Korg CA-30 Chromatic Tuner

by Korg

Product Features

• Compact chromatic tuner, ideal for brass band or orchestra
• High-precision LCD needle-type meter for stable tuning
• Wide range of pitch detection covers C1--C8
• Calibration function supports a variety of concert pitches
• Reference tone can be produced from an internal speaker. (Sound Out)

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.1 x 2.5 x 0.6 inches ; 2.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000BBRZ3S
• Item model number: KOR CA30
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,928 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #86 in Musical Instruments > Instrument Accessories > Guitar & Bass Accessories > Tuners
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 1, 2000

Product Description

Amazon.com

High accuracy and superb functionality have made Korg chromatic tuners the worldwide favorite. And now, the new Korg CA-30 joins the best-selling CA series of tuners. With even more features, like a pitch reference tone and marks for pure major thirds and minor thirds, the CA-30 digital tuner packs basic functionality and convenient tuning functions into ultra-compact bodies.

Plenty of features and functionality in a small package. Click to enlarge.

High-precision LCD meter and LEDs to indicate pitch deviation.

Built-in speaker for reference pitches.

Wide Range of Pitch Detection
This compact chromatic tuner supports a broad range of C1 (32.70 Hz)-C8 (4186.01 Hz), allowing speedy and high-precision tuning of wind, string, keyboard, and other instruments. This hand held tuner is ideal for tuning even low-register notes containing numerous overtones that are often difficult to tune. A high-sensitivity microphone is built-in to this chromatic tuner, allowing easy and accurate tuning of acoustic instruments such as ukuleles. A separately sold CM-100 contact microphone can also be used to send the vibrations directly to the tuner for even more accurate tuning.

Ultra-compact body with a "Tilt Slit"
Although the CA-30 is small, thin, and light, don't let its pocket-sized body fool you. The CA-30 chromatic tuner packs the functionality needed for tuning a wide range of instruments. From studio to stage, tuning is easy and convenient. The back of the unit includes a unique arc-shaped "tilt slit" that lets you insert a plastic card for use as a handy stand.

High-precision LCD Meter
The meter section uses an LCD needle, combining the accuracy of an LCD with the easy visibility of a needle, and providing a stable display. Additional visual feedback is provided by LEDs that indicate pitch deviation.

Sound Out
In addition to visual tuning via meter, the Korg CA-30 can play reference pitches from its internal speaker (Sound Out) for tuning by ear. Each press of the Sound switch will cycle through the A4-Bb4 notes, commonly used for tuning wind instruments. Alternatively, you can hold down the Sound switch to change the cycle to the semitone intervals from C4 through C5 (one octave), allowing reference pitches for any instrument to be sounded quickly.

Adjustable Calibration
The Calibration function (410-480 Hz) of this chromatic tuner supports a wide range of standard pitches, and can be adjusted in 1 Hz steps for accurate and flexible tuning to any song or key. Thanks to the Memory Backup function, the Calibration and reference pitch are remembered even when the power is turned off. (However, these settings will be initialized when the batteries are replaced.)

Auto Power Off Function
The power will turn off automatically if the unit is left powered-on for 20 minutes without performing any operation, avoiding unnecessary battery consumption.

Approximately 100 hours of Continuous Use Low-power consumption design allows an amazing 100 hours (approximate) of continuous battery life (A4 continuous input, meter mode, zinc-carbon batteries).

Three Year Warranty
Korg tuners and metronomes purchased from a Korg USA authorized dealer now have a three year warranty.

What's in the Box
CA-30 Tuner, Owner's Manual, Two AAA Batteries

Product Description

The Korg CA30 is a top-selling chromatic tuner with high accuracy and loads of features from a built-in microphone for acoustic instruments and tone generation to a wide tuning range for everything from electric and acoustic guitars to 6-string basses to orchestral instruments. High accuracy and superb functionality have made Korg tuners the worldwide favorite. The renowned CA-30 provides even more features like a pitch reference tone and quinta-flat tuning. This chromatic tuner packs basic functionality and convenient tuning functions into an ultra-compact body. Batteries included.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars NICE, INEXPENSIVE BUT FULLY FUNCTIONAL PRODUCT December 13, 2006

By Ronald

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a very fine tuner that allows you to tune any instrument, electronic or acoustical, "spot on." For the price I really didn't expect such a nice product. However, after reading about two minutes of instruction, I was accurately tuning my mandolin and guitar. It is very intuitive to use, is battery operated which makes it useful for on the road, and has has such practical features as auto turn off after non-use for 20 minutes so you don't kill your batteries should you forget to turn it off.

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Korg CA-30 Chromatic Tuner November 10, 2006

By L. Depra

Definitely would recommend this tuner! The majority of the orchestra and bands that I play in use this tuner during concerts. I personally got it to work on my tuning of timpanis...and it's been a great ear training tool, and essential especially in tough songs that I want to double check my tuning. Great price and holds up through a LOT (i've dropped it a ton of times...). Definitely would recommend it!

112 of 128 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From the Ice-Age to the New-Age for cheap! July 29, 2006

By D. Reinstein

A Little History:

I have been a guitar player for forty-odd (some of them, VERY odd) years. For the first thirty of them, I tuned by ear - starting by guessing at what a low E sounded like, then tuning the other five strings by fretting, listening and tuning. I could never understand why the tuning often sounded perfect for one chord, yet remained `off' for others... it took quite a long time to get it right. Then, about ten years ago, I thought I had figured it out. The problem (I thought) was that my guesses at a true "E" were off - so I got myself an "E" tuning fork (320 cycles) and used it to tune the first string. Then, I did as I had always done - fretted and tuned the other five. Not much better as a result - kept having to tune and retune for quite a while to get all chords to sound right. During those years, I tried tuning all six strings to (what I believed was an accurately tuned) piano as well as by ear to tones available online. Nothing gave me better tuning on the first try. Then, I saw an ad for a Chromatic Tuner and lightening struck.

The Realization:

There have been many - each of which has led me closer to what I have now - near perfect tuning on the first go `round! First off, I realized that when we say "E", that is not just one note. It is a range of literally hundreds - perhaps even thousands- of specific tones. The same is true for every note. This is akin, I guess, to the realization as a child, that no matter how many shades of `blue' are in a box of crayons, the chanced of having the precise shade you want for a specific drawing are rare. Purchasing my first Chromatic Tuner (a CT440, manufactured by SwitchMucic and sold through MusiciansFriend.com) moved me a long way along the continuum of learning and accurate tuning. However, that tuner had at least two limitations. Firstly, it's construction is rather light and flimsy - it works OK, but has a second limitation that conaused me to buy the Korg (for about the same price) That is that the Korg has a built in tone generator and speaker allowing the option of tuning that way rather than having only the single option of having tones made by the instrument read and metered back to you. Both tuners have plug-in for electric instruments, and, so far as I can tell, their accuracies are similar. I prefer the Korg for the reasons I have mentioned. Additionally, the Korg can be manually recalibrated for special tuning needs - and `remembers' the original tuning/tones so you can return to it for more `standard' usage. A nice, extra piece of flexibility. The LCD meter is easy to read and colored lights tell you, right away, whether you are sharp, flat (and by how much!) or right on!

As a point of surprising interest, the tuning fork I had used for years turns out to be profoundly FLAT! A shock to me - given that I had grown up learning that tuning forks gave off perfect tones! I have saved it as a reminder that all things are not what they are promoted to be. I guess the round pitch pipe that Ms. Sweeny used to tune up the class in the 5th grade was probably not quite as precise as she would have presumed!

And Finally:

This is a marvelous little (and inexpensive) device - well constructed, accurate and flexible to allow for many different tuning need situations and circumstances. I assume that there will be still higher places for my `learning curve' in this area to rise to - but for right now, this is it. I am using it, regularly, on all my stringed instruments (two six-string Martins, a twelve string Epiphone and a frailing banjo. The time it saves tuning the 12-string alone makes it more than it's own price!)

If you have not discovered Chromatic Tuning (maybe I really WAS the last one to discover these things!?), I suggest you do so immediately and spend your time enjoying the pleasures of making music rather than sitting in frustration trying to adjust the tunings by ear so it sounds `really' right. Perhaps people with `perfect pitch' can do very nicely without a Chromatic Tuner - I am not one of them. Are you?