Metronome suggestions

[darthstar]

Okay, not having anyone to jam with besides Bb, my cat, I've decided that if I'm to improve at all I need to know what the heck my timing is like...so I'm in the market for a metronome.

Any of you wonderful people have a suggestion as to which metronome I should consider (electric, wind-up) and what I should expect to spend on a decent one?

Thanks in advance for your feedback...happy plucking.

[glauber]

http://www.londonguitarstudio.com/Metronomes/taktell-mini.jpg

Small and easy to use, and i like the visual feedback.

[steve in tampa]

Why not take it a little further and get a drum machine? Keeps it a little more interesting.

[WJF]

Depends on your budget of course but if you can afford it, I'd highly recommend the BOSS DB-88. I picked one up a few months ago and have become (happily) addicted to it!

[kvk]

Got a computer with sound? Get "Band in a Box".

[Fuzzyway]

Not portable and you need a computer, but its free and works good.

"Weird Metronome is a program that acts as a metronome, displaying a blinker and using your computer's speakers to play its beat. But this isn't just any old metronome. I designed it with Easter European folk music in mind, so my main priority was to have it be able to play any weird meter you want. The result is that you can set it to play a measure of any length you want, with emphasis on any beat(s) you want, with sounds chosen from a library of nearly fifty percussion instruments."

Weird Metronome link (http://www.pinkandaint.com/weirdmet.shtml)

[John Flynn]

The Sabine Metrotune is a nice unit. It is a chromatic tuner and metronome in one. About the size of a deck of cards. It has visual cues, both lights and an LCD "arm" that swings back and forth. Decent carrying case. The sound simulates a wooden metronome.

[darthstar]

Thanks, everyone! I pulled the weird metronome down first, as I can use that while shopping/waiting to get off my ### to go buy a metronome.

I think I might go with the taktell, or something similar, just because I like the classic look and the waving arm. Still, I'm having fun listening to the weird metronome at work right now...I need more cowbell!(and I now have the power to provide it for myself)...

[danmills]

As an aside: I used to use Band in a Box a lot, and later switched to playing along with my mp3 collection in Amazing Slow Downer (adjusting keys and tempos to suit my needs). I don't think either one is a substitute for using a metronome. Both are valuable practice tools, but the spareness of the metronome's rhythm really helps me hear when my own timing is right on versus merely almost on. With the full backup sound of Band in a Box, and the even fuller sound of a professional recording, I find it's harder to notice subtle issues in my own playing. So, now I spend time with both the metronome and Amazing Slow Downer.

Dan

[Rob Griffin]

A couple of days ago I watched a DVD of live concert footage and behind the scenes footage of Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer on their Music For Two tour. I was amazed to see two of the best musicians in the world using a metronome during some of their practice sessions. I think I'm in the market for a metronome also. I know my timing is not as good as those guys so I'm sure I could use the help. They were using an electronic type.

Rob

[Martin Jonas]

I also have a Wittner Taktell, but their larger pyramid-shaped model. #Works fine, although the spring winds down pretty fast (about five minutes). #The larger ones give a louder click than the super mini, and a finer subdivision of tempo. #Volume is pretty important, I find, as is the abrupt mechanical nature of the click -- the electronic ones and the computer ones just blend into background noise for me, even with the volume all the way up (and I have powerful speakers) and I find the bleeping type annoying.

Martin

[luckylarue]

I recommend John McGann's dvd "Rhythm Tune Up" to make your experience w/ your metronome a healthy and nutritious one.
I'm especially lovin' the emphasis on the 2 and 4 beats. People at work have been commenting on my improved appearance as well and say things like, "Have you been working out?" or "Did you go on vacation?" Try it, you'll like it.

[Amandalyn]

i like the Sabine Metro-tuner- you get a Chromatic tuner with a metronome. It also will divide the beat how you want it. Has a nice "wood block" sound. Visual display is a "needle" also.
for more info:
info@musicgrowshere.com

[Steven Stone]

The Boss Dr Beat DB-88 Metronome rules, without a doubt.

Why?

It has a computer voice that COUNTS 1-2-3-4 or any other rhythm you want. All other metronomes that only go click or beep are too easy to drop beats or get turned around between the one and the and.

With DR Boss you always know where the one is. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Sklent]

i like the Sabine Metro-tuner- you get a Chromatic tuner with a metronome. It also will divide the beat how you want it. Has a nice "wood block" sound. Visual display is a "needle" also.
for more info:
I also use the Metrotune thingy, both the metronome and the tuner work very well, but I haven't had much use for the tone thingy.

[Jaded]

I have a sabine tuner that has a metronome function, but even with the volume turned all the way up I have a hard time hearing it.

I generally end up using my keyboard's rhythm function instead, but it would be nice to have a handheld unit with a bit more volume.

[Tim Saxton]

Here is a great site with a metronome or free.

http://www.metronomeonline.com/

Tim

[Flatpick]

http://www.londonguitarstudio.com/Metronomes/taktell-mini.jpg

Small and easy to use, and i like the visual feedback.
+1 on the Wittner, I have and use the same model.....

Flatpick

[Danny Packer]

I have a sabine metro tuner too and the volume is too low. also the speaker is on the opposite side as the viual display, which makes it difficult to effectively use both the visual and auditory cues at the same time.

dp

[James P]

I went to the LMS for a Sabine. #
Also thought I'd look at a Dr Beat while I was there. #Big mistake. #

I came out with one of these (http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MAudioBlackBox-main.html). #
The ninety-nine (somewhat) tweakable drum patterns are complete overkill afa a metronome goes. #But throw-in the mic preamp, too many FX to list, a USB audio interface, and a Lite (but amazing!) version of Ableton Live and imo it's been a bargain.

[racuda]

I like the vintage Seth Thomas metronomes, available in cherry, maple or walnut. It just seems appropriate when playing my vintage mando.

[Jim MacDaniel]

Anyone ever try one of these in-ear Korg MetroGnomes (http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Korg-MM1-MetroGnome?sku=210512)? The idea is intriguiging, but it could be terribly annoying if it beeps directly into your ear instead of clicks...