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Software Metronome
By kevin | May 12, 2008
Some options for you if you are lookin for a software metronome for your computer.
When I was at university I bought my first metronome – It was a simple little “credit card” size beeping thing that did a fairly decent job of keeping me in time. I then upgraded to a Boss “Dr Beat” – Which I still have and use today.. It cost me around $250 at the time, and I think they still cost around that sort of price.
Nowadays, you can get software metronomes, which will do exactly the same job.. and you can get them basically for FREE.
I’ve tried a few different ones.
Firstly, if you just want a simple clicker – and don’t need any advanced features you can visit the online one at http://www.metronomeonline.com its a free tool that I tell all my students about, because you dont need to install anything, it works just from this webpage. you can’t get simpler than that!
If you’re looking for something a little more advanced, you can try the Tempo Perfect metronome from NCH software. It is free, but like so many “free” software applications that you get online they are bundled with a bunch of other things that you don’t need… and loads of “nag screens” that encourage you to upgrade to other products.
Another Product which I highly recommend is the Ultimate Metronome – This costs $19.95 USD – but you don’t get any “shareware” nagging, and it has a fantastic feature which I love – the ability to automatically increase the speed after a given number of seconds.
For example you can set it to a slow speed to practice a rudiment or exercise, and then gradually increase it every minute, until its at a point that you can no longer play.
What an awesome tool for practicing Rudiments! Not even my $250 Dr Beat has a feature like this!
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!Topics: Drum Technique, Percussion Fundamentals, Rudimental Drumming | 2 Comments »
May 16th, 2008 at 1:23 am
I think you guys need to add another wonderful free metronome to your list!
http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml
I stumbled upon this website in a frantic attempt at finding a reliable, completely free, metronome. It’s only 24 KBs in size (which is minute by today’s standards) and works like a champ, even with complex timing. It’s even got different sounds to choose from!
Many thanks for your great inputs,
Sincerely,
Nick Ayala
January 13th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
http://www.bouncemetronome.com
Costs $19.90 but has gradual tempo variation and many other features + software “conductor” to help you play in time so you can use it as a silent metronome too – also has many other features of interest to percussionists such as polyrhythms, and paradiddles.
- as reviewed in Sound On Sound January 2010.