Metronome

Superdrumskills · 2nd October 2007

So i am in the market for a metronome for playing with my band live so we get tighter. Do you guys have any suggestions along with maybe some ear monitor advice as well?

tyro · 2nd October 2007

metronome just for you, or for the whole band? if just for you, I've heard of a watch style metronome what vibrates, seems like a great idea - no need for disturbing cords just to hear the click... but YMMV. can't remember the name of the device though.

If you're looking for a more traditional metronome, I've heard good things about the yamaha clst-100 clickstation from fellow drummers, but have not used it myself.

Superdrumskills · 2nd October 2007

I just need something for me and also some ear monitors like sure E3s or somthing like that if you have any suggestions

AKCSTUDIO · 5th October 2007

dont ya hate it when a band member starts a song out and you come in then he stops and looks at you and says your rushing, why is it always the drummer? so drummers out on line it is not always you.

Superdrumskills · 5th October 2007

yeah i hate that too thats why i want to get some sweet setup so i know im on and my band with soud hella tight

**toolskid** · 5th October 2007

a beatbug can be a great alternative to a click live and in the studio.

Really lets you know where your timing and the timing of others is at..

Superdrumskills · 6th October 2007

so i am a little confused by this beat bug. i know it recognizes the beat and tells you what the tempo should be? but is it a metronome that i can plug into im confused on that point.

but it looks pretty sweet i just need to know if it is going to fulfill all my needs

**toolskid** · 6th October 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdrumskills

so i am a little confused by this beat bug. i know it recognizes the beat and tells you what the tempo should be? but is it a metronome that i can plug into im confused on that point.

but it looks pretty sweet i just need to know if it is going to fulfill all my needs

It doesn't tell you what the tempo should be - it tells you what tempo you are playing at. its the opposite of a metronome on one level. Its like a bio-feedback device, it gives you instant quantitative information about your tempo so you can lock it rock solid or choose tempo changes yourself. Its really easy to use and negates the need for headphones. If you are playing with a backing track, you'll obviously just use the click printed on a track of the playback device!!!

Jax · 7th October 2007

What I don't get is - how does the BB sense quarter notes if you're playing (for example) 2 and 4 on the snare in 4/4? That would make it read only half the tempo. And what happens to its tracking when you do a series of 16ths, like you might in a fill?

The website doesn't explain how the BB is "programmed" - if it can be at all. I'd imagine you can dial in the tempo and then it tracks how close your hits are?

Looks like a cool device. Just trying to better understand its use!

**toolskid** · 7th October 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jax

The website doesn't explain how the BB is "programmed" - if it can be at all. I'd imagine you can dial in the tempo and then it tracks how close your hits are?

Not quite!

it analyses the distance between any two hits you playand gives you a reading of that tempo real time. YOU control the display! There is no internal clock within it and no programming!!

I hope that is clearer

If not,

I'll post a video

surflounge · 29th September 2009

Korg MM1 Micro In Ear Electronic Metronome

BLUElightCory · 29th September 2009

We just use a Tama Rhythm Watch with a good set of headphones. You can also export clicks from a DAW at your songs' tempos and just use an iPod. This is nice because it cuts down on the time it takes for the drummer to adjust the metronome between songs.

Pawel · 29th September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tyro

metronome just for you, or for the whole band? if just for you, I've heard of a watch style metronome what vibrates, seems like a great idea - no need for disturbing cords just to hear the click... but YMMV. can't remember the name of the device though.

If you're looking for a more traditional metronome, I've heard good things about the yamaha clst-100 clickstation from fellow drummers, but have not used it myself.

PETERSON BODY BEAT - Italian International Cyberstore

The Clickstation is a great metronome! Can't give a better suggestion.

ElMosca · 29th September 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superdrumskills

So i am in the market for a metronome for playing with my band live so we get tighter. Do you guys have any suggestions along with maybe some ear monitor advice as well?

When I need a loud metronome, I just patch my trusty little Matrix MR-500 into the PA, using a 1/8" to dual-RCA cable (available at Radio Shack: it's the cable you'd use to patch a mini-headphone jack into computer speakers). The advantages are: cost and easy access to the BPM selector (a large wheel in the front of the unit). The disadvantages are THE SOUND (a loud "clack" that will cut through steel...ouch! turn it down at the PA).

If I wanted a timekeeper for band practice (something I do not recommend, see below), I'd use a drum machine patched into the PA. Advantages: The sound blends better with band practice. Disadvantages: some of these machines have the tempo controls buried under a ton of menus and screens instead of putting them in the front panel, with dedicated buttons, or (even better) a dial.

Now that I've covered my actual gear recommendations, let me continue by saying that metronome practice is something you (i.e. ALL the members of your band) should be doing individually. IME, if you're considering bringing in a metronome to band practice, it means that one or more members of your band need to do metronome work on their own before they get in the room with the rest of the band (and please, be patient and realize that people will need a few weeks of concentrated work before metronome practice starts showing results).

Introducing a metronome to band practice can be traumatic, painful and/or drama-inducing, depending on what kind of band you're in. If I wanted to introduce a clicker, I would do it gradually. Maybe as a challenge to warm-up (you do spend the first few minutes of every practice just "warming up" together as a band, right?). Make up contests: "Who can play Song XYZ's riff at 160bpm quarter notes" (or whatever ridiculously fast metronome speed you can come up with). Make sure that you choose a speed that nobody will be able to play these challenges, then, slow the clicker down and have another go until you find the "ideal tempo" (where nothing breaks down) and the "target tempo" (where you actually want the song to live). If you do these challenges, be aware that the "weak links" will be identified, so be kind and political, like you would in any other band interaction.

I hope you are not insulted by my suggestion, but this seems like it should be dealt with as Band Politics instead of throwing money at a problem you may or may not be having.

Cheers,
++aldo

Jax · 3rd October 2009

aldo, good comments! Whenever I brought in a metronome for band practice, there were a lot of questions and doubts at first. Things like "What, you think our timing is bad?" and "We don't need that, man!" People were instantly threatened. It would even get to where they would say "turn that shit off!" because it forced them to think, and they complained that the extra brain power needed was limiting their creativity. I don't disagree with that last point, but after awhile (a few weeks at least) I think having the click as a guide becomes second nature and people can learn to play inside the pocket in total comfort. They eventually don't have to think about it, and that's what you want.

When it comes time to play live, the guidance of the click is ingrained in their mind and playing. If not, well then an in-ear click is a good idea. That should be easy enough to setup with the live sound staff with the right equipment.

Pawel · 4th October 2009

One of the best ways to practice with the metronome is to start with it beeping every quarter note, then every two quarters, then after an entire bar, then 2 bars, then 4 bars, and so on until you really get the beat programmed into you. The goal is not to follow the beat, but to create it, and with further and further spacing between beeps you can check if you're really keeping it!

Beep!

soundsundergroun · 5th October 2009

I highly recommend a drum machine for playing to a click live or practice. You can set a cowbell (or whatever) sample and program the songs at different tempos. The advantage here is that you're hearing something much more musical rather than an electronic pulse. It's easier on the ears and when recording I've even had drummers that could not play to the digidesign click but when I fired up the cowbell they were able to play to it.

I've used an Alesis SR-16 w/ a cowbell as the click live for years on several tours with shure and m-audio in-ears. Worked like a charm.

2nd October 2007	#1
Superdrumskills Gear Head Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Pleasant Grove Utah US Posts: 56 Thread Starter	Metronome So i am in the market for a metronome for playing with my band live so we get tighter. Do you guys have any suggestions along with maybe some ear monitor advice as well?

5th October 2007	#6
toolskid Moderator Joined: Jan 2004 Location: london Posts: 2,786	a beatbug can be a great alternative to a click live and in the studio. Really lets you know where your timing and the timing of others is at.. __________________ Emre Ramazanoglu http://www.emremusic.com the wise man can pick up a grain of sand and envision the whole universe. The fool, however, will just lie down on some seaweed and roll around until he's completely draped in it. Then he'll stand up and go "Hey, I'm vine man"

29th September 2009	#12
BLUElightCory Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,821	We just use a Tama Rhythm Watch with a good set of headphones. You can also export clicks from a DAW at your songs' tempos and just use an iPod. This is nice because it cuts down on the time it takes for the drummer to adjust the metronome between songs. __________________ Cory Spotts / BLUElight Audio\|Media bluelightaudio@cox.net http://coryspotts.com

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2nd October 2007	#2
tyro Gear nut Joined: Feb 2007 Location: stockholm, swe Posts: 131	metronome just for you, or for the whole band? if just for you, I've heard of a watch style metronome what vibrates, seems like a great idea - no need for disturbing cords just to hear the click... but YMMV. can't remember the name of the device though. If you're looking for a more traditional metronome, I've heard good things about the yamaha clst-100 clickstation from fellow drummers, but have not used it myself.

5th October 2007	#4
AKCSTUDIO Gear maniac Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Alaska Posts: 298	dont ya hate it when a band member starts a song out and you come in then he stops and looks at you and says your rushing, why is it always the drummer? so drummers out on line it is not always you.

6th October 2007	#7
Superdrumskills Gear Head Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Pleasant Grove Utah US Posts: 56 Thread Starter	so i am a little confused by this beat bug. i know it recognizes the beat and tells you what the tempo should be? but is it a metronome that i can plug into im confused on that point. but it looks pretty sweet i just need to know if it is going to fulfill all my needs

7th October 2007	#9
Jax Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,779	What I don't get is - how does the BB sense quarter notes if you're playing (for example) 2 and 4 on the snare in 4/4? That would make it read only half the tempo. And what happens to its tracking when you do a series of 16ths, like you might in a fill? The website doesn't explain how the BB is "programmed" - if it can be at all. I'd imagine you can dial in the tempo and then it tracks how close your hits are? Looks like a cool device. Just trying to better understand its use!

29th September 2009	#11
surflounge Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Cayucos California Posts: 1,248	Korg MM1 Micro In Ear Electronic Metronome

3rd October 2009	#15
Jax Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,779	aldo, good comments! Whenever I brought in a metronome for band practice, there were a lot of questions and doubts at first. Things like "What, you think our timing is bad?" and "We don't need that, man!" People were instantly threatened. It would even get to where they would say "turn that shit off!" because it forced them to think, and they complained that the extra brain power needed was limiting their creativity. I don't disagree with that last point, but after awhile (a few weeks at least) I think having the click as a guide becomes second nature and people can learn to play inside the pocket in total comfort. They eventually don't have to think about it, and that's what you want. When it comes time to play live, the guidance of the click is ingrained in their mind and playing. If not, well then an in-ear click is a good idea. That should be easy enough to setup with the live sound staff with the right equipment.

4th October 2009	#16
Pawel Gear nut Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 106	One of the best ways to practice with the metronome is to start with it beeping every quarter note, then every two quarters, then after an entire bar, then 2 bars, then 4 bars, and so on until you really get the beat programmed into you. The goal is not to follow the beat, but to create it, and with further and further spacing between beeps you can check if you're really keeping it! Beep!

5th October 2009	#17
soundsundergroun Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 729	I highly recommend a drum machine for playing to a click live or practice. You can set a cowbell (or whatever) sample and program the songs at different tempos. The advantage here is that you're hearing something much more musical rather than an electronic pulse. It's easier on the ears and when recording I've even had drummers that could not play to the digidesign click but when I fired up the cowbell they were able to play to it. I've used an Alesis SR-16 w/ a cowbell as the click live for years on several tours with shure and m-audio in-ears. Worked like a charm.