Where to find and adjust the tempo in Mixcraft 9

The tempo control in Mixcraft 9 lives in the Transport panel at the top left of the main window, next to the play and stop buttons. You'll see a number field showing beats per minute (BPM) — this is where you change the speed of your entire project. Click directly on the BPM number, type a new value, and press Enter to apply it immediately.

Mixcraft also lets you change tempo without stopping playback. While your project plays, you can click the up and down arrows next to the BPM field to increase or decrease tempo in single-beat increments. This is useful if you're trying to find the right speed by ear rather than guessing a number.

Key Takeaways

  • The BPM field in the Transport panel at the top left controls the tempo for your entire project.
  • You can type a specific BPM number directly into the field or use the arrow buttons to adjust tempo while playing.
  • Changing tempo in Mixcraft 9 affects all tracks at once — there is no per-track tempo setting.
  • If you want different tempos in different sections, you can use tempo automation by drawing changes on a tempo track.

Typing in a specific tempo value

Click on the BPM number field in the Transport panel. The field will highlight, showing the current tempo value. Delete the existing number and type the tempo you want — for example, 120 for a standard dance tempo or 90 for a slower ballad.

Press Enter to confirm. Mixcraft will immediately resync all playing tracks to the new tempo. If your project is stopped, the change takes effect the next time you press play. There's no delay or processing time — the change is instant.

Using the tempo arrow buttons during playback

The small up and down arrows on either side of the BPM field let you adjust tempo by one beat at a time without stopping playback. This is helpful when you're listening to your project and want to nudge the speed up or down to hear how it feels.

Hold down one of the arrow buttons to change tempo continuously rather than one beat at a time. Release when you reach the speed you want. This method is slower than typing a number but gives you real-time feedback as you adjust.

Creating tempo changes across your project with automation

If you need different tempos in different sections — for example, a slower intro that speeds up into the main beat — you can use Mixcraft's tempo automation. Right-click on an empty area of the timeline and select Insert Tempo Track. A new track will appear at the top of your arrange window.

Click on the tempo track to add automation points. Each point represents a moment where the tempo changes. Click and drag a point up to increase tempo or down to decrease it. Mixcraft will smoothly transition between the tempos you set, creating a gradual speed change or an abrupt one depending on how close together your points are.

To remove a tempo point, right-click on it and select Delete. You can have as many tempo changes as you need in a single project, making it possible to build complex arrangements with multiple sections at different speeds.

Understanding how tempo affects your project

When you change the tempo in Mixcraft 9, all audio and MIDI tracks speed up or slow down together. Recorded audio will play faster or slower without changing pitch — this is different from pitch-shifting, which changes how high or low the sound is without changing speed.

If you've recorded audio at one tempo and then change the project tempo, the audio will no longer line up with the beat grid. To avoid this, set your tempo before recording, or use Mixcraft's time-stretching features to adjust recorded audio to match a new tempo without changing its pitch.

Syncing tempo with external devices or click tracks

Mixcraft can send tempo information to external hardware via MIDI clock. Go to Options > MIDI Settings and look for the MIDI clock output option. Enable it and select the MIDI port connected to your external device. Your hardware will now follow Mixcraft's tempo.

If you're working with a click track to keep time, Mixcraft's built-in metronome will follow whatever tempo you set. You can turn the metronome on or off using the speaker icon in the Transport panel, and adjust its volume with the slider next to it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the tempo of just one track?

No. Tempo in Mixcraft 9 is a project-wide setting — changing it affects all tracks at once. If you need one track at a different speed, you'll need to time-stretch that audio file separately or record it in a different project and import it.

What happens to my MIDI notes when I change tempo?

MIDI notes stay in the same position on the timeline but play at the new tempo. If a note was set to play on beat 2, it will still play on beat 2 even after you change the BPM. The timing stays locked to the grid.

Can I automate tempo changes to happen gradually?

Yes. Use the tempo track and place two automation points close together — one at the old tempo and one at the new tempo. Mixcraft will create a smooth transition between them. The closer the points, the faster the tempo change happens.

Does changing tempo affect the pitch of my audio?

No. Changing tempo in Mixcraft stretches the audio in time without changing how high or low it sounds. If you want to change pitch without changing tempo, use the pitch-shift tool on individual audio clips instead.