Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Mechanical or digital (App) Metronom?

Thanks again for your feedback! Highly appreciate it!
In addition to my recently bought mechanical metronome, which I basically like - despite some flaws – I have ordered the Korg KDM 3 now. The black/wooden version.
I am sure it’s a good device!

This is just an expensive overpriced option. There is a cheaper Seiko BU10.
https://www.amazon.com/Seiko-BU10-Vibrating-Metronome-Tuner/dp/B078WNJQNX

Another alternative to the Seiko BU10 is the Peterson Bodybeat Pulse Solo. Peterson makes expensive strobe tuners but I don't know the quality of this.

Of course manufacturers of digital metronomes produce items with a myriad of features. Why? Because they can. In a forum such as an "Adult Beginners' forum," where many are at the early stages of learning, is there really a need for such elaborate equipment over a device which simply beats time?

If a Honda Civic gets you to the grocery store and back, do you need a Rolls Royce?

Regards,

That’s why I like my mechanical metronome so far a lot. Well, I’m not really a beginner, but I still have a lot to learn. Let’s say a re-beginner after lot’s of years not playing. And yes, I wanted to keep it simple.

I prefer to use an app on my phone, it doesn't take any space, I can adjust the volume (but I am all digital).

My favorite app at the moment is MetroTimer (iOS) because you indeed have a practice timer with 1,2,5...30 min timers. Really convenient.
Also, you can choose different sounds and there is a tap tempo function which I also appreciate a lot to find the tempo of a piece.

Doing this with a mechanical metronome would be more challenging

Another interest is that you can practice far from your piano. You have your metronome with you if you want to practice rhythmic patterns for example...

Kord DM-3 is indeed very nice metronome. I am sure you will enjoy it!

Osho

I am using an old korg MA-30 (it must be 20 years old by now) and it works perfectly!

I'm sure the KDM 3 will be a joy to use. It's made to last and it looks beautiful! Great purchase

+1

For the first, it's dead simple with a traditional metronome. Just bump the speed up and down a few (typically 4) times until you get the speed you have in mind.

I would say it's even better with the traditional metronome because you get better at this very quick, so you're really learning something, which does not happen if the metronome determines the speed from your tapping. You can even do it without tapping in the first place (which won't work with your tap tempo function).


For the second, this is just as possible with a traditional metronome so I fail to see the point. You even can do it without any metronome at all

I have just received my electronic Korg metronome from Japan. First, I am surprised how quickly it arrived. It took only from Friday to Tuesday to deliver it to Germany (coming from Japan) with regular post.

The first impression is very good. It's loud enough, it's versatile. I would even go as far as saying that I cannot say right from the beginning that there's no chance that it replaces the mechanical in the long (or even short?) run...

Korg Metronome


But then again... i ordered it from Japan to get the "wooden" version. Now I think black would have fitted better... returning it is no option for obvious reasons.

I'd think you wouldn't want to leave it wound tight, but we're probably talking weeks, not overnight. I wouldn't worry about it if you're using it from time to time, just don't wind it within an inch of its life.
Personally I have plenty of apps and battery-powered metronomes but prefer to use the classic wooden Wittner with the swinging arm. To each their own, but to me it's just more fun.

I prefer a mechanical metronome, although I use a very simple electric one. I've never had a reason to use anything fancier than that.