Tone Report Weekly Issue 114 | Page 59

Somewhat technical, I know, but this method ensures extreme tuning accuracy that’s as valuable on stage as it is on the setup bench. NEW AND IMPROVED The predecessor to the ST-300 was the ST-200—a fantastic tuner in its own right that sold more than 50,000 units from 2008– 2015. The new ST-300 though, is faster, brighter and features silent relay switching, versus the 3PDT click of the ST-200’s mechanical stomp switch. It’s faster because of a new 32-bit processor and an updated pitch detection algorithm. The ST-200 needed 10–15 cycles to recognize a waveform—a process that took about a third of a second. The ST300 only needs two to three cycles to recognize a pitch. The ST-300 still features fully chromatic tuning, as well as standard modes for guitar and bass tuning. It also features three bonus modes that can be edited for custom tunings and configured for as many as nine strings. I’LL CALL HIM “MINI ME” For this review, I played the Mini version of the ST-300 that debuted last summer. Earlier this year though, a full-size model joined the ranks and comes with a couple of features not included in the Mini— namely, an enhanced output section with selectable mute and the ability to be powered from a nine-volt battery. Both pedals also feature USB ports for future firmware updates and, big or small, are available for the same price. WHAT WE LIKE Cards on the table: The ST-200 was my go-to pedal tuner for five years prior to the ST-300 being introduced. And I had no plans to change that— until the ST-300 Mini came out. The size, speed and accuracy are all top notch and this new version is now a permanent fixture on my personal pedalboard. CONCERNS None. And it’s brighter because the LEDs are five times brighter. Where the display on the ST-200 would get washed out in direct sunlight, the ST-300 holds up much better from a visibility standpoint. ToneReport.com 59