Visual metronome?

HobbyCore · 07-23-2008, 09:01 AM

Quite simple...

A black box that flashes red or yellow (user definable? for each beat? subdivide?) on the beat. Bonus points if it can be resized or full screened.

It'd be extremely useful for laying down initial drum tracks or bass in the studio when the musician is weary of wearing headphones or has difficulty controlling their dynamics and inflection with headphones on.

(os x!!)

Youn · 07-23-2008, 02:50 PM

Here's a simple JS plugin with beat division, blink fade time and basic color adjustment:

Code:

desc:Metronome Flasher

slider1:1<1,4,1{1,1/2,1/4,1/8}>Beat Division
slider2:250<100,1000,0.1>Fade (ms)
slider3:0<0,100,0.01>Color

@slider

slider1 == 0 ? speed = 1     :
slider1 == 1 ? speed = 0.5   :
slider1 == 2 ? speed = 0.25  :
slider1 == 3 ? speed = 0.125 ;

fadeLength = (slider2 / 1000) * srate;

fadeOutRate = 1 / fadeLength;

hue = slider3 / 100;
saturation = 1;
lightness = 1;

q = lightness < 0.5 ? lightness * ( 1 + saturation) : lighting + saturation - lightness * saturation;
p = 2 * lightness - q;

// calculate R value /////////////////////////////
t = hue + 1/3;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? r = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? r = q :
t < 2/3 ? r = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
r = p;

r = r / 2;

// calculate G value /////////////////////////////
t = hue;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? g = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? g = q :
t < 2/3 ? g = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
g = p;

g = g / 2;


// calculate B value /////////////////////////////
t = hue - 1/3;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? b = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? b = q :
t < 2/3 ? b = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
b = p;

b = b / 2;





@block
pTempo != tempo ? (
	fadeStep = ((tempo / 60) / speed) / 2;
	fadeStep = (fadeStep * srate) / 3;
	fadeLength = min(fadeLength, fadeStep);
	pTempo = tempo;

);


@sample

nBeat = (play_state & 1) ? floor(beat_position / speed) : -1;

cBeat != nBeat ?
(
	
	fadeInc = fadeLength;
	fl_r = r;
	fl_g = g;	
	fl_b = b;	
	cBeat = nBeat;
);

fadeInc > 0 ? (
	fl_r = fl_r - (fadeOutRate * r);
	fl_g = fl_g - (fadeOutRate * g);
	fl_b = fl_b - (fadeOutRate * b);
	fadeInc -= 1;
);



@gfx 400 150
gfx_a=1; // alpha 1.0

gfx_r = fl_r;
gfx_g = fl_g;
gfx_b = fl_b;

gfx_x = 0;
gfx_y = 0;
gfx_rectto(gfx_w, gfx_h);

Baer · 07-23-2008, 04:44 PM

Youn, that's great. Thanks. HobbyCore, thanks for the original post. I talked with our drummer about the value of something like this last year -- he's a guy who uses a click all the time (recording, rehersal, and performance). He didn't think much of the idea, maybe because it cuts into his role as the timekeeper. But I think it can be quite useful.

HobbyCore · 07-23-2008, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youn

Here's a simple JS plugin with beat division, blink fade time and basic color adjustment:

Code:

desc:Metronome Flasher

slider1:1<1,4,1{1,1/2,1/4,1/8}>Beat Division
slider2:250<100,1000,0.1>Fade (ms)
slider3:0<0,100,0.01>Color

@slider

slider1 == 0 ? speed = 1     :
slider1 == 1 ? speed = 0.5   :
slider1 == 2 ? speed = 0.25  :
slider1 == 3 ? speed = 0.125 ;

fadeLength = (slider2 / 1000) * srate;

fadeOutRate = 1 / fadeLength;

hue = slider3 / 100;
saturation = 1;
lightness = 1;

q = lightness < 0.5 ? lightness * ( 1 + saturation) : lighting + saturation - lightness * saturation;
p = 2 * lightness - q;

// calculate R value /////////////////////////////
t = hue + 1/3;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? r = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? r = q :
t < 2/3 ? r = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
r = p;

r = r / 2;

// calculate G value /////////////////////////////
t = hue;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? g = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? g = q :
t < 2/3 ? g = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
g = p;

g = g / 2;


// calculate B value /////////////////////////////
t = hue - 1/3;
t < 0 ? t = t + 1;
t > 1 ? t = t - 1;

t < 1/6 ? b = p + (q - p) * 6 * t :
t < 1/2 ? b = q :
t < 2/3 ? b = p + (q - p) * (2/3 - t) * 6 :
b = p;

b = b / 2;





@block
pTempo != tempo ? (
	fadeStep = ((tempo / 60) / speed) / 2;
	fadeStep = (fadeStep * srate) / 3;
	fadeLength = min(fadeLength, fadeStep);
	pTempo = tempo;

);


@sample

nBeat = (play_state & 1) ? floor(beat_position / speed) : -1;

cBeat != nBeat ?
(
	
	fadeInc = fadeLength;
	fl_r = r;
	fl_g = g;	
	fl_b = b;	
	cBeat = nBeat;
);

fadeInc > 0 ? (
	fl_r = fl_r - (fadeOutRate * r);
	fl_g = fl_g - (fadeOutRate * g);
	fl_b = fl_b - (fadeOutRate * b);
	fadeInc -= 1;
);



@gfx 400 150
gfx_a=1; // alpha 1.0

gfx_r = fl_r;
gfx_g = fl_g;
gfx_b = fl_b;

gfx_x = 0;
gfx_y = 0;
gfx_rectto(gfx_w, gfx_h);

How do I make use of this?

Thank you for it despite my ignorance.

schwa · 07-23-2008, 07:03 PM

Youn, that's awesome, but I think there's a technical limitation that's out of your control. The plugin code can't push a screen redraw to the window exactly when it wants it. Instead the @gfx code is called at something like 24 or 30 Hz, which gives up to about 8% timing error when the flasher is going at 120 bpm.

Even outside of the limitations of JS I think this would be a bit involved to pull off exactly right. Another problem (also no fault of Youn's) is that it's hard to follow a flashing metronome ... try it sometime!

Jae.Thomas · 07-23-2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwa

Youn, that's awesome, but I think there's a technical limitation that's out of your control. The plugin code can't push a screen redraw to the window exactly when it wants it. Instead the @gfx code is called at something like 24 or 30 Hz, which gives up to about 8% timing error when the flasher is going at 120 bpm.

Even outside of the limitations of JS I think this would be a bit involved to pull off exactly right. Another problem (also no fault of Youn's) is that it's hard to follow a flashing metronome ... try it sometime!

maybe something like "follow the bouncing ball" ???

HobbyCore · 07-24-2008, 04:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwa

Another problem (also no fault of Youn's) is that it's hard to follow a flashing metronome ... try it sometime!

Completely disagree. I find it very easy to follow a flashing metronome given the flash is of enough contrast and lasts for 1/4 of the beat.

moodswinger · 07-24-2008, 05:59 AM

HC-
I don't know if you've seen this,

http://www.dehaupt.com/SynthEdit/DH_Metronome.htm

I'm gonna guess yes, 'cuz I just found it thru a link on these forums (quickly looked for the thread again) the other day. But if not, maybe this will tide you over. Haven't used it myself but like I said someone here pointed to it.
Cheers,
MoodSwinger

Youn · 07-24-2008, 07:55 AM

Here's one that animates a line like a spinning clock. I think, compared to flashes and the traditional pendulum-type metronomes, the beat can much more easily be anticipated...

Code:

desc:Metronome Cycler

@block

t = ($pi * 2) * (beat_position - floor(beat_position));

@gfx 400 150
gfx_a = 1;

gfx_r = 1;
gfx_g = 1;
gfx_b = 1;

a = gfx_w / 2;
b = gfx_h / 2;
r = gfx_h / 2;

x = a + r * cos(t);
y = b + r * sin(t);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = gfx_h;
gfx_lineto(gfx_x, gfx_h-(gfx_h/6), 1);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = b;
gfx_lineto(x,y,1);

HobbyCore: To use these plugins, copy the code above into a appropriately named text file within the "Effects" folder in reaper. Then "Scan for new plugins" and it should find the file you just created!

Youn · 07-24-2008, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schwa

Youn, that's awesome, but I think there's a technical limitation that's out of your control.

Yes, I'm really not sure how in-sync these things are. They seem shifted by a certain amount. Does this have to do with PDC by any chance?

In the clock-style metronome above, it seems to be very much on beat during play back. Perhaps that's just on my machine? When stopped and moving the cursor around it's like 1/4 beat behind.

HobbyCore · 07-24-2008, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moodswinger

HC-
I don't know if you've seen this,

http://www.dehaupt.com/SynthEdit/DH_Metronome.htm

I'm gonna guess yes, 'cuz I just found it thru a link on these forums (quickly looked for the thread again) the other day. But if not, maybe this will tide you over. Haven't used it myself but like I said someone here pointed to it.
Cheers,
MoodSwinger

I have seen it because someone suggested it...

But I'm on os x! Even in windows I really dislike using synthedit plugins. Thank you for the re-suggestion though.

schwa · 07-24-2008, 08:13 AM

This is great. The problem with a flash is that it needs to be redrawn exactly at the right time by the system to look right. But a moving object that your brain can anticipate gives you all the visual information you need to see exactly where the beat is, even if the screen doesn't happen to get redrawn exactly when the line is at the beat.

Youn · 07-24-2008, 08:13 AM

Here we can tweak the speed and timing

Code:

desc:Metronome Cycler

slider1:1<0,4,0.01>Beat Multiplier
slider2:0<0,1,0.01>Timing Offset

@block
t = (beat_position+slider2) * slider1;
t = ($pi * 2) * (t - floor(t));

@gfx 400 150
gfx_a = 1;

gfx_r = 1;
gfx_g = 1;
gfx_b = 1;

a = gfx_w / 2;
b = gfx_h / 2;
r = gfx_h / 2;

x = a + r * cos(t);
y = b + r * sin(t);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = gfx_h;
gfx_lineto(gfx_x, gfx_h-(gfx_h/6), 1);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = b;
gfx_lineto(x,y,1);

I included the "offset" so we can line it up to the beat... not sure how else to get around it...

Youn · 07-24-2008, 09:38 AM

OK, here's my latest offering, I just added some flare to it and a sorta burst on the beat, like this screenshot shows. Anyways, hope it works:

Code:

desc:Metronome Cycler

slider1:1<0,4,0.01>Beat Multiplier
slider2:0<0,1,0.001>Timing Offset

@block
t = (beat_position+0.5+slider2) * slider1;
t = ($pi * 2) * (t - floor(t));

@gfx 400 150

gfx_clear= -1;
gfx_mode = 0;
gfx_x=gfx_y=0;
gfx_a=0.999;
gfx_blit(-1,1.01,0.11);
gfx_blurto(gfx_w,gfx_h);


gfx_a = 1;

gfx_r = 1;
gfx_g = 1;
gfx_b = 1;

a = gfx_w / 2;
b = gfx_h / 2;
r = gfx_h / 2;

x = a + r * cos(t);
y = b + r * sin(t);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = gfx_h;
gfx_lineto(gfx_x, gfx_h-(gfx_h/30), 1);

gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = 0;
gfx_lineto(gfx_x, gfx_h/30, 1);

gfx_x = 0;
gfx_y = b;
//gfx_lineto(gfx_w, gfx_y, 1);


gfx_x = a;
gfx_y = b;
gfx_lineto(x,y,1);

moodswinger · 07-24-2008, 10:05 AM

HC-
Yeah sorry 'bout that I thought it might've been, given I just saw it and when you stated "os x", bam!! I remember you making that same point last time, sorry.

Youn-
Those are sweet!!
Rock on, Bro!!

Cheers,
MoodSwinger

HobbyCore · 07-25-2008, 11:41 AM

Hmmm...

It appears rather choppy on my screen. It's difficult to see where the beat is.

darjama · 07-28-2008, 02:43 AM

try it at half speed, it will still connect on the downbeat with the tick at the bottom of the screen.

Evan · 12-24-2008, 10:44 AM

+1 for a visual addition to the metronome. I prefer something visual that shows movement, like a pendulum, or a circle/clock like some have suggested. The audio and visual metronome parts should be selectable independently (e.g. audio only, visual only, or both).

You could perhaps model some hardware metronomes...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73iO5F0daW0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YK-k7FKOmgg

synth · 12-25-2008, 03:45 AM

Here are some YouTube videos of a simple-but-effective beat visualization.

I want something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKOBoYGp_4w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iby3lt-kHPM

You can see the four red bars above the tempo (BPM) indicator. Easy to follow and works like a charm.

Another cool feature will be to add small pictures to the tracks and media items (as seen in the second video).

If you're wondering what the heck this is - it's a DAW (?!) for the Sony PlayStation 1 game console (believe it or not).Very impressive.

I don't really like this kind of music (rave/trance,ugh!),but the videos are very fun(ny) to watch