Playback timing

Set BPM and beats for predictable measure timing

The same timing values appear in three places for different jobs: completing import, editing preset defaults, and overriding one selected measure.

5 min readUpdated: Product version: 1.2.5

The short answer

On 3/3 Playback Setup, enter the Preset title, PDF BPM (30–260), and Default beats (1–64). These fields open blank for a new manual import and must be entered explicitly; completion also requires at least one playable measure. After import, Edit opens Measure Edit: rename the preset with the edit button beside its title, and change score-wide PDF BPM and Default beats under Preset details. For one measure, go to Crop Edit, select it, open the detail panel and Timing tab, then set Selected BPM or Selected beats. The selected values take precedence only for that measure.

step 3 of 3, Playback Setup screen in SheetCue 1.2.5
Real in-app view: step 3 of 3, Playback Setup.

How it works

1

Complete 3/3 Playback Setup

During import, give the preset a nonblank title and enter integer PDF BPM and Default beats values. The final check also requires at least one playable measure from the earlier setup steps.

2

Edit the name and preset-wide timing

After setup, open the score actions and tap Edit. In Measure Edit, the button beside the title renames the preset; Preset details changes the PDF BPM and Default beats used across it.

Measure Edit hub screen in SheetCue 1.2.5
Real in-app view: Measure Edit hub.
3

Override one measure in Crop Edit

From Measure Edit, open Crop Edit, select a numbered measure, expand its detail panel, and switch to Timing. Enter Selected BPM or Selected beats only when that measure needs a different duration.

Crop Edit timing controls screen in SheetCue 1.2.5
Real in-app view: Crop Edit timing controls.
4

Test the timed advance

At 1× speed, duration in seconds is beats × 60 ÷ BPM. Watch the current and next cues in practice; playback speed then scales that duration without rewriting the stored preset values.

full-page practice screen in SheetCue 1.2.5
Real in-app view: full-page practice.

What to know

Defaults and selected timing have different scope

PDF BPM and Default beats are the preset baseline. Selected BPM and Selected beats take precedence for the chosen measure; other measures keep their existing timing.

Beats is a timing count

It helps calculate when SheetCue advances. It is not automatic time-signature recognition or a notation-aware meter setting.

Current limits

  • Tempo and meter are not read from notation or audio.
  • Rubato, fermatas, pickups, and expressive timing require manual values or approximation.
  • Version 1.2.5 accepts 30–260 BPM and 1–64 beats.

Related guides

PDF score practiceHow to practice a PDF score measure by measureMeasure box editingCorrect measure boxes before you practicePlayback orderSet the practice order for repeats and page returns

Turn your score into a measure-by-measure practice flow.

SheetCue is free to download on iOS, iPadOS, and Android.

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