Smart Tempo Problem

I watched your video and I'm not sure if you have the right understanding of how the Smart Tempo works.

Here are a few things to be aware of:

• • Let's assume you import an audio file that does not have any tempo information embedded and you don't perform analysis during the import.
  • You select the audio file and open the Smart Tempo Editor where you choose "Remove Original Recording Tempo and Analyze Again" (just to make sure there is no existing Tempo information messing with the results)
  • IMPORTANT: The Smart Tempo Editor has its own Timeline, the Timeline of the Audio File that is displayed and you can play that Audio File independently from your Project by using the opt+space command. Enable the separate Click (in the upper right of the Smart Tempo Editor Menu Bar) and use the Volume Slider to balance between the level of the click and the audio file.

• • You do all the edits in the Smart Tempo Editor to adjust any "imperfections" of the analyzed Tempo Grid to make sure that the visible Beat Markers are correct. I can see in the video that you know how to do that.
  • Once you are sure that the tempo grid matches the performance in the audio file, you use the Apply Region Tempo to Project Tempo. This is a push command. REMEMBER, the Project Tempo and the Region Tempo of the various audio files are different and independent. You only copy them ("apply") in one or the other direction to overwrite the other one.
  • You don't change the Region Tempo in the Smart Tempo Editor and expect to have the Project updated accordingly. If needed, then you make the edit in the Smart Tempo and "push" those updated Tempo Markers to the Project Tempo Track again.
  • For all these actions, make sure that Flex is not enabled on the Tracks. Flex will add the next level to this magic (once the Region Beat Markers and Project Beat Markers lign up). Now you can change the Project Tempo and have the Region Tempo adjust accordingly. HOWEVER, this doesn't change the Beat Markers (the anchor on the audio waveform), it will stretch/squeeze the audio content based on the Beat/Flex Markers.

Here is a screenshot from my book that shows the two directions that you can "apply" the Beat Markers.

I would suggest that you import the Kareokee audio file again, make sure Flex is disabled on that Track, analyze the Region in the Smart Tempo Editor, do the necessary adjustments of the Beat Markers until the Region plays back correctly to the Smart Tempo Click. Then Apply the Region Tempo to the Project Tempo, and everything should line up fine (cross fingers).

Hope that helps,

Edgar R. (my "UserName")

Author of the best-selling book series "Graphically Enhanced Manuals"

When it gets like this you've got yourself two options:

You can start beat mapping. Not horrible, but not whatever the opposite of tedious is. So a little tedious.

Option two is to go into Smart Tempo Project Settings and at the bottom you will see an option for Export Tempo Resolution. Now you might be inclined to think "I'm trying to map this thing first, when it comes time to export I'll consider what I want the tempo resolution to be." And you would be right to think that, because of logic.

But you would be wrong, because of Logic.

Set it to beats, then move one of your markers again.

After you are all done you can thin and average the tempo data where applicable.