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Metronome

The Metronome is the second tab in Tunable. It keeps steady time with audio clicks and optional visual flashing, helping you practice at a consistent tempo.

The large number in the center of the screen shows the current tempo in beats per minute (BPM). Below it, the classical tempo marking (such as Allegro or Andante) updates automatically as you change the BPM.

Use the ◀ and ▶ arrow buttons on either side of the BPM display to jump to the next or previous classical tempo marking.

MarkingMeaningBPM
Larghissimovery, very slow0–20
Graveslow and solemn20–42
Lentoslowly42–58
Larghettorather broadly58–66
Adagioslow and stately66–69
Adagiettoslower than andante69–72
Andanteat a walking pace72–76
Andantinoslightly faster than andante76–80
Andante Moderatobetween andante and moderato80–104
Moderatomoderately104–112
Allegro Moderatoclose to but not quite allegro112–116
Allegrofast, quickly and bright116–130
Molto Allegroquick and lively130–160
Vivacelively and fast160–168
Vivacissimovery fast and lively168–176
Prestovery fast176–192
Prestissimoextremely fast192–240

A row of common preset tempos appears below the BPM display — 40, 60, 72, 80, 92, 100, 108, 120, 132, 144, 160, 176, and 200 BPM. Tap any preset to jump to it immediately. These cover the most common practice and performance tempos without needing to tap or type.

The TAP button in the center sets the tempo by ear. Tap it at least three times at the speed you want and the metronome updates to match. Long-press the TAP button to type an exact BPM from the keyboard.

  • BEATS: how many beats are in each measure (the top number of a time signature). Use the + and buttons to adjust from 1 to 16.
  • SUBDIVISION: how many clicks per beat. Use the + and buttons to adjust.
SubdivisionClick patternTypical use
1Beat notes onlyBasic tempo reference, whole or half notes
2Eighth notesFeel the subdivision; steady eighth-note passages
3TripletsCompound meter, swing feel, triplet figures
4Sixteenth notesFast passages, precise sixteenth-note placement
6Sixteenth-note tripletsComplex rhythmic figures
8Thirty-second notesVery slow tempos or highly subdivided passages

The number in the center of the screen counts up through each beat in the measure while the metronome plays.

The row of dots at the bottom of the screen highlights each subdivision click as it plays. Tap the dots while the metronome is running to cycle through subdivision sounds.

The accent button (top-right area) emphasizes beat one with a louder, distinct sound. Use it to keep the downbeat feel clear when practicing in a specific meter.

The flash button toggles a visual flash on each beat. When enabled, a colored flash appears on screen in sync with the click — useful when you cannot hear the metronome clearly.

  • Use tap tempo to find your natural speed. Tap along to a recording or your sense of the piece, then use + / − to fine-tune from there.
  • Start slower than you think. Practicing at a tempo where you can play every note cleanly and in time is more effective than struggling at full speed.
  • Use subdivision for difficult passages. Adding a subdivision click between beats helps you place fast notes more accurately.
  • Use Ableton Link for group practice. Enable Sync Metronomes to keep all devices in a room in time automatically.
  • Use the tuner and metronome at the same time. Start the metronome, then switch to the Tuner tab. The metronome keeps playing in the background while you tune, so you can check intonation at tempo without stopping the click.

Metronome Settings · Metronome FAQ