Last updated: 2026-05-25

Tempo-Synced Delays and Note Duration

Setting a delay or reverb time to a musical value — one that locks in with the tempo of a track — transforms a static effect into a rhythmic element. This calculator converts tempo (BPM) and note value into milliseconds, seconds, and frequency (Hz), with support for dotted and triplet modifiers.

How It Works

A quarter note is the standard beat unit. Its duration in milliseconds is:

A whole note lasts four quarter notes, so:

The general formula for any note value is:

where $N$ is the note value (1 = whole, 2 = half, 4 = quarter, 8 = eighth…) and $M$ is the modifier multiplier.

Dotted and Triplet Modifiers

A dotted note lasts 1.5× its plain value. Three triplet notes fit exactly into the space of two plain notes.

Common Delay Times at Typical BPMs

The dotted eighth (375 ms at 120 BPM) is the most popular delay time in pop and EDM production because it creates a syncopated "slapback" feel that complements straight rhythms.

Production Applications

Delay: Set your delay time to the note value that matches the groove — dotted eighth for syncopated movement, quarter for straight echoes, eighth for tight doubling effects.

Reverb pre-delay: A pre-delay of 20–50 ms (roughly a 32nd note at moderate tempos) separates the dry signal from the reverb tail, preserving clarity while adding space.

LFO rate: Sync LFO frequency (Hz) to tempo using the Hz output. At 120 BPM a quarter-note LFO runs at 2 Hz; a half-note at 1 Hz.