Tempo track

Figure 105. Tempo track.

The Tempo track provides a graphic overview of the project tempo. It allows you to create and edit tempo changes within a project.

Every project has a tempo, which is expressed in beats per minute (BPM). You can set the tempo in the Transport module, Tempo track, or Tempo inspector. A project can have a single static tempo, or a tempo map that changes over time.

A tempo map is simply the complete set of all tempo changes in a project. These changes are displayed as an envelope in the Tempo track, and as a list in the Tempo Inspector (see Tempo Inspector).

In the Tempo track, tempo changes are represented by envelope shapes. You edit the project’s tempo map the same way you edit automation envelopes (see Creating and editing automation envelopes). If a project has a single fixed tempo, the Tempo track shows a straight horizontal line. You create tempo changes by adding envelope nodes and editing their values. You can expand the Tempo track to give yourself more room to work, and adjust the range of values for the Tempo track.

Showing the Tempo track

The Tempo track resides between the Clips pane and time ruler.

To show the Tempo track, do one of the following:

Click the Track view View menu and select Tempo Track Show/Hide

Press ALT+T

Select Views > Tempo or press ALT+SHIFT+5 (this also opens the Tempo Inspector)

 

Tip: You can show/hide the Tempo track with the assignable Show/Hide Tempo Track global key binding. For details, see Key bindings. Sonar also includes a workspace named Tempo that configures the layout for tempo editing. For details, see Workspaces.

Tempo track controls

Figure 106. Tempo track.

A. Tap tempo B. BPM value of new tempo change C. Insert new tempo change D. Curve shape E. Linear shape F. Jump shape G. Tempo track icon (click to open metronome settings) H. Tempo scale I. Envelope node J. Tempo envelope 

The Tempo track consists of the following controls:

Icon . Click Tempo track icon to open metronome settings

TAP . When playback is stopped, use the TAP button to tap out a tempo. The Tempo BPM field changes as the tapped tempo varies. You can then click the Insert tempo button to insert the tempo change at the current Now Time. If you want to use tap tempo during playback, first right-click the Tempo track and make sure Update BPM Display During Playback is disabled.

Tempo BPM value . Allows you to change the tempo at the project cursor position. Type a new tempo or use the TAP button to tap out a tempo. The Tempo field changes as the tapped tempo varies. As tempo changes are encountered during playback, the project’s current tempo is displayed. During playback or transport seeking, the current tempo value is shown, similar to the tempo display in the Transport module.

During playback or transport seeking, the current tempo value is shown, similar to the tempo display in the Transport module. To prevent the BPM display from updating during playback, right-click the Tempo track and disable Update BPM Display During Playback.

Insert tempo . Insert the selected BPM value as a tempo change at the current Now Time.

Tempo scale. Allows you to specify the display range. For details, see Zooming and scrolling in the Tempo track.

Tempo envelope. The tempo map is represented as an automation envelope.

Right-click the Tempo track for additional options:

Snap Tempos To Whole Values. Enabled by default. When editing tempo envelope nodes, or using tap tempo or the tempo value textbox, only use whole values without decimal points.

Show Tempo Values on Envelope. Show/hide the numeric value adjacent to each node.

Show Grid Lines. Show/hide grid lines in the Tempo track, The horizontal grid resolution is based on the Snap to Grid resolution.

Update BPM Display During Playback. During playback or transport seeking, the current tempo value is shown, similar to the tempo display in the Transport module. To prevent the BPM display from updating during playback, disable Update BPM Display During Playback.

Arranger Exclude. Prevent the tempo map from being affected when you edit arranger sections.

Insert Tempo Change. Same as Project > Insert Tempo Change.

Insert Series of Tempos. Same as Project > Insert Series of Tempos.

Reset Tempo Map. Clear all tempo envelope nodes (same as selecting Clear All form the tempo envelope context menu).

Offset Tempo Map. Specify a value to apply to all existing tempo nodes.

Import Tempo Map from MIDI File. Import a tempo map from a MIDI file. Import replaces the current tempo track with any tempos in the MIDI file.

Export Tempo Map to MIDI File. Export the project's tempo map to a MIDI file. Export saves the tempo track to a MIDI file, without saving any other tracks or events.

Zooming and scrolling in the Tempo track

The range in the Tempo track can be zoomed and scrolled for more precise tempo editing:

To zoom vertically, click the tempo scale and drag up/down with the left mouse button

To scroll vertically, click the tempo scale with the right mouse button and drag up/down

To auto-zoom to fit the current tempo range, double-click the tempo scale

To resize the entire Tempo track vertically, drag the splitter bar below the Tempo track

The Tempo track automatically zooms vertically to fit the tempo range each time the tempo envelope is modified.

 

See:

Using the Tempo track

Inserting tempo changes in the Tempo track

Drawing a tempo ramp in the Tempo track

Drawing a series of tempo changes in the Tempo track

Selecting tempo change events

Copying and pasting tempo change events

Adjusting an existing tempo change in the Tempo track

Snapping BPM values to whole values

Replacing a range of tempo changes with a single fixed tempo

Adjusting the shape of a tempo change

Raising/lowering the tempo envelope (shelving)

Raising/lowering an individual envelope shape (shelving)

Setting the project tempo by tapping

Deleting tempo changes in the Tempo track

Resetting a single tempo change

Resetting the entire tempo map

Creating and editing automation envelopes

 

See also:

How tempo changes affect audio clips

How tempo changes affect automation

Tempo Inspector

Changing tempos

Using the Tempo Inspector

Using the Transport module

Using the Tempo commands

Offsetting the tempo map

Setting the project tempo from an audio recording

Setting the project tempo from freely recorded MIDI or audio

Aligning measure/beat boundaries manually

Setting the Metronome and Tempo settings

Backwards compatibility

Tempo