The metronome is an important practice tool every musician should use. Modern metronomes come equipped with advanced capabilities and features to push your practicing and time-keeping abilities to new levels. Many top metronome models have capabilities similar to sequencers and can be programmed for any time signature. The following buyer’s guide covers the key features all metronomes should have and will help you choose the best practice tool for your needs.
Essential Features
External Speaker
External speakers allow you to hear the metronome click. Missing even one beat can throw your timing off, so make sure your metronome has an adjustable external speaker.
Headphone Jack
It helps to be able to plug a set of headphones into the metronome. Often the metronome's external speaker isn’t loud enough to be heard over the sound of music, especially if you’re playing drums or an electric instrument. Ensure you can keep track of your tempo when playing any instrument by ensuring your metronome has a headphone jack. Mechanical metronomes rarely have a headphone jack, so consider looking into digital metronome options for this feature.
Adjustable Tempo
A good metronome allows tempo adjustments. There should also be a speed adjustment feature to quickly skip ahead by several beats per minute (often 10). The best metronomes will allow you to adjust your tempo by any increment, whether it be one beat per minute or twenty.
Wide Tempo Range
Most metronomes will offer a good tempo range from 35-250 beats per minute. The most common tempo sits around 60 bpm, but the best metronomes have a wide range of tempos so you can play in perfect time with any piece.
Adjustable Volume
Allows you to adjust the volume of the metronome click and balance it against your music. Adjustable volume saves your hearing and helps prevent the metronome from becoming a crutch.
Click Options
Some metronomes provide different options for the actual sound of the click, while some even feature audible numeric counting.
Visual Click
Typically, a light flashes on the beat or sometimes a traveling line that simulates a conductor. This provides you with a visual guide to your time signature, which can help when playing louder instruments that may obscure the sound of the metronome.
Subdivision
The click should be able to subdivide notes into quarters, eighths, and sixteenth notes with some metronomes offering triplets and accented beats. The best metronomes will have an individual volume control for each subdivision.
Program Functions
Some metronomes can be programmed to perform specific meter and tempo changes and are similar to sequencers.
Mounting Capabilities
Some metronomes have attachments allowing them to be screwed onto a cymbal stand or attached to a music stand.
Additional Features
Tuner
Some metronomes can double as a tuner for guitars or other musical instruments. This is feature is not part of the time keeping function of the metronome, but a tuner is also an essential tool for any musician, so it may benefit you to have both tools in one package.
Tone Producer
Most metronomes produce a tone pitched at “A” 440 and can be changed to other pitches.
Recorder
Some metronomes can record a session and offer you playback.
Reliability
The Dr. Beat line of metronomes from Boss has become the standard for professional musicians. There are several different models of these reliable metronomes offered in a wide price range. Tama and Korg are two other manufacturers also known for making reliable metronomes which will last you a long time.
Digital or Pendulum?
Weight-based pendulum metronomes don’t have the advanced capabilities necessary for proper practicing. Additionally, simple mechanical metronomes can actually become a crutch for a player because they’re only capable of producing a simple click. Therefore, you should always consider purchasing a digital metronome first to get the full range of time signature and bpm capabilities. Digital metronomes are equipped with features that help you make the most of your playing and stay in time efficiently.
Price / Value
Generally, the more features, the more expensive the metronome. Regardless, professional musicians should invest in a quality metronome to maximize their practice sessions.
For specific examples of top-end metronomes, you can refer to our list of Best Overall Metronomes. There’s also Best Budget Metronomes for musicians who prefer not to spend as much.