# Tala Keeper — A visual metronome

> Visual programmable metronome for musical time and rhythm practice. (iPhone/iPad app by Srikumar Subramanian.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tala-keeper/id614784414 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Srikumar Subramanian](https://appshunter.io/developer/614784417)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 1.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.6 · 2 MB
- Languages: American English, Catalan, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French (France), German (Germany), Greek, Hebrew and 15 more
- Released: 2013-03-12
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tala-keeper/id614784414/reviews.md

## What is Tala Keeper?

Tala Keeper is a versatile visual programmable metronome designed to help internalize the flow of musical time. Tala Keeper's bouncing ball not only indicates beats but also presents the flow of time between beats. To program Tala Keeper, simply tap the pads to indicate the desired bounce positions. The iPad display is useful in studio sessions.

Tala Keeper is applicable to many world music genres and comes with some features tailored for the scenarios that turn up in Carnatic music - South Indian Classical music. Keep time with a periodic “tala” pattern when practicing melodies or reverse the role and play a rhythmically complex pattern (such as pallavi trikalam and nadai changes) while the student plays the tala or follows along. Its beat visualization and sonification options provide many intermediate stepping stones that help advance and strengthen a student’s rhythmic facility. 

TIP - Visit http://talakeeper.org/talas.html for a free web-based tool to play the 35 systematic talas of Carnatic music. Tala Keeper is not limited to these patterns and you can create your own which you can share with others too. A free online player is available at http://talakeeper.org/tk3 for playing patterns composed on Tala Keeper.

FOR THE BEGINNER MUSIC STUDENT

Tala Keeper can help introduce you to the flow of time in simple patterns such as meditative chants. Follow the beats by waving your hands or aligning your breathing to the bouncing ball. Programming patterns by tapping the pads is itself instructive for beginners.

FOR THE ADVANCED STUDENT/MUSICIAN

Program compound patterns featuring mixtures of nadais and speeds into Tala Keeper and practice along. Use it to keep time during very slow speeds of pallavis so that you are free to experiment with melodic expression. Program the timing of the syllables of a niraval and practice along with it to achieve confidence and expression in your improvisation. Master tisra, kanda and misra nadais by creating your own exercises to shift from one to another for practice.

PROGRAM FEATURES

• A bouncing ball precisely indicates beats while providing a feel for the time passing between beats.

• Beat count display (optional, up to 180bpm).

• MUTE button. You read it right! You can use Tala Keeper on an iPad within a studio session to coordinate musicians, either with the sound muted or piped to AirPlay.

• Easy pattern programming. Just tap out the pattern you want on the pads at the bottom of the screen. The pads correspond to the ball's bounce locations.

• Easy tempo setting. Pinch with two fingers, pan or tap the main screen to set the tempo. Wide tempo range of 15-960bpm. 

• Zen mode - rest your iPhone or iPad on a stationary surface during practice and the controls will be automatically hidden to give a clean view. The controls return the moment you pick up your device.

• Arbitrary pattern subdivisions. For Carnatic musicians, set "kalai" and "nadai" with just a few taps. For example, to set "kalai" to "4 kalai", tap "×÷" to bring up the interface, tap the centre pad 4 times and tap "×". Explore wild cross rhythms like 5 against 7.

• Combine patterns by concatenating them ... even if they have different nadais.

• Elephant memory. Store patterns you're working on either in handy memory buttons or by name in Tala Keeper's pattern database. 

• Share patterns you create with your friends by email or via social networks. They can play your patterns at https://talakeeper.org/tk3 even if they don't have Tala Keeper. (Safari and Chrome browsers are supported).

• Common Carnatic talas are preloaded in the database as examples. Programming talas is so simple you won't even need these!

• Shake the iPhone or iPod touch to revert to the previous pattern if you made a mistake while tapping.

## Key features

- Visual bouncing ball beat indicator
- Programmable custom rhythm patterns
- Specific features for Carnatic music
- Wide tempo range (15-960bpm)
- Zen mode for clean practice view
- Mute button for studio coordination

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tala-keeper/id614784414/reviews.md

### 3/5 — not user friendly.

*2019-07-19*

this app is not user friendly.there is no detailed help file available to explain the working of the app.The guide section only provides just what each will do but thats not sufficient. I cant figure out how to cancel a pattern already running and to creat new pattern. I cant figure out how to cancel sub divisions created by interpolation and subdivision of pattern.
The internalization technique explained else where based on whic i purchased was not clear.
The author Sri kumar ji, pl take some more pain to help.

### 1/5 — Horrible app! Do not buy

*2016-04-16*

Extremely non-intuitive.   Could not figure out how to use even after multiple visits to the website listed.

## Frequently asked questions about Tala Keeper

### What is Tala Keeper used for?

Tala Keeper is a visual programmable metronome designed to help users internalize musical time and practice rhythmic patterns. It offers a unique bouncing ball visualization and allows for custom pattern creation.

### How does Tala Keeper help with Carnatic music?

Tala Keeper includes features tailored for Carnatic music, such as setting 'kalai' and 'nadai' subdivisions. It can be used to practice complex rhythmic patterns or keep time for melodies.

### What is the tempo range of Tala Keeper?

Tala Keeper supports a wide tempo range from 15bpm to 960bpm, making it suitable for very slow practices as well as fast-paced exercises.

### Can Tala Keeper be used in a studio session?

Yes, Tala Keeper has a MUTE button, allowing it to be used in studio sessions for coordinating musicians. The sound can be muted or piped to AirPlay.

### How do I program patterns in Tala Keeper?

Programming patterns is done by simply tapping the pads at the bottom of the screen. These pads correspond to the ball's bounce locations, making pattern creation intuitive.

### What is Zen mode in Tala Keeper?

Zen mode automatically hides the controls when your iPhone or iPad is placed on a stationary surface, providing a clean view for practice. Controls reappear when the device is picked up.

### Is Tala Keeper available on multiple devices?

Yes, Tala Keeper is supported on iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices, offering flexibility for musicians across Apple's ecosystem.

### How often is Tala Keeper updated?

Tala Keeper was last updated on July 28, 2025, indicating ongoing development and support for the application.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.3.4 — 2025-07-28

TalaKeeper will now open on iOS devices when links of the form https://talakeeper.org/tk3 are selected.

### 3.3.2 — 2025-06-08

1. URLs generated when exporting patterns are now secure and use https://talakeeper.org instead of http://talakeeper.org . All export modes now use the option selected in the app's settings.
2. Fixes to layout for iPads in various orientations.
3. Better "Zen Mode" behaviour.

### 3.3.1 — 2025-05-27

Bug fix to Zen Mode for iPhone users.

### 3.3 — 2025-05-27

Brought back due to demand from music students.

### 3.2.0 — 2015-03-06

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Customized UI for iPads, intended for use in studio sessions.

The new iPad layout separates the display into two areas, with the left side displaying the bouncing ball and the right side displaying the beat counter. When placed in zen mode, this display is useful as a common beat reference in group sessions. You can also send its audio to AirPlay and it will maintain sync with the display.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*