Season 3 episode 9: Dogs in the Vineyard
Korg At2 Link
For the Korg AT-2 Auto Chromatic Tuner
, helpful content focuses on utilizing its high-precision needle-style display and classic features to ensure accurate tuning for a wide range of instruments. Key Features and Functions Needle-Style Meter: The
uses a classic needle-style display that provides quick and highly accurate pitch visualization.
Bypass Jack: This feature allows you to keep the tuner connected in-line during a performance, enabling discreet tuning without unplugging.
Dual Input Modes: Use the built-in microphone for acoustic instruments (guitars, violins, horns) or the 1/4" input jack for direct connection with electric instruments.
Calibration Range: You can adjust the reference pitch (typically default at A=440Hz) to match other instruments, such as an out-of-tune piano or specific ensemble requirements. Practical Usage Tips
Achieving Accuracy: Aim for the green LED in the center of the display. If the red LED to the left is lit, the note is flat; if the red LED to the right is lit, it is sharp.
Setting Intonation: While many performers use clip-on tuners for quick tuning, handheld units like the Korg series are often preferred for setting electric guitar intonation due to their higher precision and stable needle tracking.
Noisy Environments: If you are tuning in a loud room, use the input jack or a separate contact microphone (like the Korg CM-300) to bypass ambient noise.
Educational Use: Some instructors use Korg tuners to create "intonation games" for students, where they must keep the tuner light green while playing specific passages to develop ear and finger placement. Documentation and Manuals korg at2
For detailed technical specifications and operating instructions, you can refer to the official support documentation at the Korg Support Center.
Korg Auto Tuner AT-2 Auto Chromatic Tuning, NOS ... - Reverb
(Auto Tuner) is a vintage chromatic tuner, primarily released in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It was known for its accuracy in a compact, portable form factor, serving as a reliable alternative to the larger strobe tuners of its era. Core Features Automatic Chromatic Tuning
: Unlike single-instrument tuners, it automatically detects any of the 12 semitones, making it suitable for guitar, bass, violin, and other orchestral instruments. Visual Interface
: It uses a classic needle-style meter supplemented by red/green "Flat/Sharp" LEDs to provide precise pitch feedback. Audio Inputs Built-in Microphone
: Allows for tuning acoustic instruments in quiet environments. Bypass Jack
: A 1/4-inch input and bypass jack allows electric musicians to keep the tuner in their signal chain during performances.
: A handheld device with a dark chassis, measuring approximately 5.2" x 2.6" x 1.3" and weighing about 0.4 lbs with batteries. Technical Specifications Specification Power Source 9V battery Dimensions 133(W) x 67(D) x 34(H) mm ~180g (including battery) Country of Origin Japan (Vintage models) or Taiwan Legacy and Successors The AT-2 is considered a predecessor to the widely popular Korg CA series (like the CA-1 and
), which evolved into the modern, credit-card-sized digital tuners common today. While modern equivalents like the For the Korg AT-2 Auto Chromatic Tuner Go
are lighter and offer longer battery life (up to 200 hours), some purists still prefer the sensitivity and steady needle response of the older AT-2. Equipboard Brand New NEW KORG AT-2 Auto Chromatic Tuner - eBay
The KORG AT-2 Auto Chromatic Tuner Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
is a vintage, high-quality Japanese-made tuner known for its precision and durability among string and wind instrument players. While newer digital models exist, the Go to product viewer dialog for this item.
remains a favorite for its stable pitch detection and simple, effective interface. Key Features & Capabilities
Precision Chromatic Tuning: Automatically detects and displays the pitch for a wide range of musical instruments, including guitars, basses, and violins. Flexible Signal Input:
Built-in Microphone: Allows for tuning acoustic instruments without needing a cable.
1/4" Input/Bypass Jacks: A 1/4” mono input jack supports electric instruments. The bypass jack allows you to keep the tuner in your signal chain for quick adjustments during live performances.
Visual Pitch Indicators: Features flat and sharp LED lights that provide immediate visual feedback on how close you are to the correct pitch.
Vintage Build Quality: Manufactured in Japan (with some models from Taiwan), it is noted for a rugged design and classic black finish. Technical Specifications Power Supply 9V Battery Dimensions 5.24" (W) x 2.64" (D) x 1.32" (H) Weight Approximately 180g (0.40 lbs) including battery Inputs/Outputs 1/4" Mono Input Jack, 1/4" Bypass Jack Availability & Pricing 5-pin DIN MIDI Out and USB MIDI
Korg AT-2 Guitar Chromatic Guitar Tuner w/ Battery Japan - eBay
4. MIDI Output
- 5-pin DIN MIDI Out and USB MIDI.
- Use the acoustic piano as a MIDI controller for software instruments (e.g., Kontakt, MainStage, GarageBand).
- Capture expressive performances (velocity-sensitive, up to 127 levels).
Who Is the AT-2 For?
| User Type | Recommendation | |-----------|----------------| | Night owl pianist in an apartment | ✅ Excellent choice (if you find one used) | | Teacher wanting to transpose on the fly | ✅ Very useful for vocal accompaniment | | Conservatory student needing MIDI practice | ✅ Great for using with apps like PianoTeq | | Casual player who rarely uses headphones | ❌ Overkill – buy a digital piano instead | | Owner of a spinet or drop-action upright | ❌ Likely incompatible |
3. The Multi-Instrumentalist
If you play sitar, oud, banjo, and guitar, you cannot possibly memorize the temperament quirks of each. The AT2 allows you to save three User Temperaments specifically for your non-Western instruments. Want to tune a sitar to just intonation? Store it in memory slot "U-1."
Korg AT2: The Automatic Tuner That Redefined Accuracy for the Modern Musician
In the world of live performance and studio recording, the humble tuner is often overlooked. We plug in, we glance at a needle or a row of LEDs, we turn a peg, and we move on. For decades, this process was simply a utility—a necessary chore. However, every so often, a product comes along that transforms a utility into an instrument in its own right. The Korg AT2 is precisely that device.
Released as the successor to the legendary AT-1 (which revolutionized the market with its "needle-less" design), the Korg AT2 isn't just a tuner; it is an ultra-high-precision, Auto-chromatic tuner designed to cater to the most demanding acoustic environments. Whether you are a luthier setting intonation on a vintage Martin, a bassist in a loud rock band, or a violinist in a silent rehearsal room, the AT2 promises one thing: absolute, undeniable tuning fidelity.
This article dives deep into the history, technology, ergonomics, and practical application of the Korg AT2, explaining why, years after its release, it remains a gold standard for musicians who refuse to compromise.
A Legacy of Precision: From the AT-1 to the AT-2
To understand the AT2, you must understand its predecessor. When Korg released the AT-1 (Auto Tuner), it shocked the market. Before the AT-1, most tuners used a mechanical VU meter needle. The AT-1 replaced that with a 61-segment LED matrix. Suddenly, musicians could see their pitch stability in real-time, as a "moving dot" traveling across a high-resolution screen. It was fast, visible in the dark, and incredibly accurate.
However, the AT-1 had one major limitation: it was designed primarily for tempered tuning (standard 12-tone equal temperament). As music became more sophisticated, and as interest in just intonation, pure thirds, and vintage synthesis grew, Korg realized they needed an upgrade.
Enter the Korg AT2.
Released in the mid-2000s, the AT2 took everything musicians loved about the AT-1—the speed, the bright display, the robust build—and added the one feature professionals were begging for: user-programmable temperaments.
Korg AW-AT2 Review: The Pilot’s Choice for Wind & Brass
Verdict: 9/10 – Essential for band rooms, but not for guitars.