FAQ

How does TempoSense detect the tempo?

It listens through the microphone or a line feed, measures how the sound changes from moment to moment, finds the strongest repeating period inside the BPM range you chose and tracks it with an octave guard. Four detectors cover drums, the full mix, the low end and material without drums; Auto follows the clearest one.

Is anything recorded or uploaded?

No. All analysis happens in your browser and no audio leaves the device. The only things stored are your settings and, if you switch it on, the set log of tempos.

Why does it show half or double the tempo?

A click every 345 ms is 174 or 87 BPM — no detector can tell. The range pill decides, and ½× / 2× fix it in one tap. See Getting started.

Which mode should I use?

Leave it on Auto unless you know the material. Transient for drums and clicks, Groove for the full mix, Low-end for loud rooms where reverb smears everything but the kick, Harmonic for piano, strings or choir with no drums.

What does "drifting" mean?

The tracked tempo has moved more than 3 % in the last 10 seconds. With a DJ set or a click that is a real change; with a band it is usually the drummer. TempoSense shows it rather than smoothing it away, so the delay times stay honest.

Can it send the tempo to Ableton, LiveProfessor or a lighting desk?

Yes, in Chrome, Edge and Firefox via Web MIDI: the tempo and a delay time as controller values, beat pulses for ÷1 / ÷2 / ÷4 / ÷8 as notes, and MIDI clock. See Send the tempo to Ableton or LiveProfessor and Send beat pulses to a lighting desk.

Which browsers send MIDI?

Chrome, Edge and Firefox on a laptop. Safari and iOS have no Web MIDI; detection itself works everywhere with a microphone.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes — detection, layers, delay table, set log and display all work on the phone's built-in mic. Use a laptop with an interface for a line feed and for MIDI.

Can I feed it from the desk instead of a mic?

Yes. Send a pre-fader aux of drums or the full mix to input 1 of your interface, then pick the interface in Input ⚙. The level meter shows the feed arriving.

Does it track time signatures other than 4/4?

No. Bar tracking assumes 4/4. The tempo itself is detected in any metre; only the bar dots and the ÷4 bar pulse assume four beats to the bar.

Does it sync settings to my account?

No. Mode, range, input and MIDI settings are stored in the browser you use. Nothing needs an account beyond signing in to open the tool.

Is TempoSense free?

Yes. TempoSense is free with a free Squaresmile account, which also unlocks every other free Squaresmile browser tool.