BEATTIMING
Tempo-synced modulation

BPM to Hz / LFO rate

Convert musical note divisions into hertz for tempo-synced LFOs, modulation and automation.

Quarter-note frequency2.000 Hz
NoteStraightDottedTriplet
1/1Whole0.500 Hz0.3333 Hz0.750 Hz
1/2Half1.000 Hz0.667 Hz1.500 Hz
1/4Quarter2.000 Hz1.333 Hz3.000 Hz
1/8Eighth4.000 Hz2.667 Hz6.000 Hz
1/16Sixteenth8.000 Hz5.333 Hz12.000 Hz
1/32Thirty-second16.000 Hz10.667 Hz24.000 Hz
Formula

How to convert BPM to Hz for an LFO

Hertz measures cycles per second. A quarter-note LFO rate is BPM divided by 60; shorter note divisions complete more cycles each second, while longer divisions complete fewer. Use the result when a modulation control accepts Hz but has no tempo-sync mode.

frequency (Hz) = 1 ÷ note duration in seconds

  1. 01

    A quarter-note cycle at 120 BPM equals 2 Hz because it completes twice per second.

  2. 02

    Use lower frequencies for slow filter movement and higher subdivisions for rhythmic modulation.

  3. 03

    When a plugin supports host sync, select the note division directly; use Hz when it does not.

Worked example

Example: LFO rates at 120 BPM

At 120 BPM, a quarter-note cycle is 2 Hz. An eighth-note cycle is 4 Hz, while a whole-note cycle is 0.5 Hz. Each rate completes one full modulation cycle over the selected note value.

Good to know

Assumptions and limits

  • One LFO cycle should span the selected musical note duration.
  • BPM refers to quarter-note beats unless your tempo marking specifies another unit.
  • A free-running LFO may drift unless the plugin also resets its phase with the song or note.
Quick answers

Frequently asked questions

Is BPM the same as Hz?

Both describe frequency, but BPM counts cycles per minute and Hz counts cycles per second. Divide BPM by 60 for quarter-note cycles per second.

What is 120 BPM in Hz?

The quarter-note pulse at 120 BPM is 2 Hz. Other note divisions have proportionally faster or slower frequencies.

Can I use this for tremolo and chorus?

Yes. Any modulation control measured in Hz can be aligned approximately to tempo using these values.