JustATuner is a free, open-source desktop tuner for musicians that combines a stroboscopic chromatic tuner with a just-intonation drone. The tuner displays 12 wheels for pitch classes, each with seven rings; users can adjust reference pitch, instrument transposition, cents bias per wheel, and octave bias per ring. The drone offers root, root-plus-fifth, major-triad, and minor-triad voicings in a pure sine or harmonic-stack sound. A live meter reports the just-intonation interval and cents difference, marking LOCKED when the reading is within 5¢ of just intonation. A Lissajous display visualizes interference between the played note and drone, with controls for phosphor color, trace thickness, trail count, and resolution. The app detects pitch through a microphone; its maker recommends a quality microphone and strongly recommends headphones when the drone is on. It is available for Windows, Linux, and macOS on Apple Silicon M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips. Linux use requires PortAudio, and a downloaded binary may need executable permission. The maker says the unsigned app may prompt an operating-system warning.
Who it is for
JustATuner suits musicians who want a desktop tuner with configurable pitch settings and a just-intonation drone. It is available on Windows, Linux, and Apple Silicon Macs.
What is good
- Free and open-source desktop software
- Offers 12 pitch-class wheels with seven rings each
- Drone supports four voicings and two sound types
- Live meter reports interval and cents difference
- Available for Windows, Linux, and Apple Silicon macOS
What to know first
- Linux use requires PortAudio
- Linux binary may need executable permission
- Unsigned app may trigger an operating-system warning
- Maker recommends headphones when the drone is on
Verdict
JustATuner combines pitch detection, stroboscopic displays, and drone-based intonation practice in a free desktop app. Check the platform requirements and be prepared for an operating-system warning because the app is unsigned.
Get started with JustATuner
- Open the JustATuner page on the Stohrer Music website.
- Choose the download for Windows, Linux, or macOS on Apple Silicon.
- On Linux, install PortAudio and set executable permission on the binary if needed.
- Launch the app and allow microphone access for pitch detection.
- Use headphones when practicing with the drone, as the maker recommends.
What the free plan stops at
The software is free and open source. Linux use requires PortAudio, and the downloaded binary may need executable permission; the maker also says the app is unsigned, which may prompt an operating-system warning.
Questions about JustATuner
How much does JustATuner cost?
It is free, with a Free plan listed at no cost.
Is there a free trial?
No. JustATuner is offered as free software rather than a trial.
Which platforms does it support?
It is listed for Windows, Linux, and macOS on Apple Silicon M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips.
Is JustATuner open source?
Yes. Its source code is available on GitHub for inspection.
Does it support just-intonation practice?
Yes. Its drone offers four voicings, and a live meter reports interval and cents difference.
Who makes JustATuner?
The software page identifies Matt Stohrer as its maker.
JustATuner plans and pricing
All plansCompared on musical tuner apps
- Free plan
- Yes
- Strobe display
- Yes
- Custom reference pitch
- Yes
- Intonation monitoring
- Yes
- Available platforms
- desktop
