YAMAHA Metronome Black MP-90BK

The device is just what you might expect from Yamaha – the metronome is a quality product at a good price. Instructions explain how to take care of the metronome. It is plastic but well made, and it tic tocs as you would expect a windup metronome would sound. Significantly, it is loud. This way you can easily hear it through closed headphones. This is how I use it. Of course if you are trying not to disturb other people, then you might want to use an electronic metronome with headphone connectiviy. You could place the device at a distance to minimize volume if sound level is a problem. The device has a bell that marks off measure boundaries in time that can be turned off if desired. One point concerning electronic metronomes, make sure if you opt for one of these you are getting the sound you want. Some of the electronic devices I looked at beeped at just one frequency with no other choices for sound output.

A minor point is that the device has just three legs making it more unstable. Another is that the metronome should not be exposed to direct sunlight for a lengthy period of time as it will damage the metronome. Neither of these points detracted from the overall quality. Accordingly, I rated it five stars.

Ecxelente

The Yamaha MP-90 mechanical metronome has, in my eyes, arguably the most sophisticated and well sculpted form factor among all similar products on the market. The width at the top and that at the bottom are in perfect proportion. The flat top, which lowers the overall height and makes the top wider, gives the metronome a more elegant look. The corners of the body below the removable cover are rounded to a tasteful degree. The scale of tempo is much wider than those on most other similar products, which not only makes setting tempo much easier, but also enhances the aesthetics of the metronome.

Regrettably, my appreciation of this product ends at its appearance. After I took it out of the box, the first downside point that grabbed my attention is the materials it is made of. As other reviewers have pointed out, this metronome is remarkably light. It’s obvious that the body is made of plastic. But the shell is not the only plastic part. I opened the bottom cover and found that only the bell and the counter weight at the bottom of the pendulum shaft are made of metal. All the cogs and axes of the movement are made of plastic. Some invisible parts, such as the spring, must be metal. The mostly plastic movement casts a big question mark in my mind about the durability of this mechanic instrument.

Determined by the materials, the workmanship of this metronome is quite mediocre. Switching the beat selector feels loose and uncertain. When winding the spring, the whole movement inside the body is shaking, as if it is not firmly fixed to the body.

The metronome Yamaha MP-90 is inaccurate. I measured it against a digital metronome and found it starting quite well but going off beat after a short while. The beats, however, are reasonably even in their own right at all tempos. Regardless of its inaccuracy, it is still usable as a training tool. After all, music performance is not a precise science. If you can flow this metronome, you will be able to keep tempo and beat in performances of any ensemble.

Power reserve is another downside of this metronome. In my test, a fully wound spring lasted only 24 minutes at 90 bpm. That’s less than half of power reserve of some other mechanical metronomes.

Telling by some earlier reviews, this product sold at this web page for $45 in 2017, and “less than $50” in 2018. When I placed my order on June 20, 2020, I paid $56.98. Before delivery reached my door, the list price raised to $59.98. The price hikes bespeak the popularity of this product.

All in all, I am generally unsatisfied with the Yamaha MP-90. But I still decide to retain it for two reasons: its aesthetics and the fact that I cannot find a compelling alternative on the market. If a metronome comes with the same form factor of the Yamaha MP-90, but is made of a well polished wooden body and a metal movement with a more precise beat selector as well as greater power reserve, I am willing to pay five times of the current price.

If the appearance of this metronome does not make that much of a difference to you, you would be much better off to choose a model with a metal movement for half of the price.

I bought this over other metronomes when I read a review saying it was quite loud. I teach violin and a metronome to expose beginning/intermediate students to practicing with them. Its loudness means it can be clearly heard while the student is playing alone or if I am playing with them. I had two much quieter metronomes I used with students before buying this one and they had trouble hearing and focusing on the quieter ones. I was afraid they wouldn’t like the loudness of this one but they seem to like it and find it helpful. Full disclosure- For my personal practice I do have one that is not quite as loud. I recommend this for teachers or for personal practice if you like a very strong sounding metronome.

昔ながらの仕様ですが、使いやすく、また黒というのも落ち着いた色で、気にいっています。