The Korg Pitchblack X is a chromatic pedal tuner from Korg, a stompbox you put at the start of your pedalboard to mute and tune silently between songs. It detects pitch across a wide range, from E0 (20.60Hz) to C8 (4,186Hz), on a 12 note equal temperament scale, and it offers tuning precision of ±0.1 cent in Strobe mode, which Korg describes as highly precise and accurate tuning12. Calibration runs from A4=436 to 445Hz in 1Hz steps, so you can match a reference other than standard A4401.
What sets it apart from many tuner pedals is a switchable buffer: you can run it as true bypass, or engage Korg's newly developed Ultra Buffer to drive long cable runs. It also carries a 9V power output rated at 200mA, so it can feed other pedals23.
What it does
As a chromatic tuner, it reads any note the guitar or bass produces rather than a fixed set, and mutes your signal at the output while the display shows whether you are flat or sharp. The ±0.1 cent accuracy figure applies in Strobe mode; a cent is one hundredth of a semitone, so this level of precision is finer than most players can hear, in the territory of strobe tuners like the Peterson StroboStomp HD. Input impedance is 1 M-ohm with the tuner on1.
The pedal is housed in a robust aluminum case with a strong scratch-resistant coating, and Korg positions it for stage and studio use alike2. Included in the box are the AC adaptor, notices and rubber feet1.
Four display modes
The display offers four meter modes, and you pick the one that reads fastest for you2:
| Mode | How it reads |
|---|---|
| Regular | The typical meter display2 |
| Strobe | Indicates changes in pitch by the direction and speed the meter flows, distinguishing fine differences in pitch2 |
| Half Strobe | Same direction-and-speed indication as Strobe2 |
| Mirror | Two LEDs on the left and right cross together toward the center as you tune2 |
Strobe mode is also where the ±0.1 cent accuracy applies1. For visibility in difficult light, the bright mode can be set at one of two brightness levels, which Korg says ensures you can see the display even better2.
True bypass or Ultra Buffer
The Pitchblack X allows switching between true bypass and the newly developed Ultra Buffer2. The choice matters for how your board sounds with the tuner bypassed:
- True bypass leaves the signal untouched when the pedal is off, which some players prefer on small boards with short cable runs.
- Ultra Buffer is always in the circuit when selected. Korg says a buffer boosts the signal over long cables to avoid loss of tone, keeping it clean and clear even when the pedal is off2.
Korg applies the same Ultra Buffer across the series; on the rackmount Pitchblack X Pro, the company says it enhances sound quality in bypass mode so audio quality is maintained even over long cable runs4. If you want the longer version of this discussion, see buffer pedals.
Power and connections
The jacks sit on the side of the pedal with power on the top, as Guitar World's review notes3. The DC 9V OUT socket is the practical extra:
"The output is rated at 200mA, so you could daisy chain a few low powered pedals off it, or just one slightly"
That makes the pedal a small power hub for a compact board, though the 200mA ceiling rules out feeding anything power-hungry3.
The battery life figures conflict in Korg's own documents: approximately 24 hours and approximately 5 hours are both stated for the same conditions. If battery operation matters to you, treat the shorter figure as the safer assumption.
Colors
The standard finish is black, and Korg also sells the Pitchblack X CR/BL in Cream or Blue. Korg states the difference is only cosmetic, with specifications exactly the same as the standard Pitchblack X5.
The Pitchblack X family
Korg sells the Pitchblack X alongside three siblings, all chromatic tuners accurate to ±0.1 cent in Strobe mode162:
| Model | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pitchblack X | Pedal | Battery or adaptor power, 28mA draw, 200mA power output13 |
| Pitchblack XS | Compact pedal tuner | Ultra-high accuracy down to ±0.1 cents, 12 note equal temperament71 |
| Pitchblack X mini | Mini pedal | Smallest tuner in the series; adaptor power only, 30mA draw89 |
| Pitchblack X Pro | Rackmount chromatic tuner | Multicolored LEDs in five color types, Ultra Buffer10 |
The X mini shares the Regular, Strobe, Half-strobe and Mirror display modes and the same calibration range, but its specifications list an AC adaptor only, with no battery, and a maximum draw of 30mA8. The X Pro swaps the mini's Mirror mode for a Focus mode and offers LED color schemes including blue to red and green to red gradations10. Korg's series comparison also lists a Focus display mode across the range11.
What reviewers said
Guitar World reviewed the Pitchblack X and rated its accuracy at ±0.1 cent, matching Korg's figure3. On visibility, the reviewer wrote:
"the display on the Pitchblack X is nice and big so you can still clearly see what it's telling you."
The same review flagged the side-mounted jacks and top-mounted power as a layout point, and highlighted the 200mA output as a way to daisy chain low powered pedals3. MusicRadar's mini pedal buying guides have covered the Pitchblack X mini, crediting it with incredible tuning accuracy and an ultra-bright display, while noting its contrast is not as good as the full-size version's, and that the mini actually has more color segments than the full-sized one121314.
Videos
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Questions
Can the Korg Pitchblack X power other pedals?
Yes. It has a DC 9V output socket rated at 200mA, so it can act as a mini power supply. Guitar World notes you could daisy chain a few low powered pedals off it, or one slightly more power-hungry pedal. The pedal itself draws a maximum of 28mA from its own 9V supply.
How long does a battery last in the Pitchblack X?
Korg's specifications give two figures: approximately 24 hours and approximately 5 hours, both for a 9V battery with A4 continuous input, the tuner on and Regular display mode. It runs on one 9V type battery (6LF22/6LR61/6F22) or a 9V AC adaptor, which is included.
What is the Korg Ultra Buffer?
A newly developed buffer circuit built into the Pitchblack X. Korg says a buffer boosts the signal over long cables to avoid loss of tone, keeping it clean and clear even when the pedal is off. The Pitchblack X lets you switch between true bypass and the Ultra Buffer, so you can choose either approach for your signal chain.
What is the difference between the Pitchblack X, XS, X mini and X Pro?
All four are chromatic tuners accurate to ±0.1 cent in Strobe mode. The X mini is the smallest in the series and draws a maximum of 30mA with no battery option. The X Pro is a rackmount chromatic tuner with multicolored LED displays. The XS is a compact pedal tuner. The full-size X adds a 200mA power output and battery operation.
What colors does the Pitchblack X come in?
The standard finish is black, and Korg also offers the Pitchblack X CR/BL in Cream or Blue. Korg states the difference is only cosmetic, with specifications exactly the same as the standard Pitchblack X.
Is the Pitchblack X readable in bright sunlight?
Guitar World's reviewer found the display big and easy to read, clearly visible even on fogged-out stages or outdoors. The pedal also has a bright mode with two brightness levels, which Korg says ensures you can see the display even in strong light.
Sources (14)
- Specifications, KORG
- Pitchblack X, KORG (USA)
- Korg Pitchblack X review, Guitar World, 2024-01-09
- Pitchblack X Pro, Korg
- Pitchblack X CR/BL, Korg
- Pitchblack X mini, Korg
- Specifications, KORG
- Specifications, Korg
- Pitchblack X mini, KORG (USA)
- Pitchblack X Pro, Korg
- Comparison Chart, KORG (www.korg.com)
- Best mini pedals: Small-scale stompboxes, MusicRadar, 2023-02-23
- Best mini pedals: Small-scale stompboxes, MusicRadar, 2023-02-23
- Best mini pedals: Small-scale stompboxes, MusicRadar, 2023-02-23
