A metronome is a function or a device that marks a steady beat, usually with a click. In a DAW it follows the tempo and serves as the reference for recording and programming. It is also called a click or a click track. It helps not only with playing accurately but also with keeping the song’s structure aligned.
Setting a reference for the beat
With the metronome running you can hear which beat you are on. Clap along with the beat first, then play a simple phrase, and the feel of the tempo becomes easier to grasp. Some DAWs let you use a different sound for the downbeat.
Using it while recording
Listening to the click before recording and adding a count-in makes it easier to place your entry. Normally you keep the click out of the finished export. Take care not to set the headphone level too high, which strains both the performance and your ears.
Using it while programming
When placing notes in the piano roll, the metronome and the grid are your reference. Checking by ear as well as by eye prevents you from misreading the beat. For fine rhythms, change the grid division as needed.
You do not have to run it all the time
When you want to check the feel of the material or the sway of a performance, it is important to stop the click and listen to the whole thing. The fact that you can tidy timing with quantize afterward does not mean you can ignore the beat from the start.
Settings to check
Check BPM, time signature, click level and count-in. The basics of tempo are covered in the DAW article.
