The Snail 4+

Absolute Tuning

IrcamLab

    • 3.8 • 8 Ratings
    • $2.99

Screenshots

Description

Similar to the human cochlea where the different frequencies are split-up and analyzed, The Snail for iOS uses a spiral grid to visualize root notes and overtones of any incoming sound with utmost precision. The Snail is based on recently developed technology making instrument tuning easy and audio analysis music-oriented and fun to watch.

Tune any instrument with utmost precision

Version 2 offers an additional guitar tuning mode that is available in the tuning view. Just tap on a dedicated string name, play a note and adjust the guitar tuning accordingly. Another major improvement is the new split window mode. Whenever you do any adjustments to parameters you now see how the edits affect the visualization in the upper section. This works in both visualization modes. One mode is the snail grid, a complete musical overview of the audio spectrum. The other one, the tuner view, is especially designed to focus on the root note for tuning purposes. In both views there is a sine tuning oscillator available which is controlled simply by touching the desired note on the iPhone display. There are a lot of customizable parameters. No problem if you would like to tune transposing instruments or if you need a tuning reference other than 440 Hz.

Patented technology

The well-known IRCAM institute for acoustic and music research in Paris is responsible for the new technology of detection and visualization. It is a patented invention by Thomas Hélie, CNRS researcher at the Sciences and Technologies for Music and Sound (STMS) Laboratory (IRCAM/CNRS/Sorbonne Université). The Snail is also available for macOS and Windows, as stand-alone app or plug-in (VST3/AU/AAX), distributed by Plugivery.

Key features

• Precise audio analysis and instrument tuning in two modes.
• Snail view for a sophisticated visual representation of root note and overtone structures.
• Tuner view to tune instruments and to control pitches of voices and other sources.
• Fast access guitar tuning (GT) mode.
• Split window settings menu.
• Visual gain and mic gain controllers.
• Switchable auto detection.
• Touch sine tuning oscillator.
• 2 color modes: coherency index and magnitude.
• Adjustable grid range (octaves).
• Setup for transposing instruments.
• Many customizable parameters like tuning reference, frequency tracking and audio window size.

What’s New

Version 2.3.5

- Tuning Reference (frequency of A4) is now a slider instead of a text box. Reference frequency ranges from 392Hz to 450Hz.
- The Tuning Reference slider has ticks for common frequencies: 415Hz, 430Hz, 432Hz, 440Hz, 442Hz, 444Hz (NB: the first 3 are "magnetic").
- The tuning reference frequency is now correctly updated in overlay (left top).
- All sliders have been visually updated.

Ratings and Reviews

3.8 out of 5
8 Ratings

8 Ratings

Adalziel ,

Crashes on launch

It’s a shame because this used to be my go-to tuner. I’ve uninstalled/reinstalled several times but it just keeps crashing.

UPDATE: latest update seems to have fixed this. All good now.

Developer Response ,

Dear Adalziel, our apologies for this temporary incompatibility (with iOS15). However since version 2.3.0 (June 2022), everything is back to normal and you may enjoy The Snail fully again 😉

Docsunset ,

An exceptional tuning app

This is a unique and excellent tuning app. I use it every time I need to tune any instrument. The display is particularly useful, as it allows you to view not only the fundamental frequency, but also the upper partials, allowing for particularly refined intonation. I'm absolutely thrilled that the app was recently updated so that it works once again with recent versions of iOS!

Developer Response ,

Dear Docsunset, we apologize for this somewhat long-lasting iOS15 issue. However we hope you'll be pleased to see that since version 2.3.0 (June 2022) The Snail is fully functional again!

83984722 ,

Partly functional

The application has had a previous issue with the tuner’s auto-detection mode, but it is now fixed. However, the application’s visual layout is broken on iPhone 12.

Aside from this, it is one of the most interesting sound visualization applications for musicians. It is great if you want to explore harmony in a more mathematical way — it very intuitively shows you how the frequency ratios between notes take shape. It also works great as a precise tuner.

Developer Response ,

Hi "83984722", please confirm the broken layout on iPhone 12 (and any other that has round corner and "dead" screen areas") is fixed. That was done already in 2.3.4 update ;-)

App Privacy

The developer, IrcamLab, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Not Collected

The developer does not collect any data from this app.

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Supports

  • Family Sharing

    Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.

More By This Developer

You Might Also Like

Risset Metronome
Music
SpringSound
Music
TC-11
Music
MusiKraken
Music
iPulsaret
Music
AltiSpace 2
Music