Roadie 4

£129

Over the last 10 years, Roadie has continued to build on its tuning equipment and has now released its latest iteration: the Roadie 4. The Roadie 4 builds on the effortless tuning of the Roadie 3, but now delivers it with a large screen, an enhanced algorithm for tuning accuracy supported by an auto detect feature, and a new peg connector design to make tuning your instrument quick, precise and easy.

The Roadie 4 offers a slightly larger unit than the previous model, which fits comfortably in your hand with a back anti-slip panel for a secure hold, to help make tuning your string instrument easy and secure. You simply have to place the Roadie 4 on a peg, pluck the relevant string, and it will do all the work to tune it to your preset pitch.

The Roadie will carefully wind your string using its powerful motor until it reaches the perfect pitch, where it will beep and vibrate, indicating you can then move on to the next string. This allows you to easily custom-tune your instrument, navigating easily through your tuning settings to find the perfect one using the device’s new scroll wheel. The Roadie 4 can now tune a whole range of string instruments from acoustic and electric guitars to ukuleles and banjos, with more than 150 existing tuning options available. Furthermore, you can even create specific custom tuning settings via the Roadie app, which allows you to tune with a capo or preset reference pitch for a sound that is unique to you.

One of the cool things about the new Roadie 4 is that it can actually detect strong vibrations directly on the device, so you can tune even in loud environments. This makes the Roadie 4 a super useful gadget for performing or playing on the go, to quickly tune your instruments, no matter where you are. Plus, with the upgraded, larger 1.9-inch full colour LCD screen with sharper 170-320 screen, navigating and using the Roadie 4 is even easier, especially in dark settings. I love the new screen, which makes it easier to see what you’re doing, and means you can tune in poor-lit environments with ease.

The updated Roadie 4 features a new peg connector design, which makes it compatible with both larger and smaller pegs, ideal for use across a wider variety of string instruments. Plus, the Roadie 4 can auto-detect the string you are on for advanced and quick tuning on the go. Whilst typically you tune from the lowest string up, I like that the Roadie 4 can be used on any string for quick adjustments before playing or performing. Then, when it does come to performing, the Roadie 4 has a built-in metronome to help keep you in time – perfect for practising a new song!

If you’re a musician or even someone getting into the world of playing a string instrument such as a guitar, the Roadie 4 provides an all-in-one tuning tool that will make tuning your instrument significantly easier. With a range of preset tuning settings, as well as the option to custom-tune your instruments to your specific needs, the Roadie 4 is a new and advanced tuner device that is designed to allow you to focus on playing without the stress of tuning.

Pros:

• Powerful, built-in string winder to help users easily change and tune their strings in one step
• Roadie 4 has an Auto Detect feature that allows users to tune any string in any order
• Can tune using vibration alone for easy tuning even in loud environments
• Includes over 150 built-in alternative tuning and users can even create and add their own custom tunings
• Large display screen that is easy to see and use even in low lighting
• Long battery life and is rechargeable
• Widely compatible peg connector to fit more instruments, including acoustic, classical and electric guitars, ukuleles, banjos, mandolins, pedal steel and lap steel, and even custom instruments  
• Built-in metronome for practice sessions