Explanation of slow MFC tuner

AllanH

AllanH

Inspired
I would so much like if the tuner On my MFC was useful which it isn't now. It's all over the place compared to the tuner in the axe display (not to mention my Peterson tuner). Is there a good explanation to this, or even better a trick to get it working? I'm not using FAS link and my MFC is a MKII has that anything to do with that issue?

Thanks for your help guys it's much appreciated

Allan
 
The signal is processed and displayed on the axe and then encoded and sent as MIDI pitch information to the MFC-101 and then processed in order to display it. This takes time and you only see the result of some of the MIDI messages as they are being converted back to a display of pitch that you can read. It's not going to be every single frame of MIDI pitch data. In other words the MFC is taking every xth (maybe every 5th or 10th or whatever - doesn't matter) message displaying it. That doesn't look like a smooth arcing back and forth like you seen on your Axe-FX or your Peterson, which is also probably digital depending on which you have, but that tuner has only that one task (whereas the Axe-FX and MFC are doing LOTS AND LOTS OF THINGS).

That's why the MFC tuner is what it is. Best not to think of it as something that should be like a Peterson, but a quick builtin tool to use on stage between tunes to get you close enough to play the next song. For that purpose it's fine. I wouldn't be trying to do a setup, changing strings and adjusting intonation with it though.
 
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Always worked that way, likely always will

Luckily when you hit the tuner button, the Axe LCD display is generally big enough to see, so that has always been my work around solution.

MFC just isn’t able to update fast enough to make it a useful tuner display. It’s a foot controller first and foremost.
 
Ok Sounds Like a good explenation, however, Maybe it shouldnt have been there, it doesnt suit the image and general quality from fractal.
 
AllanH said:
Ok Sounds Like a good explenation, however, Maybe it shouldnt have been there, it doesnt suit the image and general quality from fractal.
Click to expand...
the MFC-101 is over 7 years old. the tech back then was very different and it was definitely on par with similar offerings.
 
AllanH said:
Ok Sounds Like a good explenation, however, Maybe it shouldnt have been there, it doesnt suit the image and general quality from fractal.
Click to expand...


What is the "image" of Fractal ??? Is it not giving people choices ?

The feature is there, as an option for those who want to use it, and plenty of people do. For those that think its not useful enough, they can look at the rack, or they can buy a hardware tuner, use a clip-on tuner etc...

What exactly is that optional functionality costing ? Cliff tried to provide an option some people find useful, and it doesn't hurt anything for those that don't use it.
 
good point Chris. Well, I think fractal has an image about high end quality gear that just works, that was all. I'll use my Peterson, no problem just needed to figure out if the MFC tuner could be used now it's there.
 
AllanH said:
good point Chris. Well, I think fractal has an image about high end quality gear that just works, that was all. I'll use my Peterson, no problem just needed to figure out if the MFC tuner could be used now it's there.
Click to expand...

That image is secure. There's nothing Fractal or anyone else can do about how MIDI works. Since it's a MIDI foot controller, that's what it is. The MFC-101 works as well as or better than any foot controller I've ever used. It's built like a brick $hi7h0use and hasn't caused me a moments trouble that I didn't create myself because I only know enough MIDI to be dangerous - owing 100% to the fact that I set it up and then haven't had to mess with it for years.

The one time I did, Chris rescued me, and that turned out to be a CC that I forgot to change when I flashed the FW for it (which I didn't even really need to do but I like to keep my gear current). Years later I ran into the same problem but it had been so long I forgot what the solution was for a good 3-4 hours.

MIDI is MIDI. The people screamed for a MIDI foot controller for the Axe-FX and Fractal delivered in spades.
 
Yes I agree, the MFC is awesome, I couldnt live without it, I HATE midi programming, so nothing compares to the MFC regarding easy setup. I just looked at the Mastermind GT... it looks like it does the tuning better? Maybe they found a way to make it work better?
 
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