It's definitely
1 (2) . 4 (5) . 7 (8) . 10 . 12 .
where 1, 4, 7, 10, and 12 are strong notes, (2), (5), and (8) are weak notes, and the others are rests.
Try counting "1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 2" and you'll find that it fits perfectly.
1 (2) . 4 (5) . 7 (8) . 10 . 12 .
where 1, 4, 7, 10, and 12 are strong notes, (2), (5), and (8) are weak notes, and the others are rests.
Try counting "1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 1 2" and you'll find that it fits perfectly.
X__X__X__X_X_
Notice how the four first notes each have 2 rests between them? That's not what is in the audio. The groups of two are delayed. The actual counting pattern is: 123 123 1234 12 12
X__X__X___X_X_
Putting the second unaccented note in gets:
XX_XX_XX__X_X_
The correct rhythm is:
| 1e_a 2_+a __+_ 4_ | 1e_a 2_+a __+_ 4_ |
7/8
If you're playing it hand to hand, try this: RRL RRL RRLL RLRL
Try it to a metronome, it's about 212BPM
How can this not be an exact measure of a time signature, since you can pick an arbitrary amount of time, loop it and subdivide it into parts?
Then you can play it slower or faster, that's the tempo.
Notice that it's just about the rythm of a song. The actual notes you can place on it wherever you feel. Of course you want them to match some subdivision for them to feel "right" but often intentionally shifted for expressivity (swing).
Some standard signatures are:
4/4 - Bars of 4 beats naturally divided in two (most songs)
3/4 - Bars of 3 beats naturally divided in two (waltz)
2/4 - Bars of 2 beats naturally divided in two (march)
12/8 - Bars of 4 beats naturally divided in three (used in blues)
The /4 or /8 difference is moot. It's the duration of the beat, but you can compensate it with tempo.
It's 7/8.