Tempo sync locks time-based parameters to host BPM so rates and times stay musically aligned across tempo changes

Many time-related parameters in Surge XT — including LFO rate, envelope stages, delay time, portamento — can be synchronized to the host DAW’s tempo. When Tempo Sync is enabled on a slider, its value is expressed as a musical note division rather than an absolute time. A slider set to ‘1/4’ at 120 BPM runs the same musical duration as at 80 BPM. Sliders display ‘TS’ in tempo-sync mode. Right-clicking an LFO parameter offers ‘Tempo Sync For All … EG Parameters’ to sync all stages at once. In Surge XT standalone mode, the BPM is set via a control next to the virtual keyboard. Tempo sync is especially important for delay effects, LFO rates used for rhythmic modulation, and portamento times intended to align with phrase rhythm.

Examples

Enable Tempo Sync on LFO 1 Rate and set to 1/4 note for a filter-sweep vibrato that stays in time with DAW tempo, even across tempo changes mid-song.

Assessment

What happens to the sound of a tempo-synced LFO when you change the host DAW tempo from 120 to 90 BPM? Describe the difference in the slider display between a synced and unsynced time parameter.