The Sonicake Sonic Tuner is a multi-functional tuner pedal that, according to Sonicake, integrates various features in one compact box. Alongside its tuning function, the maker describes it as featuring a "professional-grade" boost effect that significantly enhances tone quality and playing dynamics, so it can double as an always-on boost at the front of a chain. Sonicake also lists an ultra-sensitive signal pickup for quick pitch detection1.
What the maker says it does
Sonicake's product page describes the Sonic Tuner as a multi-functional pedal that integrates various features in one box. The features the maker lists are1:
- Tuning function
- A "professional-grade" boost effect that the maker says significantly enhances tone quality and playing dynamics
- An ultra-sensitive signal pickup for quick pitch detection
- Two built-in bypass circuit modes, True Bypass and Buffered Bypass, toggleable1
"professional-grade" boost effect that significantly enhances tone quality and playing dynamics
Bypass: true or buffered
The Sonic Tuner offers both. Sonicake says the pedal is equipped with two built-in bypass circuit modes, True Bypass and Buffered Bypass, and that they are toggleable1. That puts it in a different position from many simple pedal tuners, which are true bypass only: the Gogo Tuners Horizon, the Gogo Pedal Tuner and the Gogo Chromatic Pedal Tuner are all listed by their maker as true bypass2, while the MOOER Baby Tuner has a true bypass switch234. The Walrus Audio Canvas Tuner, reviewed by Guitar.com's Josh Gardner, similarly gives "the option of true or buffered bypass"5. A toggleable buffer is useful if the tuner sits mid-chain on a board with long cable runs.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | QCS-031 |
| Bypass | True Bypass and Buffered Bypass, toggleable1 |
| Power | DC 9V center negative, adapter not included1 |
| Current consumption | 87mA1 |
| Dimensions | 112mm (D) x 64.5mm (W) x 34mm (H)1 |
| Weight | 260g1 |
| List price | $59.99 USD1 |
Power and size
The pedal runs on DC 9V center negative, and Sonicake states the adapter is not included, so you will need your own supply. Current consumption is listed at 87mA1.
The Sonic Tuner draws 87mA and needs a 9V center-negative supply that is not in the box. Check that your power supply or daisy chain has the headroom for it before adding it to a board.
Its footprint is compact: 112mm deep, 64.5mm wide and 34mm high, weighing 260g1. That is the mini-pedal format common among budget tuner pedals, so it takes little room next to the rest of a board.
What reviewers say
Sonicake's own product page for the Sonic Tuner currently shows no reviews, listing zero reviews for the product1. There is no published reviewer verdict on it yet, so what is on record about how it performs comes from the maker's own description.
Questions
Is the Sonicake Sonic Tuner true bypass?
Yes, and it also offers buffered bypass. Sonicake says the pedal is equipped with two built-in bypass circuit modes, True Bypass and Buffered Bypass, and that you can toggle between them. That covers both setups: true bypass keeps your chain untouched when the pedal is off, while buffered bypass can help drive longer cable runs.
Does the Sonicake Sonic Tuner come with a power adapter?
No. Sonicake's product page lists the power requirement as DC 9V center negative and states that the adapter is not included. You will need a 9V center-negative supply to run it, and the pedal draws 87mA, which is worth checking against whatever supply or daisy chain you plan to use.
Can the Sonicake Sonic Tuner run on a battery?
Sonicake's product page lists only DC 9V center-negative power and notes that the adapter is not included. No battery option is given on that page, so plan on using a 9V DC supply with the pedal.
What is the model number of the Sonicake Sonic Tuner?
The model number is QCS-03. Sonicake lists the product name as QCS-03 on the Sonic Tuner's product page, alongside the Sonic Tuner name.
How much current does the Sonicake Sonic Tuner draw?
Sonicake lists current consumption at 87mA on the Sonic Tuner's product page. That is a figure to keep in mind when adding up the total draw of a pedalboard power supply.
How big is the Sonicake Sonic Tuner?
Sonicake lists the dimensions as 112mm deep by 64.5mm wide by 34mm high, with a weight of 260g. That is a compact, single-width footprint in the mini-pedal style, so it fits easily on a crowded board.
Sources (5)
- Sonic Tuner, Sonicake
- THE GOGO TUNERS HORIZON CHROMATIC PEDAL TUNER, Gogo Tuners
- THE GOGO PEDAL TUNER BLACK CHROMATIC PEDAL TUNER, Gogo Tuners
- THE GOGO TUNERS THE GOGO CHROMATIC PEDAL TUNER, Gogo Tuners
- Walrus Audio’s Canvas Tuner is the tuner you want, Guitar.com, 2024-01-08
