Metronome alternative

clarky94

I am looking for something as alternative to a metronome ideally some sort of drum beat to use to keep me in time when practicing i was thinking of something like an Alesis SR-16 Digital Drum Machine - can the beat/tempo be adjusted easlly 

Gassage

A Drummer?

TheBlueWolf

You can alter the tempo on the Alesis. It has preset rhythms ( tempo adjustable ) in various music styles, as well as the option to create your own.

I use a free piece of software called Hydrogen on my laptop. You can create your own beats and rhythm tracks and export them as MIDI or .wav too if you're using a DAW. I'm pretty sure they have a Mac version too.

TheBlueWolf

Hydrogen linkage http://hydrogen-music.org/hcms/

viz

Tap your foot. Better than a metronome.

mrkb

Do you have an iPhone - there are apps like PolyNome that allow more complex rhythms than a metronome, but not as complex as a drum machine.

NPP

if you are on a Mac use Garageband, pick a simple drum pattern and adjust it to taste. You can take out bits of the drum kit and drag a slider between 'simple' and 'complex' versions of the pattern. You can get it as complicated as you like, with fills and all, or just have a closed hi-hat on the 2 and 4, or anything in between.

For windows, there's a free metronome app I used to use that did complex rhythms and visualised patters with bouncing balls and was very easy to set up - unfortunately I cannot remember its name. 

jacktaylorguitar

Get an app called drum genius. It would be perfect 

ArchtopDave

Beat Buddy - not cheap, but it does what it says.

mike_l

viz said:

Tap your foot. Better than a metronome.

Only if your foot is perfectly in time...

viz

Ha yes good point! - though the process of trying to tap and play actually increases your timing and accuracy

notanon

I've got Hydrogen working on a Mac you need to compile it though. I already have XCode installed so didn't take too long but expect an hour or so with all the Mac Ports update. http://www.hydrogen-music.org/hcms/node/17220 ;

There are simple metronomes for Android /iOS.

MuseScore has a built in metronome, LMMS (https://lmms.io/) is a free DAW but no recording facility (??), . . .. I prefer Reaper - powerful but inexpensive.

mike_l

viz said:

Ha yes good point! - though the process of trying to tap and play actually increases your timing and accuracy

I try to tap with my metronome when I'm playing/practising at home.

viz

Fair enough and you do it well so it's worked for you

mike_l

viz said:

Fair enough and you do it well so it's worked for you

Jamming to backing tracks has probably helped a lot as well.

richardhomer

Boss RC-3 Looper has on board drum patterns - no programming required - variety is pretty limited. Really good 'plug in and play' solution.

Shelders

Digitech Trio(+). Run a chord progression through it and away you go. Bass and drums or mute bass for just drums. Great pedal.

Old_Swanner

This is great for a freebie if you have a Windows based PC.  Add chords, hit play .. piece of cake!

http://www.chordpulse.com/lite.html

guitarmangler

I use an app called time guru on my iPhone.
Developed by the guitar player who plays with John Scofield it has a random mute % slider so you can practise keeping in time without the metronome. It also has a gradual setting which slowly increases the amount of silence.

robinbowes

Gassage said:

A Drummer?

clarky94 said:

I am looking for something as alternative to a metronome ideally some sort of drum beat to use to keep me in time when practicing i was thinking of something like an Alesis SR-16 Digital Drum Machine - can the beat/tempo be adjusted easlly 

Come on, that's not going to help, is it?

R.

gitapik

I bought a Korg Pandora (used):

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/korg-pandora-px4d-guitar-multi-effects-processor

and hooked it up to this Vox Pathfinder Bass amp:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/vox-pathfinder-10w-bass-combo-amp

It's a good alternative to the metronome (which I use, as well). Lots of patterns that you can modify, if you want. You can add bass lines, as well...but they're more limited.