Note Delay Time
Calculator
Results
- Delay time (ms)
- 250
- Dotted note delay (ms)
- 375
- Triplet delay (ms)
- 166.666666
Music and audio results
| Delay time (ms) | 250 |
| Dotted note delay (ms) | 375 |
| Triplet delay (ms) | 166.666666 |
formula-map diagram
- Delay time (ms)
- 250
- Dotted note delay (ms)
- 375
- Triplet delay (ms)
- 166.666666
Musical and acoustic relationship
Formula
delay ms = (60000 ÷ BPM) × (4 ÷ note division)= 250
Note
This result is a simplified model: it applies the displayed standard formula to the values you entered, assuming twelve-tone equal temperament, a speed of sound of 343 m/s in dry air at 20 °C, an ideal free field with no reflections or air absorption, purely resistive speaker loads and Sabine's diffuse-field assumption. Real rooms, instruments, codecs and amplifiers depart from these idealisations, so measure with proper instruments for critical work.
More in Music and audio
See all →Frequently asked questions
What does this calculator actually output?+
It converts a chosen note value (quarter, eighth, dotted eighth, triplet, etc.) at a given BPM into the exact millisecond time your delay or echo effect should use. This lets a delay repeat in perfect rhythmic sync with the track.
Why would I choose a dotted eighth over a straight eighth for delay?+
A dotted eighth delay creates the syncopated, bouncing rhythmic pattern heard in genres like reggae, dub, and many pop guitar parts, because its repeats land slightly off the main beat subdivisions. A straight eighth delay instead reinforces the beat directly, sounding tighter and more mechanical.
How is a triplet delay time different from a straight one?+
A triplet divides the beat into three equal parts instead of two, so a triplet delay time is two-thirds the duration of the equivalent straight note value. This gives delays a looser, swung feel often used in hip-hop and jazz-influenced production.
Why does my delay sound out of time even after entering the BPM?+
If the track's tempo isn't perfectly constant (common in live-recorded material) or the DAW's BPM setting doesn't match the actual recording, the calculated delay time will drift out of sync over the course of the song. Always double-check the BPM against the actual audio, not just the project's tempo field.
Can I use this for reverb pre-delay too?+
Yes, though reverb pre-delay is usually set much shorter than rhythmic delay taps, often a 16th or 32nd note value, to add space and depth without an audible echo. The same BPM-based note-to-time conversion applies either way.