Tuner & Fretboard

These features are available when guitar or bass guitar is selected as the instrument. Both operate on the live audio signal and require no additional configuration beyond a calibrated input level.

Polyphonic Tuner

Most hardware and software tuners are monophonic, analysing one string at a time. The polyphonic tuner in Transkr analyses all strings simultaneously, so a single strum across all six strings is sufficient to check the tuning of the entire instrument.

The pitch reference defines the tuning standard used by both the tuner and the pitch detection model. The default is 440 Hz (A440), adjustable between 400 and 450 Hz. Tune the instrument to the selected reference before conversion.

The displayed tuning depends on the instrument selected in the main interface. Each instrument uses its standard tuning, except 6-String Guitar (Drop D), which applies Drop D tuning. The tuning cannot be changed within the tuner itself.

Tuning deviation is shown within a range of ±50 cents. Negative values indicate a string is flat; positive values indicate sharp; zero indicates the string is in tune. Deviations are labelled using the accidentals flat, natural and sharp, with a display accuracy of ±1 cent. Enharmonic equivalents are shown as pairs (e.g. F♯ = G♭).

Fretboard

The fretboard display can be toggled on or off when guitar is selected. It shows a live visualisation of detected pitches mapped to fret positions, updated in real time as you play.

Rather than simply marking which notes are detected, the fretboard includes a fingering estimator. Based on the current set of ringing notes and an estimate of hand position, the algorithm finds a physically playable fingering. Candidates closer to the nut are preferred, favouring open or first-position voicings where multiple options exist.

When no valid fingering can be assigned to the detected pitches, the nut flashes magenta and the last valid fingering remains visible until all notes ring out. Higher positions additionally highlight the estimated location of the index finger.

The autocomplete feature indicates the finger placement of the detected chord voicing — useful for learning unfamiliar shapes or verifying that a played chord has been detected as intended.