Metrenome timing: what's the deal

I've never really cared for the count-in. There seems to be a rather nasty hiccup when the tracks actually kick in. Especially with soft synths, but it's not real smooth with audio tracks either.
A better approach (at least for me) is to record several dead air measures with the metronome rolling. Don't use the count-in at all.
Four to twelve measures is fine, although I've seen some guys leave up to twenty.
The dead space can be edited out later, but it gives you some freedom to slide tracks that might not line up properly.

well lads, good suggestions, but niether works.
Same issue..

No worries: I might investigate that potential solution of creating your own click track.

Many thanks