Ticks, PPQ and tempo maps

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Timing and files

With PPQ timing, a MIDI file represents time using ticks per quarter note. A tick is not a fixed number of seconds: its duration depends on resolution and the current tempo. Tempo changes require conversion along the tempo map rather than one global multiplier.

At PPQ=480 and quarter=120 BPM, 480 ticks last half a second. At quarter=60, the same count lasts one second. Other files can use SMPTE timing. File size alone therefore cannot establish musical duration or timing resolution.

Example

At PPQ=480, 960 ticks equal two quarters, or one second at quarter=120.

Try it

At PPQ=240, how many ticks represent one quarter note?

Related topics

References

Timing Information

Subject-expert review pending.