Hi all,
I have a question about tuners that makes me feel very stupid because I can’t answer it myself. I’ve been using a clip-on tuner and would now like to buy a plug-in tuner (such as the Korg TM-50). However, I don’t understand how this type of tuner is connected.
The TM-50, for example, has an input for a cable, but no output. Does the input come directly from my bass? Or do I still connect the bass to the amplifier and run a second cable from there to the tuner? (Then I would not only have to buy a tuner, but also another cable!?) Or do I first connect the bass to the tuner, tune the bass and then connect the amplifier again?
Thank you all!
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I love my Kong, you plug your bass into it as if you were plugging in to an amp or interface. No need to go to an amp or anything first.
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Not a stupid question! I didn’t know that pedals needed an alternate power source and thought it would just work plugged into the bass and amp.
This is all a fun learning experience!
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There are different types of tuners.
The clip ons you mentioned, ones like the TM-50, where you plug your bass in, tune them, then unplug again and plug your bass into your amp, and then there are pedal tuners with an input and output, which go between your bass and your amp and usually in front of any other pedals you might have.
The latter can double as a mute switch and also a buffer (only really relevant if you have lots of pedals or a very long cable from bass to amp/tuner).
The usage as a mute switch is the top reason I have a pedal tuner.
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Thanks a lot, that gave me the info I was looking for. 
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