Is it really necessary to have a fancy metronome? As long as it keeps steady time, it should be fine, right? Traditional metronomes might have been true, but today’s apps offer a lot of cool and advanced features that make practicing easier. Finding the best metronome app required downloading dozens of them.
Metronome Beats
The “tempo trainer” feature of Metronome Beats by Stonekick sets it apart from other music apps. With the tempo trainer, you can program measures where the tempo accelerates or slows down at specified intervals. A certain number of metronome measures can also be set to automatically turn the metronome off.
There are some cool and unique features within the app that I love. It’s pretty easy to use the user interface – you can use the slider to adjust the tempo and tap the colored lights to change the pitch and silence the beats. While adjusting tempos, the metronome will display beats-per-minute and tempo markings.
The first thing I dislike is the lack of subdivision functionality, which I think is essential for a metronome. Secondly, all the advertisements. The app has many features that require you to pay for or download a second app to access beyond the banner ads at the bottom. There are so many better options out there
Pro Metronome
There are many features in Pro Metronome by EUMLab. You have a lot of control, which might seem overwhelming at first. In spite of that, they do a great job of keeping things organized and clean.
This app has a lot of features, which I love. There is no limit to what this app can do. Metronomes can be customized, tempos can be changed, subdivisions can be created, playlists can be loaded, and tempos can be adjusted while you practice. This might not be necessary for beginners, but it is an excellent option for advanced musicians.
The main complaint I have about it is that it basically forces you to upgrade to the pro version. Even subdivisions will cost you money if you want to use them. I can understand restricting some cool features, such as the tempo trainer, for a pro version. As a result, they lose points in my book for lacking this basic and critical functionality.
Tonal Energy
Tonal Energy had high hopes for me when I downloaded it. The first thing I noticed about it was that it didn’t have a free version, and another thing I noticed was that my friend swears by it.
There is much more to tonal energy than a metronome. A drone, tuner, and sound wave analyzer are some of the tools you can use to practice smarter. In addition to changing the tempo, subdivisions, and time signature, you can even change the sound of the metronome beats. As a whole, I am satisfied with my purchase and I think this is an excellent option for students of music.
It has many advanced features and offers a wide range of metronome sounds, including drum machines and human voices.
It’s not a free app, even though it’s cheap. This is a minor issue for me since I believe valuable student tools should not be locked behind a paywall. In spite of this, the app does offer a great deal of value. This app’s biggest problem is the design. I think the app could be organized a little better and something about it just feels corny to me.
Metronome By Sound brenner
Metronome by Soundbrenner is designed to be used with Soundbrenner Bluetooth wearables, but it also works independently.
A good design and a variety of time signatures, subdivisions, and tempos are what I appreciate most about this metronome. A song playlist can also be created and tempo/subdivision combinations can be set for each song. It may be suitable for drummers who want to practice a complete set or who frequently practice songs. This would also work for breaking up longer works into sections.
When practicing, the volume/pitch of the emphasis isn’t loud enough and hard to hear. My device didn’t show a visual strobe when a beat was playing, and it kind of confused me. In addition, the dial is a bit cumbersome for adjusting the tempo.
Dr. Betotte
This is probably the most sophisticated and complicated digital metronome on the list. Polyrhythm settings and sound samples can be customized, so there are more metronome settings than you will ever need.
There is more metronome in this than you’ll need, no matter how proficient you are. The metronome can be customized so that you can practice really complex rhythms or songs and the settings can be saved for later use. Additionally, the metronome can be used to play chord progressions along with chord progressions. Playing in tune and in time is especially helpful with this program.
There is one thing I dislike about the app – its complexity. You shouldn’t use this app if you’re a younger student. Even experienced musicians might feel that this is too complicated. As well as being one of the most expensive apps on the market, it is also one of the most popular.
Metronome Plus
Originally just a metronome, this app has now been bundled with tuner, recording, and drone tools to make your daily practice session easier. Music students will appreciate these other features, although they come at a cost.
My favorite thing about it: It has a very user-friendly interface and you can use the metronome and tuner simultaneously – no need to open separate apps. It is also possible to keep the app running in the background, so you can read sheet music on your iPad while the app is running.
I dislike: Like most apps that have a free and paid version, there are a lot of features you’ll need to pay for. Customizations cannot be saved between sessions, despite the fact that they are available.
Tempo Advance
You will find that this app was approved and used by Dream Theater drummer Mike Mangni in the app store. Dream Theater is one of my favorite bands, and Mike is one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen, I must like this app, right?
If you want a metronome that supports polyrhythms, this is the one for you. There are several apps on this list that support time signatures like 7/8, but this is the only one with a built-in beat emphasis. As an example, I could choose between 3+2+2 and 2+3+2.
In my opinion, the free version of this app has the most ads. It makes the metronome almost unusable by placing the ads in the middle.
ONYX Metronome
Metronomes require precision if you’re using them. You must maintain precise timekeeping in your music if you want to keep everything in order.
A metronome app is usually made using internal iOS or Google timekeeping code. In contrast, ONYX handcrafted their own iOS code to keep time as precise as possible. iOS is the only platform where it’s available.
This app will provide you with the most accurate metronome timing. Moreover, it’s very user-friendly and beautifully designed. If you want to quickly edit something on your app while on stage, this can be of great help.
You can use the app for free with its basic version, but if you want to upgrade it, you’ll need to subscribe. With this feature, you will be able to customize time signatures, accents and subdivisions, as well as create user playlists.
Simple Metronome
Sometimes, you just need a quiet and precise metronome app without all the fancy features. There aren’t a lot of features in Simple Metronome, but it’s stable and does exactly what it needs to.
There is no upgrade option available for this app. You can only download it for Android, and it is completely ad-free.
There are several nice features and it’s really precise, without requiring your permission for anything other than power management to keep the screen on for longer if you want. It’s a great app for anyone looking to have a metronome on their phone that’s made with quality.
Metronome+
In-app purchases are required to unlock all of the features of Metronome+, which is available only on iOS. The application includes a metronome as well as several other options.
You will also find a recorder and a loop machine in addition to the metronome. The setlists and pitch player can also be set with a chromatic tuner. It’s an amazing app that makes you feel like you’re living in the future thanks to its design.
Quick Questions
What does tap mean on a metronome?
The tempo and time signature can be set by pressing a few buttons. Also, you can “tap in” the tempo, which means you can set the metronome’s tempo by pressing a button that corresponds to a certain BPM.
What is tap tempo metronome?
Tap-Tempo Metronome is a tap-controlled metronome and beat looper. It’s a metronome with an attitude. You tap a piezo speaker to set the rhythm. It displays the beats per minute, and there are two buttons for adjusting the speed.
What speed should I set my metronome?
Choose a tempo that suits you. To get started, a moderate tempo like 70 beats per minute is a good place to start. Getting locked into the beat can be difficult if you’re new to metronome settings and start too slow. Getting started too fast can lead to you losing your technique if you’re unable to keep up.
Why playing with metronome is difficult?
The metronome forces you to focus on the beat and how all the notes fit into each beat when you practice consistently. Developing this skill can be challenging, so I usually work with students one-on-one to help them develop it.