When 115bpm is too slow and 116bpm is too fast… How Tempo Sensitive are you?

[DJCHEMIE]

@Dr.K

4 bpm faster it’s going to be a hit.

This is like the “golden” rule of remixes. If the Original is fast, slow it down. If it’s slow, make it faster.

[percussionboy]

@Laser

Can we talk about this some more please?

My main sequencer (Hapax) seems to handle negative swing in a weird way.

According to the Hapax manual, negative swing pushes the on-beat notes later. This makes no sense to me. Surely the on-beat notes should stay where there are?

Yeah, that seems weird to me too. I don’t know the Hapax though.

My understanding of swing is that the on-beat notes never are moved. Negative swing moves the offbeats earlier than halfway, and “normal” swing moves the off-beats later than halfway.

[Dr.K]

How to determine if the tempo is fast or slow though? Is 128 fast or slow?

[Dr.K]

@Laser

According to the Hapax manual, negative swing pushes the on-beat notes later. This makes no sense to me. Surely the on-beat notes should stay where there are?

@darenager

I always thought of negative swing as ahead of the off beats, ie earlier.

With both methods the result will sound the same. But it will sound different when you sync another device to it.
The devices i used with negative swing do it like darenager said. It would be surprising if the Hapax really uses the other method.

[Laser]

@Dr.K

With both methods the result will sound the same

Not exactly, because the swing is per-track. So the on-beats then hit in different places.

Plus it also affects the relative position of stuff which is clocked, like delays etc.

@Dr.K

It would be surprising if the Hapax really uses the other method.

That’s what it says in the manual! Plus a little graphic on the Hapax screen clearly shows it when you apply the swing.

I agree, it is surprising! I’m hoping Squarp will add a setting to have it the normal way.

I’m rewiring my studio atm. When it’s back up I’ll test it and check for sure what’s happening!

[Dr.K]

@Laser

Not exactly, because the swing is per-track. So the on-beats then hit in different places.

Oh ok, that makes it even weirder. Looking forward to hear about your testing…

[Jindrek]

I think a introspective song sounds better slowed down. Just wanted to add this. Nothing I listen to is the same.

[reeloy]

…don’t get me started on tempi…

what bpm count is always my first and everlasting struggle…

at least i know for sure, there’s no too slow…but there’s always a too fast…

in most cases under 100 bpm, u have a clear advantage over time and groove details, if u program always at doubled bpm count…

[KingDuppy]

I’m extremely sensitive to tempos and can hear 1bpm differences pretty easily below 115 or so.

Once I’m locked in a groove, 1bpm faster feels Exciting!!! And 1 bpm slower feels like walking through heavy, heavy snow.

For this reason, I tend to intentionally set my choruses a little faster than the verse, and my bridges a little slower, for emotional variety and better storytelling.

I also tend to rush in my playing, which is extremely bad form for a bassist. If Im not careful, I often end a song 5 bpm faster than I started. I think some of that is physical fatigue, which makes me try to get thru the composition faster.

Or maybe it’s just undisciplined enthusiasm.

I’ve taken up meditation (for mostly other reasons but also) as a way to try to correct this rushing tendency. It’s going okay so far. Still need more practice.