Using Tone Circle Drone as a Metronome

The timing of the Tone Circle Drone is very precise. When a synth timbre with a quick attack is selected, this application can be used as a highly customizable metronome.

Presets designed for use as metronomes are included in the download available via the Downloads link on the NavBar. The simplest, a single beat, has been given the name \metronome\beat.tcd. It is easy to build this droneset from scratch. First, on the Main Panel, set the number of Beats to 1. Then, click on the note to edit, and set the Timbre to Vibraphone. As an alternative, you might prefer the Harp, or EPiano, both of which have quick attacks, though they do not decay as quickly as the Vibraphone.

To set the rate of the metronome, use the Tempo slider on the Main Panel. A typical metronomome offers timings which range from 40 to 208. The slider ranges beyond this, extending from from a low of 6 BPM (one beat every 10 seconds) to a high of 400 BPM (sixteenth note subdivisions for quarter notes at 100 BPM).

Many people like a metronome to give a special emphasis to the first beat of a measure. A series of dronesets have been made with this in mind. They are in the file folder metronome/ and start with the name measure_... followed by the number of beats in the measure. For example, measure_4_beats,tcd, will play four beats with the first beat set with a differentiating pitch.

Subdivision patterns can be made by adding beats and multiplying the tempo rate. For example, 4/4 can be given 8th-note beats by upping the cycle from 4 to 8 beats, and simultaneously doubling the beats per minute (tempo). A selection of subdivision dronesets are included with the download.

If the pitch of the chosen beats sound bad with the key you are playing, it is a simple matter to transpose the chosen note being played to one that is more pleasing using the Root control on the Main panel. Some people like to have very high notes, others low. Whatever you choose or build for yourself, it is a simple matter to save the droneset for later use, using the Save button.