Donner Digital Metronome, DPM-1: An Accurate and Responsive Mechanical Metronome for Musicians

Mr Robert K Peters: Great music practice tool. Looks and works just like the old ones we geezers remember from elementary school music class. Only this one is cheaper, with a plastic body that only looks like the wood of the old time ones.

United States on Nov 12, 2023

Aimee Elizabeth Mahathy: It may be my fault, as I've never tried to buy a metronome before. I wanted one just to keep a beat while I practice ukulele. But this one (and again, this may be completely normal and I may have just been ignorant of this aspect of metronomes lol) has an incredibly loud chime noise (like a bell) with every tok. It's super distracting and honestly, I've not actually used it for music practice and probably will end up selling it to someone who can actually use it. Which is sad, because it's really cute and well-made. I just didn't know it'd yell at me the whole time lmao I expected a little tick-tock type deal, not a whole cymbal crash 😅

United States on Aug 18, 2023

Buyer-Yep: Would prefer wood for better sound. Seems to keep ok time.

Canada on Dec 26, 2022

Yellowsky16: This item looks very nice on a desktop. It’s very nicely made. I really like the idea of a manual metronome versus a digital one. However, it is excruciatingly loud, even at its bottom setting. There is no pleasing tone to it, and it offers three tone options. I have had metronomes in the past that did not sound this way. I am aware how a metronome is supposed to sound. I do not know whether or not the sounds this one has are due to manufacturing and/or cost cutting measures. However, if you were trying to play music, as one usually does with a metronome, this metronome sound is totally distracting. it was distracting enough for me to have to get up several times and discontinue use of the metronome. Of course this defeats the whole purpose of having a metronome. but as I said previously, this item looks wonderful on a desktop. The color is rich and lovely. The readout is simple and the item itself is easy to use. I intend to find one more suitable and less distracting to my ear.

United States on Aug 31, 2022

P. Anteski: It was fine, while it lasted
It worked fine for ew months, and then it just stopped clicking. I was taking really good care, but one day all of sudden, it just stopped workimg.
And no warranty..
I can't return it, since it's past return date.
Very dissapointed with Donner.
At least if I could get a (working) replacement

Canada on Aug 08, 2022

E.: Great product

Canada on Jul 06, 2022

JL Carr: I like mechanical devices and this had great reviews. It is, in fact, a very nice unit that provides the sound I was looking for.

Canada on Jun 16, 2022

J. HonakerJ. Honaker: The media could not be loaded.  I bought this metronome for Guitar practice. To be clear, you can certainly download many apps for your phone or tablet that will work as well. However, for me just a tone is not always enough. When I am really focused on finger exercises and scales, I tend to out pace my metronome on my phone. While that may sound like improvement, it's not. You really need to KEEP TIME. Having a tangible, visual guide to anticipate the beat really helps me.

It's really easy to use, and works as advertised. The packaging was nice and it was packed well. It seems durable enough for continued use as well. This is quite loud, and does not sound like your old piano teaches fine wooden metronome. It is a very loud, clicky sound due to that plastic construction. It does feature a bell chime for your 1 beat in several time signatures. Honestly I don't use that feature but it does work well.

There were a couple things that I'm not fully satisfied with. When I wound it up, I hit the stop fairly hard and the tab on the key popped right off. I had to put it back on and squeeze it with pliers to tighten it up. After that, it was fine. This was more my fault...

United States on May 26, 2020

Virginia S: The media could not be loaded.  This is an excellent metronome for several practical reasons. It took me a few minutes to figure it out, it’s a little different from my previous metronome. Once I learned how to use it, I really appreciated the simple practicality of design.
The front lifts off and the metronome meter untucks from its at rest position. A simple, but integral part to starting the metronome is to simply click the switch on the bottom that acts almost like a ‘safety’. It has a place to wind it up on the side as well, of course.
After that, the weight on the meter slides up and down to set the speed. You can set it to ding to learn 2/4 4/4 etc timing along with speed (one of my favourite functions, soothing even to listen to).
It’s durable and easy to clean. Once the front plate is put on it doesn’t collect dust.
I was very impressed with the design. I have one of the really fancy expensive ones, I needed one for travel and teaching. This ended up being more practical ultimately than my expensive one and exceeded all expectations.
It’s durable, I knocked it off a tall shelf while cleaning and it still works perfectly and there weren’t...

Canada on Mar 28, 2020

All Round Musician: Why would you buy a mechanical metronome when today you have all kinds of electronic units with their bells and whistle?

Here are some reasons:

1) Electronic units have a very quiet output.
2) You would need to amplify them. That requires cabling and some kind of amplifier to move around and plug.
3) Some units are not easy to setup or operate.
4) Battery life can be short.

The Donner mechanical metronome has a penetrating and perfectly audible sound that lets you practice along with an acoustic or amplified instrument - for as long as it not at head-banging volume!

It can also be set to provide an alternate beat sound every 2,3,4,6 (or none) beats. That lets you set it up as a guide for a whole variety of time signatures like 2/4,3/4, 4/4, 6/8. 9/8. 12/8 etc.

The unit is well made and very easy to operate, just wind up, slide the weight to your desired tempo or subdivision (read the bpm along the upper edge of the weight) , select the type of alternate beat sound (or none) and that's it. I bought the black unit, although there are other colors (red and white, I think).

It comes with a removable plastic stopper on the bottom of...

United States on Mar 12, 2020