I tried to match up the speed of this app with my DB-66, and ended up with a 2.1% timing adjustment, a metronome that still wouldn't beat at 120 bpm consistently, and five minutes of my life that I'll never get back.Īccuracy: poor, even with "timing adjustment" slider. This metronome has a "timing adjustment" slider to make up for the "metronome timing drift" on different devices. It allows user to key in the tempo using a keypad. Metronome - reloaded by Chris & Uwe - FREEĪ pendulum-style metronome like the one below but with a more modern design and with banner ads. Visuals: set of lights that flash with each beat. Rhythms: has sliders for volume of beat and subdivision - similar to Dr. The preset player doesn't work in free version, and accuracy is poor despite claims of "ultra-accurate timekeeping engine." Good tone generator with 7 octaves, though. This app has ads, but the pro version is ad-free, and features a tap function and additional sounds. Verdict: inaccurate but useful for tone generator Visuals: can watch beat patterns in two different views - pads (where pads light up as they sound) or patterns (where a line moves across the pattern - see screenshot).īackBeat Free by Cameron Bytheway (Pro version is $2.99) Rhythms: many subdivision possibilities, but the basic loop is set up in 4/4 Sound: loud, offers variety of drumset sounds Range: 0.0 - 220.0 (allows adjustment to 1/10 of a bpm but slider is difficult to adjust with accuracy) The downside is that making beats can take a while, and you have to pay an extra $.99 for the ability to save patterns. Verdict: Fun and accurate metronome alternativeĪ metronome is essentially a simple drum machine, so why not play scales to a rock-n-roll beat, or create a jazz pattern for working on swing rhythms? This app allows you to create your own beat pattern using sixteen different drum sounds. Visuals: orange light moves back and forthĮasyBeats LE by Hopefully Useful Software - FREE (Pro version is $4.99) Rhythms: good choice of meters can choose subdivisions but no dotted sixteenth or first-and-third triplet rhythms Sound: loudest of the apps tested four different sound choices Verdict: Decent app - wait to buy until more features are addedĪccording to the developers, future updates will include a tap function and more features. Metronome Plus by Dynamic App Design - $.99 Visuals: can be set to flash on downbeat or all beats Rhythms: choice of many different meters, but no subdivisions It features a circular dial and a visual flash that can be turned on and off.Īccuracy: overall stays on track but slight glitch noticeable at high speeds Unlike most free metronome apps, this one has a tap function. Verdict: best free app, use with external speakers Steinway Metronome by Steinway Musical Instruments - FREE Visuals: very small pendulum can also turn on a flash which makes the whole screen flash red on each beat. Allows muting of any beat within the meter. Rhythms: Offers all common meters and subdivisions, but no odd meters like 5/4. Sound: medium loud, offers choice of 9 different sound sets It offers an accurate tap feature, and the "setlist" function lets you save multiple metronome settings and switch between them quickly. This app was recommended to us by quite a few people, and for good reason: $1.99 is a small price to pay for a good metronome, and this one has lots of adjustable settings for visuals and sounds. (Note: We were only able to test metronome apps for iOS platforms, but we've heard that "Mobile Metronome" works great on Android devices.) Here are the metronomes we tested, in order from best to worst: Extreme low and high metronome settings can also be useful - why stop at 210 bpm when you can go to 800? We looked at these features and more, and came up with a list that we hope will be helpful to those of you searching for the perfect app. The most important attribute in a metronome for professional musicians is accuracy, and a surprising number of these apps failed to keep time when we tested them in comparison with a Dr. We compared some of the cheapest and most popular metronome apps to guide you in selecting one that fits your needs. A metronome is a seemingly simple concept, but these apps vary wildly in tempo ranges, options for subdivisions and meters, and even accuracy. An increasing number of people are using metronome apps rather than traditional metronomes, but the number of metronome applications available for iPod/iPhone is overwhelming. Every clarinetist needs a metronome for practicing and teaching.
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