Korg AW-1 Micro Tuner

The AW-1 Micro Tuner – an ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight chromatic tuner you can attach to your wind or string instrument for easy and accurate tuning.

In 1975 Korg created the world’s first needle-type, handy-sized tuner. Today Korg continues to refine the accuracy, functionality, and miniaturization of its tuners.

Packed with highly accurate, versatile functionality, the AW-1 is amazingly small. Equipped with an easy-to-view LCD meter, the AW-1’s compact design lets you attach it to your instrument in a way that will not obstruct your performance.

• Ultra-compact and lightweight chromatic tuner that can be attached to a wind or string instrument
• Marks to indicate pure major third and minor third intervals
• Piezo pickup detects vibrations from the attached instrument, or the built-in microphone detects the pitch
• Meter Reverse function lets you invert the display
• Adjustable calibration accommodates a wide range of concert pitches
• Two clip sizes (Large/Small) are included for use in different situations or for various types of instruments
• Auto Power Off function keeps the battery from running down even if you forget to turn off the unit
• Memory backup function

The AW-1 packs a detection range of A0~C8 and superb functionality into an ultra-compact and lightweight unit. The included clip lets you attach it directly to your instrument, for example to the headstock of a guitar or the bridge of a violin. Since the clip contains an internal piezo pickup that detects the vibration of your instrument, you can enjoy stable tuning even if you’re in a noisy environment. Two types of clip (large and small) are included, accommodating a variety of situations and instruments, and letting you dispense with the trouble of connecting a contact mic or other pickup. Alternatively, you can clip the AW-1 to your music stand and tune using the internal mic.

* The appropriate location to attach the AW-1 will depend on your instrument. Please be aware that this unit is not suitable for use with instruments in which the attachment location would be too close (e.g., flute-type instruments) or too far (e.g., tuba) for the meter to be read comfortably.

The AW-1 uses a newly designed LCD meter that you can read easily. The Meter Reverse function makes it easy to read the meter in a vertical or horizontal position, regardless of the position in which you attach it to your instrument. Each time you press the display reverse button, the High (+) display will move alternately between the left and right sides, so that you can attach the unit to virtually any instrument in the viewing orientation you find most comfortable.

Inaccurately played intervals of a third are particularly noticeable when played in a brass band or orchestra, but will sound “just right” when major third or minor third pitches are adjusted slightly away from the equal-tempered pitch. The AW-1’s meter scale provides marks that indicate a pure major/minor third from the specified note. By tuning your instrument to these marks you can play beautiful harmonies in an ensemble situation. This capability is a great convenience not only for orchestral instruments, but also for vocal or acapela practice.

* When tuning to a pure major/minor third, the note to be adjusted will depend on the music you’re playing.

The tuner can be calibrated to a wide range of pitches (410~480 Hz). Calibration can be adjusted in 1 Hz steps, giving you the flexibility for accurate tuning in any situation. The memory backup function remembers the calibration setting even when you turn off the power. (However, this setting will be initialized when you replace the battery.)

The power will automatically turn off if the unit is left on for approximately twenty minutes without sound being input, preventing the battery from being used unnecessarily.

* Tuning may not be possible for instruments whose sound contains a large number of overtones or has a rapid decay, even if the pitch is within the detectable range.

*Settings are remembered even when the power is off. However, settings will be initialized when you replace the battery (default: CALIB=440 Hz, PIEZO, right side High).