BPM Delay Calculator
Enter your BPM and get delay times for every note value. Free, instant, no signup.
Range: 20 - 300 BPM
Delay Times at 128 BPM
Reverb Pre-delay Suggestions
Pre-delay separates your dry signal from the reverb tail, adding clarity and space.
Tight, intimate feel. Good for lead vocals.
Natural separation. Good for snare and pads.
Wide, spacious feel. Good for ambient elements.
More Free Music Tools
What is a BPM Delay Calculator?
A BPM delay calculator converts your track's tempo (BPM) into exact delay times in milliseconds. When you set a delay plugin to a specific ms value, the echo repeats stay rhythmically locked to your beat instead of sounding random or muddy.
This tool calculates delay times for every standard note value: whole notes, half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, 32nd notes, plus dotted variants (1.5x the base value) and triplet variants (2/3 of the base value).
How to Use Delay Times in Your DAW
- Find your track's BPM using BeatKey or your DAW's tap tempo.
- Enter the BPM in this calculator above (or tap the beat).
- Copy the delay time for the note value you want (e.g. 1/8 for a fast echo, 1/4 for a rhythmic delay).
- Paste it into your delay plugin's time setting in milliseconds mode.
- For reverb, use the pre-delay suggestions to add clarity to your wet signal.
Common Delay Settings by Genre
| Genre | Typical BPM | Popular Delay Note | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hip-hop / Trap | 70-100 | 1/8, 1/8t | Vocal doubles, hi-hat effects |
| House / Tech House | 120-135 | 1/4d, 1/8 | Synth pads, atmospheric leads |
| Drum and Bass | 160-180 | 1/16, 1/32 | Tight percussion, Reese bass |
| Ambient / Downtempo | 60-90 | 1/2, 1/2d | Evolving pads, atmospheric layers |
| Pop / R&B | 90-120 | 1/8d | Vocal throws, guitar leads |
| Techno | 128-145 | 1/4, 1/16t | Industrial percussion, synth stabs |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula for BPM to milliseconds?
The formula is: ms = 60,000 / BPM. For example, at 128 BPM one quarter note = 60,000 / 128 = 468.75 ms. Dotted values multiply by 1.5, triplet values multiply by 2/3.
What delay value should I use for vocals?
For slapback delay on vocals, use 1/8 note (one eighth note delay). For rhythmic vocal throws, 1/4 dotted works well. Short pre-delay (10-20ms) on reverb adds clarity without killing intimacy.
What is a dotted note delay?
A dotted note is 1.5 times the length of the base note. A dotted eighth note = eighth note + sixteenth note = 1.5x the eighth note value. Dotted delays create a syncopated "swinging" feel common in reggae, dub, and pop production.
What is a triplet delay?
A triplet subdivides one beat into three equal parts instead of two. Triplet delays feel "shuffle-y" or jazz-influenced. Quarter triplet = 2/3 of a quarter note. Common in trap hi-hat programming and gospel music.