To catch the tempo, the program needs an “input” — somewhere to listen to the music. There are three sources, and each fits a different situation.
📍 Where: the source switch is in the sound settings (“Tempo source (Sound / MIDI)”) and right in the Live BPM panel (the “Mic / System / MIDI” buttons).
| Source | What it listens to | When to choose |
|---|---|---|
| 🎤 Microphone | Music in the room via the laptop microphone | The music plays “in the air”: a live performance, someone else’s PA |
| 🖥 System | The computer’s own sound (what it plays back) | The music plays from this same PC — a player, DJ software; cleaner than a microphone, doesn’t pick up room noise |
| 🔌 MIDI | Not sound, but MIDI clock — the exact tempo straight from DJ software / a controller / a DAW | The most accurate way: tempo and phase arrive as a digital signal, without “listening” |
How to turn it on:
- Choose a source.
- Press the “SOUND” button in the header — the program connects to the source.
- Watch the indicator: the metronome flashes in time, green = the rhythm is caught, yellow = searching (see 07.22).
MIDI clock specifics:
- In the source (DJ software, controller, DAW) enable “Send MIDI Clock” and connect it via USB or a virtual MIDI port.
- A “Device” line appears in the sound settings — it shows whether a MIDI source has been found.
- The tempo appears as soon as the source starts sending clock.
💡 Tip: for the microphone there’s a “Level” bar in the settings — it shows whether the program hears any music at all. If the bar isn’t moving, check that the microphone isn’t disabled in the system.
⚠️ Note: the “System” source captures sound using the operating system — if audio capture is blocked in the OS, the program will offer to grant permission.
