Reverb & Delay Time Calculator

How to Use Delay Time in Your Mix

Setting your delay times to match your song's tempo creates rhythmic echoes that sit perfectly in the groove rather than clashing with the beat. This is essential for clean, professional-sounding mixes.

The Formula

The base calculation is simple: Quarter Note (ms) = 60,000 / BPM

From there, every other note value is a multiple or division:

• Dotted notes multiply by 1.5x (adds half the note value)
• Triplet notes multiply by 2/3 (three notes in the space of two)

Choosing Delay Times

• 1/4 note — Classic slapback echo, great for vocals and guitars
• 1/8 note — Tighter rhythmic delays, popular in electronic music
• Dotted 1/8 — The "U2 delay" — creates a galloping, syncopated feel
• 1/16 note — Very fast, adds thickness and ambience without obvious echoes
• 1/32 note — Subtle doubling effect, thickens the sound

Reverb Pre-Delay

Pre-delay is the gap between the dry signal and the onset of reverb. Setting it to a tempo-synced value keeps the reverb from masking transients while staying musically coherent. A common approach is to use a 1/64 or 1/32 note value, which adds just enough space to preserve clarity.

Reverb Decay Time

Decay time determines how long the reverb tail lasts. For rhythmic material, sync it to 1 or 2 bars so the tail fades naturally before the next phrase. For ambient textures, longer decay times (4+ bars) create lush, sustained spaces.