audio analysis and instrument tuning. It utilizes a unique spiral grid visualization, inspired by the human cochlea, to display root notes and overtones of incoming sound with high accuracy. This makes instrument tuning easy and audio analysis visually engaging.

### What are the key features of The Snail app?

Key features include precise audio analysis in two modes (Snail view for musical overview and Tuner view for focused tuning), a fast access guitar tuning mode, a split window for real-time parameter adjustment visualization, a touch-controlled sine tuning oscillator, and support for transposing instruments with adjustable tuning references.

### How much does The Snail app cost?

The provided information indicates that the app is a paid application. There are no mentions of free trials, subscriptions, or in-app purchases, suggesting a one-time purchase model.

### What devices is The Snail app compatible with?

The description specifically mentions 'The Snail for iOS', indicating compatibility with iOS devices. It also notes availability for macOS and Windows as a stand-alone app or plug-in.

### Who would benefit from using The Snail app?

This app is designed for musicians, instrumentalists, and audio professionals who require accurate instrument tuning and detailed audio analysis. Its visual approach makes complex audio information accessible and enjoyable to understand.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.5 — 2022-11-26

- Tuning Reference (frequency of A4) is now a slider instead of a text box. Reference frequency ranges from 392Hz to 450Hz.
- The Tuning Reference slider has ticks for common frequencies: 415Hz, 430Hz, 432Hz, 440Hz, 442Hz, 444Hz (NB: the first 3 are "magnetic").
- The tuning reference frequency is now correctly updated in overlay (left top).
- All sliders have been visually updated.

### 2.3.4 — 2022-09-02

- New launch screen.
- Optimized layout with non square displays (iPhone 12 etc.)
- Preventing screen from automatic dimming.
- Removing audio glitch upon launch.
- Autodetect note: now specify in upper right corner.
- Smoother grid color.

### 2.3.3 — 2022-07-19

Info overlay layout has been optimised for any device.

### 2.3.2 — 2022-07-15

- The transposing instrument setting is now reflected in "tuning fork" mode.
- Some text overlay has been added (upper left corner) to remind the current pitch reference and transposition (if any).
- The Snail is backward compatible down to iOS 9.3 (was 10.0 before).

### 2.3.1 — 2022-07-05

Fixed Center Note and Transposing Instrument features

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## More apps by IrcamLab

- [CoMote](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/comote/id1623566703)

All apps by IrcamLab: https://appshunter.io/developer/1195693366

## Related topics

[ircamlab](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ircamlab)

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*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 2026-08-30.*