The One Control LX Tuner with BJF Buffer is a tuner pedal with a buffer built in, aimed at guitarists and bassists who want accurate tuning and a way to drive long cable runs without losing top end. One Control describes it as "the tuner with buffer that has been demanded by guitarists and bassists"1. The tuning section uses the Korg Pitchblack Custom circuit, licensed by One Control from Korg, Inc for this unit1, and the buffer is the BJF Buffer designed by Björn Juhl, which can be switched on and off at will2.
Guitar World reported the pedal's release on 7 July 2022, listing it at $144 at launch2. On the maker's own product page, the regular price is $234.99 USD with a sale price of $293.99 USD as of 26 October 20261.
The four tuning modes
The pedal features four tuning modes: A mode, Strobe, Half Strobe and B mode2. Each changes how the display reads pitch back to you.
| Mode | What it does |
|---|---|
| A mode | A conventional tuning mode2 |
| Strobe | Allows the user to see smaller pitch discrepancies2 |
| Half Strobe | Allows the user to see smaller pitch discrepancies2 |
| B mode | Swaps the horizontal display for a vertical one for users who prefer a different visual orientation2 |
One Control's product page adds that "Regular B Mode" is a unique vertical display1. In strobe mode the tuner reaches what the maker calls a "new ultra-high precision tuning resolution of plus/minus 0.1 cents"1, and the tuner section's detection accuracy is listed as within +/- 0.1 cent1. A cent is one hundredth of a semitone, so that resolution is fine enough for intonation work, not just between-song tuning.
The switchable BJF Buffer
The BJF Buffer is the second half of the pedal's appeal. Guitar World described it as "a built-in buffer circuit, the BJF Buffer, designed by Björn Juhl, which can be switched on and off at will"2. One Control equipped the pedal with an ON/OFF switch to bring the BJF Buffer circuit in or out of the circuit, so "You can use the LX TUNER as both true bypass or with the BJF Buffer as needed"1.
The reason the buffer is switchable rather than always-on comes down to how some pedals react to what feeds them. Per One Control's explanation, impedance changes through buffer use and effects connected directly to the guitar, including old-school fuzz pedals, may change the sound in unwanted ways2. A fuzz that expects to see the guitar's own pickup impedance can behave differently behind a buffer, so being able to take the buffer out of the path matters to players using those circuits. For more on how buffers work and where they belong on a board, see Buffer Pedals.
Because the buffer can be switched out, the pedal's place in the signal chain is flexible: buffered at the front of a long board, or true bypass when a fuzz or other impedance-sensitive pedal sits first in line.
Power and practical details
The LX Tuner runs on a 9V battery or external power at DC 9V with a negative tip 2.1mm barrel connector, drawing 40mA max1. Input impedance is 1MΩ when the tuner is turned on1. The housing measures 67 (W) x 114 (D) x 45 (H) mm and weighs 249g, and One Control notes that "Our smaller housing does not take up any extra pedalboard real estate"1.
At 40mA max current draw1, the LX Tuner is above what some single daisy-chain outlets comfortably share, so a dedicated outlet on a pedalboard power supply is worth planning for.
One Control also builds the BJF Buffer into other units in its Minimal Series, including the Minimal Series BJF Buffer, the Minimal Series Tuner MKII with BJF BUFFER and the Minimal Series Pedal Board Junction Box with BJF Buffer, if you want the same buffer circuit in a dedicated unit. Players comparing tuner pedals with built-in buffering may also look at the TC Electronic PolyTune 3, another tuner that doubles as a buffer.
Questions
What is the difference between A mode and Strobe mode on the One Control LX Tuner?
A mode is the conventional tuning display, showing pitch in the familiar way. Strobe mode, along with Half Strobe mode, lets you see smaller pitch discrepancies, and in Strobe mode the pedal reaches a tuning resolution of plus or minus 0.1 cents. Players who want the finest readout use Strobe; players who want a simple, quick reference use A mode. Half Strobe sits between the two, showing smaller discrepancies than A mode without the full strobe readout.
Can the LX Tuner's BJF Buffer be switched off?
Yes. One Control equipped the LX Tuner with an ON/OFF switch that brings the BJF Buffer circuit in or out of the signal path. That means you can run the pedal as a straight true bypass tuner or leave the buffer always in circuit, whichever suits your board. The reason for the switch is that impedance changes from buffering, and effects connected directly to the guitar such as old-school fuzz pedals, may change the sound in unwanted ways.
Is the One Control LX Tuner true bypass?
It can be. The pedal offers both true bypass and buffered bypass, selected with the buffer ON/OFF switch. One Control describes it as usable as both true bypass or with the BJF Buffer as needed, so the choice is made on the pedal rather than fixed at the factory. With the buffer off, the signal passes through the tuner without the BJF Buffer circuit in the path.
Does the One Control LX Tuner run on a battery?
Yes, the pedal takes a 9V battery. It also runs on external power at DC 9V with a negative tip 2.1mm barrel connector, drawing a maximum of 40mA. With that current draw, a standard daisy chain supply shared with other pedals may be tight depending on what else is on the board, so a dedicated outlet on a pedalboard power supply is the safer way to run it.
How accurate is the One Control LX Tuner in strobe mode?
In strobe mode the LX Tuner offers an ultra-high precision tuning resolution of plus or minus 0.1 cents, and the tuner section's detection accuracy is listed as within plus or minus 0.1 cent. A cent is one hundredth of a semitone, so this is a very fine readout, fine enough for setting intonation as well as routine tuning between songs.
Is the LX Tuner based on a Korg tuner?
Yes. One Control states that the LX Tuner with BJF Buffer uses the Korg Pitchblack Custom circuit, licensed by One Control from Korg, Inc for this unit. The tuning section is therefore Korg's design, with One Control's contribution being the housing, the four-mode display arrangement and the switchable BJF Buffer designed by Björn Juhl.
Sources (2)
- LX Tuner with BJF BUFFER (OC-LT), One Control USA
- One Control expands its pedal lineup with the all-new LX Tuner with BJF Buffer, Guitar World, 2022-07-07
