A visual light metronome for live use... [concept]

[Cubilas]

So I was thinking about putting this band together. It would be sampler & MIDI based with other live instruments.

I was looking for a large metronome that could be MIDI linked, something the whole band could see (like a laser or flashing lights)

Here's my idea:
small photoelectric cell - taped to an instruments metronome LED
[electricians/engineers/smarter folk could tell me what happens next]
Light on = signal flows
Light off = signal interrupted
Would be hooked to a strobe lamp or laser (maybe)

I have a small nightlight that almost would work.. it is built for much brighter conditions, but I'm sure there's different kinds of photoelectric cells out there with the right specs for such a small blinking light...

Any thoughts?

[Om_Audio]

MIDI Solutions make some seriously useful MIDI peripherals. I have their router and it is programmed to filter all messages but start/stop and clock.

Here is one that switches a relay, you could use it and then have it control a higher voltage relay which would be switching whatever light you were using. You would set the relay to open and close on alternating clock messages I would guess. They might have some suggestions if you contact them.

http://www.midisolutions.com/prodrel.htm

Your optical method would work too. The trick is controlling the high 120V light with the small sensor. I'm not clear on how to do that but am sure it would not be too difficult. I have put together a few guitar pedals and the folks on many DIY forums can be super helpful and experienced if you ask.

C

[FatSquirrel]

My group has a sequencer and we use an iPad + IK Multimedia iRig midi Interface + Yamaha metronome app. You could also make do with an iPod or iPhone (A lot of people already own one).

The main reason we chose the iRig was because it can allow the iPad/iPod/iPhone to charge while you are using it. That is important if you are playing a 3 to 5 hour gig.

Note, you have to plug the iRig adaptor into the midi device before you plug it into the iPad or the iPad doesn't always recognize the devices.

The other thing: You have to make sure to set the metronome app to "Fine" mode. That keeps both the tempo and the down beat tightly synced. In "coarse" mode, the downbeat can skew, even though the tempo is held.

Here is a snippet of it in action. This was before we realized that fine mode kept the downbeat synched. (It was set to coarse mode). Maybe in the next week or so I will post another video snippet showing how awesome it is at holding on to the beat, even during stops and sequenced tempo changes.

http://youtu.be/DOYRR_fyCIk