posted 09 January 2000 07:32 PM         

I've been using a Sabine RT-1601 Rack Tuner for over a year now and generally I'm very pleased with it.

It's positive points:

1. The tuning lighting system ("solid red," out of tune; "blinking red" as you get close to being in tune; and "solid green" as you are in tune) works almost as good as a tuning needle. It takes a little "getting used to" but one you do, you'll find that you can tune quickly and touch-up quickly.

2. The unit is very lightweight and only takes up one rack space.

It's negative points:

1. The tuning lights are very hard to see during the day light.

2. The unit does not have a built-in power supply so you have to use a low amperage A/C adapter.

3. If you are one who tunes down to the accuracy of "cents", you will be better off with a rack "meter" tuner to get that degree of accuracy.

The tuner also has other interesting features that are also found on other rack tuners.

I should mention an unusual incident that happened to my Sabinetuner late last year:

I don't use a rack case so I carry my two rack units (the other is a Peavey ProFex II effects unit) wrapped in a towel. One of my musician friends, while helping me unload at a gig, picked up the two rack units and the Sabine fell out of the towel wrappings on to the cement ground below...with a big "bang." I thought the worst, that the unit was broken; but to my surprise and delight, it worked perfectly. I attribute this to a quality built product and the beauty of "solid state" electronics.

Good luck in your "do diligence" on this accessory purchase. I like my Sabine and recommend it to all musicians.

Regards,
Al Gershen

[This message was edited by Al Gershen on 09 January 2000 at 07:50 PM.]

posted 10 January 2000 01:44 PM         

If you want a rack mount tuner for just intonation tuning, the Korg DTR-1 or DTR-2 series will work. They are auto chromatic and have a cents deviation scale. The Korg displays use large bright Leds and are not as easy to fine tune as are the smaller handheld needle models. Some of the older rack mounted Korg displays with red Leds wash out in sunlight. I've found that the Korg tuners cause hum problems if you run through them. I've tried hum frees, different places in the rack chain and finally removing the tuner from the rack. Nothing works, so I run the preamp out from the MosValve power amp to the tuner. I just turn down the power amp to tune, or pop the cord to the tuner (PIA). I've found that all tuners will affect your tone if you play straight through, so get one that you can rig up off line if you don't like it.

I hope this helps you,

Bill