The T-Rex Tunemaster is a compact chromatic tuner pedal from Danish maker T-Rex Effects, described by the company as "a no-frills chromatic tuner that does one thing really well"1. It is a chromatic tuner with a line drive built in: alongside the tuning function there is a selectable buffer with its own output level, usable when the pedal is bypassed to restore sparkle and add beef to the signal1. That makes it a tuner that can also do a little work for your tone, which sets it apart from most straightforward tuners such as the Boss TU3 or the Korg Pitchblack Chromatic Tuner.
Controls and display
The Tunemaster keeps things simple. There are three controls on the pedal1:
- On/off switch, for engaging the tuner
- Bypass selector, for choosing between true bypass and buffered bypass
- Beef, the buffer's own output level
The Beef control is the pedal's tone feature. T-Rex explains the thinking behind it: "We added a buffer with its own output level, so you can make use of the buffer's ability to bring back sparkle in the top"1. In practice, that means you can run the Tunemaster in buffered bypass mode and turn up the output level to drive the signal a little harder, which the maker positions as useful for restoring high-end sparkle on a board with many pedals1.
The display side gets equal attention. The large display and LEDs are designed to make it "REALLY clear when your guitar or bass is in tune", especially in difficult lighting or when checking from a distance on a dark stage1.
Bypass and the buffer
Bypass behavior is selectable rather than fixed. You can set the Tunemaster to true bypass, where the signal passes untouched when the pedal is off, or to buffered bypass, where the pedal's buffer stays in the circuit1. Premier Guitar's coverage of the pedal's announcement noted the practical benefit: "In buffered bypass mode, it features an adjustable output which comes in handy for longer signal chains"2.
For players weighing tuners, this is the Tunemaster's main difference from the crowd. Most compact tuners, from the TC Electronic PolyTune to the MXR M400 Turbo Tuner, are either buffered or true bypass as designed, without a level control on the buffer. If you want a dedicated always-on buffer pedal instead, that is a different category, covered on the buffer pedals page12.
Power and connections
The Tunemaster runs on 9V DC and draws 20 mA1. It can be powered from a 9V battery, type 6F22, with T-Rex listing battery life at 5 to 8 hours1. For pedalboard use, the maker names its own T-Rex FuelTank supply as the power source1.
Connections are the standard three jacks1:
- Input jack
- Output jack
- 9V DC jack
Impedance figures are in line with what you would expect for a tuner placed early in a chain: input impedance higher than 1M Ohm at 1KHz, and output impedance lower than 1K Ohm at 1KHz1. The maximum input signal is 3V p-p1.
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | +/- 0.5 cent1 |
| Detection range | A0 (27.5 Hz) to C8 (4186.00 Hz)1 |
| Input impedance @ 1KHz | Higher than 1M Ohm1 |
| Output impedance @ 1KHz | Lower than 1K Ohm1 |
| Maximum input signal | 3V p-p1 |
| Current draw @ 9V DC | 20 mA1 |
| Battery | 9V battery 6F22, 5 to 8 hours1 |
| Size incl. knobs (W x H x D) | 60 x 50 x 117 mm1 |
Background and price
Premier Guitar reported the Tunemaster as one of six new pedals T-Rex unveiled, with a retail price of $169, in a news item dated June 18, 20142. At that price it sat above budget mini tuners like the Joyo Irontune and in the territory of feature-rich tuners like the Peterson StroboStomp HD, though with a different feature set: the Tunemaster's selling points are its buffer with adjustable output and its large, stage-friendly display rather than strobe accuracy or polyphonic tuning12.
Videos
Premier Guitar
Woodbrass
andrewandthecatfives
Questions
Is the T-Rex Tunemaster true bypass?
Yes, and it is switchable. The Tunemaster offers selectable true bypass or buffered bypass, chosen with a bypass selector on the pedal. In buffered bypass mode it also has an adjustable output level, which Premier Guitar noted comes in handy for longer signal chains, where a buffer can restore sparkle lost through many pedals and cable runs.
What does the Beef control do on the Tunemaster?
Beef is the Tunemaster's output level control for the buffer. T-Rex added a buffer with its own output level so players can use the buffer's ability to bring back sparkle in the top end and add beef to the signal, particularly when the pedal is in buffered bypass mode on a longer pedalboard.
Can the Tunemaster run on a battery?
Yes. It takes a 9V battery type 6F22, and T-Rex lists battery life at 5 to 8 hours. It can also be powered from a 9V DC supply such as the T-Rex FuelTank, drawing 20 mA at 9V DC.
How accurate is the T-Rex Tunemaster?
T-Rex lists the Tunemaster's tuning accuracy at plus or minus 0.5 cent, with a detection range from A0 at 27.5 Hz to C8 at 4186.00 Hz. That covers the full range of a standard guitar or bass, and the large display and LEDs are designed to make it clear when the instrument is in tune.
How much does the T-Rex Tunemaster cost?
Premier Guitar reported a retail price of $169 when the Tunemaster was announced in June 2014. Prices may have changed since, so treat that figure as the original list price.
Sources (2)
- → T-REX EFFECTS ← Pedals for guitar and bass players!, T-Rex Effects
- T-Rex Effects Unveil Six New Pedals, Premier Guitar, 2014-06-18
