Metronome

So, you have built an electric cigar box guitar and started to get playing, only to realize that you don't know how. In fact, you can't even keep time. Your playing keeps getting faster and slower. It sounds like you need a metronome. A metronome is a device that helps you keep a steady time when you are playing an instrument by making a tick at a regular interval that you pre-set. If you have a little bit of electronics knowledge, it is very simple to build an electronic metronome.

Step 1:

- TLC555/TLC555CP LinCMOS Timer (8-Pin DIP) (Model: TLC555/TLC555CP | Catalog #: 276-1718)
- (x2) 10µF 35V 20% Radial-lead Electrolytic Capacitor (Model: 272-1025 | Catalog #: 272-1025)
- 10K-Ohm Horizontal-Style Trimmer (Model: 271-282 | Catalog #: 271-282)
- 1K Ohm 1/4-Watt Carbon Film Resistor (Model: 271-1321 | Catalog #: 271-1321)
- (x2) Red LED with Holder (Model: 276-084 | Catalog #: 276-084)
- 8-Ohm Mini Speaker (Model: 273-092 | Catalog #: 273-092)
- 500K Ohm Volume Control with Push Switch (Model: 271-002 | Catalog #: 271-002)
- Hexagonal Control Knob (Model: 274-407 | Catalog #: 274-407)
- Multipurpose PC Board with 417 Holes (Model: 276-150 | Catalog #: 276-150)
- Project Enclosure (5x2.5x2") (Model: 270-1803 | Catalog #: 270-1803)
- Fully Insulated 9V Battery Snap Connectors (Model: 270-325 | Catalog #: 270-325)
- Enercell® Alkaline 9 Volt Battery (Model: 23-853 | Catalog #: 23-853)

Comments

[wkennedy]

i just built this circuit according to the schmatic and it seems to swing slightly... is there a way to correct this? if you are going to play with a metronome you need everybeat to be the exact length, not everyother one to be slightly shorter...i was reading online about getting the 555 to output a 50% duty cycle, but i cant seem to translate that into building this metronome! any idea? or maybe im making it up and it is perfect :p

[corradini]

I'm in the middle of building this - and thanks SO much, by the way! Assuming I ever succeed, my boys (learning piano now) will love it - and I'll score points as the cool geek dad...

SO - it would be SO helpful if you could also supply a physical wiring diagram (beg, beg?) for the actual PC board? (MAKEzine does this - it's VERY helpful!) I know it's a short hop for electronics whizzes from the schematic - but hey, they don't need the instructable, either, if it comes to that!

I totally get the schematic, conceptually, but when it comes to figuring out how these 3 things all connect and then are connected to the ground bus, etc. - I'm pulling my (little remaining) hair out. I'm TRYING to guess from your photos, but that's maybe 40-50%, and even then it's maddening...

MAJOR thanks if you can help!

[sreggy]

ditto

[sreggy]

please help... just like dsmith said can the 10k ohm resistor be used to replace the trimmer mentioned in the parts list? Really want to start soon but don't want to screw it up

[McMchriis]

Good!!! ovservationnn But we Adjust the metronome in an Similar or same tempoo!!

[dsmith84]

your parts list has a 10k ohm horizontal trimmer, but instead you used a 10k ohm resistor. Would the trimmer have done anything that the resistor couldn't do? Just wanted to clarify this part before I started building.

BTW, somebody12345 the total cost was about 30$, unless you have a buddy at RadioShack who can let you use his discount, it brings the cost to 17$

[somebody12345]

what is the total cost?

[MrGreenFingers]

Great Instructable :) ...Have built it, and now adapting it to a machine of mine.|
Only one question though, Is it possible to set the Tempo? or timing? ... with a rotary switch or something? Im not too tech-savy... so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. MGF

[randofo]

The potentiometer should control the tempo.

[DELETED_awesome746]

(removed by author or community request)

[randofo]

The wires on the bottom of the potentiometer act as a power switch between the circuit board and the battery connector.

If your LEDs are lighting up and not blinking, it means that your board is getting power, but the 555 chip is not work as it should. This could mean the LEDs are getting power from something other than the 555 chip.

Have you connected pin 4 to power? Have you connected together pins 2 and 6?

Does the chip get hot to the touch when you plug in the power?

Are there any connections underneath the board accidentally crossed?

My recommendation at this point would be to rebuild the circuit on a breadboard (if you can) and see if you can get it working there first. If that is not possible, check all of your connections really carefully against the schematic. Make sure that polarized parts were not wired in backwards.

It is hard for me to tell at the moment from these pictures alone.

[DELETED_awesome746]

(removed by author or community request)

[DELETED_awesome746]

(removed by author or community request)

[randofo]

Both 1K resistors meet with the plus side of the capacitor and pin 3 on the chip.

[Bruno153]

I reaaaally woud like to see this working on a video.... BTW, nice project!

[mdog93]

only thing is if you're following music with a particular timing- how are you going to know what tempo the metronome is set on.

[bowmaster]

How slow and how fast can it go?

[randofo]

It can go both much too slow and too fast to be useful for musical timing. You can tweak this by changing the value of the 10K resistor and 500K potentiometer.

[One.]

yay! its so cool!

[jensenr30]

i'm loving your Inst'ables recently!

[vishalapr]

Very well explained and very nice quality photos!!!Well done!
Rated 5*****