metronome: digital versus mechanical?

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dg27

dg27

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My wife is learning guitar and wants to be able to use a metronome when she plays her acoustic in the kitchen late at night. I haven't owned or even looked for one in many years.

A quick search brought up the question of digital versus mechanical. Pros/cons? She doesn't need a tuner (I see some are combined.)

Note: She does not use a smartphone, tablet, etc.

Personally I'd lean toward the mechanical variety based strictly on aesthetics, like this:

metronome 1

or

metronome 2

Any recommendations?
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

I have a wittner with a bell that can be set on the 1st beat of 2/4, 3/4, 5,4 etc, which I find really useful helps me to not get 'lost'
What I like about the mech ones is you have a swinging arm to look at which helps to lock into it, (I'm sure I probably look like a tennis spectator for the 1st few bars)
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

regan said:
I have a wittner with a bell that can be set on the 1st beat of 2/4, 3/4, 5,4 etc, which I find really useful helps me to not get 'lost'
Click to expand...

I'm looking at wittners right now actually:

Wittner 834


regan said:
What I like about the mech ones is you have a swinging arm to look at which helps to lock into it, (I'm sure I probably look like a tennis spectator for the 1st few bars)
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was thinking and makes a lot of sense (it's sort of like watching the drummer like I always do).

  • Would you happen to know which model you have?

Thanks--this is really helpful.
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

Thanks, regan and gibson175--I'll check these out.

I don't know that she needs the bell and she definitely wants the pendulum type.
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

Really guys?

Digital. Sorry, its the only way to go in 2016. Much more accurate, and being able to show beat subdivision's and different rhythms (i.e. eight note triplets etc.) make then a MUCH better learning tool.

I used to argue with this with piano teachers/ students parents all the time. They just want mechanical because it's 'classical'. Let's not also forget most digital have a headphone out so can be amplified if need be as well.

To me it's a no brainer. But hey, many people don't seem to have them...
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

In this case, I need the simplest unit possible and a mechanical pendulum unit fits the bill. Eighth-note triplets, subdivisions, etc., aren't needed at all.

Also do not want/need a headphone jack.

Thanks for weighing in.
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

Still not as accurate. And did I mention cheaper?

Another argument I had with the same people...you can buy this digital one for $30 that does WAY more or the pendulum one for $60... * sigh *
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

I like the mechanical one over digital–looks better to me and is super easy to adjust with a cool visual...looks better IMO
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

treyhaislip said:
I like the mechanical one over digital–looks better to me and is super easy to adjust with a cool visual...looks better IMO
Click to expand...

I agree.

Sometimes simpler is better; the one I selected was $40.
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

To get going, all you really need is a $20 electronic one. It'll do 80% of what most people need. If, later on, she needs a better metronome for some reason (unlikely), make the cheap one a backup (or donate it), and get a nice one.

I have a Quick Time Quartz Metronome, which I have had since 2004, when my really old mechanical one finally bit it (they are very fragile, and I knocked it off the shelf with my trombone slide). The $20 Quick Time has done its job over the past 12 years, and I feel that it'd be pretty hard to break it. One note is that you do want to have ear buds to go with it (I play with only one in).
 
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Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

Kamanda~SD said:
Really guys?

Digital. Sorry, its the only way to go in 2016. Much more accurate, and being able to show beat subdivision's and different rhythms (i.e. eight note triplets etc.) make then a MUCH better learning tool.

I used to argue with this with piano teachers/ students parents all the time. They just want mechanical because it's 'classical'. Let's not also forget most digital have a headphone out so can be amplified if need be as well.

To me it's a no brainer. But hey, many people don't seem to have them...
Click to expand...

I'd say if you want more versatility as a learning tool, use a drum machine.
I found the digital metronomes I've used have an annoying beep where the mech ones sound more percussive & the visual cue a swinging arm gives shouldn't be underestimated.
If you get a bell equipped one you can set the bell every other note for semi quavers every third for triplets or a 12/8 feel etc

I love my bell :)
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

regan said:
I'd say if you want more versatility as a learning tool, use a drum machine.
Click to expand...

I have an Alesis SR16 for that...

regan said:
I found the digital metronomes I've used have an annoying beep where the mech ones sound more percussive
Click to expand...

Agree 100%.

regan said:
& the visual cue a swinging arm gives shouldn't be underestimated.
Click to expand...

This is a major issue for me. I think it's really useful.

regan said:
If you get a bell equipped one you can set the bell every other note for semi quavers every third for triplets or a 12/8 feel etc I love my bell :)
Click to expand...

Understood, but this is probably beyond what she needs right now. She uses various online tools when she's practicing near her desktop, but this is strictly for those times when she plays late at night in the kitchen.

Thanks to all who weighed in.

dg
 
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Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

cmon folks. if he wants mechanical, then let him get a mechanical one!
They do have one advantage over quartz or digital.....they actually "swing"! ;)
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

gibson175 said:
They do have one advantage over quartz or digital.....they actually "swing"! ;)
Click to expand...

When the "accuracy" of the digital came up, the thought that crossed my mind was this: How accurate do you think your human is?

I got the bell-less variety. My wife loved the picture because it's red (she has a CAR Tele).

wittner 834 metronome.jpg
 
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Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

thats cool! BTW if you ever need all the bells and whistles, bet subdivision, tap tempo and so on....you can always download "mobile metronome" to your phone for free.
 
Re: metronome: digital versus mechanical?

I use a 30 year old digital one, which only has a woodblock sound. I can even put it under my leg when I practice and not hear it, but feel the vibrations of the speaker. Mechanical ones are simply not as accurate and get worse over time.
 
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