Metronome recommendations?

Korg do a very small unit that fits in your ear. It has a useful range of time signatures and it emphasises the first beat of the bar (useful imho).

Sound is electronic but not the usual annoying sound.

Worth a try.

 

Try taking a piece of kleenex, wadding it up a bit and taping it with scotch tape over the small hole the sound comes out of.

 

Not by much, and I've found that they aren't as reliable as the quartz metronomes.

 

Whatever happened to the old fashioned Franz ones. I have had mine for over 20 years, they used to have a wood box option, it has a nice woody "clock" sound to it.

Steve..

 

This is the one I am talking about, they last forever.

 

I'd get the Franz plastic or wood model like Mr Hanky posted before getting the pendulum type. The pendulum models aren't very durable. I've had my Franz since '78 and it still works great.

 

Get the electric ones, like I said they last forever.

And you can calibrate them, I have had mine apart once or twice over the years, it was pretty easy to figure out.

I don't think they make that style anymore, which is a shame, they are the Les Paul of metronomes.

 

I have a Boss Dr Beat DB88 ( they have other DB models)
http://www.zzounds.com/cat--Boss-Metronomes--2966

It has a choice of a two tick-tock tones or an annoying Japanese women's voice yelling 1-2-3-4

Same as you I find beeps annoying, the neutral tick-tock is nicer, it was the main reason I bought the DB88, I could not find another electronic metronome with one. The DB88 won't fit in your pocket but it is reasonably small.

You can set an accent for beat 1 and set different rythmn feels.
I find the tap tempo funcationality very useful.

 

I've had Franz ones over the years, they're great. I have to send my quartz one in to them for repair, which I did with an old plug in model that I had of theirs and it took like 6 mos. to get it back. They offer a few extra time signatures, but are usually limited up to about 5/4 or so (maybe 7)

I use the DB-88 now and I like it quite a lot. I think you can go up to 13/8 or maybe even 17/8 time on this one. It's a total rip off price wise, but I don't think you'll ever need another metronome again.

P.S. There are a couple of free or GPL'ed metronomes for your PC too, so you can probably find one of those and just download it for free. If your PC/laptop isn't too far from your practice area, it's not a bad option either, esp. considering it's free. My favorite is one for Linux (and maybe MacOS) called "gtick" that's quick and dirty, any time sig you want and has good sounds to it. There are tons for Windows too, I just don't remember their names that well. There's even a polyrhythmic metronome that's avail. for Windows but I couldn't get it to work too easy and haven't had the time to figure it out.

 

I guess Ms. Remler's video is making a big impact!!!

I had an electronic (but not digital) one but the sound was "clackish..." and drove me nuts.

I know they make "drummer's headset" that have an adjustable click track. I tried one at the music store as a means to maintain proper timing when reading long voice overs.....

 

?

 

Hey that's nothin, my Franz will not only yell at you in a thick German accent but will also hold a .45 to your head and scream "Schneller!!....Schneller!!.."

 

I just sent Jo a copy of (the out-of-print) Video by Emeley Remler in which she talks about the importance of a metronone...... And how to "swing" by counting 2 & 4 instead of 1 & 3.....

I think Jo has a new hero in Emily!

 

What about using a Metronome CD with an old boombox?
Or with a CD player connected to the amp?

I was looking at the Cowbell metronome CDs at http://neverenoughcowbells.com/

 

I just bought my daughter one at Chuck's (WMC) a couple of weeks ago. I believe it was an Ibanez but the important thing is it gives you a choice of beep and light or light alone. You must have something in common with Yael, she hates the beeps too and insisted on this feature. $29.95.

P.S. On the quartz versus digital issue, come on, you're not tuning strings here - if accuracy to the hundreth or even tenth of a second is truly critical to you, all I can say is, you're functioning way beyond my level.

 

Also check out Shery Bailey

www.sherylbailey.com