how to find the right bpm?

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how to find the right bpm?

By osterlichtenich Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:58 pm
Hi

So I've been choppin samples for a while now, made some pretty good stuff but my most common problem is that i make a sequence with my chopped samples that I really like but when I've recorded it, it never sounds like it did when I was freestyling with it. I'm guessing I have the wrong bpm or what am I doing wrong?

How do you find the right bpm? Do you record something you like and scroll through the bpm levels?


Thanks!
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By b.read Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:23 pm
You can use the tap tempo to get in the general ballpark, and then dial it in like you mentioned...
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By bicedidit Sun Feb 12, 2012 2:06 pm
as your 'freestylin', use one hand to push the TAP TEMPO button on the mpc on every beat/quarter note/head nod.... hit the tap tempo as if it was a quarter note hi hat.

you should notice the 'bpm' change as you hit the tap tempo button.

if your coordinated, you should be able to pinpoint your desired bpm within just a few beats per minute
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By bicedidit Sun Feb 12, 2012 3:46 pm
mastasteez wrote:
n4l wrote:you have quantize on



quantize aint gonna matter if the mpc defaults to 120 bpm and his desired tempo is 90.

learn to use TAP TEMPO

Re: how to find the right bpm?

By mastasteez Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:20 pm
bicedidit wrote:
mastasteez wrote:
n4l wrote:you have quantize on



quantize aint gonna matter if the mpc defaults to 120 bpm and his desired tempo is 90.

learn to use TAP TEMPO


I don't think that's true

If he's been using an MPC for a while now, I'd like to think he knows how to use tap tempo (that same argument should work for quantize too to be fair). Even if he had the exact BPM, his chops could still be off if, when freestyling, they didn't fall on the quantize points.

To the OP: use tap tempo to get a rough idea of the tempo. Turn quantize off and freestyle ya sequence. Then play it back and if there's a gap before it loops, increase the tempo and if it comes in too quick, decrease the tempo.

Everyone has their own technique but this one works for me.
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By OriginalProducer Sun Feb 12, 2012 5:28 pm
if one of your slice is in measure 1/4 1/8 1/2 you can find the tempo with an editor or with a math formula (60:[number in trim]*44100) . this is for a 1/4 slice you got to multiplicate that number for other chops . :lol:
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By peterpiper Sun Feb 12, 2012 8:53 pm
Do the math thing like said before (very exact and work with all kind of measures)

or if the original (unchopped) sample is a straight 1 or 2 bar loop then loop it till it loops seemless and use this bpm counter

http://www.all8.com/tools/bpm.htm

I dont know the taptemop of the 1000 but the bpm counter on this link is very exact (the more buttonhits the more exact)

peace
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By -niN Sun Feb 12, 2012 10:29 pm
As Far as I understand, his problem is not the typicall " how come my samples is off" thing but much more: how do I obtaine the feel I had playing with my chops "freestyle", when recording to the click..
Well I guess it's just practice practice practice..
Try to find the tempo you are actually IN!
Maybe record ur sequence quanized at any tempo (regardless of wether it's the tempo you want).. Then adjust the tempo of ur sequencer and eventually record (play) it again.
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By peterpiper Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:40 pm
^^+1.

It also can help to set the metronome to 1/8 instead of the default 1/4 and/or adjust the volume of it so its in the back giving you just a hint of the timing.

peace
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By DPM Wed Mar 07, 2012 4:18 am
I note repeat some hi hats and then lay down a kick and snare track. keep it looping, then mess with the tempo till its perfect with the chops im freestyling..

after a couple minutes, i have my bpm
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By peeping tom Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:19 am
dont know if anyone said this but, leave quantize off, play your sample pattern (your new chopped arrangement) with one hand, tap your foot to it, once you have a 4/4 timing start tapping your tap tempo button.

Should be sweet after that mayne.

Sometimes if i sample a loop i'll find the tempo of that before chopping it by just having the loop in a program and getting the tempo right until theres no overlap or gap when it loops. Can help.
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Re: how to find the right bpm?

By -niN Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:41 pm
peeping tom wrote:dont know if anyone said this but, leave quantize off, play your sample pattern (your new chopped arrangement) with one hand, tap your foot to it, once you have a 4/4 timing start tapping your tap tempo button.

Should be sweet after that mayne.

Sometimes if i sample a loop i'll find the tempo of that before chopping it by just having the loop in a program and getting the tempo right until theres no overlap or gap when it loops. Can help.


this method.
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