Excellent stuff. I don't even have to start watching the video to like it. I know it's a goldmine as soon as i hit play. Kenny has always been the man. I even learn more stuff from the comments section.
Excellent video Kenny, thank you for making it! I'm also grateful that Reaper seems to have corrected compound meter parameters and metrics. You must have been integral regarding this. I remember commenting on Reaper's inaccuracies with compound meter not too long ago. I'm glad to see it is functioning better now. Thank you for all you do.
When I need to tempo map a song, I tap M on start of each bar while playing the track to create project markers. I align the markers as needed after that. Then I use SWS action called Convert project markers to tempo markers. You can clear regular project markers after that.
That's the way I do it, too. Also tedious, but gets the job done.
13 дней назад
I do that too. Not tedious at all, it's one play through the song. I didn't know about the modifiers to fine tune the position of the tempo markers. That's very useful! Thanks Kenny.
Well, I don't have perfect timing. The results I get after one pass are usually not good enough. For a good result I have to check every single marker manually and, if needed, move it slightly to align it exactly with the start of the measure. And that's definitely tedious.
10:30 If that actually is "the quickest and most accurate way to do it", making this sort of thing less painful, should be a feature request. Luckily, I don't have to do tempo-mapping very often, but this feels very cumbersome for "the quickest way" in 2025.
From France, thank you. I understand English perfectly but the French audio autotranslate ( doublée automatiquement) is helpful for French natives. Weldone. (Funny thing. Even the lyrics to the song were translated :))
So does Logic. When you import audio it will analyze the audio and align to the grid and tempo map the audio. It's the main reason why I use Logic over Reaper.
You did it again Kenny. Another lesson I needed as sometimes I record a band live and then edit each song. Not gonna tell you how I have done it the hard way just saying this is better than what I have been doing. Thanks again. I struggle getting flash drive to take to band mates and recording parts to take back home and yes we both have Reaper
@Kenny Gioia - great videos as always: there is a shortcut I use always which is even much quicker "SWS/BR: Move closest grid line to mouse cursor (perform until shortcut released)" basically let you do this, without having to click the mouse and in an ultra quick way as it basically create a tempo marker and drags it around and place it on release of the shortcut key... it saves so much time and clicks
Good stuff to know. Especially useful seeing that I am reproducing a song that was recorded live, where the tempo drifts. It was rerecorded with the drummer following the drift. It isn't too noticeable. It'll be great to get the grid lined up perfectly though, especially for the tempo mapped effects and for lining up the hits and transients!
Great video! However - there's a slightly quicker method for songs with drastic tempo shifts (folk players). ReaScript has a function for "Convert marker to tempo marker". So you can go through the entire song pressing "M" on the downbeats, convert them to tempo markers, then go through the song marker by marker like the last bit of your video and adjust them for precision.
I really like the feature studio one has where you can just do this in melodyne and then drag that midi info to the tempo automation. To me that's the best workflow for this case. For reaper I have to export that tempo map from melodyne and import into reaper. Guess we cant have everything 😅
So useful. This is great if you're working with something ancient or amateur and then maybe want to add some new drums or something. Fab as usual -- thanks Kenny.
Great video... I would like ti see a video on how to then adjust tempo on let's say individual sections once a tempo mao has been created.. like a few bars are too fast and you want to slow down just a bar here or there. What would be the process? Great video
What if you wanted to do this the opposite way round? By snapping and time stretching tracks to a strict tempo in Reaper? Logic X does this as well as programs like DJ Studio, analyses a track and snaps it to the project tempo
Is there a simple and easy to map tempo based on a click track? I have a song that changes tempo a few times (mostly just to half time), but the last time it goes to a very different tempo and then gradually gradually speeds up; however, I can't seem to get it lined up properly on the accelerando. With the trackouts, I have a file that is just the click track fully and properly in time. Is there no extremely quick and simple way for Reaper to just Detect the Tempo (and changes) from that file?
I love Reaper but Logic Pro has transient detection and can do a great job if this for the whole song with about three clicks. It's such a shame that Reaper doesn't appear to have this feature. I have melodyne but it's still cumbersome that can do this but it would be nice to have this in the DAW like logic pro.
Very cool! I have an odd question that I think l only youd know the answer to. Is it possible to use your phone as a mic in reaper? I recorded a little drum demo and I love the punchy sound of my phone but I use 7 other mics and comp the drums, basically I like the sound of my phone over my condenser room mic. Is this possible? I doubt it but it's worth asking.
Hi I'm a little confused I download audio backing tracks from karaoke version when I put a track in with a BPM of say 90 BPM or one at 160 BPM when they come into reaper BPM set at 120 but the tracks sound ok if I put say the one at 160 BPM and change BPM in Reaper to 160 BPM it is way to fast what's the problem ? thanks
Someone that finds this is going to need to hear this: I know its not what you want to hear, and it might make some people angry with you in the short term, but you might have to rerecord. There's no good way to fix a bad drum/live recording, and that certainly isn't what tempo mapping is for. If you're running the sessions then its your responsibility to make tough calls like this no matter how gutting it is. Don't waste months of your life on takes that were doomed on the way in. You won't be proud of the result no matter how fantastic the rest of the work is. Ask me how I know 🙃. Great video as always Kenny! I don't know where this community would be without you, and I hope we never find out!
No drummer has perfect metronome time. Even the pros. The song ebbs and flows with time, that is normal. Better than a machine that doesn't sound human.
@electricwhiterabbit True and not what I'm referring to. Someone someday is going to be hopelessly searching for a fix for unfixable live takes and find this video. Years ago that person was me. That's who this is aimed that.
@electricwhiterabbit Exactly, it sure doesn't! If someone has resigned themselves to working around bad multitracks then tempo mapping is going to be their first stop after melodyne/stretch markers fail them.
I'm stuck. Is there a way to set your tempo to an item source. I have a recorded click and need to set the tempo to it but don't want to do it manually there's just too much to do. If someone could please direct me to a video I would highly appreciate it 🙏
Some nice tricks in here, Kenny. But the video also highlights two shortcomings of Reaper. First, this process is just too tedious. Sure, the problem is complicated, but Reaper doesn't even try to make it easier. Second, in 6/8 time musicians will not count bpm in "quarter notes per minute" as Reaper does, but in dotted quarters. The musical tempo is 2/3 of the Reaper tempo, which I find super annoying. It's fine, if Reaper does it like this internally, but the number should be converted in user interactions. In fact, the user should be able to choose if the tempo is counted in quarter/dotted quarter/half/eigth/etc notes per minute.
Excellent stuff. I don't even have to start watching the video to like it. I know it's a goldmine as soon as i hit play. Kenny has always been the man. I even learn more stuff from the comments section.
You’re a life saver man… everything i know about reaper is because of you… thank you tons…. Cheers from himalaya…
me too
Excellent video Kenny, thank you for making it! I'm also grateful that Reaper seems to have corrected compound meter parameters and metrics. You must have been integral regarding this. I remember commenting on Reaper's inaccuracies with compound meter not too long ago. I'm glad to see it is functioning better now. Thank you for all you do.
This is immensely useful, I do this kind of tempo mapping quite often and had no idea of this approach! A thousand thanks 🙏
When I need to tempo map a song, I tap M on start of each bar while playing the track to create project markers. I align the markers as needed after that. Then I use SWS action called Convert project markers to tempo markers. You can clear regular project markers after that.
That's the way I do it, too. Also tedious, but gets the job done.
I do that too. Not tedious at all, it's one play through the song. I didn't know about the modifiers to fine tune the position of the tempo markers. That's very useful! Thanks Kenny.
Well, I don't have perfect timing. The results I get after one pass are usually not good enough. For a good result I have to check every single marker manually and, if needed, move it slightly to align it exactly with the start of the measure. And that's definitely tedious.
@palethorn, I believe there is an option in the SWS covert project markers to tempo markers window to remove the project markers at the same time.
@@Streck0_909 Yeah but its less tedious than Kenny's method in this video IMO. 1 play through followed by tightening up the marker placement. Done.
Every time you make one of these it gets better and easier. Thanks Kenny!
10:30 If that actually is "the quickest and most accurate way to do it", making this sort of thing less painful, should be a feature request.
Luckily, I don't have to do tempo-mapping very often, but this feels very cumbersome for "the quickest way" in 2025.
Great and timely stuff! I've been seeing lots of questions about this on reddit and the forum lately. Thanks, Kenny!
From France, thank you. I understand English perfectly but the French audio autotranslate ( doublée automatiquement) is helpful for French natives. Weldone. (Funny thing. Even the lyrics to the song were translated :))
That's great info. Studio One pro 7 does that whole process with one command and then automatically, takes about 10 seconds and is very precise.
So does Logic. When you import audio it will analyze the audio and align to the grid and tempo map the audio. It's the main reason why I use Logic over Reaper.
This kinda thing definitely needs to come to Reaper. It's so cumbersome currently
You're a saint. Just struggling with this issue last week, this video came right in time.
You did it again Kenny. Another lesson I needed as sometimes I record a band live and then edit each song. Not gonna tell you how I have done it the hard way just saying this is better than what I have been doing. Thanks again.
I struggle getting flash drive to take to band mates and recording parts to take back home and yes we both have Reaper
Wow Kenny That subway map reminds me of reaper so many ways to go to get to your designation.
@Kenny Gioia - great videos as always: there is a shortcut I use always which is even much quicker "SWS/BR: Move closest grid line to mouse cursor (perform until shortcut released)" basically let you do this, without having to click the mouse and in an ultra quick way as it basically create a tempo marker and drags it around and place it on release of the shortcut key... it saves so much time and clicks
Good stuff to know. Especially useful seeing that I am reproducing a song that was recorded live, where the tempo drifts. It was rerecorded with the drummer following the drift. It isn't too noticeable. It'll be great to get the grid lined up perfectly though, especially for the tempo mapped effects and for lining up the hits and transients!
Great video! However - there's a slightly quicker method for songs with drastic tempo shifts (folk players). ReaScript has a function for "Convert marker to tempo marker". So you can go through the entire song pressing "M" on the downbeats, convert them to tempo markers, then go through the song marker by marker like the last bit of your video and adjust them for precision.
Great! ) Kenny, can you suggest on the Reaper forum that Justin make the song tempo detection and correct grid setting with one button press? )
Always, thank you so much Kenny!!
Thanks!! I looked for this for a while!
I really like the feature studio one has where you can just do this in melodyne and then drag that midi info to the tempo automation. To me that's the best workflow for this case.
For reaper I have to export that tempo map from melodyne and import into reaper. Guess we cant have everything 😅
I like the action "SWS: Move closest grid line to mouse cursor"
It requires a separate install of SWS Actions
Very cool 😎😎😎
So useful. This is great if you're working with something ancient or amateur and then maybe want to add some new drums or something. Fab as usual -- thanks Kenny.
Thanks Kenny! Great explanation!
Reaper master ✊🏽
Kenny. This. Is. Gold! Thanks!
Could be the most importent video ever to me, i never have a clue of my tempo when i star a new song.
Thanks, that's a really great turorial.
Amazing useful for film scoring and tempo detect！
Great tutorial!
Great video... I would like ti see a video on how to then adjust tempo on let's say individual sections once a tempo mao has been created.. like a few bars are too fast and you want to slow down just a bar here or there. What would be the process?
Great video
What if you wanted to do this the opposite way round? By snapping and time stretching tracks to a strict tempo in Reaper?
Logic X does this as well as programs like DJ Studio, analyses a track and snaps it to the project tempo
in REAPER it's stretch markers, you place them at every beat or more often and then snap to the grid
Is there a simple and easy to map tempo based on a click track? I have a song that changes tempo a few times (mostly just to half time), but the last time it goes to a very different tempo and then gradually gradually speeds up; however, I can't seem to get it lined up properly on the accelerando.
With the trackouts, I have a file that is just the click track fully and properly in time.
Is there no extremely quick and simple way for Reaper to just Detect the Tempo (and changes) from that file?
I love Reaper but Logic Pro has transient detection and can do a great job if this for the whole song with about three clicks. It's such a shame that Reaper doesn't appear to have this feature. I have melodyne but it's still cumbersome that can do this but it would be nice to have this in the DAW like logic pro.
Very cool! I have an odd question that I think l only youd know the answer to. Is it possible to use your phone as a mic in reaper? I recorded a little drum demo and I love the punchy sound of my phone but I use 7 other mics and comp the drums, basically I like the sound of my phone over my condenser room mic. Is this possible? I doubt it but it's worth asking.
Sonobus? I think its called so.
Would you do this because there is more editing to be done? If this was the finished song then why would u need the grid?
So how can I use a midi track to punch in the pulse (Ie quarter note pulse) and turn that into my Tempo Map?
Is it that hard to make i simple t like almost all other daws??
for two dudes as opposed to a stuff of dozen programmers and QA people it is
Hi I'm a little confused I download audio backing tracks from karaoke version when I put a track in with a BPM of say 90 BPM or one at 160 BPM when they come into reaper BPM set at 120 but the tracks sound ok if I put say the one at 160 BPM and change BPM in Reaper to 160 BPM it is way to fast what's the problem ? thanks
Someone that finds this is going to need to hear this: I know its not what you want to hear, and it might make some people angry with you in the short term, but you might have to rerecord. There's no good way to fix a bad drum/live recording, and that certainly isn't what tempo mapping is for. If you're running the sessions then its your responsibility to make tough calls like this no matter how gutting it is. Don't waste months of your life on takes that were doomed on the way in. You won't be proud of the result no matter how fantastic the rest of the work is. Ask me how I know 🙃.
Great video as always Kenny! I don't know where this community would be without you, and I hope we never find out!
No drummer has perfect metronome time. Even the pros. The song ebbs and flows with time, that is normal. Better than a machine that doesn't sound human.
@electricwhiterabbit True and not what I'm referring to. Someone someday is going to be hopelessly searching for a fix for unfixable live takes and find this video. Years ago that person was me. That's who this is aimed that.
@ Tempo mapping doesn’t fix bad timing. The bad timing remains. You are correct though if the timing is that bad, then it should be re tracked.
@electricwhiterabbit Exactly, it sure doesn't! If someone has resigned themselves to working around bad multitracks then tempo mapping is going to be their first stop after melodyne/stretch markers fail them.
Es posible en español! Gracias Kenny
I'm stuck. Is there a way to set your tempo to an item source. I have a recorded click and need to set the tempo to it but don't want to do it manually there's just too much to do. If someone could please direct me to a video I would highly appreciate it 🙏
Some nice tricks in here, Kenny. But the video also highlights two shortcomings of Reaper.
First, this process is just too tedious. Sure, the problem is complicated, but Reaper doesn't even try to make it easier.
Second, in 6/8 time musicians will not count bpm in "quarter notes per minute" as Reaper does, but in dotted quarters. The musical tempo is 2/3 of the Reaper tempo, which I find super annoying. It's fine, if Reaper does it like this internally, but the number should be converted in user interactions. In fact, the user should be able to choose if the tempo is counted in quarter/dotted quarter/half/eigth/etc notes per minute.
Sorry, but in Studio One it's just 3 clicks and done. This is painful.