Korg TM-40 Large Display Digital Tuner and Metronome

by Kevin on March 22, 2010

Amazon.com Price: $21.49 (as of 2010-09-07 02:31:30 GMT) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

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Korg TM-40 Large Display Digital Tuner and Metronome
 
Manufacturer: Korg USA Inc.
Customer Rating:
 
List Price: $40.00
Sale Price: $21.49
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Product Description

A great lesson and practice tool, the Korg TM-40 offers both tuner and metronome functions that can be used simultaneously or independently. A large LCD-type needle delivers both the accuracy of an LCD and excellent visibility of a needle indicator. The metronome tuner also has LED indicators that show pitch deviation or blink to indicate the tempo.



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With a detection range of C1 (32.70 Hz) - C8 (4186.01 Hz), the TM-40 provides quick and accurate coverage of a wide spectrum of notes and pitches for wind, string, keyboard and most other instruments. Even low-pitched instruments with complex overtone structures are detected. A built-in high-sensitivity microphone allows acoustic instruments such as a guitar or ukulele to be tuned easily and accurately, and the separately available CM-100L contact microphone can be used to send the vibrations directly to the metronome tuner for even greater precision.

In addition to its visual tuning guidefunctionality, you can use the TM-40's built-in speaker to produce a tuning reference pitch (Sound Out)--convenient for tuning by ear and useful for ear training. The TM-40's Calibration setting is adjustable in a range of 410~480 Hz to accommodate a variety of tuning standards. The calibration can be adjusted in 1 Hz steps, letting you accurately tune to any song or key. Memory backup is also provided so that the Calibration and Sound Out settings are remembered even when the power is turned off.

The metronome function of the TM-40 features a Beat Mode, which lets you choose a preset tempo and time signature, while Tap mode lets you specify your own tempo. And with a large integrated speaker, the TM-40 produces a clear and distinct metronome sound. The TM-40 also includes 13 rhythm variations for practicing a wide range of styles.

The metronome section of this portable metronome offers convenient functions for practicing a variety of music--covering 0-7 beats per measure as well as doublets, triplets, triplets with center beats omitted, quadruplets, and quadruplets with center beats omitted. Since the volume is adjustable, the TM-40 can meet the needs of any situation from private practice in a small room to sessions in a large studio.

What's in the Box
Korg TM-40 digital tuner/metronome, 2 AAA batteries, user manual

Specifications

Tuner Specifications

  • Scale: 12 note equal temperament
  • Detection Range*: C1 (32.70Hz) - C8 (4186.01Hz) for a sine wave
  • Reference Tone: C4 (261.63Hz) - C5 (523.25Hz) One octave or A Bb
  • Tuning Modes: Meter mode (AUTO), Sound Out mode (MANUAL)
  • Calibration Range: A4 = 410Hz - 480Hz
  • Detection Accuracy: Better than ±1 cent
  • Sound Accuracy: Better than ±1 cent

Standard Specifications

  • Connectors: Input jack (1/4-inch mono), Phone jack (1/8-inch mini)
  • Speaker: Dynamic speaker
  • Power Supply: 2 x AAA batteries (3V)
  • Dimensions: 4.45 x 3.03 x 0.71 inches (WxDxH)
  • Weight: 3.84 ounces (including batteries)
Metronome Specifications
  • Tempo Range: 40 - 208 beats per minute (bpm)
  • Tempo Setting: Full Step, Pendulum Step
  • Time Signatures: 0 - 7 beats, duplets, triplets, triplets without center beat, quadruplets, quadruplets without center beats
  • Tempo Accuracy: ±0.3%
  • Modes: Beat mode, Tap mode

Battery Life

  • Tuner: Approximately 70 hours (A4 continuous input, when using zinc-carbon batteries)
  • Metronome: approximately 50 hours (tempo 120, four beats, maximum volume, when using zinc-carbon batteries)

* Even if the pitch is within the range of detection, the TM-40 may be unable to detect the pitch if the sound contains numerous overtones (such as the low and high notes on an acoustic piano) or if the instrument has a rapid decay.

Product Details

  • Scale: 12 note equal temperament
  • Detection Range*: C1 (32.70Hz) - C8 (4186.01Hz) for a sine wave
  • Reference Tone: C4 (261.63Hz) C5 (523.25Hz) One octave or A Bb
  • Tuning Modes: Meter mode (AUTO), Sound Out mode (MANUAL)
  • Calibration Range: A4 = 410Hz 480Hz

Video Reviews

No video reviews found for this product.

Customer Reviews

Compact and well built tuner-metronome.
 
Review Date: September 1, 2005
Reviewer: A. maxon, eastern tn
This tuner/metronome is very well built and has a 12 note refrence. It works very well with my violin and I carry it with me to class and when I practice. The metronome has a loud beat. The tuner is loud so you can hear it over what you are playing. It has a large screen and is very easy to use. I recommend this to anyone that plays a string instrument.
Not the best tuner or metronome, but perhaps the best for the price.
 
Review Date: November 11, 2006
Reviewer: Mark Gilbert, Atlanta, GA
I've always had difficulty finding tuners with adequate response, and this one was actually a downgrade from the OT-12 (my favourite pocket-sized tuner), but it surprised me by working better than any previous combined metronome-tuner while not costing much more. The response rate is not adjustable, but sits at about a medium (there has to be at least a second of sustenance, but not more than two if you're steady). The precision is about as good as most will ever need, although it's dubiously delineated between -3 and +3 cents. The rest of the spectrum to fifty is clear-cut (it is fully digital, for better or for worse). The accuracy is also as good as could be asked for at its price-range, but not great - you may want to let it cycle a couple times for the more troublesome notes or if you're of the end-inward school of tuning. There are no temperament settings, but very few musicians will miss that option. There is an input for contact mics, though the impedance choice is commodity. There is a mono-out as well, if memory serves (as opposed to stereo - monochannel is standard). Overall, the tuner is better than any budget-priced combination product I've ever seen (esp. the increasingly popular but rarely satisfactory Sabine MetroTune).

The metronome function is likewise fairly good. 7 beat options and some standard subdivision patterns, the usually discrete-option tempo selection (hence, precision not the most flexible, but not worse than similar combination products). Accuracy is fair enough but not great. It fits the r10 error rating given by the factory, as opposed to the r15/r18 of the very cheapest units or the excellent r2/r1 of purposeful objects like the Dr. Beat. Experienced musicians may wish to trust their instincts after getting the right idea from the metronome. The error is scalar, it will be less troublesome at lower tempos. The state of affairs in small and cheap timing devices is surprisingly bad, but this is certainly not the worst (for that, see Sabine, again).

Unlike most similar products that I've seen, the two primary functions can be used simultaneously (tuner and metronome). I don't use this aspect much but some customers might really like that (esp. instruments that will draw a faster response from the tuning function).

I cannot yet attest to the average battery life of the thing, except to say that it's at least not bad.
Sensitive mic
 
Review Date: February 24, 2006
Reviewer: Ich liebe cello, Seattle area
This tuner has been a wonderful aid in tuning our violins and cellos. I've found the mic to be too sensitive in our setting as it picks up my young children's voices while I'm trying to tune an instrument. I will be purchasing the pick-up mic accessory in hopes that it will insulate against the background noise. If you are able to tune your instrument in private, then this should not be a problem for you. Also, the tiny flip-out stand doesn't seem to provide adequate support when placed vertically on uneven surfaces like, say various surfaces of a cluttered piano. However, the pick-up mic should eliminate the need to position the tuner optimally in front of the instrument. This is less likely to be a legitimate drawback of the tuner design itself, and more likely to be one of my way of using it. In any event, I cannot imagine not using an electronic tuner for these or any other reason. It is truly a gift for those who play strings.
Tuner unable to identify pitch
 
Review Date: October 6, 2006
Reviewer: A. Lee,
This Korg TM-40 tuner/metronome combo is a great concept, but its execution may be flawed.

This tuner can't consistently identify the high E on my classical guitar, sometimes showing A instead. Tried with the piano with the same result. Sometimes successive notes would be identified incorrectly (e.g. E-D-C were identified as A-G-F).

The problem seems to be more acute with pitches in a certain range, e.g. notes around A-440. It would show a pitch a 4th or 5th away from the actual note played.

Maybe the tuner I received is faulty. I e-mailed Instrument Store six days ago to request for an RMA, but have not heard back. Buyers beware.
Excellent
 
Review Date: January 13, 2006
Reviewer: Betty S. Martin, Florida
I just purchased this tuner metronome. It works great I play both trumpet and french horn, I worried I wouldn't be able to hear the metronome, nut that is not the case it works fine. I have recently purchased the clip on mic so I can use the tuner in a noisy bandroom. It's a great item for the price

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