Getting Started
Analog Tuner is a chromatic tuner for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass, available from your Mac’s menu bar.
- Open Analog Tuner from your Mac's menu bar.
- Select your audio interface or microphone.
- Choose the correct input channel.
- Play a note and adjust your tuning.
A negative cent reading is flat; a positive reading is sharp. Play one string at a time and let the note settle briefly. When the sound becomes too quiet or unclear, play the string again.
Interface Styles
Open Settings → Interface Style to choose Vintage Analog or Minimal. Both styles use the same tuning behaviour.
Appearance
Choose Light, Dark or System in Settings → Appearance. System follows macOS. Light keeps the warm light appearance even when your Mac uses Dark Mode.
Tuning Settings
Reference A₄ defaults to 440 Hz and can be adjusted from 432 to 445 Hz. Tuning Tolerance controls the cent range used for the in-tune indication.
Noise Threshold defaults to −55 dBFS. A lower threshold can detect quieter sounds and more background noise; a higher threshold rejects more quiet sound. Use a clear signal and avoid clipping your microphone or interface input.
Common Questions
How do I select an audio input?
Use Audio Input in the tuner panel or Settings to select the microphone or audio interface carrying your instrument. Then choose its Input Channel. For an electric guitar or bass, use a suitable instrument or Hi-Z input. Channel names come from the device and its macOS driver; do not assume every interface uses the same channel number.
Can I use my Mac's built-in microphone?
Yes, if your Mac or connected display has one and it appears in Audio Input. Select it and allow microphone access. If no microphone is available, connect an external microphone or audio interface.
Why isn't the tuner detecting a note?
Check your selected input and channel, microphone permission, cable and input gain. Play a clear single note, mute other strings and reduce background noise. If the note has faded, play it again. Check Noise Threshold in Settings if the signal is too quiet.
If a device is missing, check its power and connection, confirm that macOS recognizes it, and refresh the app’s device list. Some interfaces need a compatible manufacturer driver. Analog Tuner does not provide audio monitoring or route your instrument to speakers.
How do I change microphone permissions?
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone and allow Analog Tuner. Return to the app and retry. Permission is managed by macOS; no Analog Tuner account or subscription is involved.
How does Launch at Login work?
Launch at Login is optional and off by default. In the installed app’s Settings, turn it on to start Analog Tuner when you sign in to macOS. Turn it off to remove the app’s login registration. macOS may ask you to approve the item in System Settings. This is automatic app startup, not signing in to an Analog Tuner account.
Contact
Email support: support@analogtuner.app
Include your macOS version, Analog Tuner version, audio device name, selected input channel and a short description of the problem. Do not send passwords. No recording is required.