Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions Product Manuals Firmware History

Does my AutoStrobe 490 require calibration?

Generally, your AutoStrobe 490 will not require calibration and should remain perfectly accurate if it has not been damaged.

Unlike more modern Peterson strobes, legacy models such as the Peterson 400, 420, 450 and 700 do require occasional calibration.

If you require service, please open a support ticket and return the tuner for repair.

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How do I read a strobe display?

Basically, the strobe image appears to travel to the left if your instrument is flat of the desired pitch and to the right if it is sharp. On earlier models such as the StroboStomp 1, StroboStomp 2, VS-1, VS-II and V-SAM, the strobe image travels upward if your instrument is sharp and downward if your instrument is flat of the desired pitch.

Adjust your instrument until the pattern is as close to still as possible. Strobe displays are 'real-time' and extremely precise. They require very fine tuning adjustments to stop the display because the frequency/pitch of any instrument is never totally stable.

You'll quickly learn to read the display, make the most precise adjustments and appreciate the high resolution that only a Peterson provides.

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Is the accuracy the same for all Peterson tuners?

Yes, the accuracy is within 0.1 cents (1/1000 of one semitone) as with all Peterson Strobe Tuners. An important thing to note is that Peterson Strobe Tuners have ultra high definition displays, so not only are they highly accurate in detecting a note but they have the ability to display that accuracy. Other products claim accuracy but do not have the high definition screen to display the level of accuracy in which they claim. If you cannot see the accuracy, it is of little value. Only Peterson provides High Definition Strobe Tuning.

How Accurate Is My Tuner?

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What is my AutoStrobe 490’s Sweetened Tunings feature all about?

A Sweetener is a set of cent offsets or a deviation from generic Equal Temperament interval spacing traditionally used in tuning. Tuners made by Peterson, including the AutoStrobe 490, contain many choices of Sweeteners, in other words, several presets with differing interval spacing relevant to the instrument being tuned. If you’ve never been happy with how your instrument tunes up with your present tuner, a Sweetener could be just the thing to change that without any modifications whatsoever. The AutoStrobe 490 offers unique and very accurate tweaks which often make all the difference.

Peterson Tuners - Sweetened Tunings

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Is there a carrying case available?

We have carrying cases available that are very useful if you will be frequently traveling with your Peterson tuner. You may purchase your case directly from us at Peterson.

Cases are available for the AutoStrobe™ line, the StroboClip HD and the StroboPLUS HD/HDC.

AutoStrobe Soft Case

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StroboClip HD / HDC Protective Case

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StroboPLUS HD/HDC Case

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How accurate is my AutoStrobe 490?

Your AutoStrobe 490 is accurate to 0.1 cent (1/1000th of a semitone). It’s important to note, that unlike other tuners which list the detection accuracy as the main specification, the AutoStrobe 490 detection AND display accuracy is 0.1 cent due to its high definition display.

How Accurate Is My Tuner?

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I often tune my acoustic instrument in a loud environment. What's available to help with that?

When tuning an acoustic instrument in an environment where you cannot control the background noise, like at a gig or loud band hall, a vibration pickup is a very nice alternative to using the built-in microphone.

A Peterson TP-3 clip-on tuning pickup is a very versatile device with a 1/4" connector that can be clipped onto any portion of the instrument that vibrates, such as the headstock of a guitar or the bell or lead pipe of a horn.

A Peterson Pitch Grabber Mobile Tuning Clip utilizes a 1/8" connector for use in mobile phones or tablets with software tuners.

For instruments with a flat resonating surface, you can use a suction cup tuning pickup to reduce ambient noise interference.

TP-3 Clip-On Pickup

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Pitch Grabber Mobile Tuning Clip

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Suction Cup Pickup

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How do I send my product in for repair?

If you need to send your product in for repair, please open a support ticket.

If you have not registered your tuner, you must do so before opening your support ticket.

All products returned for service must have a support ticket number on the outside of the box as well as on the accompanying paperwork on the inside of the box.

We strongly recommend shipping with tracking information and insurance.
Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc., and subsidiaries thereof, are not responsible for lost packages in transit to our repair facility.

Include a description of your problem in both your support ticket and paperwork included with your product. Please be specific about the type of malfunction as well as the conditions under which it occurs. Include your name, address, phone number, and email address on the accompanying paperwork.

There is a minimum charge of $95.00 US plus return shipping charges for all Mechanical Peterson tuners received and a minimum charge of $48.00 US plus return shipping charges for all LCD Peterson tuners (unless subject to Peterson warranty). If you would like an advance estimate for service, you must include a request in writing with the product you ship. If you choose not to have your product repaired, there is a $48 diagnostic charge plus return shipping.

Payment options include PayPal, VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover Card.

Any balance is due within 30 days of the completion of the repair. After 30 days, a storage fee will be charged. After 90 days, your property will be considered abandoned and will disposed of at our discretion.

For international (non-USA) repairs and for all Conn and Node tuner repairs, please open a support ticket as different procedures may apply.

Contact and Shipping Details:

For service of Peterson tuners:

Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc.
11601 South Mayfield Ave. Alsip, IL 60803 USA
TEL: 708-388-3311 (ext. 143) FAX: 708-388-3341
Email: techwest@petersonemp.com

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What is the frequency response range of the AutoStrobe 490?

The frequency response range of the AutoStrobe 490 is 32.70Hz to 7902.13Hz.

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My AutoStrobe is not tracking the note I am playing. What do I do?

It is always good practice to first determine if your tuner is set to 'Auto' or 'Manual' note selection.

Look at the LCD display directly over the button labeled 2. AUTO will automatically detect the note you are tring to tune. MAN (manual mode) will only respond to the note it is currently set to detect.

If your tuner is set to 'MAN', simply pressing the Auto/Man button again will toggle you back into manual mode.

If it still seems as though your tuner is having difficulty tracking in 'Auto' mode, there could be a problem with either the built-in microphone or the input jack.

If you usually tune with the built-in microphone, attempt to send a tune-able signal into the input jack with a standard guitar cable or a microphone with a 1/4" connector. If you are able to track a note using this method, then one of the following two scenarios applies: 1.) Your built-in microphone is malfunctioning and you need to open a Help Ticket to service your tuner. 2.) You do not have a loud enough signal for the microphone to pick up, and you may consider the use of a tuning pickup such as the Peterson TP-2.

If your tuner still does not respond to a hard-wired signal, please open a Help Ticket in order for us to service your product.

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What is the note range of the AutoStrobe 490?

The note range of the AutoStrobe 490 is: C1 to B8

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What are the dimensions of the AutoStrobe 490?

The dimensions of the AutoStrobe 490 are: 13.4" x 6.375" x 3.5"

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What should I do if my new Peterson product doesn't seem to work properly?

If you've first tried all of the solutions offered here, please contact Peterson directly. It is important that you do NOT return the product to the store in which you purchased it without Peterson instructing you to do so. If your unit is problematic, we would like to limit the chances of another customer purchasing the returned unit. Always arrange for product service or replacement directly with Peterson.

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Windows 10/11 presents "USB device can't be recognized" error when I plug in my tuner.

If Windows 10 or 11 presents the error "USB device can't be recognized" when your tuner is plugged in, this is usually caused by a corrupt automatic driver installation.

A restart of your computer will usually solve this issue.

  • Click Windows/Start button
  • Select Power
  • Select Shut Down

    • After your computer powers off, restart your computer, plug in your tuner, and the USB drivers should install automatically.

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    What is the range of Hz calibration or Concert A calibration of my AutoStrobe 490?

    The Hz calibration range of your AutoStrobe 490 is 350Hz to 550Hz. The default setting is Concert A 440Hz.

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    How do I find out how far out of tune my guitar is in cents?

    Pluck a string and adjust the cent value by simply adjusting the cent control until the strobe image is stationary (only fluctuating around a fixed position and not shifting in one direction over time). In this case, you are tuning the tuner to the instrument. When the image comes to rest, the accompanying numeric cent display indicates the distance from 00.0 cents.

    The following video shows this process using a StroboPLUS HD.

    Measuring a pitch in cents.

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    Not finding an answer? Open a support ticket for personalized support of your Peterson product.

    490 Instruction Manual English Rev2
    490 Manual Deutsch
    Peterson Proposition 65 Warning
    490 Instruction Manual French Francais

    Not finding an answer? Open a support ticket for personalized support of your Peterson product.

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    © 2024 Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc. No part or parts may be copied or reproduced without the express written consent of Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc. The terms Virtual Strobe™, Sweeteners™, Sweetened Tunings™ and the linear & concentric strobe patterns are trademarks/registered trademarks of Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc.

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