LunaTuna

What LunaTuna is

LunaTuna is a chromatic tuner for iPhone and iPad, with compatibility also listed for Macs with an M1 or newer chip. Its free plan provides chromatic tuning without ads, and the maker describes the app as about 1 MB. It can tune instruments including guitar, violin, cello, bass, kalimba, ukulele, and saxophone. Users can change the 440 Hz reference frequency. The optional Extension Pack adds common and custom tunings, transposition, an in-tune precision setting, 14 additional color ways, dark mode support, and alternate temperaments. The App Store lists iPhone and iPad compatibility with iOS or iPadOS 14 or later, and Mac compatibility with macOS 11 or later and an M1 chip or later. Bass cut is enabled by default; users tuning C#2 or lower should turn it off. The maker says the extension automatically ignores bass cut for tunings with low notes. A quiet setting can help pitch detection, and the maker recommends putting the microphone close to low-output instruments such as unplugged electric guitars, especially for low notes. The Extension Pack is listed at 2.99 USD once.

Who it suits

LunaTuna suits musicians who want an ad-free chromatic tuner for iPhone or iPad, or a compatible Mac. The Extension Pack is relevant to players who want custom tunings, transposition, alternate temperaments, or its other added tuning options.

Limits

The free plan provides chromatic tuning; common and custom tunings, transposition, precision setting, additional color ways, dark mode support, and alternate temperaments are part of the 2.99 USD once Extension Pack. Bass cut is on by default, so users tuning C#2 or lower should turn it off unless the extension automatically ignores it for the selected tuning.

Getting started

1. Visit the LunaTuna website or find the app through the App Store.
2. Install it on an iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 14 or later, or a Mac running macOS 11 or later with an M1 or newer chip.
3. Use the free plan for chromatic tuning without ads.
4. Change the 440 Hz reference frequency if needed.
5. Purchase the Extension Pack for its additional tuning features, if desired.
6. Tune in a quiet environment and move the microphone close to low-output instruments.

Verdict

Choose LunaTuna for ad-free chromatic tuning on a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Mac, especially if you want to tune more than guitar. Consider the Extension Pack for its additional tunings and controls; low-note tuning may require switching off bass cut.