In this tutorial, I am going to explain the meaning of a Tempo and Bpm, and I'll also describe the effect of both terms.
First of all, let's get to understand the term Tempo and Bpm or bpm(beats per minute) in music.
What Is A Tempo?
In a simple term, Tempo is the speed at which something happens, in music, Tempo is the speed of a song or the rate at which music is played or sung.
Setting a particular tempo will determine how fast and slow the music is played.
To understand Tempo fully, you need to note that it is measured in beats per minute(BPM or bpm). Let's take an instance, a tempo of 6obpm (60 beats per minute) means one beat per second, while a tempo of 120bpm is twice as that, signifying one beat every half second.
I'll assume using Fl Studio to practicalize the use and effect of a Tempo. However, it is the same for all host Daw you might be using.
Before getting into using tempo, let me briefly explain what a metronome does.
What Is A Metronome?
A metronome is a tool that produces an audible beat, it can either be a click, a tick or even other sounds at regular intervals that is set in bpm.
I practically use this tool to get a particular tempo in music I intend sampling or remixing. It is also used in obtaining the precise sense of timing and tempo.
Using Tempo In Fl Studio
Understanding the use and effect tempos have on a beat is highly essential. High tempos usually are Edm songs, Mid-tempos are Club, gangsta and any other genre related to club and gangsta, and Low tempos are mostly R&B songs.
Open Fl Studio program and let's get ready.
As you can see below, I have loaded a kick, a snare and a chord I created in Directwave; this is how the chord sound when played in 128bpm.
And this is how it sounds together with the kick and the snare in 128bpm.
To use the tempo, move the mouse to the tempo button and drag up and down for faster or slower tempos.
I increased the tempo to 135bpm, and this is how it sounds:
You can see it is now faster.
Let me give you a trick to use tempo more efficiently if you are creating an R&B track. Note that R&B Tempo is usually slow.
For instance, using 60bpm for an R&B track will make your drum creation slower, the trick is doubling the tempo up, which is equal to 120bpm.
Doubling the tempo will allow more natural drum rolling and high hat rolling. Another simple trick is placing the drum sample in every step, and this is the trick for easier rolling, it makes you work with interest and make your process faster.
Then place the drum sample in every step, and this is the trick for easier rolling, it makes you work with interest and make your process faster.
However, this trick is only possible if you are using Mid or Low tempos.
See you soon!