I use the click seldomly. I usually lay a basic drum track first (from a drum machine), but then again , I track a majority of my work as midi recording. It is though used to help me align a few stray tracks that otherwise would throw off the feel of the tune. Just my opinion.

Depends on the music. I use one, since I record my guitars first.

Any drummer who can't play with a click should be strung up by .......

Early in my career I did a session where I couldn't hear the click. The drummer was so tight it just became part of the kit. Ever since I have judged my drummers by how well they could stay with the click. In many of the bands we rehearsed with a click. It resolved many arguments about "you're rushing, you're dragging".

It for damn sure helps when you want to re-arrange a song after it has been recorded.

:p:

Unless it's all MIDI machines, using a click is the only way. Should be lesson #1 for every aspiring drummer: Learn to play with a click. It calibrates the clock in your head and gives you the freedom to "lay back" or "push" a groove once you've got it licked.

Actually, make that every musician (not just every drummer).
I can't even start to explain how much the clock in my head benefitted from recording with click tracks ... and I am not a drummer.

MisterBlue.

Understanding that you can be "on time" but not in the pocket is paramount to a good groove. Just as MisterBlue says, you can grease it up and "lay back", or get all up in the groove and "push" the pocket - all in the same tempo.

I am a drummer of 21 years, and I play with a metronome for recording, and I still struggle with feel changes in the same tempo. I can convey my rhythmic ideas easily with my "Free Time", but add a mteronome, and I have to work at it for a while, then it is right on.

I really think I get better everytime I record myself! I need to practice more with a metronome.

OT - Who makes a metronome with an obsurdly bright light? I'm a hard hitter, and I hate blasting the headphones to astronomical levels to hear the click - I'd prefer a bright strobe light (not a whimpy 1/8" LED). Any recommendations? Maybe something w/MIDI input to sync to external sequencers?

Later :cool:

Originally posted by Randyman...:

I'm a hard hitter, and I hate blasting the headphones to astronomical levels to hear the click - I'd prefer a bright strobe light

I just got extreme isolation headphones. I'm also a fairly hard hitter, but with these phones I find that the phones level can be a lot lower. I can still hear and feel the drums fine, but you may want to add a little overheads to the phone mix to hear the cymbals. Yes they are that muted! :c:

Kev is in another forum !! :eek:

I've had an idea bouncing around in the back of my head for years but just can't find the right way to bring this to a DIY project.

A series of LED's and each LED is assigned to a midi note. You can then right a midi sequence in a way that suits your song and you eyes.
Arrange the LED physically to suit you.
difficult to explain.

X.........X
.X.......X.
..X.....X..
...X...X...
.....X.....

think of a conductor's baton.
I think this shape is better than the Russin Dragon and must be better than a single light.

Being a midi sequence gives you more scope to adjust the groove than just a midi clock chaser.

does any of this make sense ?

I get it Kev. It would be a more visual representation of the groove. Why not make a stereo clicker that does the same thing with the sound:
L........R
L......R
L....R
L..R
C

It could match the light show. David

I like it !!
a super bright in the C position.

Now all I need is a midi geek to get me started in the right direction with the electronics.

It would be handy to place the midi notes just below the usual GM drum kit area.

Chalk up another vote for the click! Every musician in the world, MIDI or not can improve with a click track.

Hey, cool idea Kev....let us know!