Tremolo Rate Calculator
Convert a musical note value and BPM into the exact tremolo LFO rate in Hz needed to sync amplitude modulation to your track's tempo. Ideal for guitarists, keyboardists, and producers setting hardware or software tremolo effects.
About this calculator
Tremolo is an effect that periodically varies the amplitude (volume) of a signal, creating a rhythmic pulsing. To make tremolo feel musical rather than random, its LFO rate must align with the song's tempo. The formula is: rate (Hz) = (BPM / 60) × noteValue. Dividing BPM by 60 converts beats per minute to beats per second. The noteValue parameter represents the rhythmic subdivision: a value of 1 means one cycle per beat (quarter-note tremolo), 0.5 means one cycle per half note, and 2 means two cycles per beat (eighth-note tremolo). This mirrors how DAW sync options work, mapping musical note divisions to actual Hz values. Getting this right ensures the tremolo pulses land on musically meaningful positions rather than floating freely against the rhythm.
How to use
Imagine you want an eighth-note tremolo on a track at 100 BPM. An eighth note corresponds to noteValue = 2 (two cycles per beat). Step 1 – Enter BPM = 100 and Note Rate = 2. Step 2 – Apply the formula: rate = (100 / 60) × 2 = 1.667 × 2 ≈ 3.33 Hz. Step 3 – Set your tremolo pedal or plugin LFO to 3.33 Hz. The volume will now pulse twice per beat, perfectly in time with the track. For a quarter-note pulse at the same tempo, use noteValue = 1, giving 1.67 Hz.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate tremolo rate in Hz from BPM and note value?
Divide your BPM by 60 to get beats per second, then multiply by your note value. The note value represents how many LFO cycles occur per beat: use 1 for quarter notes, 2 for eighth notes, 0.5 for half notes, and 4 for sixteenth notes. For example, at 120 BPM with a quarter-note rate: (120/60) × 1 = 2 Hz. This Hz value is what you enter directly into hardware tremolo units or any plugin that accepts manual Hz input instead of tempo-sync options.
What note value should I use for a slow, hypnotic tremolo effect?
For a slow, hypnotic tremolo, use note values of 0.5 (half note) or even 0.25 (whole note). At 90 BPM with noteValue = 0.5, the rate would be (90/60) × 0.5 = 0.75 Hz — one full volume pulse every 1.33 seconds, which feels languid and wave-like. This type of tremolo is popular on ambient guitar, organ pads, and slow ballads. It creates a breathing quality rather than a rhythmic chop, sitting back in the mix without drawing attention to individual pulses.
What is the difference between tremolo and vibrato in music effects?
Tremolo modulates amplitude (volume), while vibrato modulates pitch. When a tremolo effect is active, the signal gets louder and quieter at a set rate — the pitch stays constant. Vibrato, by contrast, causes the pitch to rise and fall slightly around the target note, similar to a singer's natural vocal wavering. Confusingly, the vibrato arm on a guitar (often called a 'tremolo arm') actually produces pitch modulation, not amplitude modulation — a historical misnaming that has persisted. When using a tremolo calculator, you are always working with volume-based modulation.