Apparently, Cubase 8.5 downconverts audio files assigned to the metronome to mono, 16-bit, 44 kHz or maybe less. It sorta sounds like 8- or 12-bit to my ears.
Granted, it’s not the end of the world, but please understand that I put some effort into my custom metronome “click.” Similar to the popular UREI electronic metronome sound, it’s stereo, 24/96, and has a nice high-end that, when you put it all together, cuts through at modest volumes. Unfortunately, Cubase reduces it to monophonic mush, as if bitcrushed through an 80s sampler.
Thank you for your consideration.