Currently, many users are discussing “FX TIME” within music trackers as a means to adjust song speed. While “FX TIME” offers some temporal manipulation, it falls short of providing the precise control offered by a dedicated “SPEED” parameter, commonly found in classic trackers. For users seeking finer rhythmic granularity, “FX TIME” presents limitations. For example, achieving a desired feel for a 120 BPM track might necessitate doubling the BPM to 240. However, this adjustment globally affects the entire tracker environment, creating significant workflow disruptions. This forces users to work at a restricted 1/16 resolution, which is a considerable constraint for intricate rhythmic composition.
The Need for Enhanced Rhythmic Resolution
The primary goal is to enable music creators to work at a fixed Song Bpm while simultaneously gaining access to a more granular timing grid. Instead of being limited to kick drums hitting on every fourth step, a finer grid allows for placements at every 4th, 5th, or any desired step within practical limits. This unlocks the ability to program triplets and utilize higher resolutions such as 1/32, 1/64, or even 1/128 notes, vastly expanding rhythmic possibilities.
Why BPM Adjustment is an Inadequate Workaround
Simply doubling the song bpm is not a viable solution. As previously mentioned, this workaround creates system-wide changes, impacting elements beyond just timing and disrupting the overall workflow.
Historical Precedent: The SPEED Parameter
Virtually every established tracker since the late 1980s has incorporated a “SPEED” parameter. If this tracker aims to emulate or build upon the legacy of these classic tools, the absence of a default “SPEED” parameter is surprising.
Practical Illustration of SPEED Parameter Functionality
Consider this example: At 120 BPM and SPEED 06, a kick drum occurs every four lines. Changing the SPEED to 03 at the same 120 BPM results in the kick drum occurring every eight lines. Crucially, this is distinct from simply doubling the BPM. A dedicated SPEED parameter provides the ability to create music with diverse and nuanced timing variations, independent of the base song bpm.
Clarification of Request
This is a request for the implementation of a dedicated SPEED parameter within the SONG settings page, ideally positioned near the BPM control. This is not a request for an FX plugin workaround, but rather a fundamental feature enhancement to provide greater control over rhythmic resolution, a standard feature in traditional music trackers.
