Tempo is how fast a song moves. It expresses the sense of fast or slow, and in a DAW it is usually set as a BPM value.
The basic idea
Even at the same BPM, the perceived speed changes with note subdivision and with how the rhythm is played. Tempo is judged not only by the number but also by the breathing and the drive the song has.
Its role in writing and performing
Once the tempo is set, the metronome, the grid, loop material, and tempo-synced effects all share the same reference. It also strongly affects the feel of the genre and how singable the song is.
How to check it in a DAW
Start with a provisional BPM, then nudge the value after adding melody and drums and compare. Once you settle on a speed that fits the song, avoid changing it carelessly later on.
How it differs from related terms
Tempo is the concept of a song’s speed, and BPM is the unit that puts a number on it. Time signature is a separate setting that shows how the beats in a bar are grouped.
Rather than defaulting to a standard number, choose by ear the speed at which the song moves forward naturally.
