Contents
Introduction
Cosmic Calculator is a compact timing and frequency utility for musicians, producers and sound designers. It converts BPM into practical note lengths and modulation frequencies, and also provides a chromatic note-frequency chart for tuning oscillators, resonators, filters and other frequency-based processes.
The plugin has two primary views. The first is a tempo-derived table showing Normal, Dotted and Triplet timing values. The second is a Note Frequency Chart with note frequencies across multiple octaves. Clicking the banner/logo toggles between the two views.
Main Features
Host Tempo
Read the DAW tempo directly when Use Host BPM is enabled.
Manual Tempo
Disable host sync and choose a BPM manually when you need an independent reference.
Milliseconds + Hertz
Every rhythmic division shows both its duration and equivalent cycle frequency.
Normal / Dotted / Triplet
Three common rhythmic interpretations are shown side by side.
Frequency Chart
Reference note frequencies across octaves with A4 fixed at 440 Hz.
Copy Table
Move the displayed values into notes, documentation or another workflow.
Quick Start
- Insert Cosmic Calculator in a host that supports the plugin.
- Leave Use Host BPM enabled to follow the DAW tempo automatically.
- Read the timing table for the rhythmic division you need.
- Use the Normal, Dotted or Triplet column depending on the musical feel.
- Read either the millisecond value for time-based parameters or the Hertz value for rate-based parameters.
- Click Copy Table when you want the visible table in another application.
- Click the Cosmic Calculator banner/logo to open the Note Frequency Chart; click it again to return.
Main Interface
| Area | Function |
|---|---|
| Project BPM | Displays the BPM currently being used by the calculator. |
| Time Source | Shows whether the calculation is currently based on Host BPM or manual tempo. |
| Use Host BPM | When enabled, the plugin follows the host tempo and the Manual BPM section is inactive. |
| Manual BPM | Becomes available when host BPM is disabled and provides an independent tempo reference. |
| Copy Table | Copies the current reference table for use elsewhere. |
| Banner / Logo | Toggles between the rhythmic timing table and the Note Frequency Chart. |
Host BPM and Manual BPM
Use Host BPM
With Use Host BPM enabled, Cosmic Calculator follows the tempo reported by the DAW. If the project tempo changes, the displayed note durations and equivalent frequencies update to match.
This is the fastest workflow when matching delay times, modulation rates or sequencer values to an existing session.
Manual BPM
Disable Use Host BPM when you want to calculate from a tempo that is independent of the project. The Manual BPM control then becomes active.
Host BPM is useful for
Delay matching, synchronized modulation, current-project documentation and live tempo changes.
Manual BPM is useful for
Planning another track, checking a reference tempo, calculating before opening a session, or comparing multiple BPM values.
Note Duration Table
The left column identifies the musical duration: for example 1/1 (1 Bar), 1/2 (2 Beats), 1/4 (1 Beat), 1/8, 1/16 and progressively shorter divisions.
Normal
The straight rhythmic duration. At 220 BPM, a quarter note is 272.73 ms, equivalent to a 3.67 Hz repetition rate.
Dotted
A dotted value lasts one-and-a-half times as long as its normal equivalent. At 220 BPM, a dotted quarter is 409.09 ms.
Triplet
The triplet value is two-thirds the duration of its corresponding normal note. At 220 BPM, the quarter-note triplet is 181.82 ms.
Scroll the table to access additional shorter note divisions beyond those currently visible.
Timing Mathematics
Cosmic Calculator is designed so you do not have to do this arithmetic during a session, but the underlying relationships are useful to understand.
Quarter-note duration
At 120 BPM: 60,000 / 120 = 500 ms.
Frequency from duration
A 250 ms event repeats four times per second, so its equivalent frequency is 4 Hz.
Dotted and triplet relationships
triplet duration = normal duration x 2/3
Why Hertz is useful
Many audio parameters are expressed as rate rather than time. The Hertz column therefore makes it easy to set free-running LFOs, tremolos, autopanners, modulators and other periodic processors to a tempo-related rate even when the processor itself does not offer host synchronization.
Note Frequency Chart
The Note Frequency Chart lists chromatic pitch frequencies by octave. The current implementation uses the common reference of A4 = 440 Hz.
| Concept | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rows | Chromatic note names: C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#, A and the remaining notes further down the scrollable chart. |
| Columns | Octaves 0 through 8. |
| Cell values | Frequency in Hertz for the note at that octave. |
| A4 | 440 Hz reference pitch. |
The chart is useful for tuning resonators, comb filters, band-pass peaks, oscillators, ring-modulator carriers, frequency shifters and any other processor where a meaningful musical frequency is easier to work with than a note name.
Frequency Relationships
Octaves
Moving up one octave doubles the frequency. Moving down one octave halves it.
A4 = 440 Hz
A5 = 880 Hz
Equal Temperament
In twelve-tone equal temperament, the octave is divided into twelve equal logarithmic steps. Each semitone multiplies frequency by the same ratio.
You do not need this equation to use the chart; it simply explains why the values do not increase by a fixed number of Hertz from one note to the next.
Practical Audio Use
Comb / Resonator
Choose a note frequency to reinforce a musically related resonance.
Filter
Use the chart as a starting point for narrow resonant peaks or notches.
Modulation
Audio-rate modulation frequencies can be aligned to exact pitches.
Test Tones
Match generated sine waves or oscillators to known note pitches.
Copy Table and Workflow Uses
Copy Table is intended for moving the current reference data outside the plugin. This is particularly useful when documenting a patch or collecting timing values for multiple processors.
Useful destinations
- DAW track notes or project documentation
- Plugin development notes
- Delay and modulation reference sheets
- Preset documentation
- Spreadsheets and technical planning tables
- Support notes or manuals
Example workflow
- Set or follow the target BPM.
- Locate the required note division.
- Choose Normal, Dotted or Triplet.
- Use milliseconds for time parameters or Hertz for free-rate modulation.
- Copy the table when you need to preserve the whole reference set.
Tips, Examples and Quick Reference
| Goal | Cosmic Calculator workflow |
|---|---|
| Tempo-synced delay | Read the desired note value in milliseconds from Normal, Dotted or Triplet. |
| Free-running LFO | Read the corresponding Hertz value instead of milliseconds. |
| Triplet modulation | Use the Triplet column for the selected note division. |
| Dotted echo | Use the Dotted column; a dotted value is 1.5x the normal duration. |
| Tune a resonator | Open the Note Frequency Chart and choose the frequency of the desired pitch. |
| Compare project vs another tempo | Disable Use Host BPM and enter the alternate BPM manually. |
Interface Shortcuts
- Use Host BPM checked: follow the DAW tempo.
- Use Host BPM unchecked: work from Manual BPM.
- Click banner/logo: switch between timing table and Note Frequency Chart.
- Copy Table: copy the currently displayed reference data.
Version
This manual documents the interface shown as Cosmic Calculator v0.1.5.