The Science of Tempo and Delay

Synchronizing time-based effects like delay and reverb to your track's BPM (Beats Per Minute) is one of the quickest ways to clean up a "muddy" mix. When a delay tail repeats perfectly in time with the kick drum or snare, it enhances the rhythm instead of fighting against it.

Key Formulas for Production

The relationship between tempo and time is simple: there are 60,000 milliseconds in one minute. Therefore:

For more complex timings like dotted notes (multiply by 1.5) or triplets (multiply by 0.667), this calculator handles the math automatically, allowing you to focus on the creative side of sound design.

Mixing Tip: Reverb Pre-Delay

Try setting your reverb's pre-delay to a very short musical division, such as a 1/64 or 1/128 note. This separates the dry transient from the reverb tail just enough to keep the instrument defined while still providing that lush spatial atmosphere.