It is impossible to overestimate the importance of tempo in music because it creates a certain character and mood of a music piece. The ability to feel the pace and strictly follow it is very important for each musician. If this skill is not formed yet or if it’s required high-level professionalism, it is very important to have the best metronome at the initial stages of training, for playing in a group, and while new works rehearsing. It rhythmically beats the signals at certain time intervals so that the musician can maintain the desired pace of the process.

Such a unit is useful for all the musicians because there are more than 30 types of musical work’s tempo and each of them has its own name. Sometimes it is very difficult to distinguish them by ear, so in such a situation person needs a clear speed of performance, which can be got via the best metronome. The modern market presents mechanical and electronic devices and these both types can be used for guitar and piano. If you are looking for a reliable variant for home or studio usage, it’s better to check metronomes reviews, which will present really important information and contain answers to the most important questions.

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Metronome Reviews

BOSS DB-90 Talking Dr. Beat

BOSS DB-90 Talking Dr. Beat
The unit is small (6 x 7 x 10 inches), so it’s easy to take it together with the guitar. The BOSS DB-90 Talking Dr. Beat probably belongs to the best metronomes for guitar-players because it has enough memory to store nearly 10 reference tone setup parameters. It’s easy to connect the device directly to the bass or guitar and even listen to the produced sounds via headphones.

Pros

  • A special function allows levels of five different values adjusting in order to create some modern beats.
  • Implemented PCM drum patterns sound natural.
  • The device has four training modes, which improve the playing level.

Cons

  • It has a lot of buttons and it’s not hard to get lost between them. For basic functions performance, only a few ones are required.
  • The only way to find out what to do with all those buttons is to use the videos on YouTube.

Korg TM50PW

Korg TM50PW
The device can be potentially perceived as the best metronome for piano because it can work only with instruments, which produce a reasonably sustained sound. Included sweep needle is a component of a large backlit LCD display (backlighting can be turned off in order to save the energy). It doesn’t have historical or alternate temperaments, the equal one is permanent.

Pros

  • The unit has a solid assembly quality and presentable design.
  • Adjustable volume is loud enough to hear everything even in noisy conditions.
  • The owner can select tempo range in one beat-per-minute increment up to 252 BPM range.

Cons

  • The Korg TM50PW has rather irritating beep.
  • It’s hard to read all the information on the backlit display (the data size is small and blurred).

Seiko SQ50-V Quartz

Seiko SQ50-V Quartz
The device allows choosing between two pitches that the beat beeps at. Such a peculiarity is useful for those who are trying to catch the tap tempo and like to experiment with sound. The device has a built-in fold-out stand that fixes it in one position. Specified metronome is compact (1.7 x 5.1 x 3 inches) and is made of the plastic that smells not really pleasant and looks unreliable (it moves under the pressure). It doesn’t work with the app so can’t collect any data. The unit has a simple construction and is easy to use (no manual is required).

Pros

  • The sound can be adjusted and it’s easy to make it barely audible and concentrate only on produced music.
  • A dial can be used for tempo control. The user has everything to easily operate it and turn it in one touch.
  • The headphone jack presence makes it possible to practice even late in the evening.

Cons

  • The beep sounds electronically and is very high for the ears, so sometimes it distracts.
  • The Seiko SQ50-V Quartz can’t go up to 250 beats per minute, so the device isn’t the best metronome for the professionals and can be a good unit for aspiring musicians.

Korg MA1RD

Korg MA1RD
The device doesn’t produce a clicking sound; it makes something like a beeping sound with two tones high for beat one and low for the ensuing beats. Special LCD contains a graphical pendulum that helps the beat maintaining, as well as a counter that shows you which beat you are on. It’s hard to call the built-in speaker loud, but the headphone jack is able to get the required volume. A small stand that pops out of the back keeps the device in one position and greatly supports its weight.

Pros

  • The unit has a stylish design, which combines black and red colors.
  • Due to its compact dimensions (3.3 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches) device can be placed on any surface and transferred easily.
  • It contains rhythms for triplets that not every metronome can present.

Cons

  • The device turns off spontaneously without any reasons (the batteries are fine).
  • The Korg MA1RD isn’t able to emphasize downbeat correctly.

Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo

Wittner 836 Taktell Piccolo
The model doesn’t allow volume control and tone adjusting. Low BPMs are pretty accurate, but higher ones tend to slow down. It has an aesthetic front cover, which protects the front side and moving parts from dust. The item produces the ambitious click that is loud and sounds like a classic typewriter key. It’s comfortable to keep the winding key on the device’s front part.

Pros

  • The device is sturdy, so its body frame stays safe even after the falling.
  • It’s loud enough to be heard even while piano playing, moreover, the sound isn’t obnoxious.
  • Mechanical metronome is made in the form of a classic rounded pyramid with a plastic scale tempo cap.

Cons

  • The owner has to be careful because it’s easy to lose the weight on the pendulum.
  • It doesn’t keep a straight beat on the non-flat surface and you can notice imposing swing.

KLIQ MetroPitch

KLIQ MetroPitch
The model is a universal device because it contains the tuner, metronome, and tone generator, which helps various kinds of audio signals getting. It performs a pitch calibration and has different tuning modes. You don’t need the manual or side information because it’s easy to control the device on an intuitive level. The LCD display is visible even on a sunny day and the LED indicators increase the controlling process.

Pros

  • It starts work from 30 BPM and can go up to 250 BPM.
  • The KLIQ MetroPitch is supplemented with the presentable carrying pouch that protects the unit from injuries and dust.
  • The device has special settings that can recognize various instruments.

Cons

  • The battery life drains very quickly and sometimes it seems that the wind-up metronome might be better.
  • It’s too slow for intonation checking, so if you are going to play quickly, the specified model isn’t for you.

Matrix MR800

Matrix MR800
The metronome works seamlessly with piano but is too loud for people with good ears. The white inscriptions on the black body frame are visible. Standard headphone output makes it possible to enjoy playing the instrument and use the device even at night. It has a fully adjustable tempo and it’s easy to control such a peculiarity.

Pros

  • Dial indicator makes it possible to perform quick tempo settings.
  • Produced sound is loud and audible even in noisy conditions.
  • Two slide switches are simple to use.

Cons

  • The included single-ear earpiece is absolutely useless inasmuch as it’s uncomfortable and has intermittent sound.
  • The body frame quality is low because of its fragility.

Buyers Guide

Metronome: Essence and Types

If you are wondering “What is a metronome?”, then you should know that it’s a device that plays regular sounds at a specific pace. Music lovers, students of music schools/colleges, and professionals can’t play normally without a metronome. Despite the fact that the sound of the specified unit resembles a loud ticking of the clock, it is perfectly audible when playing any instrument. The mechanism counts the beat that leads to comfortable playing.

Mechanical metronome (classic) and electronic devices are the most widespread, but the first-type models are now difficult to find somewhere, except for music schools, they are gradually replaced by electronic ones. However, there are a number of advantages to the mechanical metronome: produced by this unit sounds are pleasant to the ear and help avoid a headache even during long rehearsals; the device has simple construction (the form of a truncated pyramid, on the front surface of which there is an arrow with a pendulum). The interval between the sound signals depends on the height of the pendulum.

Electronic metronomes for pianos and guitars are more compact and functional. They run on batteries, small, so can easily fit into a tool case, bag, and even a pocket. The device sometimes may be supplemented by the built-in tuning fork, the ability to memorize frequently included rhythm, clock, stopwatch, the possibility to change sound signals, meaning a strong beat.

Start Using the Metronome Properly

Before you will know how to use a metronome, it’s important to identify the extra features you need. If you are going to play a tunable stringed instrument, then it is better to purchase a it with a built-in metronome tuner. If you need a visual display of the metronome, then consider purchasing a mechanical device. Watching the swinging pendulum during the performance allows you to stick to the meter more clearly. Remember the following pieces of advice that will help puzzle out how to use the device.

  • Check the device in real life because some digital metronomes emit a high squeaky sound, while others tickle like a loud clock. Try playing with this metronome to make sure that its sound helps you, rather than distracts or even unnerves.
  • Set the pace. Most metronomes use for this purpose a parameter like BPM (the number of beats per second in which the speed of the piece is measured). Some metronome apps for phones allow you to change the speed remotely. In most quartz metronomes, beats per minute is indicated along the edge of the dial face. In mechanical models, you simply should move the metal weight on the rod to the desired pace level that corresponds to the music.
  • Adjust the time signature. For example, a 4/4 size implies four quarter shares in one measure and two-quarter parts in 2/4. In some music creations, more than a one-time signature is used.
  • During the performance you will have to play it in parts, each time changing the measured size in the metronome when the play requires it.
  • Set the volume level if possible.
  • Start at low speed. Ascertain the speed of the metronome between 60 and 80 BPM.
  • Focus on problem parts and speed-up the unit. It is best to increase the speed slightly.

Guitar / Piano Metronome: Basic Operating Peculiarities

It’s easy to find out how does a metronome work, especially, the classic ones. Such devices are made of natural material and have a pyramidal case with a removable lid. Below this cover, there is a scale that indicates the main paces and their designations in numbers. In the center of the scale, there is a pendulum with a sinker. The metronome works like a mechanical clock mechanism, inasmuch as, there is a key that drives the mechanism and the weight that sets it in motion. After spring’s unfolding, the metronome has to be turned on again.

Electronic best metronome for guitar/piano is a device with the same functions but with buttons and a display. It can be taken on the road, due to its compact size and have headphone input. It’s easy to attach such a mini-metronome on the instrument or clothing.