Tempo Maps

What is a Tempo Map?

By default, every Mixbus session starts with an initial Meter marker of 4/4, and an initial Tempo marker of 120 bpm.

However, the user may add additional Tempo and Meter “markers” which change the tempo on the timeline. See: Tempo, Metronome & the Grid

Constant vs Ramped tempo markers

A “constant” tempo marker will set a steady tempo which continues until the next tempo marker is reached.

A “ramped” marker will cause the tempo to gradually change to meet the tempo value of the marker that succeeds it. This allows you to track the natural speedup/slowdown of a live performance, or create a natural ritardando at the end of the song. The tempo “ramp” is shown with a sloped line, indicating the difference between the two tempos:

Creating a Tempo Map from a recorded performance.

This video demonstrates how to create a tempo ramp from a live performance:

Editing tempo markers & the tempo lane

There are several ways to manipulate the tempo markers on the tempo ruler:

• Click & drag the tempo marker to change its location on the timeline
• Right-click on the tempo marker to change its properties
• Shift+Right-click to remove a tempo marker
• Shift+drag up/down on a tempo marker to change its tempo value
• Hold “Ctrl” (“Cmd” on Mac) while dragging a tempo marker to make a copy with the same tempo.

Additionally, you can edit the Tempo Line itself

• Shift+Click on the tempo-line between 2 tempo markers. Drag it left/right to adjust the tempo of the previous marker.
• Shift+Ctrl-click on the tempo line to create a “pinch”. A “pinch” adjusts the tempo line between 2 markers, and adjusts them in such a way that it does not move the succeeding markers.
  

! If you are unable to Shift+Drag on the Tempo Line, please visit Preferences->Editor->Modifiers and click “Reset to Recommended Defaults” (or make sure that “When Beginning a Drag -> Constrained Drag Using:” is set to “Shift”).

Importing a tempo map from MIDI

Mixbus can import a “tempo map” from an existing MIDI file. To do that, use the Import dialog to choose the MIDI file. And enable the checkbox for “import tempo map”.

*MIDI files do not allow gradual “tempo ramps”. Each tempo marker in the file will indicate a discrete change to a new tempo. For that reason, MIDI tempo changes will not be as ‘smooth’ as Mixbus’s tempo ramps.

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