Knowing the BPM (beats per minute) of a sample is a crucial element to any mix or production.
Whether it be for a vocal track, drum loop, or any other recorded sample, having the BPM readily available can save you a great amount of time and energy when mixing in the studio.
Today’s tutorial will explore the process of finding the BPM of sampled audio in FL Studio.
We will learn how to accurately gauge the BPM of a sample and how to use this information to fine-tune the mix of our production.
We will also explore the benefits of knowing the BPM of a sample as it relates to timing, tempo matching, and quantization.
With these tools and techniques, you will be able to accurately determine the BPM of any sample in FL Studio.
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Let’s get started!
Load the sample into FL Studio
Before you can find the BPM of a sample in FL Studio, you must first load the sample into the program.
To do this, open the “Browser” window and navigate to the location of the sample file.
Once you find the file, double-click on it to load it into the “Channel Rack” window.
You’ll now be able to find the BPM of the sample.
Find the BPM of the song manually
If you want to find the BPM of a sample in FL Studio manually, there are a few easy steps you can follow.
First, start the sample playing and count how many beats per minute (BPM) you hear.
Make sure to count for at least 10 seconds to get an accurate count.
Once you have your BPM count, activate the “Tempo” option in FL Studio.
Now you can enter the BPM count you just calculated and the song will play at that tempo.
If the tempo sounds too fast or too slow, you can adjust it accordingly.
Once you’re happy with the tempo, save the changes and you’re done.
Use the Tap Tempo plugin
Once you have your sample imported into FL Studio, you can use the Tap Tempo plugin to accurately measure the BPM.
To do this, simply drag the Tap Tempo plugin onto an empty track, then click on it to open it.
You can then tap the tempo with your mouse or keyboard, and the tap tempo plugin will calculate the BPM of the sample.
This is a great way to accurately measure the BPM of a sample, and it is easy to use.
Utilize the Beat Calculator plugin
One of the best and easiest ways to find the BPM of a sample in FL Studio is to utilize the Beat Calculator plugin.
This plugin is located in the Misc folder of the Plugins tab.
Once loaded, it will automatically detect the BPM of the sample.
This is a great tool for quickly and accurately finding the BPM of a sample without having to manually count the beats.
It is also useful for matching the tempo of a sample to the tempo of your project.
Use the “Detect BPM” function
After you have imported your sample into FL Studio, you can use the “Detect BPM” function to determine the BPM of the sample.
This can be found in the Tools menu, or by pressing “F12” on your keyboard.
This will use the sample’s audio properties to detect the BPM.
After it has been detected, the BPM of the sample will be displayed in the BPM field.
This BPM can then be used if you want to sync the sample with other audio elements or effects.
Use the “BPM tap” option
The sixth step when finding the BPM of a sample in FL Studio is to use the “BPM tap” option.
This feature enables you to tap the tempo of a sample by pressing the spacebar.
As you tap the tempo, FL Studio will calculate the BPM of the sample.
You can tap the tempo as many times as you want until you get an accurate reading of the BPM of the sample.
After you have finished tapping the tempo, you can then adjust the BPM to your desired number.
Change the BPM of the sample
To change the BPM of the sample in FL Studio, first click on the “Tools” tab and select “Tempo”.
This will open up a window with a slider in the middle.
Drag this slider to the desired BPM and click “OK”.
Once the BPM has been changed, all of the instruments you have added will be in sync with the new BPM.
This is especially useful when creating complex songs with multiple instruments, as it allows you to find the perfect tempo for the entire song.
Assign the sample to a drum track for more accurate BPM detection
Once you have imported your sample into FL Studio, the next step is to assign the sample to a drum track for more accurate BPM detection.
This will enable FL Studio to detect the exact tempo of your sample, rather than relying on a generic BPM detection algorithm.
To do this, start by selecting the sample in the Browser window.
Then, go to the Step Sequencer in the Tools menu and drag the sample onto the desired drum track.
You should also set the sample size to ‘1 Bar’ and make sure the sample is in sync with the grid in the Step Sequencer.
With this done, FL Studio will be able to accurately detect the BPM of your sample.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding the BPM of a sample in FL Studio is a great way to ensure that your productions are in a consistent tempo and in sync with other instruments.
By using the Envelope Tool or the Beat Slicer Tool, you can accurately determine the BPM of a sample and start creating your beat.
With a bit of practice, you will become a pro at finding this vital information and creating awesome music.
