128 BPM Metronome — The EDM Standard Tempo
Free online metronome set at 128 beats per minute. The universal tempo for house, techno, trance, and EDM. Perfect for electronic music production, DJing, and dance music practice.
Press Space to start/stop
Use ↑/↓ arrows to adjust BPM (Shift for ±5)
128 BPM (beats per minute) is universally recognized as the standard tempo for electronic dance music (EDM). This specific tempo has become the foundation of countless genres including house, techno, trance, progressive house, and most modern club music.
The prevalence of 128 BPM in dance music isn't arbitrary—it represents the optimal tempo for sustained dancing and energy. It's fast enough to create excitement and drive on the dance floor, yet controlled enough to maintain for extended periods without exhaustion. DJs worldwide rely on this tempo as it allows seamless mixing between tracks.
For electronic music producers and DJs, 128 BPM is the default starting point. Most DAWs and music production software default to 120 BPM, but producers often bump it up to 128 for that classic club feel. Understanding this tempo is essential for anyone working in electronic music production or performance.
House Music
128 BPM is the heartbeat of house music. From deep house to progressive house, this tempo creates the characteristic four-on-the-floor groove that defines the genre. The steady pulse at 128 BPM allows for layered percussion, basslines, and melodic elements to create hypnotic, danceable tracks.
Techno
While techno can range from 120-135 BPM, 128 BPM sits perfectly in the genre's sweet spot. This tempo provides enough energy for the driving, repetitive elements of techno while allowing space for complex rhythmic patterns and evolving soundscapes. Many classic techno tracks are locked at exactly 128 BPM.
Trance and Progressive
Trance music typically hovers around 128-140 BPM, with 128 being a common choice for progressive and uplifting trance. This tempo allows for the genre's characteristic build-ups, breakdowns, and euphoric drops while maintaining the energy needed for peak-time sets.
EDM and Festival Music
Modern EDM and festival music often centers around 128 BPM. This includes genres like electro house, big room house, and future house. The tempo has become so standard that festival crowds worldwide are conditioned to respond to this specific pulse, making it the lingua franca of dance music.
Music Production Techniques
When producing at 128 BPM, the grid in your DAW becomes your best friend. Most modern electronic music relies on perfect quantization to this tempo. Use the metronome to ensure all elements—drums, bass, synths, and vocals—lock precisely to the grid for that tight, professional sound.
DJ Mixing and Beatmatching
128 BPM is ideal for learning beatmatching and DJ transitions. Most DJ-friendly tracks are either at 128 BPM or can be easily synced to it. Practice mixing tracks at this tempo to develop your DJ skills—the standard tempo makes it easier to focus on phrasing, EQing, and creative mixing techniques.
Groove and Rhythm Design
At 128 BPM, every 16th note matters. Practice programming drum patterns, hi-hat rolls, and percussion at this tempo. The speed allows for intricate rhythmic details without becoming too fast to control. Experiment with swing, velocity variations, and subtle timing adjustments to add human feel.
Building Energy and Arrangement
128 BPM provides the perfect foundation for building energy through arrangement. Practice creating 8, 16, and 32-bar phrases. Learn to use filters, builds, and drops at this tempo to create the dynamic movement that keeps dancers engaged throughout a track.
Electronic Drums & Pads
Perfect for programming house and techno beats. Practice playing kick patterns, hi-hat rhythms, and percussion fills at 128 BPM. Use this tempo to develop finger drumming skills and pad performance techniques.
Synthesizers & Controllers
Ideal for live synth performance and programming. Practice playing basslines, lead melodies, and chord progressions at 128 BPM. Learn to perform filter sweeps and parameter automation in time with the beat.
DJ Controllers & Turntables
Essential tempo for DJ practice. Work on beatmatching, scratching, and mixing at 128 BPM. This standard tempo helps you develop muscle memory for pitch adjustments and timing that translates to other tempos.
Live Looping & Sampling
Great for live looping performances and sample manipulation. Practice creating loops, layering sounds, and performing transitions at 128 BPM. The tempo is fast enough to be energetic but controlled enough for complex live arrangements.
Bass Guitar (Electronic)
Perfect for practicing electronic bass lines and synth bass patterns. Many house and techno tracks feature bass guitar or bass synth at 128 BPM. Practice locked grooves and rhythmic patterns that support the four-on-the-floor kick.
Vocals & Processing
Excellent for vocal samples, hooks, and processed vocals common in EDM. Practice timing vocal chops, creating rhythmic vocal patterns, and aligning vocals with the beat at 128 BPM for professional-sounding dance music.
- For Production: Set your DAW to 128 BPM and use this metronome to practice programming drums and creating rhythmic patterns. Focus on quantizing elements perfectly to the grid while adding subtle humanization where needed.
- For DJing: Practice beatmatching by playing tracks at 128 BPM alongside this metronome. Work on your pitch control and timing until the beats align perfectly. This is essential training for manual beatmatching skills.
- For Performance: Use the metronome as a click track for live electronic music performance. Practice playing your parts in perfect time with the click, then gradually transition to performing with just a visual metronome or internal timing.
- Build Rhythmic Vocabulary: Practice clapping, tapping, or programming various rhythmic patterns at 128 BPM. Learn classic house and techno drum patterns, hi-hat variations, and percussion fills that work at this tempo.
- Develop Consistency: The key to professional electronic music is perfect timing. Use this metronome to develop unwavering consistency in your programming, performance, and mixing. Record yourself and analyze where you drift from the beat.
Frequently Asked Questions About 128 BPM
Why is 128 BPM the standard for EDM?
128 BPM became the EDM standard because it's the optimal tempo for sustained dancing—fast enough to be energetic but not so fast that dancers tire quickly. It also allows DJs to seamlessly mix between tracks from different sub-genres, making it the universal tempo for club and festival music.
Is 128 BPM the same as 120 BPM?
No, 128 BPM is noticeably faster than 120 BPM. While 120 BPM is the general music standard, 128 BPM is specifically optimized for dance music. The 8 BPM difference creates more energy and drive, which is essential for the dance floor atmosphere.
Can I use 128 BPM for genres other than EDM?
While 128 BPM is synonymous with EDM, it can work for upbeat pop, dance-rock, and some hip-hop productions. However, it's less common in acoustic music, jazz, or traditional rock. The tempo is specifically optimized for electronic music production and DJ culture.
How do I practice beatmatching at 128 BPM?
Play this metronome and try to sync a track to it using pitch control. Adjust the pitch slider until the beats align perfectly with the metronome. Once matched, practice maintaining the sync and transitioning between tracks. This fundamental DJ skill becomes second nature with consistent practice at 128 BPM.
What's the difference between 128 and 130 BPM?
128 BPM is slightly more controlled and is the standard for most house and progressive music. 130 BPM is slightly more energetic and often used in harder techno, trance, and some drum and bass tracks (usually halftime). The difference is subtle but affects the overall energy and feel.
Should I always produce EDM at exactly 128 BPM?
While 128 BPM is the standard, don't feel locked into it. Many successful tracks range from 125-132 BPM. Use 128 as your starting point, but experiment with slight variations to find the perfect tempo for your track. Some producers use 127 or 129 BPM to give their music a slightly different feel.
Explore nearby tempos and related practice pages to enhance your timing skills.