Kickstart A MIDI Master Clock

US Midronome, described as versatile, affordable and reliable launches on Kickstarter 23/03/22

The Midronome is a MIDI master clock that has launched on Kickstarter. Here's the press release that we received from the developers...

In music, timing is everything. It starts with musicians: there is no groove if the drums and the bass do not play together. The '70s saw the emergence of electronic instruments like synthesizers, often playing arpeggiated or sequenced notes. These arpeggiators and sequencers played at a certain rhythm and tempo, and the acoustic musicians needed to follow.

Recently, computers also showed up at the party. That added another level of complexity to the synchronization issues already there, software and digital audio adding latency, lack of precision, and unreliability to it all. Nowadays, many Live Musicians and Production Studios use a mix of these and often have sync issues.

The Midronome is a MIDI Master Clock that offers an easy, reliable, and affordable solution to these issues. It was created out of need because there was nothing like it on the market.

It will get in sync:

Musicians with its audio metronome

MIDI gear (synths, sequencers, drum machines, effects) with its MIDI Clock

Vintage gear (pre-MIDI) with its DIN sync clock (sync24)

Modular synths with its CV/Analog clock

Computers, DAWs, and DJ equipment with its unique audio sync

The device was initially designed for Live usage to give rock bands an easy way to add electronic music to their sound. That is how it got its three central core values:

Reliability: its solid metal case, big red display, large solid knob, and clicky buttons make the device suitable for any stage, even the dark, rough and sweaty ones.

Simplicity: live musicians already have so much to think about - lyrics, chords, song list, appearance, performance, preparation, nervousness. The Midronome has few controls, easy setup directly on the device, and once configured, it only takes plugging three cables to be ready.

Affordability: the electronics and the device's casing were smartly designed to reduce the costs without affecting the quality.

Since then, new functionalities have been implemented and made the device suitable for many more usages: home-studios with a hybrid setup, complex live setup, solo artists, professional recording studios, and even theater orchestras. But the device never lost its core values in the process.

The Midronome solves a specific problem in hybrid studios: recording software synths (VST) and hardware drum machines simultaneously, without latency or time issues. The device allows the recording software (DAW) to send a precise and reliable MIDI clock in time with the software and start hardware machines in time with the DAW's metronome. It does so by syncing to the DAW using a unique audio sync signal, as precise as the sample rate. This signal is generated by a provided DAW plugin in the VST, AU, or AAX formats.

The device has two MIDI outputs, which can be controlled independently using two buttons on the device or two pedals. It also has two CV/Analog clock outputs, configurable from 1 ppq to 24 ppq (parts per quarter note), to sync modular synths like Euroracks modules. This output can also be configured as a DIN clock output (also called sync24) used to sync vintage Roland machines like the TR-808, for example. Expanding the number of outputs is quickly done by connecting a MIDI-powered Thru box or by syncing multiple Midronomes together.

Jitter is the deviation of a clock signal like a MIDI Clock signal. The more jitter it has, the less precise the signal is. If a clock signal has too much jitter, it can create audible issues, for example, the sound cracking or the timing jumping. The MIDI Clock signal generated by the Midronome is currently the most precise on the market, with a measured jitter of 10 nanoseconds. That is 50000 times more precise than a MIDI Clock coming directly from a professional audio interface connected to a computer via USB and 50 times more accurate than its competitors.

Almost every button and function of the Midronome is highly customizable, and remote control is easy by using a footswitch pedal. You can use up to two pedals to control Mute, Play, or Tap Tempo. The device will accept both sustain momentary pedals and latching footswitches used with guitar amplifiers. The pedal polarity is automatically detected. Connecting a single electronic drum pad to tap the tempo and the time signature in one bar is also possible.

The Midronome was created by a musician for musicians and with a strong community's support. The Midronome forums are used for questions, ideas, and new features suggestions. These potential new features are MIDI Clock over USB, tempo presets, negative latency adjustment, and expression pedal control. The community goes even further with a small group called the Midronome Insiders, mainly involved in the device's development and success.

We just launched the Midronome via a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Backing the campaign is both a pre-order and support to launch and start producing the final product. The Super Early Birds were sold out in 10 minutes, but a few Early Birds are currently available at 109€. The full Kickstarter pre-order price is 129€, 13% lower than the future retail price of 149€.

Our company Midronome ApS. was established in 2021, in Aarhus, Denmark. It focuses on creating devices for musicians that are missing in the market, in order to help them perform and make music easier. The company is working in tight cooperation with musicians across the globe with its Insiders Community program, which anyone with knowledge and interest may join. Its first device, the Midronome, provides a convenient and user-friendly experience for both Live and Studio users, solving sync issues and making previously complex setups effortless.