Delay and Reverb Calculator
Calculate delay and reverb times synchronized with your song's tempo (BPM)
Calculate Delay and Reverb Times
Typical range: 60-200 BPM
Most common is 4/4 time signature
Timing Results
Formula: Note Duration = (60,000 ms รท BPM) ร Note Factor
Calculation: (60,000 รท 120) ร 1 = 500.0ms
Pre-delay and Decay Times
Formula: Total Duration = Pre-delay + Decay Time
Pre-delay is the silence before the effect begins. Decay is the actual effect duration.
Complete Note Duration Reference
| Note Value | Symbol | Duration (ms) | As Fraction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Note | ๐ ๐ ฅ๐ ๐ ฅ๐ ๐ ฅ๐ ๐ ฅ | 2000.0 | 4 |
| Dotted Half Note | ๐ ๐ ฅ. | 1500.0 | 3 |
| Half Note | ๐ ๐ ฅ | 1000.0 | 2 |
| Dotted Quarter Note | โฉ. | 750.0 | 1.5 |
| Quarter Note | โฉ | 500.0 | 1/1 |
| Quarter Triplet | โฉยณ | 333.3 | 0.6666666666666666 |
| Dotted Eighth Note | โซ. | 375.0 | 0.75 |
| Eighth Note | โซ | 250.0 | 1/2 |
| Eighth Triplet | โซยณ | 166.7 | 0.3333333333333333 |
| Sixteenth Note | โฌ | 125.0 | 1/4 |
| Sixteenth Triplet | โฌยณ | 83.3 | 0.16666666666666666 |
| 32nd Note | ๐ ๐ ฅ๐ ฐ | 62.5 | 1/8 |
| 64th Note | ๐ ๐ ฅ๐ ฑ | 31.3 | 1/16 |
Common BPM Ranges
Audio Production Tips
Use quarter notes for prominent delays that match the beat
Eighth notes create rhythmic complexity
Dotted notes add musical interest and groove
Use pre-delay to separate the effect from dry signal
Longer decay times create atmospheric effects
Example: 120 BPM Song
Quarter Note Delay
60,000 รท 120 = 500ms
Perfect for on-beat delays
Eighth Note Delay
500ms รท 2 = 250ms
Creates rhythmic doubling
Dotted Eighth
250ms ร 1.5 = 375ms
Popular in many genres
Understanding Delay and Reverb Times
What are Delay and Reverb?
Delay and reverb are time-based audio effects that add depth and dimension to recordings. Delay creates distinct echoes of the original sound, while reverb simulates the acoustic characteristics of different spaces.
Why Sync to Tempo?
- โขMaintains musical coherence and rhythm
- โขPrevents muddy or cluttered sound
- โขCreates intentional rhythmic patterns
- โขEnhances the groove and feel of the music
Calculation Formula
Note Duration = 60,000ms รท BPM ร Note Factor
- 60,000ms: Number of milliseconds in one minute
- BPM: Beats per minute of your song
- Note Factor: Multiplier for different note values
- Result: Delay time in milliseconds
Pro Tip: Use dotted notes and triplets for more complex, musical delay patterns
Pre-delay vs Decay Time
Pre-delay
The amount of time before the delay/reverb effect begins. This creates separation between the dry signal and the effect, improving clarity and definition.
Decay Time
The actual duration of the delay/reverb effect after the pre-delay period. This determines how long the effect is audible and how it fades away.