LTATM: Ep 5 - Metronome - Recording to click
LTATM Episode 5: Metronomes and Recording to Click Tracks
When Let’s Talk About The Music was first founded back in 2015, I spoke to one band at a time on one topic at a time. The current edition of LTATM has expanded to include multiple bands and/or individual musicians so that a broad view can be brought to bear on specific themes. We always concentrate on discussing issues of interest in the independent music industry. LTATM does assist with promotions, but the podcast is not centered on the latest EPs or upcoming live shows. Our goal is to hold meaningful conversations on music-focused topics where we can listen to, be heard, and learn from one another.
Choosing the Topic:
Guests on the show can pick a topic of their choosing; if they do not have a preference, I will work with them to generate an interesting theme for discussion. On occasion, I will have specific subjects in mind and will invite guests who have valuable insights on these topics. For example, upcoming episodes will be focused on songs about mental health and on female drummers. (Links to both podcasts coming soon.)
Keeping Musicians in Time for Centuries:
Episode 5’s topic is on metronomes and recording to a click track. Now, I didn't do research on this subject before the episode because my life got a little busy. However, that will never happen again! What follows is what I learned about using metronomes and click tracks after the episode was recorded.
Metronomes have been around for a long time. Although only first patented as a tool for musicians in 1815 by the German inventor Johann Maelzel, the first type of metronome was created in the 9th century by Abbas Ibn Firnas, an Andalusion. (Andalusia is part of modern-day Spain.) They have been modified over the centuries, and today’s metronomes can be mechanical, electric, or an app on your phone. They can also make a wide variety of sounds, not just the traditional “click.”
Click tracks are metronome recordings used to assist musicians in keeping time with their music. They are especially valuable in maintaining a specific tempo for a song, laying down backing tracks, and keeping musicians in sync when practicing, recording, and playing live. The click track is not heard by the audience or made part of the recording, but is generally sent to individual performers via headphones or in-ear monitors. They were first used in recording studios in the 1970s.
Guilded Lilly did an amazing job explaining it all to me—but if I had done my research like a good podcast host, I would have asked way more questions. Since that didn't happen, I had the tremendous pleasure of getting to know the band instead.
Guest Speakers: Guilded Lilly:
Guilded Lilly is an indie/folk/blues/rock band from Tacoma, WA. They make you move to the music like no other band that I have seen. I was able to watch them perform on October 18th at the newly remodeled Airport Tavern. Guilded Lilly was the opening band for Kim Archer Music and played a 45-minute set. When they told the audience that they only had one more song to go, I protested, “No, you just got started!” The set was much too short for the incredible show they put on.
Guilded Lilly is a five-piece band with Nance at lead vocals, although she is ably backed by her fellow band members. She also plays tambourine and collaborates in writing some of the songs. Nance has been part of Guilded Lilly since it was born in 2018.
Victor plays guitar and additionally switches off with Nikk on bass. Victor has his own in-house studio where you can always find him hard at work, and he’s a big part of the local music scene.
TJ Wolfe is the drummer and has been performing for about 25 years. Like Victor, TJ also enjoys producing music. His uncle inspired him to play drums in elementary school, and he played upright orchestra from fifth grade through high school. Additionally, this multi-talented guy has experience playing bass.
Nikk plays bass and guitar, swapping around with Vic. Her background is mostly music production, electronic music, and the house music realm. Nikk does a lot of DJing on the weekends. She is part of a non-profit and goes by Dearborn.
Jess is brand new to the band. She started playing classical piano and violin, and then ventured into fiddling. When she started to experience different improv situations, she found it a challenge and sometimes frustrating. It all paid off when Jess met Nance a few years back. Jess started with the band a month ago and is Guilded Lilly’s violinist.
Conor Byrne Co-op
Guilded Lily is part of the Conor Byrne Co-op, a pub in Ballard (Seattle), WA. They are deeply supportive of independent music. The co-op offers dance lessons, hosts open mics, and supports the local music scene. It is all about community.
You can listen to LTATM Ep. 5 with Guilded Lilly on Auboom, Spotify, or wherever you stream your podcast. A new episode drops every Wednesday. You can also watch new episodes every Saturday on the official Let’s Talk About The Music website.
Where to listen or watch the NEW LTATM Podcast:
You can listen to the episode on Audioboom, Spotify, and Amazon.Music on Wednesdays, or you can watch this episode on Saturdays on the Official Let’s Talk About The Music website.
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Guest Speakers
Guilded Lilly
Guilded Lilly
Guilded Lilly is an indie/folk/blues/rock band from Tacoma, WA.
History Referance on Metronomes
The metronome click has been around for centuries, but the metronome as a tool for musicians was patented in 1815 by German inventor Johann Maelzel (first phone):
9th century: (no photo) Andalusian inventor Abbas Ibn Firnas created a type of metronome
1696: French musician Étienne Loulié (last photo) built a mechanical metronome with an adjustable pendulum, but it didn't make a sound
1814: Dietrich Nikolaus Winkel (2nd photo) developed a musical chronometer
1815: Johann Nepomuk Mälzel (first photo) patented the metronome as a tool for musicians
Today, metronomes can be mechanical, electronic, or apps on phones. They can produce a variety of sounds, not just a click.
Click tracks, which are metronome recordings, were used in recording studios in the 1970s to help musicians stay in time.
