- Home |
- Guitar |
- Bass |
- Keyboard |
- Recording |
- Computer Music |
- Live Sound |
- Drums |
- DJ |
- Accessories |
- Blowouts
Sabine Zipbeat Metronome
Many valuable features previously available only in far more expensive metronomes.
Sabine ZipBeat Metronome Customer Review
Feature:
Comes with an earphone for private listening, which would allow you to use it at a gig. The number of beats per minute available is limited because there is only so much space on the dial. The higher up on the dial you go, the more gaps there are in the selection, i.e. at the lower speeds you they are spaced every 4 bpms whereas at higher speeds they are spaced at 8 bpms. So if you are looking to duplicate the rhythm of a song off a CD, or find a beat that "feels" just right for a particular song, you may have to do some compromising, going either a little too fast or a little too slow. But hey, it's $20. It also has selectable down beats (a tock instead of a tick). One drawback is that when you start the metronome using one of the downbeat options, it starts in the middle of the count, not at the beginning. So for example if you choose it to tock every four beats, when you turn it on, it will be starting on the second or third beat. You have to let it cycle through, and then square away in your head which beat you want the tock to be on. A minor inconvenience.
Quality:
Haven't dropped it yet. It looks ok for what it is.
Value:
For $20 and a few minor inconveniences you get a metronome that you can use by yourself, in a PA system for the whole band, or with an earphone at a gig. $20 these days is nothing. How can you go wrong? A good thing for every gig bag to have.
Desirability:
The question is: How would you rate the "sex appeal" of this product? Does it have a compelling appeal as an aesthetic or technical marvel - beyond its practical use (the color, the way it's made, the way it feels to you, the sheer genius of its design or features), that make you lust for this piece of gear even if you could make good music without it? Or is it just a practical addition to your setup? The answer is--geez, it's a little metronome. It's just a practical addition to your setup. But isn't that what you want?
Sound:
The click through the speaker is not loud enough to be heard over a guitar with an amp. When practicing with my partner, I plug a $3 Radio Shack adapter into the earphone plug, and plug the metronome into our PA system. With that mod the sound is terrific.
Support:
No experience.
Comes with an earphone for private listening, which would allow you to use it at a gig. The number of beats per minute available is limited because there is only so much space on the dial. The higher up on the dial you go, the more gaps there are in the selection, i.e. at the lower speeds you they are spaced every 4 bpms whereas at higher speeds they are spaced at 8 bpms. So if you are looking to duplicate the rhythm of a song off a CD, or find a beat that "feels" just right for a particular song, you may have to do some compromising, going either a little too fast or a little too slow. But hey, it's $20. It also has selectable down beats (a tock instead of a tick). One drawback is that when you start the metronome using one of the downbeat options, it starts in the middle of the count, not at the beginning. So for example if you choose it to tock every four beats, when you turn it on, it will be starting on the second or third beat. You have to let it cycle through, and then square away in your head which beat you want the tock to be on. A minor inconvenience.
Quality:
Haven't dropped it yet. It looks ok for what it is.
Value:
For $20 and a few minor inconveniences you get a metronome that you can use by yourself, in a PA system for the whole band, or with an earphone at a gig. $20 these days is nothing. How can you go wrong? A good thing for every gig bag to have.
Desirability:
The question is: How would you rate the "sex appeal" of this product? Does it have a compelling appeal as an aesthetic or technical marvel - beyond its practical use (the color, the way it's made, the way it feels to you, the sheer genius of its design or features), that make you lust for this piece of gear even if you could make good music without it? Or is it just a practical addition to your setup? The answer is--geez, it's a little metronome. It's just a practical addition to your setup. But isn't that what you want?
Sound:
The click through the speaker is not loud enough to be heard over a guitar with an amp. When practicing with my partner, I plug a $3 Radio Shack adapter into the earphone plug, and plug the metronome into our PA system. With that mod the sound is terrific.
Support:
No experience.
"Why pay more???"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
I don't understand why anyone would pay more money for a metronome. I use this for practicing with my bass. It looks cheap, but I've dropped it on the tile floor dozens of times and it hasn't broken.
"Worth the money"
Loud click enables you to play without using headphones. The flashing lights can be set to alternate in various time signatures, which is a great tool when rehearsing complex parts. The multiple-flash lights can be a little distracting, though.
"THE DISPLAY IS HARD TO READ"
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:Only goes up by 4 bpm. Very large compared to other metronomes.
Quality:
Hasn't broken in a year.
Desirability:
I can't read it easily so I won't buy another.
Sound:
Loud clicks. More pleasant than electronic beeps for sure.
Ease of Use:
My BIG MAJOR COMPLAINT: The clear plastic wheel is rounded around the edges, making it difficult to read the beats/minute number. IT is especially difficult to read the dial in the evenings when playing by lamplight as there is a horrible glare off the plastic. You can even see the glare in the photo in this ad!
"There's better, but if your interested in a metronome, this is not the best bang for the buck."
Sound:
Here's what's WRONG about this metronome. 1) there is no volume control, so you hear a constant LOUD BLIP everytime. So while practicing by yourself, you'll soon become irritated at listening to the horribly loud sound that you just will simply turn it off. 2) the headset jack is also set on loud, so if you put headsets into the jack, they will be beeping at maximum sound; making it so u can put the headset on the floor and still hear it from 10 feet away. (not lying) 3) It's bulky and impracticle to carry in a clarinet case or flute case. 4) no volume control 5) Since this is an old model, the newer cheaper models can go in increments of 1 instead of increments of 4's. Further reason not to buy this bulky product. (go for the cheaper electronic ones) Good things about it 1) multifunction comes in handy, but it doesn't cover the bases like the 150 dollar metronomes.
Here's what's WRONG about this metronome. 1) there is no volume control, so you hear a constant LOUD BLIP everytime. So while practicing by yourself, you'll soon become irritated at listening to the horribly loud sound that you just will simply turn it off. 2) the headset jack is also set on loud, so if you put headsets into the jack, they will be beeping at maximum sound; making it so u can put the headset on the floor and still hear it from 10 feet away. (not lying) 3) It's bulky and impracticle to carry in a clarinet case or flute case. 4) no volume control 5) Since this is an old model, the newer cheaper models can go in increments of 1 instead of increments of 4's. Further reason not to buy this bulky product. (go for the cheaper electronic ones) Good things about it 1) multifunction comes in handy, but it doesn't cover the bases like the 150 dollar metronomes.
Questions? Our musicians can help you right now!
Mention Priority Code 7GLVX7W When You Call.
Toll Free En Español: 800.460.7976 1 AM to
1 AM EST
Shop with those who respect your privacy—
we do.
Copyright © 1996-2009, zZounds Music, LLC.
Terms of use apply.