What a tempo map is and why you'd copy one

A tempo map in Reaper is the set of instructions that tells the software how fast to play your project at each point in time. Instead of locking everything to one steady beat, a tempo map lets you speed up, slow down, or jump between different tempos — the way a live band might rush into a chorus or drag out a bridge.

You copy a tempo map when you want to reuse the same tempo changes in a different project. If you've spent an hour getting the timing right for one song, you don't want to rebuild it from scratch for the next one. Copying saves that work and keeps your timing consistent across multiple files.

Key Takeaways

  • Reaper stores tempo information in the Tempo/Playrate envelope, which you can select and copy like any other track data.
  • The fastest method is to select the tempo envelope, copy it with Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then paste it into your new project.
  • If you want to move only part of a tempo map, you can select a time range first, then copy just that section.
  • Pasting a tempo map into a project that already has tempo changes will layer the new map on top of the old one, so clear the existing tempo first if you want a clean start.

Finding and selecting the tempo envelope

The tempo map lives in the Tempo/Playrate envelope, which is separate from your audio and MIDI tracks. To see it, look at the top of your Reaper window where the master track controls are. You should see a small area above the main track list — this is where Reaper displays the tempo envelope by default.

If you don't see it, go to View menu, then Envelopes, and make sure Tempo/Playrate is checked. Once it's visible, click anywhere on that tempo envelope area to select it. The envelope will highlight, showing you all the tempo points you've created.

Copying the entire tempo map

Once the tempo envelope is selected, copy it the same way you'd copy anything else: press Ctrl+C on Windows or Cmd+C on Mac. Reaper will store the entire tempo map in your clipboard, including every tempo point and every transition between tempos.

Now open the project where you want to paste this tempo map. Click on the tempo envelope area in that project to select it, then paste with Ctrl+V or Cmd+V. The tempo map will appear in your new project, and Reaper will automatically adjust the timing of any existing content to match the new tempo changes.

Copying only part of a tempo map

If your tempo map is long and you only need a section of it, you can copy just that portion. First, select the time range you want to copy by clicking and dragging on the timeline at the top of your project. The selected area will highlight in a lighter color.

With that time range selected, copy as usual with Ctrl+C or Cmd+C. When you paste into another project, Reaper will paste only the tempo points that fall within the time range you selected. This is useful when you want to reuse a specific drum break or tempo shift without the whole map.

Handling existing tempo maps in your destination project

When you paste a tempo map into a project that already has tempo changes, Reaper will add the new tempo points on top of the existing ones. This can create unexpected results — you might end up with overlapping tempo changes that fight each other.

To avoid this, clear the existing tempo map first. Click on the tempo envelope area, then press Delete. This removes all tempo points from that project. Now when you paste your copied tempo map, it will be the only set of tempo instructions in the file, and you'll get exactly what you copied.

Using the tempo map in a different time signature or project length

Reaper pastes tempo maps based on absolute time, not on beat position. This means if your original project was in 4/4 and your new project is in 7/8, the tempo points will land at the same clock times, not the same musical positions. You may need to adjust them manually if the time signature changes.

Similarly, if your copied tempo map extends beyond the length of your new project, Reaper will paste all of it, but the points that fall outside your project's current length won't be heard. You can extend your project length in the Project Settings, or you can manually delete the extra tempo points you don't need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy a tempo map from one track and paste it to another?

No — the tempo map is global to the entire project, not tied to individual tracks. When you copy and paste the tempo envelope, it affects the whole project's timing. There's only one tempo map per project.

What if I paste a tempo map and the audio sounds wrong?

Check whether your audio tracks are set to stretch with tempo changes. Right-click an audio item, go to Item Settings, and look for the time-stretch mode. If it's set to "Ignore project tempo", the audio won't follow your new tempo map. Change it to "Stretch" or "Resample" depending on your needs.

Can I undo a tempo map paste?

Yes — press Ctrl+Z or Cmd+Z when ready after pasting to undo. Reaper's undo history will restore your previous tempo map. You can undo multiple steps if needed.

How do I save a tempo map so I can use it in future projects?

Copy the tempo envelope and paste it into a blank Reaper project with nothing else in it. Save that project as a template with a clear name like "Tempo_Map_Ballad.RPP". Later, you can open that template, copy the tempo envelope, and paste it into any new project.