Delay Calculator
Delay Time Results
| Note Value | Straight (ms) | Dotted (ms) | Triplet (ms) |
|---|
Use this Delay Calculator to convert a song’s tempo into delay time in milliseconds (ms). Enter the BPM, select a musical note value, and calculate timing for quarter notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, dotted notes, and triplets. You can also enter a custom delay time when you already know the value you want to use.
Whether you are mixing vocals, programming guitar echoes, creating rhythmic synth patterns, or adjusting a delay plugin, calculating the correct timing helps you make informed decisions about how repeats interact with the beat.
How to Use the Delay Calculator
- Enter your BPM: Input the tempo of your song, such as 90, 120, or 140 BPM.
- Choose a note value: Select the rhythmic subdivision you want your delay to follow.
- Read the result: The calculator converts the selected note duration into milliseconds.
- Set your delay plugin: Enter the calculated value into the delay-time control if your plugin accepts milliseconds.
- Listen and adjust: Play the effect with the full arrangement and adjust the feedback, mix level, or timing to achieve the desired sound.
You can also select the custom-time mode to calculate or check a specific delay value in milliseconds.
How to Calculate Delay Time from BPM
A tempo-synced delay uses the song’s tempo to determine the interval between repeats. The calculation begins with the duration of one quarter-note beat.
Quarter-note delay formula:
Delay time (ms) = 60,000 ÷ BPM
There are 60,000 milliseconds in one minute. Dividing that number by the beats per minute gives the duration of one quarter note, assuming the BPM represents quarter-note beats.
For other note values, multiply the quarter-note duration by the appropriate note-length factor:
Delay time (ms) = (60,000 ÷ BPM) × note-value factor
For example, an eighth note has a factor of 0.5, a sixteenth note has a factor of 0.25, and a dotted eighth note has a factor of 0.75.
Delay Time Calculation Example at 120 BPM
At 120 BPM, the quarter-note duration is:
60,000 ÷ 120 = 500 ms
From that result:
| Note value | Calculation | Delay time |
|---|---|---|
| Half note | 500 × 2 | 1,000 ms |
| Quarter note | 500 × 1 | 500 ms |
| Eighth note | 500 × 0.5 | 250 ms |
| Dotted eighth | 500 × 0.75 | 375 ms |
| Sixteenth note | 500 × 0.25 | 125 ms |
| Eighth-note triplet | 500 ÷ 3 | 166.67 ms |
These values provide timing references for your delay effect. The most suitable setting depends on the rhythm, musical phrase, sound source, and intended effect.
For related calculations and production guidance, use the Reverb Calculator
Common Delay Note Values Explained
Quarter-Note Delay
A quarter-note delay repeats at intervals of one beat when the tempo is measured in quarter-note beats. It can reinforce the pulse of a song and work well when you want clearly spaced echoes.
Eighth-Note Delay
An eighth-note delay repeats twice per quarter-note beat. Its shorter interval can add rhythmic movement without leaving as much space between repeats as a quarter-note delay.
Sixteenth-Note Delay
A sixteenth-note delay creates faster repeats. Depending on the source, feedback, and mix level, it can add rhythmic detail or thicken a sound without producing widely spaced echoes.
Dotted-Eighth Delay
A dotted note lasts one and a half times as long as its corresponding straight note. A dotted eighth is therefore 0.75 of a quarter-note beat.
At 120 BPM, a dotted-eighth delay is 375 ms. This timing can create a syncopated pattern that moves between the main beats, making it useful for experimenting with guitar parts, arpeggios, and rhythmic effects.
Triplet Delay
A triplet divides a rhythmic value into three equal parts within the space normally occupied by two notes of that value. An eighth-note triplet lasts one-third of a quarter-note beat.
At 120 BPM, an eighth-note triplet lasts approximately 166.67 ms. Triplet timing can introduce a rolling or swung rhythmic character when it complements the musical phrase.
What Delay Time Should You Use?
There is no single delay time that works for every instrument or mix. Use the song’s tempo and note subdivisions as a starting point, then listen to how the repeats interact with the original performance.
| Desired effect | Timing to experiment with | What to listen for |
|---|---|---|
| Repeats that reinforce the main beat | Quarter note | Clear, evenly spaced echoes |
| Rhythmic movement behind a vocal | Eighth note | Repeats that support the phrase without masking words |
| Syncopated guitar or synth patterns | Dotted eighth | A repeating pattern that moves around the beat |
| Faster rhythmic detail | Sixteenth note | Added texture without excessive clutter |
| Triplet-based rhythmic movement | Eighth-note triplet | Repeats that complement triplet phrasing |
| Short echo or thickening effect | Custom short delay | A sense of depth without distracting repeats |
These are starting points, not fixed rules. Feedback controls how many repeats remain audible, while the wet/dry mix controls the balance between the processed and original signals. Filtering and stereo settings also affect the perceived result.
Tempo-Synced Delay vs. Custom Delay Time
A tempo-synced delay uses a musical note value to align repeats with the track’s pulse. It is useful when you want a consistent rhythmic relationship between the original sound and subsequent echoes.
A custom delay uses a specific time in milliseconds instead. This can be useful for short echoes, sound design, doubling effects, or timing choices that do not need to follow a particular note subdivision.
Neither method is automatically better. Choose tempo synchronization when rhythmic alignment is important, and use a custom value when the sound or arrangement calls for a different interval.
Delay Time vs. Reverb Pre-Delay
Delay time and reverb pre-delay are related timing concepts, but they serve different functions.
- Delay time determines the interval between repetitions of a delay effect.
- Reverb pre-delay determines the time between the original sound and the onset of the reverb response.
- Reverb decay time describes how long the reverberant sound takes to fade.
For example, a delay plugin might repeat an echo every 250 ms, while a reverb plugin might use a pre-delay of 30 ms. These settings control different parts of the sound and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Read our guide to pre-delay vs. decay time for a more detailed explanation.
Common Delay Timing Problems
The echoes do not fit the rhythm
Check that you entered the correct BPM and selected the intended note value. A dotted note and a straight note have different durations, even when they share the same basic note name.
The delay sounds too busy
Try a shorter feedback setting, reduce the wet level, or choose a different note subdivision. Too many audible repeats can compete with the lead sound and other instruments.
The delay sounds disconnected from the track
Check whether the chosen interval fits the musical phrase. A tempo-synced value can be mathematically correct but still feel unsuitable for a particular performance.
The delay plugin displays a different value
Some plugins use note labels, host-tempo synchronization, or different control conventions instead of showing milliseconds directly. Check the plugin’s timing mode and confirm which note subdivision it represents before comparing values.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate delay time in milliseconds?
Divide 60,000 by the BPM to calculate the quarter-note duration in milliseconds. Multiply that result by the chosen note-value factor to calculate other subdivisions.
What is the delay time at 120 BPM?
At 120 BPM, a quarter note is 500 ms, an eighth note is 250 ms, a dotted eighth is 375 ms, and a sixteenth note is 125 ms.
What is a dotted-eighth delay?
A dotted-eighth delay lasts three-quarters of a quarter-note beat. At 120 BPM, that equals 375 ms. It creates a different rhythmic placement from a straight eighth-note delay, which lasts 250 ms at the same tempo.
Is delay time the same as echo time?
In many audio contexts, delay refers to the time interval before a repeated sound is heard. An echo is a perceptible repetition created by a delay or an acoustic reflection. Whether repeats sound like distinct echoes depends on timing, feedback, mix level, and the source.
Should delay always be synchronized to BPM?
No. Tempo synchronization is useful when repeats should follow the musical pulse. A custom delay time can be more suitable for short echoes, doubling effects, and creative sound design.
Can I use the calculated delay time with any plugin?
You can use the calculated millisecond value with a plugin that provides a compatible time control. Some plugins synchronize directly to the DAW tempo or display note values instead, so check the available controls before entering a number.
Calculate Your Delay Time
Use the calculator above to convert BPM into milliseconds, compare note subdivisions, and find a practical timing reference for your audio effects. Then listen to the result in the context of your track and adjust it to fit the arrangement.
explore our Delay Time Guide, or read How to Use Delay and Reverb Together.