Hi, thx for the feedback.
The lasso turnes red when you're supposed to hit spacebar, that way you don't have to look at the bar all the time. The bar is more to help you figure out if you were early or late. (But i guess we didn't really write that anywhere so i see how you'd miss it :)
The game should definitely have sound, maybe try full screen if you didn't.. I dont know what else would cause the silence :}