When I need to tempo map a song, I tap M on start of each bar while playing the track to create project markers. I align the markers as needed after that. Then I use SWS action called Convert project markers to tempo markers. You can clear regular project markers after that.
Excellent video Kenny, thank you for making it! I'm also grateful that Reaper seems to have corrected compound meter parameters and metrics. You must have been integral regarding this. I remember commenting on Reaper's inaccuracies with compound meter not too long ago. I'm glad to see it is functioning better now. Thank you for all you do.
So does Logic. When you import audio it will analyze the audio and align to the grid and tempo map the audio. It's the main reason why I use Logic over Reaper.
10:30 If that actually is "the quickest and most accurate way to do it", making this sort of thing less painful, should be a feature request. Luckily, I don't have to do tempo-mapping very often, but this feels very cumbersome for "the quickest way" in 2025.
Good stuff to know. Especially useful seeing that I am reproducing a song that was recorded live, where the tempo drifts. It was rerecorded with the drummer following the drift. It isn't too noticeable. It'll be great to get the grid lined up perfectly though, especially for the tempo mapped effects and for lining up the hits and transients!
I really like the feature studio one has where you can just do this in melodyne and then drag that midi info to the tempo automation. To me that's the best workflow for this case. For reaper I have to export that tempo map from melodyne and import into reaper. Guess we cant have everything 😅
Great video! However - there's a slightly quicker method for songs with drastic tempo shifts (folk players). ReaScript has a function for "Convert marker to tempo marker". So you can go through the entire song pressing "M" on the downbeats, convert them to tempo markers, then go through the song marker by marker like the last bit of your video and adjust them for precision.
Someone that finds this is going to need to hear this: I know its not what you want to hear, and it might make some people angry with you in the short term, but you might have to rerecord. There's no good way to fix a bad drum/live recording, and that certainly isn't what tempo mapping is for. If you're running the sessions then its your responsibility to make tough calls like this no matter how gutting it is. Don't waste months of your life on takes that were doomed on the way in. You won't be proud of the result no matter how fantastic the rest of the work is. Ask me how I know 🙃. Great video as always Kenny! I don't know where this community would be without you, and I hope we never find out!
No drummer has perfect metronome time. Even the pros. The song ebbs and flows with time, that is normal. Better than a machine that doesn't sound human.
@electricwhiterabbit True and not what I'm referring to. Someone someday is going to be hopelessly searching for a fix for unfixable live takes and find this video. Years ago that person was me. That's who this is aimed that.
@electricwhiterabbit Exactly, it sure doesn't! If someone has resigned themselves to working around bad multitracks then tempo mapping is going to be their first stop after melodyne/stretch markers fail them.
Great video... I would like ti see a video on how to then adjust tempo on let's say individual sections once a tempo mao has been created.. like a few bars are too fast and you want to slow down just a bar here or there. What would be the process? Great video
Very cool! I have an odd question that I think l only youd know the answer to. Is it possible to use your phone as a mic in reaper? I recorded a little drum demo and I love the punchy sound of my phone but I use 7 other mics and comp the drums, basically I like the sound of my phone over my condenser room mic. Is this possible? I doubt it but it's worth asking.
What if you wanted to do this the opposite way round? By snapping and time stretching tracks to a strict tempo in Reaper? Logic X does this as well as programs like DJ Studio, analyses a track and snaps it to the project tempo
When I need to tempo map a song, I tap M on start of each bar while playing the track to create project markers. I align the markers as needed after that. Then I use SWS action called Convert project markers to tempo markers. You can clear regular project markers after that.
You’re a life saver man… everything i know about reaper is because of you… thank you tons…. Cheers from himalaya…
Wow Kenny That subway map reminds me of reaper so many ways to go to get to your designation.
Excellent video Kenny, thank you for making it! I'm also grateful that Reaper seems to have corrected compound meter parameters and metrics. You must have been integral regarding this. I remember commenting on Reaper's inaccuracies with compound meter not too long ago. I'm glad to see it is functioning better now. Thank you for all you do.
This is immensely useful, I do this kind of tempo mapping quite often and had no idea of this approach! A thousand thanks 🙏
Great and timely stuff! I've been seeing lots of questions about this on reddit and the forum lately. Thanks, Kenny!
I like the action "SWS: Move closest grid line to mouse cursor"
It requires a separate install of SWS Actions
That's great info. Studio One pro 7 does that whole process with one command and then automatically, takes about 10 seconds and is very precise.
So does Logic. When you import audio it will analyze the audio and align to the grid and tempo map the audio. It's the main reason why I use Logic over Reaper.
This kinda thing definitely needs to come to Reaper. It's so cumbersome currently
10:30 If that actually is "the quickest and most accurate way to do it", making this sort of thing less painful, should be a feature request.
Luckily, I don't have to do tempo-mapping very often, but this feels very cumbersome for "the quickest way" in 2025.
Good stuff to know. Especially useful seeing that I am reproducing a song that was recorded live, where the tempo drifts. It was rerecorded with the drummer following the drift. It isn't too noticeable. It'll be great to get the grid lined up perfectly though, especially for the tempo mapped effects and for lining up the hits and transients!
Always, thank you so much Kenny!!
Thanks!! I looked for this for a while!
I really like the feature studio one has where you can just do this in melodyne and then drag that midi info to the tempo automation. To me that's the best workflow for this case.
For reaper I have to export that tempo map from melodyne and import into reaper. Guess we cant have everything 😅
Great video! However - there's a slightly quicker method for songs with drastic tempo shifts (folk players). ReaScript has a function for "Convert marker to tempo marker". So you can go through the entire song pressing "M" on the downbeats, convert them to tempo markers, then go through the song marker by marker like the last bit of your video and adjust them for precision.
Thanks Kenny! Great explanation!
Someone that finds this is going to need to hear this: I know its not what you want to hear, and it might make some people angry with you in the short term, but you might have to rerecord. There's no good way to fix a bad drum/live recording, and that certainly isn't what tempo mapping is for. If you're running the sessions then its your responsibility to make tough calls like this no matter how gutting it is. Don't waste months of your life on takes that were doomed on the way in. You won't be proud of the result no matter how fantastic the rest of the work is. Ask me how I know 🙃.
Great video as always Kenny! I don't know where this community would be without you, and I hope we never find out!
No drummer has perfect metronome time. Even the pros. The song ebbs and flows with time, that is normal. Better than a machine that doesn't sound human.
@electricwhiterabbit True and not what I'm referring to. Someone someday is going to be hopelessly searching for a fix for unfixable live takes and find this video. Years ago that person was me. That's who this is aimed that.
@ Tempo mapping doesn’t fix bad timing. The bad timing remains. You are correct though if the timing is that bad, then it should be re tracked.
@electricwhiterabbit Exactly, it sure doesn't! If someone has resigned themselves to working around bad multitracks then tempo mapping is going to be their first stop after melodyne/stretch markers fail them.
Reaper master ✊🏽
Great! ) Kenny, can you suggest on the Reaper forum that Justin make the song tempo detection and correct grid setting with one button press? )
Could be the most importent video ever to me, i never have a clue of my tempo when i star a new song.
Great tutorial!
Great video... I would like ti see a video on how to then adjust tempo on let's say individual sections once a tempo mao has been created.. like a few bars are too fast and you want to slow down just a bar here or there. What would be the process?
Great video
Very cool! I have an odd question that I think l only youd know the answer to. Is it possible to use your phone as a mic in reaper? I recorded a little drum demo and I love the punchy sound of my phone but I use 7 other mics and comp the drums, basically I like the sound of my phone over my condenser room mic. Is this possible? I doubt it but it's worth asking.
What if you wanted to do this the opposite way round? By snapping and time stretching tracks to a strict tempo in Reaper?
Logic X does this as well as programs like DJ Studio, analyses a track and snaps it to the project tempo
in REAPER it's stretch markers, you place them at every beat or more often and then snap to the grid
Es posible en español! Gracias Kenny
Is it that hard to make i simple t like almost all other daws??
for two dudes as opposed to a stuff of dozen programmers and QA people it is