Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator
Fill in the values and the answer updates as you type.
How the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator works
Frequency ratio = 2^(semitones ÷ 12). When you change playback speed on a turntable or tape machine, pitch and tempo move together by that same ratio. Digital time-stretching can change pitch without changing tempo, so the tempo result applies only to speed-based pitch shifting. A negative shift slows the audio down. Example: with Pitch shift 2 semitones, Extra fine tuning 0 cents, and Original tempo 120 BPM, the result is Speed change (vinyl, tape, varispeed) = 12.25%; Frequency ratio = 1.1225; Tempo at that speed (BPM) = 134.7.
Inputs and results
The Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator takes 3 inputs and gives 4 results.
What you enter
- Pitch shift (semitones) — starts at 2.
- Extra fine tuning (cents) — starts at 0.
- Original tempo (BPM) — starts at 120.
What you get
- Speed change (vinyl, tape, varispeed)
- Frequency ratio
- Tempo at that speed (BPM)
- Total shift (cents)
Example: Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator with the starting values
With pitch shift 2 semitones, extra fine tuning 0 cents and original tempo 120 BPM, the calculator returns:
| Speed change (vinyl, tape, varispeed) | 12.25% |
|---|---|
| Frequency ratio | 1.1225 |
| Tempo at that speed (BPM) | 134.7 |
| Total shift (cents) | 200 |
Change any value above and the results update straight away.
Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator FAQ
How do I use the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator?
Enter pitch shift, extra fine tuning and original tempo in the fields, then read speed change (vinyl, tape, varispeed), frequency ratio, tempo at that speed (bpm) and total shift (cents) in the result panel. The answer updates as you type, and you can press Calculate or Enter to refresh it. Use “Copy link” to share your exact numbers with someone else.
What does the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator calculate?
Speed change and new tempo for a pitch shift in semitones and cents. It returns speed change (vinyl, tape, varispeed), frequency ratio, tempo at that speed (bpm) and total shift (cents) from the 3 values you provide.
What values does the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator start with?
It opens with pitch shift 2 semitones, extra fine tuning 0 cents and original tempo 120 BPM so you can see a working result straight away. Replace them with your own numbers, or press Reset to return to these starting values.
Is the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator free and private?
Yes. It is free, needs no account, and runs in your browser, so nothing you type is sent to or stored on our servers. See the Privacy Policy for details.
Can I rely on the Pitch Shift and Tape Speed Calculator for important decisions?
Treat the result as a well-rounded estimate. Real situations often have details a general calculator cannot know, so confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. See the Disclaimer for more.