TC-8

The TC-8 works as a chromatic tuner with a fast pitch-detection chip. Its wide backlit LCD shows the note name and a bargraph of pitch deviation, and four display modes (Bargraph, Fine, Strobe Animation and Needle) let the user pick the clearest view. A calibration mode matches the tuner to a piano or another fixed source. Eight tuning modes cover Equal Temperament plus historic temperaments such as Pythagorean, Mean tone, Werckmeister III, Kirnberger III, Kellner, Vallotti and Young, which suits period instruments.

An oscillator sounds a reference pitch through the built-in speaker, so a group or class can hear it. The same speaker plays the metronome, which covers 30 to 300 BPM with seven accent values. The LCD also shows the beat visually, and Tap Tempo sets the tempo from the player's own timing.

Instruments connect through a 1/4" input jack, while a built-in microphone picks up acoustic instruments. For placement, the unit has a flip-out stand for tabletop use with hooks for a music stand, and a tripod mount.