Metronome
Metronome is a midi based metronome which uses gtk+ for it's user interface. The timing is handled by /dev/sequencer, which should make it very accurate. It has variable speed, variable time signatures, and variable note values and customizable output tone.
The Problems
- This does not load the instruments, so if you hear nothing when you run it, then try playing another midi file with playmidi or some other midi player first.
- I've used this only on an SB 16, and from what I've seen of other MIDI code (which is very little), this might not work on other cards.
- Weird behaviour when /dev/sequencer is busy.
- In 3/4 time, the note value settings cause incorrect beats with the minim and maybe some other settings.
Explanation of the UI.
First, my understanding of time signatures and note values are shaky at best. If this method is wrong, or there are better ways of doing this, please suggest them.
Semibreve = Whole Note
Minim = Half Note
Crotchet = Quarter Note
Quaver = Eight Note
SemiQuaver= Sixteenth Note
There are four time signature values, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, which correspond to one, two, three and four crotchets per measure. Each measure is accented by a different sound.
The bpm speed is measured in crotchets. So, 130 bpm means that there are 130 crotchets in a minute. So, if you have 130 bpm, and a 4/4 time signature, with the crotchet note value, you will get
Tik Tok Tok Tok Tik Tok Tok Tok .... 130 times in a minute.
If you change the setting to a minim, then you will get
Tik Tok Tik Tok ... 65 times in a minute. Basically, instead of having four notes in a measure, you have two, with the same bpm setting.
With the quaver, you will get
Tik Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tok Tik Tok Tok .... 260 times a minute.
Why another metronome?
I wanted an accurate MIDI based metronome. Maybe it'll be of some use to others.
Why is the interface so much like gTick 0.1.3 ?
It's been inspired by gTick. ;-).
You'll find gTick at http://bsenet.cjb.net/gtick
Why are you cluttering up the README file with these irrelevant questions?
Why not?
http://metronome.sourceforge.net
Mail your feedback to :
exorpsyche@mindless.com