What is MathRonome?
MathRonome is a metronome built around one powerful idea: rhythm is division of time, and the best way to understand division is to see it.
At its core, MathRonome displays two concentric rings — think of two clock faces stacked on top of each other. A single green hand rotates around both, like the second hand of a clock. The outer ring (blue) belongs to Metronome 1. The inner ring (red) belongs to Metronome 2. Each ring is divided into its own number of equal beats.
Set the outer ring to 3 beats and the inner ring to 4. Press play. The hand sweeps around, triggering 3 evenly spaced clicks on one layer and 4 on the other. You're now hearing — and seeing — a 3-against-4 polyrhythm.
The two patterns drift apart and realign every time the hand crosses 12 o'clock. That moment of alignment is the "one" — the shared downbeat where both rhythms meet.
Why a Circle?
Linear metronomes show you a timeline — dots marching left to right. That works for a single rhythm, but polyrhythms are about relationships between cycles. A circle is the natural shape for a cycle.
When you see two rings dividing the same circle differently, the polyrhythm clicks — both visually and musically. The rotating hand is your position in the cycle. You always know where you are: how far from the downbeat, which beats have passed, which are coming.
Who is MathRonome For?
Approachable enough for complete beginners. Deep enough for professionals.
Beginners & Students
Set one ring to 2 and the other to 3. Watch them. Count along. Toggle beats off to create rests. The visual feedback makes abstract counting tangible — you see the space between beats, not just hear it.
Drummers & Percussionists
Independence is everything. Hear one layer while watching both. Switch Mode alternates between layers, training your internal clock to hold one pattern while the other takes over.
Composers & Producers
Polyrhythms add depth and motion to music but are hard to prototype in a DAW. Audition rhythmic relationships instantly — dial in 5 against 7, toggle beats, and hear the result in seconds.
Educators & Math Enthusiasts
Demonstrate fractions, LCM, and proportional reasoning through sound. Show students that 3-against-4 means three equal parts against four equal parts of the same whole — and let them hear it.
How RPM Works
Most metronomes use BPM. That works when you have one click track. But MathRonome runs two metronomes at once, each with its own number of beats. They can't both be described by a single BPM value.
Instead, MathRonome uses RPM — Rotations Per Minute. This is the speed of the clock hand. One RPM = one full sweep of the circle per minute.
BPM = RPM × Subdivision
At 20 RPM with subdivisions of 3 and 4:
Metronome 1: 20 × 3 = 60 BPM
Metronome 2: 20 × 4 = 80 BPM
When you speed up or slow down, both metronomes scale proportionally. The polyrhythmic ratio stays perfectly intact.
Key Features
Dual Concentric Beat Rings
Two independent metronomes displayed as concentric circles. Subdivisions from 2 to 32 beats per rotation. Any polyrhythm from 2:2 to 32:32.
Visual Rotating Clock Hand
A green hand sweeps the circle in real time, showing your exact position. Distinct downbeat click at 12 o'clock on every rotation.
Tap-to-Toggle Beat Patterns
Tap any segment to turn it on or off. Create custom accent patterns, add rests, build syncopation — all with a single tap.
Randomize Patterns
One tap generates a random on/off pattern across all beats. Perfect for ear training, creative inspiration, or breaking out of habits.
Independent Volume & Mute
Each metronome has its own volume slider and mute button. Practice against one layer while watching both.
Switch Mode
Automatically alternates between metronomes. M1 plays alone, then M2 takes over. Adjustable switch interval from 1 to 10+ rotations.
Swap
Instantly swap subdivision values between M1 and M2. Hear the same polyrhythm from the other perspective. Queued at 12 o'clock if playing.
Synced Changes at 12 O'Clock
Change RPM, subdivisions, or swap while playing — new values apply at the next downbeat. The rhythm never stutters or glitches.
4 Sound Presets
Percussion, Drums, Marimba, or Piano. Each provides distinct timbres for the downbeat, M1, and M2.
One-Screen Interface
Every control lives on a single page. No menus, no tabs, no settings buried under layers of screens.
Background Audio
Lock your screen or switch apps — MathRonome keeps playing. Screen stays awake during playback.
Built-In Help Mode
Tap "?" to enter help mode. Tap any control for a tooltip. No manual required.
Pricing
- Both metronome rings, full RPM range (1–120)
- Subdivisions 2–5 for both M1 and M2
- Beat toggling (tap segments on/off)
- Play/pause, mute per ring
- Random pattern generator
- 1 sound preset (Percussion)
- Tutorial/help system
- Bluetooth audio sync
- Full subdivision range (2–32)
- All 4 sound presets
- Swap function
- Switch Mode (alternating metronomes)
- Background audio
- Everything in Free, plus all future updates
Frequently Asked Questions
A polyrhythm is two different rhythms played at the same time, both sharing the same overall time span. For example, 3-against-4 means three evenly spaced beats layered over four evenly spaced beats within the same cycle.
MathRonome runs two metronomes at once, each with a different number of beats. A single BPM can't describe both. RPM (Rotations Per Minute) describes the clock hand speed, and each metronome's BPM is calculated automatically: BPM = RPM × Subdivision.
Divide your desired BPM by the subdivision. For 120 BPM on Metronome 1 with 4 beats, set RPM to 30 (120 / 4 = 30). Metronome 2 will then have its own BPM based on its subdivision at that same RPM.
Switch Mode makes the two metronomes take turns. M1 plays alone for a set number of rotations, then M2 takes over, and so on. Especially useful for ear training — it forces you to internalize one rhythmic layer at a time.
Yes. Changes to RPM, subdivisions, and swap appear in green and take effect at the next 12 o'clock position. The rhythm never breaks — changes are always musically seamless.
Yes. MathRonome continues playing when the screen is locked or when you switch apps. The screen also stays awake during playback.
MathRonome runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The interface adapts to all screen sizes automatically.
No. It's also a tool for math education (fractions, ratios, LCM), cognitive training, and anyone curious about the patterns hidden inside numbers. If you've ever wondered what 7 against 11 sounds like, this is the fastest way to find out.
Most metronome apps are designed for a single click track. MathRonome is purpose-built for polyrhythms: two independent metronomes sharing a visual clock, each with its own subdivision, volume, mute, play/pause, and beat pattern. There's no equivalent to Switch Mode, per-beat pattern editing on a ring, or RPM-based proportional tempo in any standard metronome app.
Email us at support@pujamusic.com — we read everything and respond personally.