BPM and 15, 30, 60, 90 second breakdowns.

[joe44850]

Hey guys, I don't know if this is the proper channel for this, but lately I've been working with a library that wants 15, 30, and 60 second versions of my submissions. This can get really tricky, unless you use specific beats per minute right from the jump, then it gets easier. Here is a helpful guide for 4/4 time signatures and BPM breakdowns:

1. Lower Tempos (Slow to Medium: 80-120 BPM)
* 80 BPM
* 15 sec = 8 measures
* 30 sec = 16 measures
* 60 sec = 32 measures
* 90 sec = 48 measures
* 100 BPM
* 15 sec = 10 measures
* 30 sec = 20 measures
* 60 sec = 40 measures
* 90 sec = 60 measures
* 120 BPM (Great for upbeat tracks)
* 15 sec = 16 measures
* 30 sec = 32 measures
* 60 sec = 64 measures
* 90 sec = 96 measures
2. Higher Tempos (Faster Energy: 125-160 BPM)
* 125 BPM
* 15 sec = 16 measures
* 30 sec = 32 measures
* 60 sec = 64 measures
* 90 sec = 96 measures
* 140 BPM
* 15 sec = 18 measures
* 30 sec = 36 measures
* 60 sec = 72 measures
* 90 sec = 108 measures
* 160 BPM (For high-energy tracks)
* 15 sec = 20 measures
* 30 sec = 40 measures
* 60 sec = 80 measures
* 90 sec = 120 measures


What about in between? Here is a breakdown for some in between bpm (you'll have to make some slight adjustments to your tracks)
85 BPM (Each measure = ~2.82 sec)
* 15 sec → ~5.3 measures (round to 6)
* 30 sec → ~10.6 measures (round to 12)
* 60 sec → ~21.2 measures (round to 24)
* 90 sec → ~31.8 measures (round to 32 or 36)
88 BPM (Each measure = ~2.73 sec)
* 15 sec → ~5.5 measures (round to 6)
* 30 sec → ~11 measures (round to 12)
* 60 sec → ~22 measures (round to 24)
* 90 sec → ~33 measures (round to 34 or 36)
90 BPM (Each measure = ~2.67 sec)
* 15 sec → ~5.6 measures (round to 6)
* 30 sec → ~11.2 measures (round to 12)
* 60 sec → ~22.4 measures (round to 24)
* 90 sec → ~33.6 measures (round to 34 or 36)
95 BPM (Each measure = ~2.53 sec)
* 15 sec → ~5.9 measures (round to 6)
* 30 sec → ~11.8 measures (round to 12)
* 60 sec → ~23.7 measures (round to 24)
* 90 sec → ~35.6 measures (round to 36)
Best Options for Mid-Tempo
* 85 BPM and 88 BPM work great if you're aiming for a smoother, slightly slower groove without big phrase misalignments.
* 90 BPM is still usable but requires careful structuring to round up to 6, 12, 24, or 36 bars.
* 95 BPM starts to align better again, but it's on the edge of feeling more upbeat.

Breakdown of Mid-Tempo BPMs (105-115 BPM) in 4/4
Here’s how the measure counts align for 105 BPM, 108 BPM, 110 BPM, and 115 BPM:
105 BPM (Each measure = ~2.29 sec)
* 15 sec → ~6.5 measures (round to 7 or adjust)
* 30 sec → ~13.1 measures (round to 14 or 16)
* 60 sec → ~26.2 measures (round to 28)
* 90 sec → ~39.3 measures (round to 40 or 42)
108 BPM (Each measure = ~2.22 sec)
* 15 sec → ~6.8 measures (round to 7 or adjust)
* 30 sec → ~13.5 measures (round to 14 or 16)
* 60 sec → ~27 measures (round to 28)
* 90 sec → ~40.5 measures (round to 42)
110 BPM (Each measure = ~2.18 sec)
* 15 sec → ~6.9 measures (round to 7 or adjust)
* 30 sec → ~13.8 measures (round to 14 or 16)
* 60 sec → ~27.6 measures (round to 28)
* 90 sec → ~41.4 measures (round to 42)
115 BPM (Each measure = ~2.09 sec)
* 15 sec → ~7.2 measures (round to 8)
* 30 sec → ~14.3 measures (round to 14 or 16)
* 60 sec → ~28.7 measures (round to 28 or 30)
* 90 sec → ~43.1 measures (round to 44)

[telefunkin]

....or you could use the ruler in your DAW with the setting on seconds.

[joe44850]

....or you could use the ruler in your DAW with the setting on seconds.

haha that actually might not be a bad idea

[telefunkin]

....or you could use the ruler in your DAW with the setting on seconds.

haha that actually might not be a bad idea

I use it all the time

post617728.html?hilit=cut%20down#p617728

[cosmicdolphin]

Hey guys, I don't know if this is the proper channel for this, but lately I've been working with a library that wants 15, 30, and 60 second versions of my submissions. This can get really tricky, unless you use specific beats per minute right from the jump, then it gets easier. Here is a helpful guide for 4/4 time signatures and BPM breakdowns:

Easier to just write in the BPM the track needs IMHO, then you can finesse the cutdown by using pickups , extra stings etc.

[VanderBoegh]

Easier to just write in the BPM the track needs IMHO, then you can finesse the cutdown by using pickups , extra stings etc.

Mark said it best. Don't try to "game" the system when it comes to BPM's for perfect 15/30/60 sec breakdowns. I made a video on this exact thing, actually, because I've seen this same thing come up often enough in my 15 years in this business:

https://youtu.be/KiyK4bRZ7bg

Hope that helps explain why it's not a worthwhile exercise to try to "math this stuff out". No offense, Joe... you're just the latest in a long line of people that have gone down this same rabbit hole in the past - which is exactly why I made a video about it!

~~Matt

[cosmicdolphin]

Hope that helps explain why it's not a worthwhile exercise to try to "math this stuff out" - which is exactly why I made a video about it!

This is the way.

[telefunkin]

Save the math for your delay repeats .