Korg Pitchblack XS Bass Compact Tuning Pedal

Korg PBXSBASS Overview

With a uniquely compact design and bass-specific tuning circuitry for precision at ultralow frequencies, the Pitchblack XS Bass from Korg is an advanced and flexible tuning stompbox with a wide tuning range, high detection accuracy within ±0.1 cents, and a rugged diecast aluminum body that can survive years of intense gigging. The adjustable, bright LED display can be easily viewed from any angle, under any lighting conditions, and comes with four display modes: Meter/Regular, Full Strobe, Half Strobe, and Mirror.

Tuning can be calibrated manually in 1 Hz steps and two display brightness settings are available for covering any lighting scenario. When tuning is done and it's time to play, two bypass options are offered: a true bypass circuit, which passes your signal directly to the bypass output without any coloring (perfect for use with large pedalboard setups) and a new high-impedance Ultra Buffer amp circuit, which helps maintain signal strength over very long cable runs. The Pitchblack XS Bass includes a sheet of rubber feet for keeping the tuner in place during use.

A Unique Bass-Dedicated Tuner Pedal

The Pitchblack XS Bass has a measurement range starting from C0 (16.34 Hz), covering over an octave below the bass guitar's low E string. This makes it suitable for all bassists including those down tuning or using 5-string basses.

Four Display Modes

Despite its ultrasmall size, the Pitchblack XS Bass features a large and easy-to-read LED meter with a light-emitting surface for excellent visibility in any setting from daylight to stage light, to no light. The smooth 17-segment LED meter allows accurate visual tuning from any angle and the large note name display also features a tuning guide that indicates whether your instrument is sharp or flat. The LED meter can be switched between four display modes including:

• Regular Mode: similar to a needle meter, this mode allows you to tune by lining up the green LED with the center, with lights to the right being sharp and lights to the left being flat.
• Full Strobe Mode: tune your instrument by making the LED meters stop streaming. The LED meters will stream from left to right if your instrument is sharp and from right to left if it is flat.
• Half Strobe Mode: tune your instrument by making the LED meters stop streaming and only the green LED in the center is lit. When pitch is correct, only the center LED will be lit.
• Mirror Mode: tuning is performed by making the two LEDs on the left and right sides of the center LED meet in the middle and both tuning guide LEDs are lit. The pitch lit LEDs will spread farther apart the more your instrument is out of tune. The left tuning guide will light if your instrument is flat, and the right tuning guide will light if your instrument is sharp.

100% True Bypass or Ultra Buffer

In the guitar world, true bypass vs. buffered bypass is a hotly debated topic, with many guitarists insisting that only a true bypass allows for an uncolored tone, ideal for use with other effect pedals. To put said debate to rest, Korg includes both in the Pitchblack XS Bass.

The true bypass will pass the input signal directly to the bypass output without touching the internal buffer amp, allowing the pedal to coexist transparently with other pedals. Alternatively, a new high-impedance Ultra Buffer circuit is included, which helps to avoid volume or signal loss (i.e. "tone suck") when using long cable runs or when part of a large pedalboard setup.

Versatile and Adjustable

The Pitchblack XS Bass has a massively wide detection range of C0 to C8 and high detection accuracy within ±0.1 cent. The detection range can be calibrated between 436 and 445 Hz in 1 Hz steps using the handy calibration button in the rear of the pedal.

Also in the rear is a button for adjusting screen brightness, ensuring maximum visibility in any environment. The pedal is easy to activate, with a highly responsive switch that activates wherever you press it, so you don't have to worry about how your foot is placed or what angle the pedal is facing.