How To Change Tempo In Logic Pro

Ever tried dragging in a sample into Logic Pro but you find out that it's not working with your song because it's in the wrong tempo?

Or maybe you are producing a song in Logic and you realize the tempo might be dragging or too slow? Or even you'd like to make a certain section of your song change tempo.

Whatever questions you have about changing tempo in Logic Pro, I'm going to cover them all but if you still have questions about changing tempo then leave me a question or comment on my youtube video on how to change tempo in Logic Pro.

In this post, I'm going to go over three popular methods for changing tempo in Logic, they are:

1. Tempo Map
2. Adapt Tempo
3. Changing Tempo Of An Audio Loop

Tempo Map

In this section we are assuming you might be producing a song in Logic Pro and you decide that you'd like certain sections to have different tempos.

For example, let's assume you'd like an introduction section that is in 120 BPM but then you'd like your verse to start at 125 BPM and then coming back down to 120 BPM in a later section.

If this is true, or you have something similar you'd like to accomplish then you will need to draw in a tempo map in Logic.

Go through the three options below to create and edit your tempo map.

Option 1

You will want to "show global tracks". You can get here by using the quick key “G” or clicking the global tracks icon, as shown below. This window will show all your time signatures, tempo map, and markers. 

For other tempo functions, click on the list editors icon in the top right. You can also use the quick key "D". Be sure to click on the “tempo” tab. This will also show all your time signatures and tempo changes that you have in your song. Take a look at the image below which shows the editor window that pops out from the right side in Logic Pro.

Option 2

There are two ways to edit your tempo map. The first was is from the global list editor and the second was is from the tempo list. There is no right or wrong answer here. Like anything in Logic Pro, there are many ways you can do things.

Global List Editor

If you'd like to use the global list editor to change tempo then on the blue tempo line to create automation points. To change the tempo, click, hold and drag. This will great shapes on the line and you'll be able to increase or decrease the tempo in certain sections of your song. Never heard about automation points? Don't worry, read this post on how to use automation in Logic.

Tempo List Editor

If you'd like to change the tempo by using the tempo list editor then be sure to open it from the right side of Logic Pro as we did in the previous step. Next, drag the playhead to where you want to create a tempo change. Click on the plus icon in the tempo list, you can see this in the image below. Then a new event will appear in the tempo list. Double click on the tempo of the new event and type the desired tempo.

Option 3

Let me now explain how you can make gradual tempo changes in your song. First, click, hold, and drag the tempo curve automation point. These are the blue dots in the image below. You have a few different options on you'd like the gradual tempo change to happen. Would you like it to slope on an angle? Or to quickly slop at the end right before the change? If you're unsure on where to start then I recommend checking out this automation tutorial which will explain all of this.

Adapt Tempo

 Now I will teach you how to change tempo in Logic Pro by discussing Adapt Tempo which is a popular option that works "automatically". Let's going going.

To automatically adapt the tempo map to your audio regions, change the mode from “keep tempo” to “adapt tempo.”

Now, when you drag in a new audio file, the tempo should automatically adapt to your audio file. It’s not always 100% accurate but if you have an audio track with clear transients (like a drum or percussion loop), this tool should work pretty well.

Always double check your files when you're dragging new audio or sample into your project. If they're not fitting well then you might have to resort to time stretching the audio.

Changing Tempo Of An Audio Loop

I find myself changing the tempo on an audio loop in almost every production that I'm working on. Specifically, if I'm chopping samples up from sound libraries or sometimes I like to reverse audio to create dramatic suspense. Whatever it is, I'm sure you've already found yourself needing to the same which is why you're reading this. So let me teach you!

First, you'll need to determine how many measures your audio loop is. Make sure the length of your audio loop is an exact amount of bars.

Then, hold “option”, click the end of your region and drag to that number of bars at the new tempo.

Final Thoughts On Changing Tempo In Logic Pro

Learning how to change tempo is almost a right of passage as a producer. Well, not really, but it's just so important to know how to properly adjust, stretch, and change the timing of audio in your project. It's another skill you'll have to have as you build your career as a music engineer or music producer.

If you're looking to level up your game in Logic Pro and become a more fulfilled music producer then I suggest checking out my 6 free pillars on learning Logic Pro faster. Good luck on your music journey and let me know if you have any questions at all in a youtube comment.