How to change tempo without affecting the music (only the grid)

This is a very basic problem. I have been laying songs (audio files) onto logic and recording vocals over them, and now that I am finished with the recording, i realize that in order to copy and paste the choruses EXACTLY throughout the songs, which can be quite arduous the way I have been trying to do it, one needs to have matched the proper tempo with the the music being used.

I neglected to do this at the start of these projects, and it has come back to bite me because when I try to change the tempo now, it completely throws my vocals out of whack because my voice is off beat. This is where the problem lies. I know had I addressed this at the beginning, I would be smooth sailing.

I also tried setting the tempo at the proper rate on a new logic project, but when I drag everything over from the original project, the same problem occurs.

In reality, I need the grid to match up so I have the proper means to line up my vocals exactly so the choruses are consistent throughout the song (obviously I can do it manually in a way regular listeners might not notice, but Im dissatisfied with that, I want it to be perfect)

Again, I know that if I had matched the tempo properly with the audio file (the music) at the beginning, there would be no problems, and I'd be able to record over it and then use the bars to align my vocals perfectly.

If some one would be so kind as to get back to me on this, it would be highly appreciated

Posted on Nov 11, 2009 4:29 PM

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28 replies

Nov 14, 2009 7:18 PM in response to iSchwartz

I just sent you the file. The tempo is currently at the default 120. the tempo I need to set this song to is 97bpm.

The problem is identical for each of my 12 songs. This one is the most basic, in that I have automated it the least.

It would also work for me if we could set the tempo to the desired speed on a brand new project, and then just drag over the audio files from the original and get it to work that way.

Please let me know what happens, thanks!

Nov 14, 2009 7:24 PM in response to iSchwartz

Hi Ojan,

Thanks for sending the file! 🙂

I took a look at it and was able to lock everything (all regions and automation) and change the tempo without seeing the automation fly off or disappear. I even added a tempo event at mm 26 and changed it independently of the original tempo event. Everything worked as I would have expected.

I'm not sure how to advise you at this point other than to try again... And if it doesn't work, maybe you should make a video (like a screen capture movie) of you trying this on your system and post it to youtube so that we can see the problem with the automation in action.

Nov 15, 2009 2:38 PM in response to iSchwartz

Wow, I was hoping that wouldnt happen, because now I don't know what to do. The same thing is happening for me, nothing has changed. As soon as I change the tempo all of the yellow automation lines go flat across all tracks..

Do you have any other idea as to why this could be happening? Could I be missing a detail in the instructions you gave me? Please let me know of any nuances that are crucial along the steps to successfully changing the tempo while keeping automation in place.

Maybe I can add a tempo event across the entire song and get it to work that way.. how would I do that? Thanks again Schwartz, and get back to me when you can.

Nov 15, 2009 6:50 PM in response to iSchwartz

Man, still no luck.. Setting the bar ruler to Time didn't make a difference, unfortunately. The yellow bar just goes flat.. Do you think the link button is relevant here?

Could I try accomplishing this by "adding a tempo event"? If so, how would I go about doing that? Or, how about starting a new project, setting the tempo, and then dragging the regions over while still keeping it all together.. I would be happy with that too..

Dec 19, 2009 11:46 PM in response to iSchwartz

ISchwartz, i am still struggling here with this locking issue!! the regions are locking fine, but the automation is NOT locking on any of my projects... After locking it, exactly how you've taught me to, I can still click and MOVE automation, which results in the flattening out of the yellow automation curve across the entire track (whatever track's automation I clicked on and moved).

So Ive narrowed it down a little (after a month...) The problem is that I am not able to SMPTE lock the automation. I hope you can still help me trouble shoot. THANKS

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How to change tempo without affecting the music (only the grid)

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