Double Metronome

A Python-based double metronome that plays different time signatures on the left and right audio channels.

Features

• Plays two different time signatures simultaneously
• Each time signature plays on its own stereo channel (left or right)
• Visual representation of the metronome pattern
• Calculates when the pattern repeats (using LCM of time signatures)
• Audio feedback with different sounds for normal and accented beats
• True stereo output with separate left and right channels

Installation

1. Clone or download this repository
2. Create and activate a virtual environment:

   python3 -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate

3. Install the required dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

Usage

./double_metronome.py LEFT_SIGNATURE RIGHT_SIGNATURE [OPTIONS]

Arguments

• LEFT_SIGNATURE: Time signature for left channel (beats per measure)
• RIGHT_SIGNATURE: Time signature for right channel (beats per measure)

Options

• --bpm BPM: Tempo in beats per minute (default: 60)
• --duration DURATION: Duration to play in seconds (default: 30)
• --accent-first: Accent the first beat of each measure

Examples

# 4/4 on left, 3/4 on right at 80 BPM for 30 seconds with accented first beats
./double_metronome.py 4 3 --bpm 80 --duration 30 --accent-first

# 5/4 on left, 7/4 on right at 120 BPM
./double_metronome.py 5 7 --bpm 120

# 2/4 on left, 6/4 on right for 60 seconds
./double_metronome.py 2 6 --duration 60

How It Works

The metronome displays a visual pattern before playing, showing exactly when each beat occurs in both time signatures. During playback, it indicates which channel is playing on each beat (LEFT, RIGHT, BOTH, or just a regular tick).

The script uses the sounddevice and numpy libraries to generate audio and play it through the appropriate stereo channels:

• Left time signature beats play only through the left speaker/headphone
• Right time signature beats play only through the right speaker/headphone
• When both time signatures have a beat at the same time, the sound plays through both channels

This creates a true stereo experience where you can physically hear the different time signatures separated in space.