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Talking Tuner

Last updated on 16 March, 2012 - 20:16. Originally submitted by Scottsdale on 13 Apr 2011 - 18:27.
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Description of App

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HotPaw Talking Tuner is a hands-off, sound-activated, talking musical instrument tuner. It talks to tell you if you are in tune or not, so you don't even have to look at it. Talking Tuner uses built-in speech synthesis, and thus does not require that VoiceOver be enabled.

I received a request to develop an iPhone app which could help a vision-challenged individual tune their musical instrument. This is the result. Talking Tuner can assist someone to tune a musical instrument without having to look at or touch their iPhone's display.

With the Auto-Speak switch turned on, Talking Tuner will listen for a note to be played, and then, after waiting for the end of the sound (so as not to talk over it), will speak the note name, and how many cents sharp or flat the end of the note is estimated to be.

Using headphones may help make it easier to hear what this app is saying while tuning. Make sure to turn the volume up high enough to hear it.

The pitch estimation algorithm works best for notes between 2 octaves below Middle-C to 2 octaves above Middle-C. It may not work as well for very low notes, very high notes, or with any background noise, harmony, or accompaniment present. The accuracy is about +- 3 cents (3/100ths of the pitch difference between semitones).

Version

1.2.1

Free or Paid

Paid

Compatibility

This is a native iPhone and iPod Touch app that is displayed in 2x mode on an iPad

Device(s) App Was Tested On

iPhone 4

Accessibility Comments

Designed specifically for a visually impaired muso, so everything works a treat.

VoiceOver Performance

VoiceOver reads all page elements.

Button Labeling

Most buttons are clearly labeled.

Usability

The app is fully accessible with VoiceOver and is easy to navigate and use.

Other Comments

The app is self-voicing if VoiceOver isn't running when you launch it, but the most recent couple of updates have tightened up the VoiceOver integration and made it more productive to use. If the voice used in the original version turned you off, you should definitely revisit it now.

Link to Talking Tuner in the App Store

Visit developer web site

User Options

3 AppleVis user(s) have recommended this app for VoiceOver users.

Comments

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#1 A Must-Have for All Musicians Who Are Blind

Submitted by Michael Hansen on 14 July, 2011 - 21:01.
Member of the AppleVis Editorial Team

The app works flawlessly with VoiceOver, and it couldn't be easier to use. Just open the app and play a note on your instrument of choice (singing works too); that's all there is to it. It appears to be very accurate, as several tests on an electronic keyboard indicated "in tune"--as one would hope from a keyboard. It did have some trouble with really high notes, but that is to be expected. I also tried it on a piano that I know for a fact is a bit out of tune, and the app told me as much. As I stated in the subject, this is a must-have app for any musicians who are visually impaired.

#2 update is terrific

Submitted by Sheri w-j on 7 March, 2012 - 23:23.

the most recent update is a nice improvement on an already good app: not only is the VoiceOver integration working better, but the whole thing seems a little more responsive. I agree, a must-have!