Tempo
March 23, 2026 ยท View on GitHub
A modern metronome for musicians.
๐ Version 1.5.2 - Keyboard Fix & Runtime Update
Tempo 1.5.2 fixes the spacebar shortcut on launch and updates to GNOME Platform 50.
โจ Key Features
- ๐ Precise Timing: Sub-millisecond accuracy with a drift-free timing engine
- ๐ฑ Responsive Design: Fully adaptive layout for mobile, tablet, and desktop
- ๐จ Visual Feedback: Multiple visual modes (Circle, Pendulum, Bar Graph, etc.)
- ๐น Rhythm Patterns: Authentic genre-specific patterns (Clave, Bossa Nova, etc.)
- โ๏ธ Advanced Controls: Tap tempo, custom sounds, and practice timer
- ๐ Privacy Focused: No telemetry, all data stays on your machine
๐ What's New in 1.5.2
- Keyboard Fix: Spacebar now starts/stops the metronome immediately on launch (fixes #15).
- GNOME Platform 50: Updated Flatpak runtime and SDK to the latest GNOME Platform.
๐ What's New in 1.5.1
- Metadata Improvements: Verified and improved metainfo validation (summary, description, branding).
- Documentation: Simplified README, added Flathub/Ko-Fi badges, and improved build instructions.
For detailed release notes and version history, see CHANGELOG.md.
Features
Core Features
- High-Precision Timing: Uses absolute time references to prevent cumulative drift.
- Dynamic Tempo: Adjust BPM from 40 to 240 with slider, stepper, or tap tempo.
- Time Signatures: Full support for various meters and note values.
- Rhythm Patterns: Practice with professional Cuban, Brazilian, Jazz, and Rock patterns.
User Experience
- Adaptive Layout: Reconfigures UI elements for optimal use on any screen size.
- Visual Modes: Choose from 5 different animation styles to suit your preference.
- Shortcuts: Comprehensive keyboard controls for efficient operation.
- Practice Timer: Session tracking with countdowns and auto-stop functionality.
Privacy & Performance
- Low-Latency Audio: Optimized GStreamer pipeline for immediate response.
- Resource Protection: Intelligent limiting to ensure stability on all hardware.
- Local Data: Presets and setlists are stored locally in standard config paths.
- Open Source: Built using modern Vala and GNOME technologies.
Building from source
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/tobagin/tempo.git
cd tempo
# Build and install development version
./scripts/build.sh --dev --install
flatpak run io.github.tobagin.tempo.Devel
Usage
Basic Usage
Launch Tempo from your applications menu or run:
flatpak run io.github.tobagin.tempo
- Start/Stop: Click the play button or press
Spacebar. - Adjust Tempo: Use the slider or arrow keys (
โ/โ). - Tap Tempo: Press
Trepeatedly to set the tempo.
Keyboard Shortcuts
Spacebar- Start/Stop metronomeT- Tap tempoโ/โ- Increase / Decrease BPMCtrl+,- Open PreferencesCtrl+P- Manage PresetsF1- Show Keyboard Shortcuts
Privacy & Security
Tempo is designed to respect your privacy:
- Sandboxed: Distributed as a Flatpak with minimal necessary permissions.
- No Tracking: No telemetry, analytics, or external data reporting.
- Secure Handling: Validates all custom audio files and user inputs.
Contributing
Contributions are welcome! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for guidelines.
- Reporting Bugs: GitHub Issues
- Discussions: GitHub Discussions
License
Tempo is licensed under the GPL-3.0-or-later.
Acknowledgments
- GTK / Libadwaita Team: For the excellent UI toolkit.
- GStreamer: For the powerful multimedia framework.
- Vala: For the productive native language.
Screenshots
| Metronome View | Setlists View | Patterns View |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| Trainer View | Presets View | Preferences |
|---|---|---|
![]() | ![]() | ![]() |
| About Dialog |
|---|
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Tempo - A modern metronome for musicians.







