What is a 'variable click track'? [FAQ#8]

    A variable click track is one heard over headsets by the conductor and the orchestra during the performance of a film cue, but one that deviates or fluctuates in pace at or over predetermined points in the piece. These deviations in the pulse, of course, result in planned deviations in the pace of the music itself. The purpose may be "dramatic" (to achieve musical effects, as in accels or retards) or the purpose may be "targeting" (miniscule and barely noticeable to facilitate moving the orchestral performance every so slightly here and there so as to musically "strike" or "sync" to various hit points or notable visual moments in the picture).

    Click tracks heard by an orchestra at a scoring session may also "vary" from a regular pulse in the sense that the click may be made to represent or honor a rhythm. Where, for example, a film composer specifies the click on the eighth note and the tempo is Quarter Note = 12-0 (120 BPM), the effective metronome setting is really a 6-0 (240 BPM). In this case, it may be easier on the orchestra to hear a rhythmic pattern instead, say, 2+2+1+1+1+1/8... "click pause click pause click click click click".

Hit the Play button and hear what the orchestra hears when sent this kind of click track
(4 quarter notes free to bar 1 -- tempo = 12-0):

(30 Second Click Track 159kb .wav Sound File)

    Of course, how an actuall 'Bartok' pattern may be structured, or whether one is even used, however, depends entirely on the kind of music involved.