Understanding Adjust Beats
Adjust beats is a visual representation of the tempo scale allowing you to adjust the time on the ruler of the MIDI or audio graphic editor. Click/dragging the ruler markers towards the beginning of the sequence creates a faster tempo change from the point of the click, towards the end of the sequence, a slower tempo.
You can adjust the tempo within beats, measures or fixed duration. This means any movement in the ruler will effect the tempo in increments of beats/measures or a note value. For this example: you have a 1 bar soundbite of a 4/4 drum beat. The tempo of the sequence is a quarter note = 176. The tempo of the soundbite is different that the sequence (slower or faster) and you want to change the tempo of the sequence to fit the soundbite. Here’s what you do:
- Drag the drum beat so that the beginning is at 1|1|000.
- View the soundbite in the Sequence Editor.
- Open the Adjust Beats window, check the box for “Drag beats in Graphic Editor,” choose to adjust “Measures,” and “Apply adjusted beats tempo until end of sequence”, with Snapping set to “None.”
- Find beat 2 in the soundbite (estimate where beat 2 is by viewing the waveform) and beat 2 on the Sequence Editor ruler.
- Click & drag beat 2 of the Sequence Editor towards beat 2 of the soundbite so the red line lines up with beat 2 of the soundbite.
The same can be applied to MIDI events. This is where snapping comes in handy. Here’s an example:
- Play in 4 quarter notes to a sequence regardless of the sequence’s tempo.
- Open the Graphic Editor for that track.
- Open the Adjust Beats window, check the box for “Drag beats in Graphic Editor,” choose to adjust “Beats,” and “Apply adjusted beats tempo until end of sequence”, with Snapping set to “None.”
- Click ruler on the nearest start of a measure (i.e., 2|1|000). You’ll notice the red line indicating measure movement will snap to the first note.
When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!
Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.
Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.