How to Make a Sped Up Song: Speed Up Your Track for Free
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You hear them all over TikTok and Reels: songs that sound a little faster and higher than the original. You can make a sped up version like that yourself in a few minutes, without expensive software. This guide explains what actually happens when you speed up a track, which speed works well and how to keep your voice from sounding like a cartoon.
What is a sped up version?
A sped up version plays a song faster, just like a record spinning at a higher speed. That pushes two things up at the same time: the tempo and the pitch. The song gets shorter, more energetic and brighter. You will also see the term nightcore. It is the same idea: faster and higher.
It is the opposite of slowed + reverb, where you slow a track down and add a lot of space. If that is what you are after, read how to make your own slowed + reverb version.
How to make a sped up version in 4 steps
The free slowed + reverb maker from NameOnTheBeat also makes sped up versions. Your audio is not uploaded: everything happens in your browser.
- Pick your track. Drop a WAV, MP3, M4A or FLAC file into the box, or click to choose a file.
- Choose Sped up. This setting makes your track faster and higher.
- Adjust the speed. A good starting point is around 1.20× to 1.30×. Turn the reverb off or keep it very low: a sped up version usually sounds best tight and dry.
- Listen and download. Happy with it? Download your version as a WAV. Need an MP3? Convert it with the free audio converter.
How much faster should you go?
Because tempo and pitch rise together, you can work out exactly what a speed does to your track. Here is what happens to a 140 BPM beat and a 3 minute song.
| Speed | How much higher | 140 BPM becomes | 3:00 becomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.10× | just over 1.5 semitones | 154 BPM | 2:44 |
| 1.20× | just over 3 semitones | 168 BPM | 2:30 |
| 1.25× | almost 4 semitones | 175 BPM | 2:24 |
| 1.30× | just over 4.5 semitones | 182 BPM | 2:18 |
Want to do the math yourself? The new tempo is the old tempo times the speed. So a 140 BPM track at 1.25× lands at 175 BPM. Not sure about the tempo of your original? Check it first with the Beat Lab BPM and key finder.
Rule of thumb: up to about 1.15× it still sounds like the original, just with more drive. Around 1.20× to 1.30× you get the typical sped up sound. Go beyond that and voices quickly turn thin and squeaky.
Tips for a sped up version that sounds good
Listen to the vocal first
The voice is the first thing that gives it away when you go too far. A low voice can handle quite a bit of speed, a high voice hits the limit sooner. If the vocal sounds like a cartoon, take a step back.
Watch your 808 and bass
The bass goes up in pitch too, so a deep 808 loses some weight. That is less obvious on phone speakers, but check it on headphones or in the car as well.
Skip the reverb
Reverb makes a slowed version dreamy, but on a sped up version it quickly gets messy. Start without reverb and only add a little if it really sounds too bare.
Pick the right section
For a short video you often only need the hook or a strong part of your verse. Choose the section that grabs people in the first few seconds. How to turn it into a vertical video is in how to make a slowed + reverb video. It works exactly the same for sped up. For more on using your music in videos, read how to promote your song with short videos.
Faster, but not higher?
Sometimes you want the extra drive without the higher voice. There is a workaround. Speed up your track first, then bring it back down with the transpose feature in Beat Lab. It changes the pitch but keeps the tempo the same.
- About 1.12× faster is 2 semitones higher. Then transpose down 2 semitones.
- About 1.26× faster is 4 semitones higher. Then transpose down 4 semitones.
If you cannot hit that exact speed, the pitch will be slightly off, so always listen back. Also keep in mind that transposing can add small artifacts, especially with bigger steps.
Can you make a sped up version of any song?
No. A sped up version of someone else's song is an edit of their work. Uploading it to TikTok, YouTube, Spotify or other platforms without permission can infringe copyright and lead to claims. What the law and the platforms say is in can you upload slowed + reverb songs? To learn how those claims work and what you can do, read Content ID claim on a beat.
So use it for music you are allowed to edit: your own tracks, your own recordings or beats with a license that allows editing and releasing. Bought a beat? Check your license to see what you can do with it.
Looking for a beat to rap on and then make your own sped up version of? Browse the beats from NameOnTheBeat and read what each license allows.
FAQ
What is the difference between sped up and nightcore?
Both are about playing a song faster and higher. Sped up is the term you mostly see on TikTok and Reels today. Where both come from is in nightcore vs sped up vs slowed.
Can I put a sped up version on Spotify?
For your own music, yes, through your distributor. It is a different version of your recording, so release it as a separate track. For other people's music, not without permission from the rights holders. How to do it properly, with an ISRC and the right title, is in how to release a sped up version of your song.
Is my track stored anywhere?
No. The slowed + reverb maker processes your audio in your own browser. You do not need an account.
Can I do this in my DAW?
Yes. Most DAWs can speed up audio, for example with Varispeed in Logic Pro. An online tool is mainly handy when you want to compare a few speeds quickly. Step by step per DAW: FL Studio, Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Audacity. Those guides focus on slowed, but each one has a sped up section too.
Find more handy tools for producers and rappers in the overview of free music tools.