Need help identifying rhythm to set up metronome.

RideTheCrash

RideTheCrash

Member
I feel absolutely ridiculous asking this, having played drums for so many years I feel like I should better understand my theory.

I'm trying to record some basic Travis picking patterns for A Song For A Winter's Night by Gordon Lightfoot and I'm getting in the habit of using a metronome when I record in Reaper. The song is very straightforward and clearly in 4/4 and around 98 BPM give or take a few but I can't seem to follow the metronome at all whereas it's not a problem with other 4/4 material.

I can tap my feet and fingers along to what I want to do, but I can't translate that to the metronome -- I know the Reaper metronome is limited in it's settings though. It's more a swing(?) feel (Song For A Winter's Night) but due to my lack of theory knowledge I can't translate that rhythm into setting up a click track (even if I have to go outside of Reaper).

For reference purposes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN4uxtOfGrk

Sorry if this isn't an appropriate question for this forum, I wasn't sure where to post it. Thanks guys.
 
I clicked cause I like Gordon- don't know that one though.
A straight four should (could) work, but on a click, I'd think it might flow or feel better if it was 'and prominent- like a drum track, straight' would feel terribly stiff.
 
I loaded the song into Reaper.

I set the tempo for 98, and the song is indeed around that tempo.

It is a straight 4/4 . . . I can't hear any swing in it all. It has an underlying samba rhythm which may be what's putting you off.
 
Try the metronome at double time - 196 bpm. The downbeat of the click fits better to my ear.
 
Bubba po said:
Try the metronome at double time - 196 bpm. The downbeat of the click fits better to my ear.
Click to expand...

On my little Boss metronome I set it for 98. Then it has volumes for the one' and the and'. Turn one' down and you're similar to your '196', but with a and' hat feel. :)
 
gecko zzed said:
I loaded the song into Reaper.

I set the tempo for 98, and the song is indeed around that tempo.

It is a straight 4/4 . . . I can't hear any swing in it all. It has an underlying samba rhythm which may be what's putting you off.
Click to expand...

Sorry to the OP if this takes things off topic, but I think it might be a "trick" they can use too...how did you lead the song into Reaper? Just as an MP3 (or something similar)?
 
Thanks guys. I think swing was the wrong word. Later in the song they're clicking (something?) and it's just straight 4/4 for sure but I agree, it feels very stiff trying to pick to 98 bpm. I will give the 196 thing a shot.

I personally just loaded an .mp3 into a 98 bpm project and moved the file around and it seemed fairly consistent, though in the original recording I think there is a bit of fluctuation in tempo (which is fine!)
 
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