Metronome and count-in: how to record in time in your browser

By Tongkit Leong · October 1, 2026 · 6 min read

To record in time, turn on the metronome and set a count-in so you hear a bar of clicks before the take starts. In the Tracks browser studio, the Click button in the transport bar turns the metronome on, and the Count-in setting offers Off, 1 bar, or 2 bars.

Why a metronome matters when you record

A recording made without a steady pulse drifts. Notes land a little early or late, and once you add drums on a grid, the difference is obvious. A metronome gives you something fixed to play against, so your take matches the tempo of the project.

It matters most for recorded audio, like a vocal or a guitar, because you cannot nudge a performance onto the grid as easily as you can MIDI notes. If you record a take in time, everything else you add later, from drums to bass, will sit with it.

What a count-in does

A count-in is a short run of clicks played before recording begins. It gives you time to get ready and tells you the tempo before your first note, so you do not come in late or rushed.

In Tracks, the count-in is counted in four-beat bars. One bar is four clicks, and two bars is eight. The first click of each bar is accented so you can hear where "one" falls.

How to record in time in Tracks

Step 1: Set the tempo first

Set the project BPM before you record. If the song is faster than you can comfortably play, slow it down for the take. You can change it afterward, but audio you recorded keeps its original timing, so pick a tempo you can play cleanly. For changing it later, see the tempo map guide.

Step 2: Turn on the Click button

In the transport bar, press Click. It lights up when the metronome is on, and it clicks during playback with an accent on the first beat of each bar. Wear headphones when you record. If the click comes out of your speakers, your microphone will pick it up and it will end up in the take.

Step 3: Choose a count-in length

Open the Settings panel and find the Recording section. The Count-in menu is set to 1 bar by default. Choose 2 bars if you want more time to settle in, or Off if you would rather record while the song is already playing.

Step 4: Adjust the click volume

The same panel has a Click dial. It defaults to 40%. Turn it down if the click is harsh, or up if you cannot hear it over a loud backing track.

Step 5: Arm a track and record

Arm the track you want to record on and press the record button. With a count-in set, Tracks plays the clicks first, then starts the transport and the recording together. Press record again to stop. If you want to record a vocal or an instrument, the vocal recording guide and the instrument recording guide cover mic setup in detail.

When the count-in does not play

The count-in only runs when you start recording from a stopped transport. If the song is already playing when you press record, Tracks starts recording straight away, with no extra clicks. If you want a count-in, stop playback first, then arm and record.

Tips for tighter takes

• Use headphones. It keeps the click out of the microphone.
• Start slower than you think. A clean take at a slower tempo is better than a sloppy one at full speed.
• Loop a short section. Practice a bar or two against the click before you commit to a full take.
• Record several takes. Then pick the best parts using take comping.
• Fix small timing slips afterward. For MIDI parts, quantize moves notes onto the grid.
• Mute the click for the mix. The metronome is only a guide. It is not part of your exported song.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn the metronome on in Tracks?

Press the Click button in the transport bar. It clicks on each beat with an accent on the first beat of the bar.

How long is the count-in?

You can set it to Off, 1 bar, or 2 bars in the Recording section of Settings. One bar is four clicks.

Why do I hear the click in my recording?

Your microphone is picking it up from your speakers. Switch to headphones, or turn the Click dial down.

Does the click end up in my exported song?

No. The metronome is a playback aid for you while you work, and it is not a track in the mix.

Is it free, and are my recordings uploaded?

It is free with no account. Your projects and recordings stay in your browser on your device and are never uploaded. Open the studio and try a take.