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Tools for musicians and DJs

Tempo, key, tuning, chords and sound checks are gathered here, twelve tools in all. Most need no file at all, and the ones that read a file keep it on your device. The notes below sort out which tool answers which question.

Tempo: finder, tapper or metronome

The BPM finder listens to a file you provide and reports the tempo, with half and double time and the beat length in milliseconds. Tap tempo has no file: you tap a button or any key along with music you hear, and it averages your last sixteen taps. Use the finder when the track is on your device, and the tapper when it is playing somewhere else or in your head.

The metronome produces a beat rather than measuring one. It runs from 20 to 300 BPM with accents, subdivisions and several sounds, and both tempo tools link into it so you can practice at the number you found.

Key, wheel and chords

The key finder estimates the major or minor key of a file and lists the next two candidates, or finds a key from chord names you type. The Camelot wheel takes a key you already know and shows which neighbors blend well in a mix. The chord finder works from the other end: choose notes on a piano or guitar neck and it names the chord.

A file goes to the key finder, a key goes to the wheel, and a handful of notes goes to the chord finder. Because key estimates can land on the relative major or minor, it is worth checking the answer against the chord finder or your own ear before you build a set around it.

The three tuners

The guitar tuner has string buttons that play each target note and includes tunings such as drop D, DADGAD and bass. The ukulele tuner covers standard, low G, baritone and D tuning. The chromatic tuner makes no assumption about the instrument and names the nearest note for any pitch, with a settable reference frequency and an instrument-key option. Use the chromatic one for violin, voice, wind instruments or anything unlisted.

Sound checks and reference tones

The tone generator makes pure tones and noise at a frequency you choose. The mic test shows whether your microphone is picking sound up and how loud. The hearing check is a quick look at what you hear on your equipment, and not a medical hearing test; see an audiologist for a real one.

Use the tone generator to find a reference pitch to sing against, or to check whether a speaker reaches a low note. Keep the volume low when you play pure tones through headphones, because a steady loud sound tires the ears quickly.

More WaveTinker tools

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