AutoStrobe 490-ST

Overview

Features

Specifications

Sweeteners

Reviews

Support

Related Products

Capable of handling “stretched” interval tuning, this is the instrument technician’s most valuable tool. The Peterson AutoStrobe 490ST offers a vast array of selectable “stretched” tuning options, including pianos of all types. Enjoy the instantaneous response times that only a Peterson can deliver and the relative tuning display of any audio source to 0.1 of a cent (1/1000 of a semitone) accuracy!

With the Model 490-ST, students, technicians, and musicians of all levels can utilize automatic (hands-free) note selection for absolutely the most accurate tuning of any instrument. Key features including real-time display of intonation to improve performance and listening skills while playing as well as mutable throughputs for in-line (yet silent) tuning during performances round out the package!

PRESET STRETCH TABLES | Peterson Strobe Tuners

PRESET STRETCH TABLES

"Stretch" refers to specific adjustments in the frequencies (pitches) of notes to enhance the overall quality of tuning within an instrument.

The AutoStrobe 490-ST comes with 9 factory preset tables that range from concert grand piano to spinet pianos.

Users can program up to 31 stretch tunings of their own.

UNMATCHED ACCURACY | Peterson Strobe Tuners

UNMATCHED ACCURACY

All Peterson products provide guaranteed tuning results to within +/-0.1 cent.

That is 1/1000th of a semitone!

This level of accuracy is the highest in the industry and what has made Peterson the choice of tuning professionals around the globe for over 65 years.

FULL RANGE TUNING | Peterson Strobe Tuners

FULL RANGE TUNING

Automatic Image Clarity helps identify extremely high or low notes with the push of a button.

The DISPLAY +2 / -1 push button changes the strobe motor speeds to allow the audio input to be displayed on the higher or lower bands on the strobe disc.

Altering the speed of the motor permits viewing the extreme upper and lower registers much more easily.

SIMPLE CONTROL | Peterson Strobe Tuners

SIMPLE CONTROL

Designed for “user-friendly” operation with little need for interaction once the initial desired settings have been entered.

Hands-free tuning can be accomplished via the built-in mic or plug in a microphone for additional control of the sound source.

Automatic Note Detection continually adjusts motor speed for viewing of the input sound relative to the nearest standard pitch.

USA MADE | Peterson Strobe Tuners

USA MADE

Proudly designed, manufactured, and tested in Alsip, IL U.S.A.

Since 1948, Peterson Strobe Tuners is deeply committed to innovation as well as excellence in design, manufacturing, and customer service.

Default

EQU
Standard chromatic tuning/Equal temperament suitable for regular or alternate tuning, 100 cent intervals - no Sweetening.

Guitar & Bass

P5TH
Peterson Sweetener for electric guitar
G5TH
Peterson Sweetener for Electric Guitar

Historic Temperaments

JMI
Just Major Intonation
JME
Just Minor Intonation
PYT
Pythagorean Intonation with A base
4MT
1/4 Comma Meantone
KRN
Kirnberger III Temperament
WK3
Werckmeister III
YNG
Young Temperament with A base

Stretch Tunings

CNGD
Concert Grand Piano Stretch Tuning.
STGD
Studio Grand Piano Stretch Tuning
AVRG
Average Piano Stretch Tuning
SMGD
Small Grand Piano Stretch Tuning
UPRT
Upright Piano Stretch Tuning
VERT
Average Vertical Piano Stretch Tuning
CNSL
Console Piano Stretch Tuning
SPNT
Spinet Stretch Tuning

Compare to Sweetened Tunings offered in other products.

Power Supply: Built-In (IEC)

Stretch Tuning Tables: 9 Preset Stretches

Note Range: C1 to B8

Note Selection: Automatic Or Manual

Foot Pedal Control: +/- Octave, Note Increment

Peterson Connect Compatible: No

Form Factor: Desktop/Bench

Accuracy: 0.1 Cents

Display Type: Single Analog Strobe Disc

Display Resolution: Infinite (Analog)

Construction: Metal Casing

Product Dimensions LxWxH: 13.4" x 6.375" x 3.5"

Product Weight: 7lbs. (3.18kg)

USB Port: No

Power: AC 100V to 240V

Built-In Microphone: Yes

Built-In Speaker: No

Metronome: No

Inputs: 1/4" Jack

Outputs: 1/4" Thru

Mute-able Output: Footswitch Controlled

Tone Generator: No

Concert A Range: 350Hz to 550Hz

Global Cent Offset Range: +/- 50 Cents

Transposition Range: Keys of C, Bb, F, Eb

Frequency Response Range: 32.70Hz to 7902.13Hz

Warranty: 1 Year

User Presets: 255 User Presets

Historic Temperaments: Yes

18 Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars.
5 stars
78%
4 stars
11%
3 stars
11%
2 stars
0%
1 star
0%
See All AutoStrobe 490-ST Reviews
By Joe Barr on Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 4 String Bass

By Tim Schenk on Sunday, March 13, 2022

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar

By Lin Campbell Cavalcanti on Thursday, March 11, 2021

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays 6-String Electric Guitar, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 4 String Bass
It is literally a dream to have one of these on my bench! Perfect pitch, perfect intonation and built like a tank!

The support is spectacular, took all my doubts, and helped to resolve all my questions quickly! They really care about the professionals who purchase their products !!

I am extremely satisfied, it exceeded all my expectations !!

2 people found this review helpful.
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By Brian Arnold on Monday, August 26, 2019
Edited on Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays Upright Bass, Double Bass, String Bass, 8 String Bass, 6-String Electric Guitar, 4 String Bass, 6-String Acoustic Guitar, 5 String Bass
I've never been a fan of LCD tuners, even though they have more advanced software and are far more economical and appropriate for working-musicians in small club settings than the larger mechanical tuners. However, there is just no substitute for an old-fashioned Strobe Wheel tuner for accuracy, versatility, and ease of use. I've been using genuine strobe wheels since the '60s, and the AutoStrobe 490-ST combines some of the best features of the modern digital devices with the precise mechanical function of the original analog units.

At first, I did not like the glaringly-bright orange backlight for the strobe display, so I sent it back to the factory for some modification. At the suggestion of Customer Service Representative Sue Haslam, they installed red LEDs and a brightness control, which makes my unit far more versatile and comfortable to gaze at for long periods in subdued ambient lighting, like in a studio, and bright enough to read in a sun-filled room when the need arises. It ...

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6 people found this review helpful.
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By Robert Mccollum on Monday, March 18, 2019

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
The Music Doctor, Professional Tuner, 35 yrs. I have just purchased my second 490ST. The stretch tuning options of this unit have greatly increased my accuracy and saved countless hours of time.

12 people found this review helpful.
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By Peter Saunders on Friday, December 21, 2018

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Reviewed on
Peterson Website
This tuner absolutely lives up to it’s Legendary reputation. Very pleased to own the Peterson 490-ST.

1 person found this review helpful.
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By Jim May on Sunday, October 7, 2018
Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Plays Dobro® / Resonator Guitar
Reliable and dependable to provide stable tuning.

1 person found this review helpful.
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By Glenn A. Fox on Thursday, February 22, 2018

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
I just received a Peterson Strobotuner 490ST a couple of days ago and just used it for the first time today. I have been tuning pianos for over 30 years and this tuner is a "dream"! I used it on a 5'8" grand piano and the stretch tuning set the temperament just the way I like it. It cut at least an hour off my regular tuning time and I'm looking forward to using it on different kinds of pianos. I am very particular in my tuning and I think this unit will remove a lot of my "stress" on getting the right sound. I have tuned the piano I tested this unit on many times and this particular piano sounded the best it's ever sounded. Very pleased!!

9 people found this review helpful.
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By Pellerino Lorenzo on Thursday, December 14, 2017

Verified Purchase

Reviewed on
Peterson Website
Autostrobe 490-ST is a very precise tuner and can be a valuable aid in the work, even for an expert tuner technician with a very refined ear. It also allows you to perform a piano tuning satisfactorily and in a shorter time than you can in other conditions.
Sometimes the reading of the stroboscopic disc is a bit 'difficult and the image is not clear. Probably this also depends on the quality of the instrument to be tuned. Perhaps the problem could be solved by using a suitable microphone.
Autostrobe 490-ST can also exercise the human ear to improve the ability to perceive even the smallest nuances of sound and allow you to make tunings always specific to each instrument as each has its own timbre, its voice and its defects like every single human being.
Even if we are at very high levels, that research continues ...

6 people found this review helpful.
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By Piano Tuna on Sunday, May 22, 2016
Reviewed on
I use this for tuning pianos - it is extremely accurate and easy to use. The built in stretch and temperament files make it easy to tune and gives excellent results. An electronic tuner is never a substitute for the skills of the piano tuner and there are always judgment calls and compromises to be made by ear, but honestly this tuner is AWESOME! I'm very impressed, it allows me to tune quickly and accurately because it's immune to background noise and false beats. I love that it has built in stretch and temperament files. I recommend buying this with both foot switch accessories if you are tuning pianos. I also use manual mode in my tunings so I won't comment on the auto tune functions. I don't use them.

I do wish someone had prepared me for the noise of the mechanical strobes, this thing doesn't run silently, you can hear the strobe discs turning. I didn't like that at first, but wow, when I tuned the treble section the first time and experienced how quickly and accurately this bab ...

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15 people found this review helpful.
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Does my AutoStrobe 490-ST require calibration?

Generally, your AutoStrobe 490-ST will not require calibration and should remain perfectly accurate if it has not been damaged.

Unlike more modern Peterson strobes, legacy models such as the Peterson 400, 420, 450 and 700 do require occasional calibration.

If you require service, please open a support ticket and return the tuner for repair.

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How do I read a strobe display?

Basically, the strobe image appears to travel to the left if your instrument is flat of the desired pitch and to the right if it is sharp. On earlier models such as the StroboStomp 1, StroboStomp 2, VS-1, VS-II and V-SAM, the strobe image travels upward if your instrument is sharp and downward if your instrument is flat of the desired pitch.

Adjust your instrument until the pattern is as close to still as possible. Strobe displays are 'real-time' and extremely precise. They require very fine tuning adjustments to stop the display because the frequency/pitch of any instrument is never totally stable.

You'll quickly learn to read the display, make the most precise adjustments and appreciate the high resolution that only a Peterson provides.

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Is the accuracy the same for all Peterson tuners?

Yes, the accuracy is within 0.1 cents (1/1000 of one semitone) as with all Peterson Strobe Tuners. An important thing to note is that Peterson Strobe Tuners have ultra high definition displays, so not only are they highly accurate in detecting a note but they have the ability to display that accuracy. Other products claim accuracy but do not have the high definition screen to display the level of accuracy in which they claim. If you cannot see the accuracy, it is of little value. Only Peterson provides High Definition Strobe Tuning.

How Accurate Is My Tuner?

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What is my AutoStrobe 490-ST’s Sweetened Tunings feature all about?

A Sweetener is a set of cent offsets or a deviation from generic Equal Temperament interval spacing traditionally used in tuning. Tuners made by Peterson, including the AutoStrobe 490-ST, contain many choices of Sweeteners, in other words, several presets with differing interval spacing relevant to the instrument being tuned. If you’ve never been happy with how your instrument tunes up with your present tuner, a Sweetener could be just the thing to change that without any modifications whatsoever. The AutoStrobe 490-ST offers unique and very accurate tweaks which often make all the difference.

Peterson Tuners - Sweetened Tunings

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Is there a carrying case available?

We have carrying cases available that are very useful if you will be frequently traveling with your Peterson tuner. You may purchase your case directly from us at Peterson.

Cases are available for the AutoStrobe™ line, the StroboClip HD and the StroboPLUS HD/HDC.

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490ST Instruction Manual English 11-2017
Peterson Proposition 65 Warning

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 The Peterson AutoStrobe 490 is agreed by music students, technicians, and professionals to be the standard by which all tuners are measured. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

AutoStrobe 490

$950.00

The Peterson AutoStrobe 490 is agreed by music students, technicians, and professionals to be the standard by which all tuners are measured. Only Peterson could bring you the kind of real- time intonation critical enough for ear training use. Enjoy hands-free note selection for fast, accurate tuning of instruments. Other companies may boast of their strobe tuner capabilities, but buyer beware! The AutoStrobe 490 is a truly stroboscopic mechanical tuner capable of fundamental and overtone display. Key features include mutable throughputs for in-line (yet silent) tuning during performances, automatic image clarity and contrast control which internally compensate for optimal viewing over a wide range of source pitch and volume, improved clarity for upper and lower register notes (our +2/-1 display feature shifts the strobe patterns into more visible middle ranges so that bass note patterns can be displayed two octaves higher and treble note patterns can be displayed one octave lower in strobe display), and easy transposition (strobe patterns appear at the correct note for Bb, F, and Eb instruments).
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 The AutoStrobe 590 is THE preeminent mechanical strobe tuner for tone generation and metronome facilities. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

AutoStrobe 590

$1,175.00

The AutoStrobe 590 is THE preeminent mechanical strobe tuner for tone generation and metronome facilities. It combines both input instrument tone and audio standard reference tone at the output for simultaneous visual and audible tuning along with exceptional intonation training! The 590’s key features (automatic note tracking and audio tone generation capabilities) make it a favorite in the classroom, at the factory, or backstage. And as usual, only a Peterson can respond at the speed of light to display relative tuning information extracted from any audio source down to 0.1 of a cent (1/1000 of a semitone) accuracy! Finally, utilize automatic (hands-free) note selection for fast tune ups of instruments. Proudly made in the USA.
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 Converts any AutoStrobe™ model to a 19

AutoStrobe Rack Kit

$45.00

Converts any AutoStrobe™ model to a 19" rack format. AutoStrobe™ 490 not included.
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 Soft but durable, with double zippered flap top, space for additional accessories, and an adjustable/removable shoulder strap. | Peterson Strobe Tuners

AutoStrobe Soft Case

$55.00

Soft but durable, with double zippered flap top, space for additional accessories, and an adjustable/removable shoulder strap.
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 For remote Octave +/- selection (490-ST and StroboRack only). | Peterson Strobe Tuners

Dual Footswitch

$68.75

For remote Octave +/- selection (490-ST and StroboRack only).
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