How do I get iTunes to populate the BPM column in my library?

iTunes has a field for BPM, but offers no means to automatically populate it. To fill it in, you need to use a 3rd party BPM detection program such as Beatunes: http://www.beatunes.com/itunes-automatic-bpm-detection.html

Beatunes operates automatically and is designed to work seamlessly with iTunes.

Awesome, thanks ed235!

Awesome, Thanks, ed2345!

Thanks ED, but I notice it's fairly pricy at about $40. Is there no other option at a less expensive price?

jeb wrote:

Thanks ED, but I notice it's fairly pricy at about $40. Is there no other option at a less expensive price?

HI jeb,

There are several cheap or free iOS apps for BPM detection available in the App Store. They are more oriented to displaying BPM rather than directly updating your iTunes database, but maybe that will work for you.

right. Should have thought of that. Thanks ed.

Ed I know its been a year since this post started

Do you know if there have been any bpm counter apps created for iTunes that I can use on my macbook pro?

I have the bpm counter app but it doesn't work so well

I would like to have my iTunes just show me the bpm's is there a way to do this?

THANKS so much

I too teach aqua and its been years I have searched this out

Since you posted this question over a year ago have you learned of any new and wonderful alternative ways to solve this challenge?

Hi Coach,

Although I haven't personally used it, another option would be Mixmeister. The full program is kind of pricey, but if you want only the BPM Analyzer, it is $4.

I use Tangerine, it is not supported very well, but it does a decent job of doing the bpm and then will transfer it to itunes. If you want to take the time, you can "tap" a song to get the beat you feel is correct if you don't agree. Mixmeister does not work well on a Mac, but works nicely on a PC. No support for that either, and the free bpm doesn't work well. There are apps out there, but they are no help with itunes, but you could manually go through and find the songs you wanted bpm on. Now itunes has changed the way they list song in the playlist and removed the bpm and I am trying to find a way to put the bpm back into the playlist. I suspect this isn't going to work. Which really is annoying. More than annoying, but I won't be rude. Even though I want to.

@java222: When you look at your playlists in iTunes,

• you have to switch into "Songs" mode (the button is on the top-right of the iTunes window, just below the "Search" field).
• Once you are in "Songs" mode, you can re-enable the BPM column by
• clicking on "Songs" again,
• then choosing "Show Columns"
• and then "Beats Per Minute".

That aside, to determine BPM for iTunes songs on OS X, there is also BeatGauge (full disclosure—I'm the author).

Hello.

Please clarify what is meant on the website and in the App Store by 'Music files must be locally stored in iTunes and writeable'. All my music files that are displayed in iTunes are stored on an external hard drive. Will this affect the effectiveness of the app?

Thanks.

locally stored = internal or external drive, but not on iCloud

writable = can't be read-only (I guess that's a given)

in iTunes = this app requires iTunes. it does not work on files alone.

Also, the files must not be DRM protected, which is the case for old iTunes bought files and Apple Music files!

Regarding your external drive question: Because of sandbox issues, the app works best with music files stored in /Users/NAME/Music

If for some reason the app cannot find your files, please try dragging directly from Finder instead of iTunes and/or contact support.

Thank you. That is very helpful.

Theres an app called BPM where you can tap out the beat on your phone and then MANUALLY input it into your Library.