On stage, you don't have time to squint at a tiny screen. The AT-2’s display is large and responsive. The output jack allows for silent tuning—you step on the switch, cut your signal to the amp, tune, and step off. It’s a workflow essential.
Setting intonation on an acoustic guitar requires watching the 12th fret harmonic vs. the fretted note. The AT2's 0.1-cent resolution reveals the truth. You can see the "ghost bend" of a string settling. The heavy-duty aluminum casing means it survives drops on the workbench.
The Korg AT-2 was a brilliant piece of engineering – a portable, reversible silent system that turns any compatible acoustic piano into a practice instrument with headphone output, transposition, and MIDI. If you find a used unit in good condition and it fits your piano, it is absolutely worth buying. For those who can’t find one, modern alternatives exist, but few match the AT-2’s combination of simplicity, low latency, and zero acoustic bleed.
Tip: Before buying a used AT-2, download the installation template from Korg’s legacy support site and verify it matches your piano’s hammer rail distance. Without that, the unit is unusable.
The Korg AT-2! That's a fascinating topic. korg at2
The Korg AT-2 is an electronic autoharp-like instrument produced by Korg in the 1980s. It was designed to mimic the sound of an autoharp, but with the added versatility of electronic sounds and effects.
Here are some interesting facts about the Korg AT-2:
What is an autoharp? Before diving into the Korg AT-2, let's briefly explore the autoharp. An autoharp is a stringed musical instrument that originated in the late 19th century. It consists of a series of metal strings stretched across a frame, played by plucking or strumming. The instrument was popularized in American folk music, particularly in the Appalachian region.
The Korg AT-2 The Korg AT-2 was released in the early 1980s as an electronic version of the autoharp. It features a series of 36 strings, divided into three sets of 12 strings each, which are played using a pick or fingers. The instrument uses a analog synthesis system, with a built-in speaker and a range of tonal variations. On stage, you don't have time to squint at a tiny screen
Unique features The Korg AT-2 has several distinctive features:
Influence and usage The Korg AT-2 has been used by various musicians across different genres, including:
Legacy and collectibility The Korg AT-2 has gained a cult following over the years, with many musicians and collectors seeking out the instrument for its unique sonic properties and nostalgic value. As a result, the AT-2 has become a sought-after collector's item, with prices ranging from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on condition and rarity.
Conclusion The Korg AT-2 is an intriguing instrument that embodies the fusion of traditional folk music and electronic innovation. Its unique sound and features have made it a prized possession among musicians and collectors, ensuring its place in the history of electronic music. Whether used in folk, experimental, or sound design contexts, the Korg AT-2 remains an fascinating instrument that continues to inspire creativity and curiosity. Tip: Before buying a used AT-2, download the
To understand the AT2, you must understand its predecessor. When Korg released the AT-1 (Auto Tuner), it shocked the market. Before the AT-1, most tuners used a mechanical VU meter needle. The AT-1 replaced that with a 61-segment LED matrix. Suddenly, musicians could see their pitch stability in real-time, as a "moving dot" traveling across a high-resolution screen. It was fast, visible in the dark, and incredibly accurate.
However, the AT-1 had one major limitation: it was designed primarily for tempered tuning (standard 12-tone equal temperament). As music became more sophisticated, and as interest in just intonation, pure thirds, and vintage synthesis grew, Korg realized they needed an upgrade.
Enter the Korg AT2.
Released in the mid-2000s, the AT2 took everything musicians loved about the AT-1—the speed, the bright display, the robust build—and added the one feature professionals were begging for: user-programmable temperaments.
The defining feature of the AT-2 is its analog-style needle display. While many modern tuners use crude LED ladders, the AT-2 utilizes a high-precision meter movement (or high-res LCD simulation of one).
If you play sitar, oud, banjo, and guitar, you cannot possibly memorize the temperament quirks of each. The AT2 allows you to save three User Temperaments specifically for your non-Western instruments. Want to tune a sitar to just intonation? Store it in memory slot "U-1."