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No pitch detected
About
The Pitch Detector listens to your microphone and uses an autocorrelation algorithm to detect the dominant pitch in real time. It displays the closest musical note (e.g. A4), the exact frequency in Hz, and how many cents sharp or sharp you are — just like a guitar tuner. The needle gauge gives immediate visual feedback.
How to use
- 1 Click Start Mic and allow microphone access.
- 2 Sing or play an instrument near the microphone.
- 3 The note name, frequency, and cents deviation update in real time.
- 4 The needle on the gauge shows whether you are flat (left) or sharp (right).
- 5 A green needle means you are within ±5 cents of the target note.
- How does the pitch detector work?
- The tool uses the autocorrelation algorithm on the microphone input to detect periodicity in the waveform, which corresponds to the fundamental frequency (pitch). Autocorrelation is preferred over FFT for pitch detection because it is more accurate for monophonic signals like a single voice or instrument string, especially at lower frequencies.
- What does "cents" mean in pitch detection?
- A cent is 1/100th of a semitone (the smallest interval on a standard keyboard). A pitch deviation of +50 cents means you are halfway between your note and the note above; -50 cents means halfway below. ±10 cents is generally acceptable for ensemble playing; ±5 cents or closer is ideal. Professional players and in-tune voices typically stay within ±10 cents of the target pitch.
- Why does the pitch detector show an incorrect note for some instruments?
- Some instruments produce strong overtones (harmonics) that can confuse pitch detection algorithms. Electric guitars with distortion, bowed strings with high bow pressure, and brass instruments can produce harmonics strong enough to be detected as the "dominant" pitch instead of the fundamental. For best results, play single clean notes at a moderate volume directly into the microphone, minimising background noise.