TC Electronic PolyTune User manual

USER’S MANUAL
PolyTune™

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Important Safety Instructions
1 Read these instructions.
2 Keep these instructions.
3 Heed all warnings.
4 Follow all instructions.
5 Do not use this apparatus near water.
6 Clean only with dry cloth.
7 Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accor-
dance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
8 Do not install near heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including ampli-
fiers) that produce heat.
9 Only use attachments/accessories specified by the
manufacturer.
10 Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel.
Servicing is required when the apparatus has been
damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or
plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects
have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been
exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally,
or has been dropped.
Warning!
• Toreducetheriskoffireorelectricalshock,donot
expose this equipment to dripping or splashing and
ensure that no objects filled with liquids, such as vases,
are placed on the equipment.
• Donotinstallinaconfinedspace.
Service
• Allservicemustbeperformedbyqualifiedpersonnel.
Caution:
You are cautioned that any change or modifications
not expressly approved in this manual could void your
authority to operate this equipment.
When replacing the battery follow the instructions on
battery handling in this manual carefully.
EMC/EMI
Thisequipmenthasbeentestedandfoundtocomplywith
the limits for a Class B Digital device, pursuant to part 15
of the FCC rules.

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Theselimitsaredesignedtoprovidereasonableprotection
against harmful interference in residential installations.
Thisequipmentgenerates,usesandcanradiateradio
frequency energy and – if not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions – may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is
no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular
installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception – which can
be determined by turning the equipment off and on –, the
user is encouraged to try correcting the interference by
one or more of the following measures:
• Reorientorrelocatethereceivingantenna.
• Increasetheseparationbetweentheequipmentand
the receiver.
• Connecttheequipmenttoanoutletonacircuit
different from the one to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consultthedealeroranexperiencedradio/TV
technician for help.
For the customers in Canada:
ThisClassBdigitalapparatuscomplieswithCanadian
ICES-003. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est
conforme à la norme NMB-003 du Canada.

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www.tcelectronic.com - www.youtube.com/tcelectronic
(EN) Introduction
The electric guitar revolutionized the world of guitars. Now PolyTune™ revolutionizes the world
of tuners…
Congratulations–youareholdingourrevolutionarynewPolyTune™guitarandbasstuner.You’llnever
tune the same way again…
PolyTune™isthegreatestinnovationintunersever.Period!
StrumallstringsatthesametimeandPolyTune™clearlyandaccuratelytellsyouwhichstringsarein
tuneandwhichonesarenot.Noneedtocheckstringsindividually–juststrum,tuneandrock!
DropDTuning-yesofcoursewecan.AndswitchingbetweenregularPolyTunemodeandDropDis
dead simple.
WillitPolyTunewhenusingacapo?Yesofcourse.Justselectcapomodeandyouareallsettogo
whetheryouusePolyTunemode,ChromaticmodeorDropDtuningmode.
Whether you prefer to tune your instrument polyphonically or chromatically, it is no problem, you
decide. patented ‘MonoPoly’ algorithm detects which way you are tuning and switches modes
automatically.AtastrokePolyTune™hasrevolutionizedthewayguitaristsandbassplayerstune their
instruments.Couldwehavemadetuninganysimplerorquickerthanthis?

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1 - 1/4 inch mono jack input
2 - 1/4 inch mono jack output (true bypass)
3 - Tuner on/off (true bypass) + Drop D access
4 - Tuner display, - Chromatic + Polymode
5 - Note indicator
6 - Needle/Stream toggle
7 - Drop Tuning & Capo mode access
8 - Power in (9VDC)
9 - Power out to other pedals
10 - Service port

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Connecting
Input jack - connect your instrument here using a 1/4 inch
mono jack cable. If you run on battery we recommend removing
this jack to preserve battery power when you don’t play.
Output jack - connect to another pedal or directly into an amp
or mixer. When the tuner is active the output will be muted for
silenttuning.NoticethatPolyTune™isdesignedwithatrue
bypass circuit that leaves your beloved tone unaltered when the
tuner is bypassed.
Power in-usea9VDCpowersupplywiththefollowing
symbol:
Power out - If you use an external power supply you may use
PolyTune’s™powerouttodaisy-chainpowertootherpedals.
• Do NOT connect an external power supply to POWER OUT. This could cause malfunction or damage
to PolyTune™. Current draw on daisy-chained pedals may not exceed 2A.
• Besurethatyourpowersupplydeliverssufficientpowertocoverthepowerconsumptionof
all pedals.
• PlacePolyTune™beforedriveanddistortionpedalsforbesttunerindication.

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Tuning and Display modes
PolyTune™featuresbothPolyphonicandChromatictuningmodes.Togglethroughthefollowing
chromaticNeedle/Streamdisplaymodes,aswellasGuitar/Bassmodes,bypressingtheDISPLAY
button several times: Needle (G), Stream (G), Needle (B) and Stream (B). “G” for guitar and “B” for
Bass. Leave the button untouched for 2 seconds to return to tuning mode.
Chromatic mode
Standardchromatictuningofonestringatatime.ThedisplayindicationcanbesettoeitherNeedleor
Stream mode.
Needle display mode-Tuneyourinstrumentaccordingtothepositionofthe“needle”.Whenthenote
is in tune the five green center LEDs plus left and right arrows are lit. (see above)
Needle mode - Guitar Strobe mode - Bass

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Stream display mode-Thestreammovesright(notetoohigh)orleft(notetoolow).Tuneyour
instrument until the stream of LED groups is steady.
Poly mode
Yes,thisisapolyphonictuner.TheamazingPolyTune™allowsyoutogetanoverviewofthepitchof
all strings (guitar or 4/5/6 string bass) simultaneously. Simply strum all open strings firm and evenly,
and you can see exactly which strings that need fine tuning. It is your choice whether you prefer to
fine-tune strings in Chromatic or Poly mode.
Guitar - out of tune 4 string bass - out of tune 5 string bass - out of tune
Guitar - In tune 4 string bass - In tune 5 string bass - In tune

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6 string bass - out of tune
6 string bass - In tune
Mode switching
ViaTCElectronics“Monopoly”detectiontechnology,PolyTune™
detects whether you are playing one or several strings, and
automatically switches between Chromatic and Poly mode
accordingly.
For the most accurate tuning of electric guitars in Poly
mode, we have found that the best result is achieved by
selecting the guitars neck pickup and using the thumb to
strum the strings.

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Dropped tuning & Capo mode
PolytuneiseasytoadjusttoDroppedtuningsandCapomodes.Therange
for Dropped mode is up to 5 semitones and Capo mode allows you to
polytune with a capo in frets 1 to 7.
PresstheTUNINGbuttonseveraltimestoswitchbetweenthemodes.
Dropped modes: Eb, D, Db, C, B
Capomodes:F1,Gb2,G3,Ab4,A5,Bb6,B7
Leave the button untouched for two seconds and the tuner then returns to tuning mode.
YES - Dropped tuning and Capo modes can be combined with “Drop D” mode
Example: Dropped mode “Eb” Example: Capo mode “F1”
- capo in first fret
Example: Capo mode “G3”
- capo in third fret

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Drop D Tuning mode
ThisisthecommonlyusedmodewhereyoudropthelowE-stringtoD.Inthismodethestringsthe
tune:DADGBE.SwitchingbetweenDropDandStandardtuningmodeiseasy.Justpressand
hold the on/off switch for three seconds.
When entering Drop D mode the
display briefly writes DROP D
When entering Standard mode the
displaybrieflywritesSTD

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Calibrate Pitch Reference
Defaultpitchreferenceis440Hzbutyoucancalibratefrom435to445HzinoneHzsteps.Tochange
the pitch reference; press both buttons on the rear panel once and then use the two buttons individually
tostepup/downwithinthepitchreference.Enjoythenumericindicationinthedisplay!-Toreturnto
tuner mode, leave the buttons untouched for 2 seconds.
Activate Calibration Raise Pitch Reference Lower Pitch Reference
Miscellaneous
Automatic dim of display-inthelowerrightsideofthedisplayanAmbilightsensordetectsthe
strengthofthesurroundinglightandautomaticallyadjuststhedisplaybrightnessaccordingly.Thisway
you will always have appropriate brightness on the display under all conditions and this feature even
extends the battery life when max light is not necessary.
Indication of current settings - When inserting a jack cable to the input, the pedals status is
displayed.Defaultsettingsare:Tuning:E,PitchReference:440Hz,Displaymode:Needle.

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PolyTune™remembersthelastusedsettings,evenifthepowerhasbeendisconnectedorthe
battery has been removed.
Changing battery-Unscrewthethumb-screwonthebackofthepedalanddetachthebackplate.
Unmounttheoldbatteryandattachthenewbatterytothebatteryclipmakingsurethepolarityis
correct.Thenremountthebackplate.Tosavebatterylife;removetheinputjackwhenyoudon’tplay.
Batteries must never be heated, taken apart or thrown into fire or water. Only rechargeable
batteries can be recharged. Remove the battery when the pedal is unused for a longer period of
time. Dispose batteries according to local laws and regulations.
Low battery indication - When the battery runs low on power the display occasionally indicates this by
writing“BATT”.

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(EN) Technical Specifications
TuningRange: A0(27.5Hz)-C8(4186Hz)
TuningAccuracy: +/-0.5cent
ReferencePitch: A4=435to445Hz(1Hzsteps)
Input Impedance: 500 kOhm (pedal on)
PowerSupply: One9VtypebatteryorACadapter(9VDC),-soldseparately
CurrentDraw: 45-50mA(typicaluse)
Dimensions (WxDxH): 72 mm x 122 mm x 45 mm
Weight: 300g/10.6oz(incl.battery)
Included items: 2 pcs. 3M velcro for pedal board
attachment
Due to continuous
development, these
specifications are subject to
change without notice

TC Electronic, Sindalsvej 34, DK-8240 Risskov
[email protected]