Enter a BPM to get straight, dotted, and triplet delay times (ms) plus tempo-sync LFO rates (Hz) for common note values.
BPM → ms & Hz
| Note | Straight (ms) | Dotted (ms) | Triplet (ms) | Straight (Hz) |
|---|
Quarter (ms) = 60000 / BPM. Dotted = ×1.5, Triplet = ×2/3, Hz ≈ 1000 / ms.
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FAQ - Tempo to Delay Calculator | BPM to ms, Dotted, Triplet & Delay Time
How do I convert BPM to delay time in milliseconds?
Use: Quarter note (ms) = 60000 / BPM. For other notes, divide or multiply: 1/8 = quarter ÷ 2, 1/16 = ÷ 4, 1/32 = ÷ 8. Dotted = straight × 1.5, Triplet = straight × 2/3.
What’s the best delay time for BPM 120?
At 120 BPM, a quarter is 500 ms. Popular choices: 1/8 = 250 ms, dotted 1/8 = 375 ms, triplet 1/8 = 166.67 ms, 1/16 = 125 ms.
What’s dotted vs. triplet delay (and when to use each)?
Dotted (×1.5) pushes the echo later for a wider feel; Triplet (×2/3) adds shuffle/swing. Dotted feels expansive; triplet locks into swung grooves.
How do I sync delay to tempo without tapping?
Enter your BPM here and pick the note value. Then set your delay plugin to ms and paste the number, or keep tempo-sync enabled and select the same note division.
What delay time should I use for reverb pre-delay?
Try a musical window between 1/64 and 1/16 of your BPM’s quarter note. Start at 1/32, then adjust by ear until the vocal stays clear but the tail breathes.
How do I compute modulation rate (Hz) from BPM?
Frequency is the inverse of period: Hz ≈ 1000 / ms. After you pick a note value, use the Hz column to set tempo-sync LFOs (tremolo, filter, pan).
What are common delay times for vocals?
Often: 1/8 or dotted 1/8 for rhythm, 1/4 for space, 1/16 for slap/rhythm glue. Use filters and feedback modestly; re-EQ returns to avoid clutter.
How do I pick delay times for guitars, drums or synths?
Guitars: 1/8 or triplet 1/8 for motion. Drums: short 1/16 or 1/32 for groove thickening. Synths: long 1/4 or dotted 1/4 for width, always check against the groove.
Do streaming platforms change my loudness, and should I chase LUFS with delay?
Normalization turns loud tracks down, not quiet tracks up. Choose delay times for feel, not loudness; target clean transients and translation in mastering.
Does swing change the calculated values?
Swing delays the off-beat; triplet values approximate the feel. Start with triplet timing, then fine-tune by ear or your DAW’s swing control.
How do I set stereo vs mono delays?
Mono delays stabilize center elements (vocals/bass). Stereo/ping-pong adds width, so keep low-end mono and carve mid/highs so repeats don’t mask the lead.
What’s the exact formula list for all note divisions?
Quarter ms = 60000/BPM. Then: 1/2 = ×2; 1/1 = ×4; 1/8 = ÷2; 1/16 = ÷4; 1/32 = ÷8. Dotted = straight ×1.5; Triplet = straight ×2/3.
Why Calculated Delays Sound Better
Converting BPM to delay times in milliseconds locks every echo to the groove, and this tempo delay note calculator, an online free calculator, does the math instantly for any subdivision. The same values drive a note-sync LFO, tempo-matched reverb pre-delay, and gated effects: musical time, everywhere in the chain.