OnlineBassTuner

Drop D Bass Tuning, D Standard and Half Step Down

Lower bass tunings with notes, frequencies and a tuner preset for each.

Bass tuner

Uses your microphone. Nothing is recorded.

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Microphone is blocked

The tuner can’t hear your bass until you allow the microphone for this site. 1. Open the site settings for this page (steps for your browser below). 2. Set Microphone to Allow, then press Try again.

Chrome on a computer

Click the icon to the left of the web address, set Microphone to Allow, then reload the page.

Microsoft Edge

Click the lock icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions for this site, set Microphone to Allow and reload.

Firefox

Click the crossed-out microphone icon in the address bar, clear the blocked permission, reload and choose Allow when asked.

Safari on a Mac

Open Safari, Settings, Websites, Microphone, and set onlinebasstuner.app to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.

iPhone or iPad

Tap the page menu (aA) in the address bar, open Website Settings and set Microphone to Allow or Ask. Then reload the page.

Chrome on Android

Tap the icon to the left of the web address, open Permissions and turn on Microphone. Then reload the page.

Or tune by ear: tap a string button below to hear its note, or use the reference tones ↓.

Reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz

Drop D bass tuning lowers only the 4th string from E to D, giving D A D G with the low D at 36.71 Hz. D standard lowers every string a whole step to D G C F, and half step down lowers every string a semitone to Eb Ab Db Gb. Pick a preset above to tune.

4-string bass tunings, from the 4th (thickest) string, A4 = 440 Hz
TuningString 4String 3String 2String 1
Drop DD1
36.71 Hz		A1
55.00 Hz		D2
73.42 Hz		G2
98.00 Hz
D standardD1
36.71 Hz		G1
49.00 Hz		C2
65.41 Hz		F2
87.31 Hz
Half step downEb1
38.89 Hz		Ab1
51.91 Hz		Db2
69.30 Hz		Gb2
92.50 Hz
Drop CC1
32.70 Hz		G1
49.00 Hz		C2
65.41 Hz		F2
87.31 Hz

Drop D (D A D G)

Only the lowest string changes. It gives you a low D and lets you play power-chord shapes and octaves on the bottom two strings with one finger. Turn the E peg down until the tuner shows D, then check the other strings, since the neck relaxes slightly.

D standard (D G C F)

Every string goes down a whole step (two semitones). All fingerings stay the same as in standard tuning, but everything sounds a whole step lower.

Half step down (Eb Ab Db Gb)

Every string goes down one semitone. The display uses flat names (Eb, Ab, Db, Gb), which are the same notes as D#, G#, C# and F#.

Drop C (C G C F)

D standard with the lowest string dropped one more whole step to C. The low C is about 32.70 Hz, almost as deep as the low B of a 5-string, so the same microphone tips apply.

Going back to standard

Tune up to each note rather than down to it. Strings that were slack need a minute to settle, so check again after playing for a while.

Questions and answers

How do I tune a bass to Drop D?

Lower only the 4th string, from E to D (36.71 Hz). The other strings stay A D G. A quick check: the open D string should sound the same note as the low string, one octave higher, and the 7th fret of the low D string matches the open A.

What is the difference between Drop D and D standard?

In Drop D only the lowest string goes down a whole step, giving D A D G. In D standard every string goes down a whole step, giving D G C F, so the shapes you know stay the same, just lower.

What is half step down tuning?

Every string is lowered one semitone: Eb Ab Db Gb. Bands often use it to match a guitarist tuned half a step down, and it slightly lowers the string tension.

Do I need a setup for lower tunings?

Lowering strings reduces their tension, which can cause buzz or a floppy feel, especially in Drop C. Heavier strings or a setup adjustment can help. Small changes like Drop D usually work without any changes.

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Last updated October 23, 2026.