The Tempo ruler allows changing tempo within one session, either abruptly or gradually over time. This is done by placing tempo markers on the ruler and setting up how exactly the transition happens.
On the screenshot below, there are 4 bars of music at 120bpm starting at bar 27, then the tempo changes abruptly to 140bpm and goes on for another 4 bars at that tempo, then abruptly changes back to 120bpm and within the next 4 bars gradually goes back to 140bpm, then continues at 140bpm until the end of the session.
The Tempo ruler has two modes: editing tempo and mapping tempo. The mode can be selected in the Edit > Tempo menu. Additionally, users can select which one should be enabled by default Edit > Preferences > Metronome > Default tempo ruler state for new sessions.
The Map Tempo mode is best suited for cases when there is a live recording of an instrument or multiple instruments, with some tempo imperfections. So before more instruments are added, e.g. MIDI-programmed drums, the tempo map needs to be adjusted to match the actual performance. In this mode, MIDI data is not adjusted for tempo map changes, so if the live recording contains both audio and MIDI tracks, the notes will stay exactly where they are. Additionally, tweaking tempo markers does not change the wall clock position of other tempo markers.
The Change Tempo mode is better suited for cases when the musician either starts a session from scratch and creates the tempo map at the beginning, or when they do need the MIDI data to be adjusted for tempo map changes. Tweaking tempo in a tempo marker in this mode also changes the wall clock position of subsequent tempo markers.
When working with the tempo ruler in the Change Tempo mode, each tempo marker exposes several editable properties:
In the Map Tempo mode, tempo markers also have these properties, but except for the BPM at the start value, they are not exposed in the user interface.
To add a tempo marker, hover a bar or a beat line, press Ctrl and single-click. Newly created tempo marker will have the same tempo value as the previous one.
To change the position of a tempo change, do one of the two things:
The tempo start value can be changed directly on the timeline or using the tempo marker properties dialog.
To change the tempo value directly on the timeline, hover the marker, press Ctrl, and drag the marker left or right. The bpm start value will change, and the grid will be adjusted accordingly.
Alternatively, double-click the marker or right-click it and choose Edit to open the marker properties dialog, then change the "Start beats per minute" value.
Additionally, you can set the new tempo by tapping it in one of the two ways:
In some cases, an existing tempo marker needs to get the same value as the tempo marker before it, typically to start a ramp. To do that, right-click the tempo marker that needs to change and select the Continue menu item.
The tempo between two tempo markers with different bpm start values can stay the same (constant) or change gradually (ramped).
When the tempo type is constant, the line between two markers stays horizontal:
When the tempo is ramped, the line between two markers is diagonal:
The toggle between constant and ramped types is available in the tempo marker properties menu and applies forward in the timeline. Alternatively, you can right-click a tempo marker and select the Ramp to Next menu item. Tempo will gradually accelerate or decelerate until the target tempo is reached, resulting in a musical accel. or ritard..
To switch from the ramped type to the constant type, either open the tempo marker properties dialog and switch it, or right-click a tempo marker and select the Set Constant menu item. The tempo will change abruptly at the next tempo marker.
To remove a tempo marker, either single-click it and press Del or right-click it and select the Remove menu item.
Audio-locked tempo markers stay in their frame position as their neighbor's positions are altered. Their pulse (musical) position will change as their neighbors move. Music-locked tempo markers move their frame position as their neighbors are moved, but keep their pulse position (they will move as the music is moved).
In the Map Tempo mode, new tempo markers are only created at bar lines. Hover a bar line on the tempo ruler, this will change the mouse pointer. Then click and drag to align the bar line with an onset. A new tempo marker will be automatically created.
To tweak the position of a tempo marker, hover the bar line where it's located, then click and drag it left or right.
In some cases, tempo fluctuates gradually during the performance. To deal with that, it's possible to set a tempo ramp. Create two markers, one where tempo begins changing, and one where it starts changing. Then hover the mouse pointer between bar lines and start dragging to the left or to the right. Dragging to the left increases the tempo at the beginning and lowers it towards the end. Dragging to the right increases the tempo towards the end and lowers it towards the beginning.
For more details on the workflow, please refer to the Tempo and Time Signature chapter.