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Photo of Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 and more gear in a pedalboard

Photo of Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and signal chain

Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300

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$280.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (18)

1 Critic Review

8 Reviews

Sonic Research

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12 community setups

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7 wishlisted

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Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 2 stores. Prices updated July 6, 2026.

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Sonic Research

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5.0 (23)

$280.00 2 available Used

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Average Price: $280

High-end/Boutique

$50

$101+

Price Tier

In the Pedal Tuners category, Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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The LED ring on the Turbo Tuner is a true stroboscope. The LEDs are driven directly by the analog input signal and electronically strobed, showing the actual stroboscopic effect between the input signal and internally generated frequency reference. This gives instant response and extreme accuracy.

Product specs

Brand	Sonic Research
Model	ST-300 Strobe Turbo Tuner
Finish	Black
Year	2010s
Categories	Tuner Pedals

FAQs

How accurate is the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300?: The Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 is highly accurate, with a precision of 0.02 cents, making it suitable for precise tuning needs.
Is the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 true bypass?: Yes, the ST-300 features true bypass, ensuring that your signal remains unaffected when the tuner is not in use.
Can the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 be used for instruments other than guitar?: Yes, the ST-300 is versatile and can be used to tune a variety of stringed instruments, not just guitars.
Does the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 work well in live performance settings?: The ST-300 is designed for both stage and studio use, with a bright display that is easily visible in various lighting conditions.
What power supply does the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 require?: The ST-300 requires a standard 9V DC power supply, commonly used for most pedalboards.

Equipboard's Expert Review

Equipboard tested this

Accuracy redefined for discerning musicians

In our extensive testing of guitar tuners, we've encountered many options, but the Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 stands out as a game-changer. This compact powerhouse redefines accuracy in the world of tuning pedals.

From the moment we unboxed it, we were impressed by its solid build quality. The all-metal housing screams durability, and it's clear this pedal is built to withstand the rigors of gigging. Despite its robust construction, it maintains a small footprint on our pedalboard.

We found the controls intuitive and the display exceptionally clear, even under bright stage lights. The strobe pitch indicator took some getting used to, but once mastered, it's a revelation in precision. The ability to store alternate tunings is a feature we didn't know we needed until we had it.

In our tests, the ST-300 consistently outperformed competitors in terms of accuracy. It's capable of detecting minute intonation issues that other tuners might miss. The true bypass ensures no tone loss, and we appreciated the absence of any "pop" when engaging or disengaging.

The ST-300 is particularly suited for recording artists, luthiers, and gigging professionals. However, casual players might find the level of precision overwhelming and the price point high. The lack of a polyphonic tuning feature might also be a dealbreaker for some.

Despite being pricier than some alternatives, we believe the ST-300 offers excellent value for those who prioritize precision in their tuning. It's an investment in your sound that we wholeheartedly recommend.

Rated 5

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PROS

Exceptional accuracy and precision in tuning
Strobe display enhances speed and readability
Instant note recognition, even for low B strings
True bypass with no pop when engaging/disengaging
Compact footprint comparable to competitors
Sturdy all-metal housing and clear, bright display
Registers and corrects intonation issues effectively
Fast tracking speed, superior to other tuner pedals
Can store alternate tunings for versatile use
Made in the USA, ensuring quality and reliability

CONS

Initial adjustment period for new users due to high accuracy
True bypass only, lacking a buffer bypass option
No polyphonic tuning capability

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300.

Features and functionality

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The full-size ST-300 includes a power output feature, unlike the mini version, which lacks this functionality.
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The Turbo Tuner ST-300 boasts a .02 cent accuracy, significantly surpassing the .1 cent accuracy of the Peterson StroboStomp HD.
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The Peterson StroboStomp HD includes numerous preset tunings and customizable screen colors, though many users stick to the basic tuning function.
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The ST-300 mini lacks an always-on pass-through mode, which is present in the larger model, despite both needing to be plugged in due to the mini's lack of battery.
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User experience

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A decade of use with the ST-200 affirms its reliability, prompting a seamless transition to the smaller ST-300 mini for compact setups.
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Owners appreciate the Turbo Tuner for its superior accuracy over extended use, with some having relied on it for over two years.
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Comparisons

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The ST-300 is highlighted as noticeably more accurate than standard tuners like the Boss TU-2 or TU-3, particularly appreciated by those meticulous about tuning.
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Use cases and applications

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The ST-300's precision makes it ideal for setting up guitar intonation, especially critical for tuning at higher frets (15/17) in CGCFAD.
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Users with larger feet prefer the full-sized ST-300 over the mini version to accommodate their pedalboard needs without compromising accessibility.
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Value and pricing

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Buyers report that purchasing a new ST-300 mini directly from Turbo-tuner.com offers a comparable price and faster delivery than buying used on Reverb.
Source

Critic Reviews

Sonic Research ST-300 Turbo Tuner — Anatomy of Guitar Tone

anatomyofguitartone.com

The Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-300 shines as the holy grail of pedal tuners with its superb accuracy and bright visibility, outperforming competitors like TC Electronics and Peterson. Its precision within 0.02 cents makes it indispensable for both live performances and studio sessions, especially when setting guitar intonation. While other digital tuners struggle with speed and accuracy, the ST-300's analog design ensures no noise or confusion during tuning. Its compact size makes it pedalboard-friendly, though visibility might still be challenged under extremely bright conditions like high-altitude festivals. Overall, the ST-300 is a must-have for serious musicians seeking unparalleled tuning accuracy.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 18 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

axel_tnl

2135

over 3 years ago

By far the best tuner out there!

The Sonic Research ST-300 Turbo Tuner just BLOWS every other tuner clear out of the water. It's True-bypass, so you don't have to worry about tone loss, all-metal housing which is VERY sturdy, made in the good'ol USA, and oh yeah, is accurate to a FIFTIETH of a percent. Yes, that is .02 of a percent. Crazy accurate! Not to mention it registers the note pretty much instantly, which allows me to tune up very quickly, and because I know that my tuning is right on, I don't have to worry that I might be just a hair out of tune, etc.

The display is clear, bright, and easy to read. I've yet to have a problem reading it on stage, so props to Sonic Research on that. Reading a strobe tuner can be different at first, but it very quickly becomes very natural.

The only down side to the Turbo Tuner? Whenever I have to use a different tuner (Such as helping tune a guitar class, etc), I get impatient with it because it doesn't register the note as fast as the TT. Obviously not the Turbo Tuner's fault, it just goes to show how faster it allows you to tune.

Overall, I can't brag on this tuner enough. While it may be a little more expensive that a lot of pedal tuners, it is WELL worth the extra money. The only tuner that comes close to this one in terms of accuracy is the Peterson Strobo-Stomp, but even though it costs more, it isn't as accurate and is made in China. I can't ever see myself replacing this tuner with something else, because there just isn't anything better out there yet. Only thing I want added? Polyphonic tuning would be killer, but unless it keeps the accuracy of what it can normally do it really wouldn't be useful. Maybe in another couple of years? Either way, I highly suggest you take a serious look at the ST-300 Turbo Tuner.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Music Producer

Genres:

Rock Hardcore Hardcore punk

jim_garrison

382

over 6 years ago

It's a true analog strobe tuner pedal.

After reading all the rave reviews about this tuner pedal I decided to pull the trigger on it and I have to say that this pedal lives upto those rave reviews. Its accuracy is unlike any other tuner pedal. Even those Peterson tuner pedal look pale compared to this pedal However the thing that surprised me the most is its tracking speed. This pedal tracks in realtime which is impossible to do with DSPs. So I opened up this pedal and what I saw truly surprised me. This pedal doesn't use a DSP to measure your tuning. It uses the analog signal from your guitar to directly drive a LED array stroboscope. It basically a LED array based analog strobe tuner stuffed in a pedal.

saint_fire

220

about 4 years ago

Fantastic Accuracy!

Pros: This is by far the most accurate tuner you may ever own, it's easy to use, and responds fast.

Cons: Though easy to use, it takes a little time to adjust to if you're used to something less accurate. When tuning, users will notices the strobe pitch indicator never really stops.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Drummer

Genres:

Rock Folk, World, & Country Funk / Soul

From Gear Setup

psychobilly_max

292

almost 7 years ago

Fastest tracking speed.

This tuner ain't just accurate but also tracks my guitar signal way faster than any other tuner. It's as good (if ain't better) as those standalone strobe tuner units.

velma_cassidy

252

almost 7 years ago

Worth the price

My ex-guitar teacher recommended me this tuner pedal instead of PolyTune 3 and I'm glad I listened to her. The tracking speed of this tuner is way faster than PolyTune 3 and its visibility is great too.

daryl_skinner

629

about 5 years ago

Fastest tracking speed I've ever seen on a tuner.

I've yet a find a tuner that tracks my guitar signal anywhere as fast and accurately as this tuner.

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Metal Hard rock Speed metal

eyvind_eidesen

about 8 years ago

I have two!

I have one for my guitar board an another for my bass. I'd keep just one of them if only because the strobe looks so cool. But since they react so fast and accurately they both get to stay. My guitars have never been better intonated.